The biggest 4th of July fireworks and celebrations in the Triangle are back in 2021! There are many fireworks shows taking place across the Triangle, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Wake Forest and more. There are also other celebrations and parades returning for 2021.
We will be updating this page continuously in the days leading up to Independence Day, so please keep checking back.
Please make sure to check the date of each event, as some take place the weekend before the 4th of July, or other times.
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!
All of North Carolina
July 4th, 2021, is Free Fishing Day at any public body of water in North Carolina. Fish anywhere without a license. Other regulations, such as size limitations and lure restrictions, still apply. If you don’t have fishing equipment, many facilities operate a tackle loan program.
Apex
The Town of Apex is celebrating on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021, with an Olde Fashioned Fourth of July. The event starts with a flag raising at 10 a.m. There will be a Drive-Thru Red, White, and Blue Car Processional through Downtown Apex. Participants must sign up in advance, and the staging area is limited to 100 vehicles. In addition, Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels will give kids a chance to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, trikes and other non-motorized vehicle, and participate in their own parade. After the parades there will be a splashdown behind Fire Station #1! More details here.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is presenting a fireworks show at Southern Community Park, 1000 Sumac Road, Chapel Hill. The fireworks display will take place on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, at 9:20 p.m. Parking will start at 7 p.m. There won’t be any other festivities. Make sure to read the questions and answers about Chapel Hill’s 4th of July fireworks celebration.
Carrboro
The Town of Carrboro is presenting the 8th Annual Reading of Frederick Douglass’ 4th of July Essay on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, at 12 p.m., at Carrboro Town Square. Then, at 2 p.m., there will be a concert by Tre. Charles. Both will also be livestreamed on Carrboro’s YouTube channel.
Cary
The Town of Cary is presenting an Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. It will feature the Cary Town Band, the NC Symphony, and Fireworks. General admission is free, but tables are available, for a ticket price, available June 4th at 12 p.m.
Clayton
The Town of Clayton is celebrating in a big way, with the brand new Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The street festival takes place on Main Street from Horne Square to Town Square, and features stiltwalkers, face painters, axe throwing, a hot dog eating contest, a hula hoop contest, a trackless train, rock climbing wall, waterslides, a bike parade, free snow cones and watermelon, a fire truck parade and more.
Then, celebrate 4th of July at Archer Lodge Community Center, 14009 Buffalo Road, Clayton, on Saturday, July 3rd, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with live music by Aaron Hamm and the Big River Band, food trucks, and fireworks.
Durham
4th of July Laser Light Show
Saturday, July 3rd, and Sunday, July 4th, 2021
9 p.m.
Durham County Memorial Stadium, 750 Stadium Drive, Durham
Free, but you need to reserve your ticket in advanceWatch this patriotic laser light show from your car or from your chair in front of your car. The free tickets can be reserved starting Monday, June 7th, at 9 a.m.
Children’s Independence Day Parade
Sunday, July 4th, 2021
9:30 a.m.
Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham
Free
Bring the kids to the pavilion at 9:30 a.m. Kids can decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons and scooters with items from the Scrap Exchange. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m.
Fireworks after Durham Bulls Game
Sunday, July 4th, 2021
There will be fireworks after the Durham Bulls game on July 4th. The game starts at 6:05 and the fireworks will start at approximately 9:15 p.m. Gates will open for general admissions at the end of the 7th inning, based on availability, for those who would like to view the fireworks from inside the ballpark. Viewing from outside the ballpark is limited, but includes the grassy area behind Diamond View 3, Burt’s Bees — outside of the North Deck, and Tobacco Road Sports Café.
72nd Annual Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July parade and Celebration is Durham’s oldest 4th of July celebration. It takes place Sunday, July 4th, 2021, at 10 a.m., at Oval Drive Park, 2200 W. Club Boulevard, Durham. This is a true community event, and the organizers are excited to have it back in full force this year. Everyone is invited.
Festival for the Eno
This annual festival at West Point on the Eno will return for 4th of July weekend, 2021. It will take place July 3rd and 4th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Adult one-day tickets are $25.
Fourth on the Farm Music Festival
Old Mill Farm, at 8913 NC 751, Durham, is hosting Fourth on the Farm Music Festival on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets for a two-hour time slot are $25 per car load. That includes admission for everyone in the car, parking, sparklers, and feed for the animals. Enjoy the live music, meet and feed the animals, and purchase BBQ, craft beer and wine, Locopops, and more.
Community reading of Frederick Douglass’ 4th of July Speech
Monday, July 5th, 2021, at 10 a.m., at Historic Stagville, 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, listen to, or participate in, a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ powerful abolitionist speech, which he delivered at an Independence Day celebration on July 5th, 1852. This free event will last about one hour, and then you’ll be able to tour the original slave dwellings.
Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina is holding its Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021, at South Park, 900 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina. The gates open at 6 p.m., and Spare Change will be providing the live music, starting at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks show will start around 9:15 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. Coolers are allowed, but not alcohol. Food vendors will be on site.
Garner
Garner’s Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, July 3rd, 2021
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner
Free
The festivities will include a performance by the North Carolina Symphony and fireworks.
Holly Springs
Holly Springs July 5th Celebration
Monday, July 5th, 2021
6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, 2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs
Free
Holly Springs annual “day after 4th of July celebration” is back for 2021. The fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.
Knightdale
Knightdale is not holding its annual 4th on 1st celebration in 2021.
Morrisville
Morrisville’s celebration is on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Town Hall Drive. It includes live music, a magic show, food trucks, and more, culminating with a laser show.
Raleigh
The City of Raleigh will launch a 4th of July fireworks show on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, at 9:30 pm. It will take place near the Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena Complex. Parking is free in the PNC Arena lots, North Carolina State Fairgrounds Bunn Field lots along Trinity Road, and Carter-Finley Stadium lots. The parking lots gates will open at 6 p.m. There won’t be any other programming, or food or vendors.
The Brier Creek 4th of July party is returning for 2021. The Star Spangled Block Party will take place at Brier Creek Commons, 8311 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, starting at 8 p.m. There will be a DJ, giveaways, and fireworks. Tune into Kix 102.9 to listened to the choreographed fireworks soundtrack.
There will be an Independence Day Celebration at the North Carolina State Capitol, 1 E. Endenton Street, Raleigh, on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, fro 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes a reading from the Declaration of Independence, wreath laying at the George Washington monument by the Sons of the American Revolution, music by Cary Concert Band, and self-guided tours of the Capitol Building.
Roxboro
The City of Roxboro’s annual Independence Day Fireworks Display will take place Friday, July 2nd, 2021, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Person High School Stadium, 1010 Ridge Road, Roxboro. Fireworks will be shot from the football field at Person High School stadium. The stadium will not be open to spectators, but the surrounding parking lots are available for parking and setting up lawn chairs to watch the show.
Selma
Selma’s all-American Festival with Fireworks
Friday, July 2nd, 2021, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Blackstone Plaza, 115 Meghan Circle, Selma
Free
This festival features live music from the Fantasy Band, free children’s activities, free watermelon slices, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Wake Forest
The Town of Wake Forest is presenting a fireworks show on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021, at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m., and the show will start at 9:30 p.m. The Children’s Parade and Art in the Park will take place on Sunday, July 4th.
Wendell
Celebrate at the Wendell 4th of July Picnic at the Park, on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Wendell Park, 601 West Third Street, Wendell. There will be food trucks, bounce houses and lawn games.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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John & Bev Larkin says
Though not actually in the Triangle, would you PLEASE include activities in Roxboro?
Linda Ladd Hernandez says
Yes like to know what is going on inn Roxboro
Jody Mace says
Roxboro 4th of July event is in the post. Thanks!