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 2022! 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 2022.
We will be updating this page in the months and weeks 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
Every July 4th 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 expanding its Olde Fashioned Fourth of July to two days in 2022. On Sunday, July 3rd, it will present its first ever 4th of July fireworks show at Hunter Street Park, 1250 Ambergate Station. Then it will host its traditional Olde Fashioned Fourth Event in Downtown Apex on Monday, July 4th. This event will include family-friendly games, inflatables, the Parade of Wheels and more.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill’s 4th of July fireworks celebration will take place Monday, July 4th, 2022, at Southern Community Park, 1000 Sumac Road, Chapel Hill. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the fireworks will start around 9 p.m.
Preservation Chapel Hill is hosting an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration on Monday, July 4th, 2022, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Horace Williams House Grounds, 610 East Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill. There will be a concert by The Village Band, a community concert band, plus free ice cream and lemonade. This is a free event.
Carrboro
The Town of Carrboro is holding a 4th of July celebration on Monday, July 4th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the Town Commons. The event includes live music and the town’s annual community reading of Frederick Douglass’ 4th of July essay. There will also be pre-event activities at Weaver Street Market starting at 9:30 a.m.
Cary
The Town of Cary’s Independence Day Celebration takes place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Monday, July 4th, 2022. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. The event features the Cary Town Band, the NC Symphony, and Fireworks. General admission is free.
Clayton
The Town of Clayton is celebrating in a big way, with the Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The street festival takes place on Main Street from Horne Square to Town Square. In 2021 it 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.
There will also be a Family Fun Day at Archer Lodge Community Center on Saturday, July 9th, 2022. It includes a community parade, live music, food trucks, fireworks and more. 14009 Buffalo Road, Clayton.
Durham
Children’s Independence Day Parade
Monday, July 4th, 2022
9 to 11 a.m.
Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham
Free
Bring the kids to the pavilion. Kids can decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons and scooters, and then participate in the parade. There will be free popsicles after the parade for the kids. There will also be tours of a fire engine and ambulance.
Fireworks after Durham Bulls Game
Monday, July 4th, 2022
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 admission at the end of the 7th inning based on availability for those that would like to view the fireworks show from inside the ballpark. Please note, viewing areas are limited outside of the ballpark. Purchasing tickets to the game is strongly encouraged and ensures a spot inside the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to watch the fireworks. Viewing sites outside of the ballpark include the grassy area behind Diamond View 3, Burt’s Bees – outside of the North Deck, Tobacco Road Sports Café, and Ponysaurus Brewing. Purchase tickets here.
Annual Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July parade and Celebration is Durham’s oldest 4th of July celebration. It takes place Monday, July 4th, 2022, starting at Oval Park, 2200 W. Club Boulevard, Durham.
Festival for the Eno
This annual festival at West Point on the Eno will return for 4th of July weekend, 2022. It will take place July 2nd and 4th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Stars, Stripes & Strings! Fourth on the Farm Music Festival
Old Mill Farm, at 8913 NC 751, Durham, is hosting an outdoor music festival on Monday, July 4th, 2022. There will be two sessions, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 3 to 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per car, and that includes admission for everyone in the vehicle, as well as sparklers. There will also be food trucks, vendors, carnival games and prizes.
Community reading of Frederick Douglass’ 4th of July Speech
Monday, July 4th, 2022, 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 Friday, July 1st, 2022, 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
Sunday, July 3rd, 2022
5 to 10 p.m.
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner
Free
Garner’s celebration includes a performance by the North Carolina Symphony, activities for kids, food vendors and fireworks.
Holly Springs
Holly Springs July 5th Celebration
Tuesday, July 5th, 2022
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 2022. The fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.
Kenly
Kenly 95 Petro, at 923 Johnston Parkway, Kenly, is hosting its annual 4th of July fireworks show, in conjunction with the Town of Kenly. The truck stop is right off of Exit 106 of I-95.
Kenly is in Johnston County. It’s about a 46 minute drive southwest of Raleigh, and is close to Smithfield and Selma.
The fireworks will take place Monday, July 4th, 2022, around 9 p.m. There will be music and games starting at 7 p.m. in the lot next to the Wendy’s drive-thru.
Knightdale
Knightdale’s Fourth on First celebration will take place Monday, July 4th, 2022, starting at 4 p.m. There will be inflatables and food trucks. The Embers will be performing in concert from 6 to 9 p.m., and fireworks will follow. This is a free event at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Avenue, Knightdale.
Morrisville
Morrisville’s celebration will take place on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022, from 4 to 9 p.m., on Town Hall Drive. The celebration will feature live music by Trial By Fire, carnival games, roving entertainers, food trucks and a fireworks celebration.
Pittsboro
Pittsboro’s SummerFest is taking place Sunday, July 3rd, 2022, from 4 to 9:15 p.m., in Downtown Pittsboro. The celebration features a bicycle parade, a kids’ zone, pie contest, live music, beard and mustache contest and much more.
Raleigh
The official City of Raleigh 4th of July fireworks show will be at Dix Park on Monday, July 4th, 2022. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show will take place at 9:30 p.m. Before the fireworks, enjoy music from the DJ stage and field games like Cornhole and Giant Connect 4. No vehicle traffic will be allowed in Dix Park, but there will be free parking at NCSU Centennial Campus and Downtown Raleigh parking decks, with free shuttles from Centennial Campus and Moore Square.
The Brier Creek Star Spangled Block Party and Fireworks Show will take place Monday, July 4th, starting at 8 p.m. Enjoy entertainment from a DJ, face painting, a 360 photo booth, and giveaways, while supplies last. Then find your spot in Brier Creek Commons around 9 p.m. for the fireworks show, which will be synchronized to a soundtrack on Kix 102.9. 8131 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh.
The Independence Day Celebration at the North Carolina State Capitol, 1 E. Endenton Street, Raleigh, takes place on Monday, July 4th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It includes a reading from the Declaration of Independence, wreath laying at the George Washington monument by the Sons of the American Revolution, self-guided tours of the Capitol Building and patriotic music by Raleigh Concert Band. Kids will have the chance to dress up as a Revolutionary era citizen and even pie King George III.
Joel Lane Museum House, at 160 South Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, is holding a free Independence Day Open House on Monday, July 4th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch re-enactors, listen to music, and enjoy arts and crafts and activities. The bottom floor of the historic house will be open to walk through, with docents in each room. Free lemonade and ice cream will be available as long as supplies last. This is a free event.
The Raleigh Market, at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, at 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, is hosting a Patriotic Pet Parade on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, at 11 a.m. It’s free to enter, and prizes will be awarded. Follow the above link to register.
Rolesville
Rolesville is celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks on Monday, July 4th, 2022, starting at 5 p.m., at Redford Place Park. The celebration includes live music by Chairmen of the Board, inflatables, yard games, family crafts, food trucks, beer and wine, and fireworks.
Roxboro
The City of Roxboro is holding its annual fireworks display at July 2nd, 2022, at dusk. This was announced on Facebook.
Selma
Selma’s all-American Festival takes place Friday, July 1st, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at Blackstone Plaza, 155 Meghan Circle, Selma, NC. It features live music by Autumn Tyde Band, food trucks and fireworks.
Smithfield
The Town of Smithfield’s Independence Day celebration takes place on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022, from 6 to 9 p.m., on Third Street in Downtown Smithfield. The event includes live music by Rhythm Express, games, activities, food trucks, and fireworks.
Wake Forest
The Town of Wake Forest is presenting a fireworks spectacular on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022, at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest. It also features a concert by Band of Oz. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., Band of Oz will take the stage at 6:15 p.m., and the fireworks show will start at 9:30 p.m. The Children’s Parade and Art in the Park will take place on Monday, July 4th.
Wendell
The Town of Wendell is hosting its first 4th of July fireworks show ever! The celebration will take place on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, at Wendell Park, 601 West Third Street, Wendell. The park will open at 6 p.m. for music and food trucks, and then the fireworks show will tart at 9 p.m.
Zebulon
The Carolina Mudcats have a three-night home stand from July 1st to July 3rd, 2022, against Fayetteville, and each night ends with fireworks! The Mudcats play at Five County Stadium, 1501 NC-39, Zebulon, NC. Purchase tickets here.
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.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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!