Find out about all the ways to celebrate Independence Day 2019 in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and beyond. Enjoy fireworks, parades, festivals and more.
Due to response from readers, we are including some big events that are outside of the area that is usually included on Triangle on the Cheap.
Know of others that should be on this list? Email jody@triangleonthecheap.com. Also, have you subscribed by email? Your email address will never be shared, sold, or spammed. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter. Tell your friends! And follow each link below for the necessary details. You might also be interested in:
- Free things to do this week in the Triangle
- Outdoor Summer Concert Series
- Outdoor Summer movies
- Free and cheap things to do this summer with kids in the Triangle
- Free museums and free museum days in the Triangle
All of North Carolina
Free Fishing Day
Thursday, July 4th
On July 4th, 2019, you can fish for free, with no fishing license, at any public body of water in the state of North Carolina. Many locations offer free loaner equipment.
Apex
Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Historic Downtown Apex
Flag-raising, inflatables, face-painting, karaoke, parade of wheels, fire department splashdown
Free to attend. Might be cost for some activities.
Burlington
July 3rd in the Park
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Burlington City Park, 1388 S. Main Street, Burlington
Amusement park rides, inflatables, face painting, live music, concessions, fireworks
Free, but you’ll need a wristband for some activities. Unlimited wristband is $5.
Carrboro
Carrboro Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 9:30 a.m.
Carrboro Town Hall
At 10:50 a.m. the parade leaves from Weaver Street Market to the Town Hall. At the town hall starting at 9:30 a.m., enjoy activities, food, games and music.
Free
Cary
Cary Independence Eve Celebration
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
Cary Arts Center
The Cary Town Band will celebrate and honor our nation’s veterans in this year’s Independence Eve Celebration. Speaker Deborah Tilton, a Specialist in the NC Army National Guard and decorated veteran, will answer the question, “What is a Veteran?” Musical selections will be played to honor those who have served. The band will pay special tribute to our military service personnel and their spouses past and present who have helped secure our freedom and liberty. For more info, visit Cary Town Band or call (919) 469-4069.
Free
Cary Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 7:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fred G. Metro Bond Park, Boathouse
Enjoy the fishing tournament, parade, and various activities. The activities start at 8 a.m.
Free
July Fourth at Booth Amphitheatre
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 3 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun, family festivities. The North Carolina Symphony will be performing. There will be a fireworks display at the end of the event.
Free but there will be a charge for some of the amusements.
Chapel Hill
Town of Chapel Hill 4th of July Fireworks and Community Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 2019
6 p.m.
Southern Village, 400 Market Street, Chapel Hill
The celebration and fireworks are moving from Kenan Memorial Stadium this year. They will be launched from Scrogg’s Elementary School, and the prime viewing areas will be Southern Village, where there will be a pre-fireworks community celebration with kids’ activities and music, and Southern Community Park, 1000 Sumac Road.
Clayton
Clayton’s Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 4 p.m.
Municipal Park, 325 McCullers Drive, Clayton.
Live music by Big Love, free watermelon slices, free ice cream, inflatables, fair rides, and more.fireworks at the end of the day.
Durham
Children’s Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 9:30 a.m.
Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham
Bring the kids and celebrate the birth of our nation in this fun and patriotic parade. Come early to help your kids decorate their bikes, big wheels, tricycles, wagons, even strollers. Parade starts at 10:30 am. Free popsicles and fire truck tours after the parade.
Free
Durham Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, after the ballgame ends
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Patriotic fireworks show immediately following the USA baseball game.
Free, but you should consider buying tickets to the baseball game to make sure you get in. This is strongly suggested. Follow the above link for more information.
Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July parade and Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 10 a.m.
Oval Drive Park, 2200 W. Club Boulevard, Durham
This tradition started in 1950 with six neighborhood kids riding their bikes up and back on the sidewalk. Today, 1,000 people attend. The parade is led by the fire truck and features patriotic singing. Afterwards, participants cool down with bottles of ice-cold Coca-Cola.
40th Annual Festival for the Eno
Thursday, July 4th, and Saturday, July 6th, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days
West Point on the Eno, 5101 N Roxboro Rd, Durham
Single day ticket: $23 ($18 in advance)
Two day ticket: $35 ($23 in advance)
Single day ticket for ages 13-16: $11
Kids under 13: Free
This festival is a 4th of July tradition for Durham. It features more than 70 bands (follow above link for band lineup), artists, artisans and much more. It raises money to protect the Eno River and surrounding lands.
Independence Day Celebration at Stagville
Friday, July 5th, 2019
11 a.m.
Stagville State Historic Site
5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham
Free
Frederick Douglass Community Reading: Commemorate Independence Day with a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ powerful Fourth of July address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July.” This is a participatory event, open to people of all ages! We will provide copies of the speech to all attendees, and read it out loud together as a community.
Fuquay-Varina
Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 3rd, gates at 6 p.m., Spare Change plays at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at sundown
South Park, 900 S. Main Street
Food vendors, music, free rides for kids, splash pad 6 p.m. until sundown, and fireworks.
Free
Garner
Garner Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 3rd, 5 p.m.
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner
Celebrate Independence day with food, music, and inflatable games. The North Carolina Symphony will be performing. The event will end with a fireworks show.
Hillsborough
Hillsborough’s Independence Day Picnic
Sunday, June 30th, 11 a.m.
Eno River Farmers Market Pavilion
Live music by Alabama Slim and more. Food trucks and family activities in River Park until 3 p.m.
Free
Holly Springs
Holly Springs Independence Day Celebration
Friday, July 5th, 5 p.m.
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park
A pet-friendly festival with food, games, crafts, activities, and more. There will be a fireworks display at 9:15.
Free
Knightdale
Knightdale Fourth of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 5 p.m.
Knightdale Station Park
This celebration features food trucks, vendors, and kids’ activities, as well as a live performance by The Embers. There will be fireworks to close out the celebration.
Free
Mebane
Mebane 4th of July Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 7 p.m.
Mebane Arts & Community Center, 633 Corregidor Drive (off 3rd Street)
Enjoy concessions, music, inflatables and fireworks. Band of Oz plays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. fireworks are at 9:40 p.m.
Free
Morrisville
Morrisville Fireworks
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019, 6 p.m.
Morrisville Community Park
Fireworks and food trucks. Bring blankets, chairs, and tents to watch the show.
Free, but bring money for the food trucks
Raleigh
Raleigh Fireworks
Thursday, July 4th, 6 p.m.
PNC Arena/Carter-Finley Stadium/NC State Fairgrounds Area
Raleigh’s fireworks will take place in the PNC Arena area.
All fireworks will be launched from property owned by NC State University along Trinity Road, directly adjacent to Close-King Indoor Practice Facility. PNC Arena, Carter-Finley Stadium, and the North Carolina State Fairgrounds are in the vicinity of the fireworks display.
- Free parking will be available in lots at the PNC Arena, Carter-Finley Stadium, and Bunn Field at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds along Trinity Road.
- There will be no public access to the arena, fairgrounds, or stadium facilities, but there will be restroom amenities at each location.
- Parking lot gates will open at 6 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to launch at 9:34 p.m.
- In the event of inclement weather on July 4, the event will be moved to July 5.
Those attending are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics as there will be no food or beverage sales on the premises. To ensure safety of all guests, illegal substances, fireworks/explosives, and weapons of any kind are prohibited on the property. Raleigh police officers will be on site to assist with traffic control and help maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.
A portion of Trinity Road between Blue Ridge Road and Edwards Mill Road, including the pedestrian tunnel, will be closed to facilitate the launch of fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Finley Freedom Festival
Sunday, June 30th, 2019
6:30 p.m.
A.E. Finley YMCA, 9216 Baileywick Road, Raleigh
Free
The whole community is invited. You don’t need to be a member of the YMCA. Music, games, face painting, food vendors, balloons, and a fireworks show.
Brier Creek Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 7 p.m.
Brier Creek Commons
Games, bounce houses, prizes, and face painting. Ends with a fireworks display at dusk.
Joel Lane House Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Joel Lane Museum House
The historic Joel Lane Museum House offers free admission on July 4th. Take a tour of the house, and enjoy historical activities.
Free
Independence Day Celebration at the State Capitol
Thursday, July 4th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NC State Capitol, 1 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh
This great Raleigh tradition includes a naturalization ceremony for new citizens and patriotic music by Raleigh Concert Band. Carriage rides, food trucks, and free family-friendly activities. Free birthday cake at 1 p.m. Self-guided tours of the Capitol.
Free
Rolesville
Rolesville Fourth of July Parade and Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 5 p.m.
121 Redford Place Drive
The event will include live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and a fireworks display.
Selma
Selma’s all-American Festival
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, 6 p.m.
Uptown Selma
A family-fun event featuring food, special events, a children’s area, and fireworks.
Free
Smithfield
Smithfield Independence Celebration
Sunday, June 30th, 2019, 6:30 p.m.
South Third Street, Historic Downtown Smithfield
Food vendors, water wars, and music by The Seaside Band. The celebration ends with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Wake Forest
Wake Forest Fireworks Display
Wednesday, July 3rd, 5:30 p.m.
Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest
The band, Crush, is performing, followed fireworks.
Free
Wake Forest Children’s Parade
Thursday, July 4th, 10 a.m.
North Main Street
Children can ride their bikes, walk, or be pulled in a wagon along North Main Street.
Free
Arts and Games in the Park
Thursday, July 4th, 11 a.m.
Holding Park, 133 West Owen Avenue
Arts activities for kids
Free
Wendell
Wendell’s Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wendell’s annual Independence Day celebration features a citizen’s and children’s parade down Main Street, starting at Wendell United Methodist Church, and ending at the J. Ashley Wall Town Square. After the program there will be FREE hot dogs, watermelon and desserts.
Free
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