Fourth of July Celebrations in Raleigh

Are you searching for the best Fourth of July celebrations in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten fun Independence Day celebrations happening in Raleigh with fireworks! 

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is important in our nation's history. It celebrates the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. 

On this day in history, the written declaration stated that the American colonies wanted to be their own country and, therefore, announced their political secession from Great Britain. 

Celebrated yearly throughout the country, this historical day is an exciting summer holiday often associated with fireworks, cookouts, and overall good times with friends and family. 

If you live in Raleigh and are looking for something fun to do with your loved ones this upcoming Fourth of July, look no further than this guide. From celebrations in Downtown Raleigh all the way to Wake Forest, there are plenty of events happening the week of Independence Day in the Triangle that are free of charge and exciting for all ages to attend. 

Most events in the area feature food trucks from local vendors, live entertainment, activities and games for children, and exciting firework displays once the sun goes down. 

No matter how you like to spend this holiday, here are ten fun celebrations to check out this upcoming Independence Day in Raleigh. 

Attend these Fourth of July Celebrations 

1. Raleigh's 4th of July Celebration at Dix Park

The annual Raleigh 4th of July Celebration will be hosted at Dorothea Dix Park this year and will feature lots of fireworks, food trucks, live music, games, and activities for all ages. 

Located at one of the best parks in Raleigh, the gates will open at 6 PM, and activities will begin promptly, leading up to the big fireworks display at 9:30 PM. Even though parking will not be available at Dix Park for the event, plenty of free parking will be available in Downtown Raleigh, and there will be a free shuttle to take guests from Moore Square Park to the event and back. 

Free parking is available in Downtown Raleigh at the Moore Square Parking Deck, the Red Hat/City Center Parking Deck, and the NC State University Centennial Campus. 

Make sure to arrive hungry since 40 food trucks will be open throughout the event. There will even be a family activity zone with water slides, a foam party pit, and a scavenger hunt. 

This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to attend. Make sure to bring a blanket or chairs, water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray. Alcoholic beverages and pets are not permitted. 

2. Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration

The Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration will occur on July 1st at South Park, which is a 25-acre park off of South Main Street in Fuquay-Varina. The gates will open at 6 PM to the public, and the fireworks show will start around 9:15 PM. 

This event is free and open to the public. Up to 19 food trucks will be available, serving various foods and live music performed by local artists. The Splash Pad will be open from 6 to 8:30 PM, and normal Splash Pad fees will apply. Residents of Fuquay-Varina should bring their Splash Pad pass, and there is a $2 per person fee for non-residents. 

Visitors should bring a blanket or a chair to be comfortable during the event. Alcohol is not permitted, and animals should be kept at home. Event parking will be available throughout Downtown Fuquay-Varina and at 308 Jones Road. 

3. Wendell Fireworks Show 

The Town of Wendell Fireworks Show will occur on July 2nd at Wendell Community Park and will be an evening full of fun and fireworks. This family-friendly event will feature multiple food trucks and live music. 

The park will open at 6 PM, and the fireworks show will begin at 9 PM once the sun goes down. There will be limited parking for the event inside the park, so plan to park in Downtown Wendell, where free shuttle buses will run from the park to the lot at 108 E Fourth Street. 

Coolers, pets, and personal fireworks will not be permitted, but visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the whole family. 

4. Apex Fireworks Frenzy 

The Apex Fireworks Frenzy is a free event on July 3rd. It is a great way to celebrate Independence Day, with plenty of food trucks, activities from Hunter Street to Salem Street, and inflatables and games for kids to enjoy after their day at summer camp. 

Beginning at 5 PM, visitors are encouraged to walk around, enjoy good food, and get a good spot for the fireworks show, which will tentatively begin at 9:30 PM based on weather conditions. 

No pets, alcohol, smoking, tents, or personal fireworks are allowed at the event. Hunter Street to Salem Street and Mason Street to Laura Duncan Road will be closed for the event, so it is important to consider this when parking. 

5. Garner Independence Day Celebration 

To kick off the holiday festivities, attend the Garner Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd at Lake Benson Park. This free event is fun for the whole family. 

Featuring a performance by the North Carolina Symphony, there will be plenty of beautiful live music, delicious food, and fireworks. The gates will open at 5 PM, the NC Symphony Performance will occur from 8:30 to 9:30, and the fireworks will begin immediately following the symphony performance. 

On-site parking will be available at Lake Benson Park, but a free shuttle will depart from South Garner High School at 5 PM. The last pick-up will be at 8:45 PM. 

6. Morrisville Red, White, and Boom

Celebrate Independence Day a day early on July 3rd at Morrisville Red, White, and Boom. Occurring at Cedar Fork District Park, this is the perfect summer celebration to attend since it will have food trucks, live entertainment, and fireworks. 

Beginning at 5 PM, bring a blanket or chairs to sit on the lawn and enjoy the fireworks once the sun goes down. Tickets for carnival games and inflatables can be purchased at the event. 

Parking will not be allowed at the event, but free shuttle services will be available at 808 and 909 Aviation Parkway, which are designated parking locations. 

7. Town of Cary Independence Day Celebration 

Attend the Town of Cary Independence Day Celebration on July 4th at Koka Booth Amphitheatre for a fun night honoring the nation's birthday. This patriotic event will begin at 3:30 PM and will feature activities for kids, food trucks, a performance from the North Carolina Symphony, and fireworks over Symphony Lake once the sun goes down at approximately 9:25 PM. 

Guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages, blankets, and chairs to the event. General parking will open at 2:30 PM and is free of charge. Preferred parking is also available but is limited and costs $20 per vehicle. 

8. Holly Springs July 5th Celebration 

Why not celebrate Independence Day twice? The Holly Springs Independence Day Celebration will occur on July 5th at Sugg Farm at Bass Lake and will include plenty of food trucks, live music performances, kid-friendly games, and breathtaking fireworks. 

Admission is free and open to all starting at 6 PM. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 PM and should last until 9:30 PM. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, and picnics. Friendly dogs on leashes are also welcome, but all dog owners are responsible for their pets' behavior and are expected to pick up after them. 

Plenty of parking will be available on site. 

9. Mudcats For America Independence Day Celebration 

The Carolina Mudcats are a Minor League Baseball team located in Zebulon, North Carolina, a Raleigh suburb. Playing at Five County Stadium, the Mudcats For America fireworks series returns this year for an exciting Independence Day weekend celebration. 

Occurring on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, this three-day weekend celebration features three straight nights of post-game fireworks following each home game against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. 

Starting at 7 PM on Saturday and 6:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday, there is no better way to celebrate Independence Day as a family than with baseball and spectacular fireworks. 

As a local sports team, tickets to the game can be bought in advance online. 

10. Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular 

The Town of Wake Forest will be hosting the Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular on Wednesday, July 3rd, at Heritage High School. Located about 40 minutes north of Raleigh, the gates to this event will open at 5:30 PM, and the fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM after sundown. 

Admission to this event is free, and all guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities on the football field. There will be concession stands, food and dessert trucks, and live music will be performed by two local bands. 

Parking will be available on campus and at Heritage Middle School, Heritage Elementary School, and Hope Lutheran Church. However, alcohol, pets, smoking, glass, and personal fireworks are not allowed. 

Methodology 

We used data and information from many local sources, including town websites, WCNC, and Britannica to determine the best Fourth of July celebrations in Raleigh, NC. 

FAQs 

What time are the fireworks in Raleigh, NC? 

For Raleigh's Fourth of July Celebration at Dix Park, gates open at 6 PM, and the fireworks officially start at 9:30 PM. 

Where to park for Raleigh fireworks? 

During the Raleigh Fourth of July Celebration at Dix Park, parking will be prohibited on the Dix Park campus, but free event parking will be available at Downtown Raleigh parking decks and on the NC State Centennial Campus. Shuttles to Dix Park from Downtown Moore Square Park will start operating at 5:30 PM. 

Are fireworks illegal in Raleigh? 

The only legal fireworks in Raleigh and in North Carolina are sparklers, glow worms, snakes, smoke bombs, and noisemakers. Any fireworks that fly up into the air and explode are illegal. 

Fourth of July Celebrations - Final Thoughts 

There are plenty of Independence Day celebrations happening in the Raleigh area as early as July 3rd and as late as July 5th to attend. Since multiple events are happening on different nights, why not attend more than one fireworks show with your family? 

If you are new in town, all of these celebrations show just how patriotic and family-friendly Raleigh and the surrounding area can be. There is no better way to support local vendors and enjoy legal fireworks than by attending one of the above Fourth of July celebrations. 

Whether you are looking for a home in Raleigh or one of the suburbs, start your summer off right by contacting the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help you find your dream home.