The Town of Hillsborough is presenting Together We Are America July 4th Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. This is a free event that will take place in River Park and at venues throughout Downtown Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Programming includes a juried crafts market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., live performances from 1 to 9 p.m., the “We the People” Parade, FREE watermelon, and historical, cultural and artistic demonstrations throughout the day. The celebration ends with an Independence Day Laser Show!
Together We Are America Schedule
- 1 p.m.: Apple Chill Cloggers with music by the Blue Star Travelers
- 1:45 p.m.: Music by Blue Star Travelers
- 2:15 p.m.: Clogging Workshop with the Apple Chill Cloggers and the Blue Star Travelers
- 2:45 p.m.: “Well, I Declare” with dawn Landes featuring Mike Wiley — live reading of Declaration of Independence, with original songs and musical responses
- 4 p.m.: Live music by the Tan and Sober Gentlemen
- 4:45 p.m.: We the People Parade with the Second Line Stompers (learn more below)
- 5:15 p.m.: Live music by Los Peligros Del Norte
- 6:30 p.m.: Live music by Second Line Stompers, a five-piece jazz band
- 7:30 p.m.: Live music by New Creation Gospel
- 8:15 p.m.: Welcome and recognition of elected officials
- 8:45 p.m.: Live music by Triangle Jazz Orchestra
- 9 p.m.: Independence Day Laser Show by Solar Syndicate
We the People Parade
Starting at 10 a.m., make your very own handmade “Flag of the Future.” Work with local artists to make your flag showing what you wish for our country over the next 250 years. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite character from U.S. history. At 4:45 p.m., meet at the River Park ARTch for a short parade around River Park.
Other Activities
- Traditional games at Burwell School Historic Site
- “Fabric of the Community” at the River Park ARTch: Help transform the frame of the River Park ARTch! Stop by the metal arch on the Churton Street side of River Park and work with local artists to transform the arch and be a part of public art installation.
- Clay demonstrations: Since colonial times, North Carolina’s Piedmont has been renowned for its rich pottery tradition. Join team members from the future Eno Arts Mill Ceramics Studio to explore basic pottery techniques. Try your hand at the pottery wheel, experiment with hand-building, and discover the craft that has shaped generations of North Carolina artisans.
- Historic Hillsborough Walking Tours: Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns with a guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. These two-hour tours start at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Hillsborough Visitors Center. Registration is required, and space is limited!
Hillsborough in Early American History
Hillsborough was an important town in the early America.
Hillsborough experienced the struggle for independence firsthand with the Regulator movement, protests against unfair taxation, and as the location for the Third North Carolina Provincial Congress where North Carolina prepared to separate from Great Britain.
The North Carolina General Assembly met in Hillsborough during the Revolution in 1778 and 1782 following the Battle of Yorktown. It also met in Hillsborough before the signing of the Treaty of Paris ending the American Revolution. Notable figures in Hillsborough during the Revolution included General Francis Nash and William Hooper, one of three signers of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina.
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More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
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