Wondering where to watch fireworks and celebrate the 4th of July in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle? Here are the answers! The biggest and best 4th of July fireworks and celebrations in the Triangle will be back in 2025! There are many fireworks shows taking place across the Triangle, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest and more. There are also other festivals, celebrations and parades returning for 2025.
We’ve added a Google map of all the fireworks celebrations in this article. Keep reading to look at the map, or just jump to the map.
Please make sure to check the date of each event, as some take place before or after July 4!
Also, make sure to check out our list of 4th of July food deals!
Jump to 4th of July celebrations in:
4th of July Events in the Triangle
Please make sure to follow each link for full details. Sometimes details change, and we might not be notified!
Apex
Town of Apex Fireworks Frenzy
Fireworks Frenzy
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: Hunter Street Park, 1250 Ambergate Station, Apex, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Apex’ fireworks display event also features music, food trucks and a Kids Zone with inflatables and games. From 5 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., enjoy food trucks and fun. The fireworks are planned for 9:30 p.m.
Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
Apex Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Downtown Apex
Cost: Free
Features: Games for all ages, inflatables, the Parade of Wheels and a splash down with the Apex Fire Department.
Chapel Hill
Old Fashioned Fourth of July
Fourth of July with Preservation Chapel Hill
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Place: Horace Williams House, 610 East Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This free afternoon celebration includes a performance by The Village Band, as well as ice cream and beverages. Please bring lawn chairs or a blanket
Chapel Hill 4th of July Fireworks
Chapel Hill’s 4th of July Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Place: Southern Community Park, 1000 Sumac Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: You are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnics. You’re not allowed to bring tents, tailgates, pets, alcohol or glass. The best viewing is from the Southern Community Park ball fields and the Southern Village Green. A free shuttle will be available.
Carrboro
Town of Carrboro’s 4th of July Celebration
Carrboro’s 4th of July Celebration
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Weaver Street Market, 101 E Weaver Street, and Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W Main Street, Carrboro.
Cost: Free
Features: Meet at Weaver Street Market for a bike and wagon decorating contest and a costume contest. The People’s Parade will go from there to Carrboro Town Hall, where there will be live music and kids’ activities until 1:30 p.m. Festivities include carnival games, a baby crawl contest, a pie eating contest and much more. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Carrboro Century Center, the community reading of Frederick Douglass’ essay, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro” will take place.
Cary
Cary’s July 3rd Celebration
Cary’s July 3rd Celebration
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 4 to 10 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Family-friendly airplane-themed activities, food trucks and the movie Top Gun.
Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day Celebration
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 3:30 to 10 p.m.
Place: Koka Both Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Concerts by Cary Town Band and North Carolina Symphony, plus kids’ activities, and fireworks.
Independence Day Fishing Tournament
Independence Day Fishing Tournament
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Fishing tournament for all ages. Prizes for longest and shortest fish for each age group.
Durham
City of Durham 4th of July Fireworks
City of Durham 4th of July Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: After the Durham Bulls game, which starts at 6:35 p.m.
Place: Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Ticket price to the game varies.
Features: Best viewing is from within the ballpark. There are limited viewing areas outside the ballpark. Gates will open for free general admission, based on availability, at the end of the 7th inning for those who just want to watch the fireworks.
Independence Day Celebration at ZincHouse
Independence Day Celebration at ZincHouse
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 3 to 11 p.m.
Place: ZincHouse Winery & Brewery, 6225 Wake Forest Road, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and fireworks. Food trucks on site. Drinks for purchase. Age 21+ only.
Children’s Independence Day Parade
Children’s Independence Day Parade
Date: July 4, 2025
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Materials will be provided so that kids can decorate their bikes and wagons. Then the parade takes place at 10:30 a.m., followed by free popsicles and fire truck tours. Stick around afterwards! The Glass Jug will be providing hot dogs (first come, first served) for a suggested donation of $3. Get some dogs and grab a beer to start off your 4th of July celebrations.
Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July Parade
Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July Parade
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Oval Drive, Park, 2200 W Club Boulevard, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This is the oldest public Independence Day celebration in Durham. It’s a home-grown, old-fashioned parade that ends with an ice-cold Coke in glass bottles!
Festival for the Eno
Festival for the Eno (also known as EnoFest)
Date: July 4 and 5, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day
Place: West Point on the Eno, 5101 N Roxboro Street, Durham, NC
Cost: Through $35 for single day tickets and $65 for a two-day pass for adults. Single tickets for ages 5-17 are $10 and two-day passes for kids are $15.
Features: More than 60 bands on four stages. Craft show, food and drink
Historic Stagville
Community reading of Frederick Douglass’ 4th of July speech
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Place: Stagville State Historic Site, Horton Grove, 5925 Jock Road, Bahama, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Every year 60 volunteers sign up to read passages from Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July.”
Franklin County
Franklin County
Franklinton Independence Day Celebration
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Time: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Franklinton Middle School football field, 224 Rams Way, Franklinton, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Food trucks, games and family fun, with a fireworks show.
Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration
Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration
Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Time: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: South Park, 308 Jones Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, food trucks, splash pad, fireworks
Garner
Garner Independence Day Celebration
Garner Independence Day Celebration
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Concert by North Carolina Symphony, kids’ zone, fireworks
Holly Springs
Holly Springs
Holly Springs Fireworks Show
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, 2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, food, fireworks
Johnston County
Selma’s All American Festival
Selma’s All American Festival
Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
Time: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Blackstone Plaza, 115 Meghan Circle, Selma, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, food trucks, games and fireworks
Clayton Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival and Fireworks
Square to Square Independence Day and Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Clayton
Cost: Free
Features: This celebration features a street festival and fireworks. The festival features free snow cones, free watermelon slices, food trucks, inflatables, a fire truck srpay down and more.
Smithfield Independence Day Celebration
Smithfield Independence Day Celebration
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: Neuse River Amphitheater, 150 S Front Street, Smithfield, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, food trucks, games and activities, a kids’ zone, and a fireworks display at 9:05 p.m.
Archer Lodge Community Center Family Fun Day
Archer Lodge Community Family Fun Day
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Place: Archer Lodge Community Center, 14009 Buffalo Road, Archer Lodge, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Bike parade, inflatables, food trucks, entertainment, skydivers, vendors and more. The evening ends with a fireworks show.
Kenly 95
Kenly 95 Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 9 p.m.
Place: Kenly 95, 923 Johnston Parkway, Kenly,
Cost: Free
Features: Fireworks show. Food court inside the truck stop available for purchases. Bring your own lawn chair.
Knightdale
Knightdale’s Fourth of July Celebration
Knightdale’s Fourth of July Celebration
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Bike parade, live music from liquid pleasure, DJ, food trucks, inflatables, splashpad.
Morrisville
Morrisville’s Red, White & Boom!
Morrisville’s Red, White & Boom!
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live entertainment, food trucks, family-friendly games, fireworks display
Pittsboro
Pittsboro SummerFest
Pittsboro SummerFest
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Time: 4 to 9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, bike parade, more.
Raleigh
City of Raleigh 4th of July Fireworks
City of Raleigh 4th of July Fireworks
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Carter-Finley Stadium/Lenovo Center area, 4600 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This is a fireworks-centered celebration. There will not be performances, activities or vendors.
Brier Creek Star Spangled Block Party and Fireworks Show
Brier Creek Star Spangled Block Party and Fireworks Show
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 8 to 10 p.m .
Place: Brier Creek Commons, 8131 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy face painting, glitter tattoos, games, strolling entertainers, giveaways (while supplies last) and a performance by the Raleigh Rockers. The fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Independence Day at N.C. State Capitol
Independence Day at N.C. State Capitol
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: State Capitol, 1 E Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This annual celebration includes a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, a reading from the Declaration of Independence, a wreath laying at the George Washington monument and music by Raleigh Concert Band.
Joel Lane Museum House
Joel Lane Museum House Open House
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Joel Lane Museum House, 160 South Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The free open house includes demonstrations and kids’ crafts. The historic house will be open to walk through. There will also be free refreshments.
Rolesville
Rolesville 4th of July Celebration
Rolesville 4th of July Celebration
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Redford Place Park, 121 Redford Place Drive, Rolesville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer, wine and fireworks
Roxboro
Roxboro Independence Day Parade
Roxboro 4th of July Parade
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Main Street, Roxboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 4th of July parade
Roxboro Fireworks
Roxboro Fireworks Display
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: Dusk
Place: Person High School, 1010 Ridge Road, Roxboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Fireworks
Wake Forest
Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular
Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Place: Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and fireworks show.
Wake Forest Children’s Parade
Wake Forest Children’s Parade
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue to Wake Forest Community House, 133 W Owen Avenue, Wake Forest, NC
Cost: Free
Features: All area kids can participate, riding their bikes or being pulled in a wagon. No registration is required. Bicyclists must wear helmets.
Wake Forest Art and More in the Park
Wake Forest Art and More in the Park
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Wake Forest Community House, 133 W Owen Avenue, Wake Forest, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Arts and crafts projects for kids. Also, the Wake Forest Fire Department will be on site grilling and serving free hot dogs, providing information on fire prevention and safety and handing out giveaways.
Wendell
Wendell Fireworks Show
Wendell Fireworks Show
Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Wendell Community Park, 601 W 3rd Street, Wendell, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, food trucks and fireworks. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m.
Zebulon
Mudcats Games
Mudcats Games
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: After game, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
Place: Five County Stadium, 1501 NC 39 Hwy, Zebulon, NC
Cost: Start at $14
Features: Post-game fireworks for Indendence Day
Fireworks Map
This interactive map includes all the fireworks shows from this article. It doesn’t include parades or other celebrations.
X23Sam says
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
Travel Assistant says
It’s great to see so many free, family-friendly celebrations popping up in July—especially with parades, block parties, and that big fireworks display in Raleigh at Dix Park.
I love how the guide includes Free Fishing Day at North Carolina’s public waters—such a sweet bonus for families or anglers wanting a low-key start to the holiday . Plus, events in Apex (kids’ zone, inflatables, parade) and Knightdale (food trucks and fireworks) mean there’s charm and community all over, not just big-city bustle .
Chapel Hill’s fireworks at Southern Community Park look like a perfect picnic spot—blankets encouraged, bring your snacks, but no tents or pets . And Durham’s plan to pair fireworks with the Bulls game? Love it—makes it an all-evening event with baseball, then a sky show.
The Wake Forest block party and Carrboro’s People’s Parade stand out too—small-town vibes with bike decorating, crafts, ice cream, and all the community feels .