Raleigh Area 4th of July 2015 Fireworks and Celebrations

This 4th of July Independence Day don’t just wave your American Flag and eat a hotdog! (although these are not bad ways to enjoy the holiday!)

As you enjoy this most patriotic of American holidays please make sure to take a moment to thank a current or former member of the armed services or if they are deployed, thank their spouse!

Also – remember that the North Carolina State Police are stepping up enforcement this week with numerous Driving While Impaired checkpoints so if you are planning on enjoying adult beverages make sure that you designate a driver or captain if you are boating.

Here is a list of Raleigh area Independence Day celebration festivities.

Be sure to check with event organizers before heading to an event since plans may change due to weather or other conditions.

July 3

Cary’s Planned a Star Spangled July 4 Weekend

Head out to the Town of Cary’s weekend long Independence Day celebration, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on July 3 and runs through the afternoon of July 5. Activities take place at locations throughout Cary, including the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Bond Park, 801 High House Rd., the Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St., and Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway. All events are free and open to the public.

The Independence Eve Celebration on July 3 at Cary Arts Center features a Patriotic Pre-Show with the Applause! Cary Youth Theatre at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Cary Town Band at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. The Cary Theatre is showing a line-up of July 4 themed movies, including ”Independence Day” on July 3 at 7 p.m. and “Top Gun” at 9:30 p.m., followed by the biographical musical “Yankee Doodle Dandy” on July 5 at 2 p.m. http:/townofcary.org

Garner

Join us for an evening of fun for the whole family featuring  performances by the North Carolina Symphony and SOULPLAY Band.  Children will love the  Kids Adventure Zone featuring inflatables, games and crafts. Bring a picnic, or help your community by  enjoying delicious concessions provided by local non-profit organizations. Top your evening off with the best fireworks show in the Triangle  and you’ll see why the National Civic League named Garner an  All-America City in 2013 and why our citizens are proud of their hometown.
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Rd., Garner. 919-773-4442. garnernc.gov

Wake Forest Fourth of July Celebration

Fireworks, games, live entertainment and more.  Now in its 42^nd  year, Wake Forest’s Independence Day celebration is one of our area’s most eagerly-anticipated summer-time events serving up two days-worth of fun and excitement for the entire family. $5; ages 6 and younger free. Gates open a 5 p.m. Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, 420 W. Stadium Dr., Wake Forest. 919-556-4436. wakeforestnc.gov/july4.aspx.

 

July 4

Apex Olde Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration

Join us in Historic Downtown Apex as we celebrate America’s Birthday! Kids 12 & under may participate in Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels down Salem Street. Decorate your bike, wagon, tricycle, or other non-motorized vehicle in patriotic colors to celebrate our nation’s independence. The Parade starts at the corner of Salem & Chatham Streets at noon, so be sure to line up early to save your place. Festivities will end with the Apex Fire Department’s Splash Down!  Please note:  Helmets are required for the Parade of Wheels.Free. 9am-1 p.m. Historic Apex, 919-249-3402. apexnc.org/oldfashionedfourth.

Carrboro Fourth of July Celebration

Take the family for kids’ activities, live music, face painting, juggling, contests and more. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at the Weaver Street Market lawn, followed by a kids parade to Town Hall at 10:50 a.m. Free. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Town Hall Grounds, Carrboro. 919-918-7364. carrborojuly4th.com

Chapel Hill July Fourth Celebration

Travel & Leisure Magazine ranked Chapel Hill as one of America’s Top Ten Best Towns for a July Fourth Celebration! Join us at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 4 2015 to celebrate our nation’s rich history of freedom and independence. Arrive early and enjoy live music, fireworks, games, face painting and good old-fashioned family fun!  Looking for hilarious summer time fun? Our watermelon eating contest, hosted  by DSI Comedy Theatre, is sure to please! Starting at 7:00pm, winners of each  round will receive two tickets to a DSI Comedy show of their choice. One grand  prize winner taking home tickets to a choice UNC football game! Come out and  enjoy the comedic interactive improv that only DSI performers can deliver!

 

Please note that fireworks will begin at 9:30pm sharp. Please be sure to arrive early for the best seats since fireworks and entertainment can be viewed only from inside the stadium! 

For parking and gate entrance information, please click here.
fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Free. Gates open at 7 p.m. Kenan Stadium, UNC-CH campus, Chapel Hill. townofchapelhill.org/july4.

Clayton’s July Fourth Celebration

Join us for the annual 4th of Celebration at Municipal Park THIS Saturday! Town of Clayton Parks & Recreation begins the fun at 4:00 PM and doesn’t stop until after dark! There’s free ice cream, watermelon and a concert by the Central Park Band. Click below for the full schedule and a map!, free ice cream and watermelon, a cornhole tournament, live music and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Free. 4:30-10 p.m. #Clayton4th Municipal Park, Stallings Rd., Clayton. townofclaytonnc.org.

 

Durham July Fourth Celebration

Take the family for live music, a baseball game and fireworks. Enjoy a free concert on the American Tobacco Historic District campus from 6-8 p.m. or a Durham Bulls baseball game at 6:05 (tickets required). The baseball park opens to the general public at the beginning of the seventh inning for a post-game fireworks show. The rain date is July 5. All ages. Free; tickets required for the baseball game. 6-9:30 p.m. American Tobacco Historic District and Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Blackwell St., Durham. dprplaymore.org.

Joel Lane Museum House Presents an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
“The Birthplace of Raleigh,” will sponsor its 24th annual Independence Day Open House on Friday, July 4, 2014 from 11:00 am to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are requested. Colonel Lane was a founding father of North Carolina’s capital city and an officer in the Wake County militia during the American Revolutionary War.  Enjoy an Independence Day open house. Costumed docents and re-enactors demonstrate various aspects of colonial life. Take part in hands-on activities such as writing with a quill pen or making rag dolls. Kids enjoy old-fashioned crafts and games. Free lemonade for all. Free. 11am-4pm. Joel Lane Museum House, 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh. 919-833-3431. joellane.org.

July Fourth Celebration at Booth Amphitheatre

Celebrate our nation’s birthday in spectacular style at Booth Amphitheatre for the area’s biggest Independence Day celebration ever. Come early and enjoy the beautiful setting and patriotic performances with the Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony in what promises to make guests proud to be an American.
Gates open for the free event at 3 p.m., with kids’ activities and off-stage entertainment planned until 5:45 p.m., at which time the Cary Town Band will take the stage. As part of its Summerfest Series, the North Carolina Symphony will play from 7:30 p.m. until the spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. While no tickets are required, guests can visit the Booth Amphitheatre Box Office in advance of the event to reserve a table for $160, which includes seating for four people, ice cream and preferred parking. The Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony deliver patriotic music before a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Free. 3-10 p.m. Booth Amphitheater, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary. 919-462-2025. townofcary.org.

Marbles Kids Museum Red, White and Blue for YOU!

Friday, July 4 | 9am-5pm

Happy Birthday America! Join us for Independence Day play this 4th of July. We’ll have make-your-own rockets, sparkler hats, wacky water activities and more. Wear your red, white and blue! Patriotic parade, confetti drop and National Anthem at 4:30pm!

Ongoing Activities: Sparkler hats in the Art Loft, Star-spangled collage in the Art Loft,  Water balloon,  Ogo sports in Hideaway Grove (weather permitting),  GIANT paper airplanes in IdeaWorks All ages. $5 ages 1-adult. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. 919-834-4040. marbleskidsmuseum.org.

Raleigh’s The Works!

Downtown Raleigh hosts of the city’s 4th of July fireworks extravaganza. July 4, noon to 11pm – THIS IS A FREE EVENT. Independence Day Celebration during the day with live music, Beer/Wine tent, kids rides and games, Aerial Performances, Cirque de Vol street performers, eating contests, food and art vendors, and much more! Fireworks will light up the sky over The Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts starting at around 9:30pm.  Fireworks displays include the Fayetteville Street Show at 9:15 p.m. and the Red Hat Amphitheater Show at 10:15 p.m. Free. Noon-11 p.m. Downtown Raleigh at Fayetteville Street and the Red Hat Amphitheater. raleighconvention.com/works.

Wake Forest Fourth of July Children’s Parade

Kids ride on a bike or in a wagon for a walking parade. (Helmets required for cyclists.) The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. (line up at 10 a.m.) on N. Main Street and W. Juniper Avenue and ends at Holding Park, where games and activities await families at 11 a.m. Free. Wake Forest. 919-556-4436. wakeforestnc.gov/july4.aspx.