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 2023! 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 2023.
We will be updating this page in the months and weeks leading up to Independence Day, so please keep checking back.
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 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 hosting Fireworks Frenzy on Monday, July 3, 2023, from 5 to 10 p.m., at Hunter Street Park, and Olde Fashioned Fourth of July on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Downtown Apex. Both are free events.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill 4th of July Fireworks
Chapel Hill’s 4th of July fireworks celebration will take place Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, 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
Preservation Chapel Hill is hosting an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration again on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m., on the Horace Williams House Grounds, 610 East Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC. Enjoy music by The Village Band, free ice cream, lemonade and flags, while supplies last. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Carrboro
The Town of Carrboro’s 4th of July celebration, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, starts at 9:30 a.m. at Weaver Street Market, 101 Easter Weaver Street, Carrboro, with a bike and wagon decorating contest and a costume contest. At 10:50 a.m., the Bulltown Strutter will lead the People’s Parade to Carrboro Town Hall, where there will be live music and lots of kids’ activities, until around 3 p.m. Also, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., at Carrboro Century Center, Mayor Damon Seils will host Carrboro’s annual gathering of community members for the Community Reading of Frederick Douglass’ essay, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro.”
Cary
The Town of Cary’s Independence Day Celebration will take place at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, starting at 3:30 p.m. The celebration includes music by the Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony, followed by fireworks. General admission is free.
Clayton
The Town of Clayton is hosting a fireworks celebration on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Clayton High School, 600 S Fayetteville Street, Clayton, NC. The festivities start at 6 p.m., and include free watermelon, inflatables, music form a DJ, food trucks, cornhole, and fireworks.
The Family Fun Day at Archer Lodge Community Center, 14009 Buffalo Road, Clayton, takes place Saturday, July 1, 2023. Entertainment and activities start at 5:30 p.m., including sky divers, a community parade, food trucks, concessions, inflatables, vendors, live music and fireworks.
Durham
City of Durham 4th of July Fireworks
The City of Durham 4th of July fireworks will be set off from Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell Street, Durham, following the Durham Bulls game on July 4th, 2023. Typically, at the end of the 7th inning, guests are let in for free if there is room, but to guarantee entrance, you should buy a ticket to the game.
Durham Children’s Parade
The Children’s Independence Day Parade at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC, takes place Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will be materials to decorate bikes, trikes, wagons and strollers. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m. After the parade there will be free popsicles and fire truck tours. DJ Pittipat will be spinning tunes.
ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
ZincHouse Winery & Brewery, at 6225 Wake Forest Road, Durham, is hosting a July 2nd Celebration starting at 12 p.m. The free celebration will feature live music from 3 to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks and ZincHouse will be selling beer and wine.
Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July Parade
The Annual Watts-Hillandale Fourth of July Parade and Celebration will take place Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Oval Drive Park, 2200 W. Club Boulevard, Durham. This is the 74th year for this parade!
Old Mill Farm
Old Mill Farm, at 8913 NC 751, Durham, NC, is hosting Pickin’ on the Pond on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, starting at 11 a.m. This 4th of July party includes live NC bluegrass music and a pig pickin’ by Carolina Moe’s BBQ. Admission is $12, and $30 gets you admission, a plate of BBQ, a beverage and a Locopop.
EnoFest
The 44th Annual EnoFest takes place July 1 and 4, 2023, at West Point on the Eno. This festival features more than 60 bands on 4 stages, as well as a juried exhibit and market of regional artisans.
Through June 24, adult tickets are $25 for single day tickets, and $40 for a two-day pass. One-day tickets for kids ages 5-17 are $10, and two-day passes are $16. Children age 4 and under can attend for free. June 25 and later, adult tickets are $35 per day and $60 for a two-day pass.
Historic Stagville
Historic Stagville will host a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ 4th of July Speech on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Every year 60 community members volunteer to read passages from this speech, in front of the slave dwellings at Horton Grove. You may sign up as a reader when you arrive.
Franklin County
The Franklinton Independence Day Celebration takes place Friday, June 30, 2023, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Franklinton Middle School, 3 N Main Street, Franklinton, NC. The celebration includes live music by the Lee Family Singers and the Sleeping Booty Band, as well as games, food, family fun and fireworks.
Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina’s Independence Day celebration takes place Saturday, July 1, 2023, starting at 6 p.m., at South Park, 900 S Main street, Fuquay-Varina, NC. The splash pad will be open from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The celebration features live music by Spare Change, food vendors, and fireworks.
Garner
Garner’s Independence Day Celebration takes place Monday, July 3, 2023, from 5 to 10 p.m., at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, NC. Admission is free. The celebration features performances by the CJ Baker Band and the North Carolina Symphony, followed by fireworks.
Holly Springs
Holly Springs is celebrating Independence Day with its annual fireworks show on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023. The celebration will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Jefferson L. Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, 2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs.
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, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, aaround 9 p.m. The truck stop is right off of Exit 106 of I-95.
Knightdale
Celebrate the 4th of July at the Fourth on First Celebration on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, 4 p.m., at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Avenue, Knightdale. The event will include entertainment and fireworks.
Morrisville
Morrisville’s Family Fun Festival takes place Monday, July 4, 2023, from 4 to 9 p.m., at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. The celebration includes music, games, giveaways, craft vendors, food trucks and a fireworks show.
Pittsboro
Pittsboro’s SummerFest takes place Sunday, July 2, 2023, from 3 to 8:30 p.m. It features live music, tons of kids’ activities, a pie contest, a BBQ contest, a decorated bike parade, a watermelon seed spitting contest and more.
Raleigh
City of Raleigh 4th of July Fireworks
The City of Raleigh 4th of July fireworks show will takes place Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Dix Park, from 5 to 10 p.m. There will be food trucks, music and a family activity zone leading up to the big fireworks show! Free event. Make sure to follow the above link for all the details, including parking and shuttles.
Brier Creek
The Brier Creek Star Spangled Block Party and Fireworks Show takes place at Brier Creek Commons, 8131 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at 8 p.m. Enjoy entertainment from a DJ, face painting, a 360 photo booth and more, followed by a fireworks show.
North Carolina State Capitol
The Independence Day Celebration at the North Carolina State Capitol will take place on the south grounds of the Capitol, 1 E Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC. (The building is currently closed to the public.) Enjoy music by Raleigh Concert from 11:30 a.m. Then, at 12 p.m., there will be a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, a reading from the Declaration of Independence, and a wreath laying at the George Washington monument by the Sons of the American Revolution.
Joel Lane Museum
Joel Lane Museum House is hosting a free Independence Day Open House on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be re-enactors, docents on the bottom floor of the house, crafts and activities, and free ice cream and lemonade, while supplies last.
Raleigh Market
The Raleigh Market, at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, at 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, is hosting a Patriotic Pet Parade. It will take place Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. It’s free to enter, and prizes will be offered in various categories, with a grand prize of $100. Pre-registration is required.
Rolesville
Rolesville is presenting a 4th of July celebration on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, starting at 5 p.m., at Redford Place Park, 121 Redford Place Drive, Rolesville, NC. The celebration will include live music by Liquid Pleasure, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer and wine, and fireworks.
Roxboro
The City of Roxboro is hosting two 4th of July events. On Saturday, July 1, 2023, at dusk, there will be a fireworks show at Person High School. And on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the 4th of July Parade will take place on Main Street in Roxboro.
Selma
Selma’s all-American Festival takes place Friday, June 30, 2023, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., at Blackstone Plaza, 115 Meghan Circle, Selma. It includes live music, kids’ activities and fireworks.
Smithfield
The Town of Smithfield’s Independence Day Celebration takes place Sunday, July 2, 2023, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., at Neuse River Ampthitheater, 150 S Front Street, Smithfield, NC. It includes music by Spare Change, water slides, activities, food trucks and fireworks.
Wake Forest
Wake Forest Fireworks
The Town of Wake Forest is presenting a fireworks spectacular on Monday, July 3rd, 2023, 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.
Wake Forest Children’s Parade
On Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, the Wake Forest Children’s Parade will take place. Line-up starts at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue.
Wake Forest Art in the Park
Art in the Park will take place on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, at Wake Forest Community House, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wendell
The Town of Wendell’s 4th of July fireworks show will take place Sunday, July 2, 2023, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Wendell Community Park. Besides the fireworks show there will be Americana music and food trucks.
Zebulon
On Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, Mudcats Minor League Baseball game will feature “Mudcats for America,” including an Independence Day post-game fireworks extravaganza show.
Fireworks Map
This interactive map includes all the fireworks shows from this article. It doesn’t include parades or other celebrations.
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!
EM says
Hello, any idea what is happening with the Watts-Hillandale parade? I still see no info but we plan on that every year. Is it happening?