Ready to celebrate Independence Day in a big way this year? Fireworks displays, bounce houses, live music and other patriotic celebrations are lined up all across the Raleigh area to celebrate America's 247th birthday—don't miss out! Here's your rundown on the biggest and best family-friendly Fourth of July events in Raleigh and its 11 surrounding towns

 

Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration

Sat., July 1 (includes fireworks)
Fuquay-Varina will host its Independence Day Celebration July 1, featuring food vendors, live music from local band Spare Change and a fireworks display at South Park. The park's splash pad will also be open for kids during the event. The celebration starts at 6pm.

 

Wendell Fireworks Show

Sun., July 2 (includes fireworks)
Taking the spotlight on July 2, this Sunday funday at Wendell Community Park kicks off at 6pm with food trucks, music and more to enjoy before a fireworks display at 9pm. Note that limited parking will be available on site, but free shuttle buses will move between downtown Wendell and the park. 

 

Apex Fireworks Frenzy and Olde Fashioned Fourth of July

Mon., July 3 (includes fireworks), and Tues., July 4 (children's parade and more)
Food trucks, inflatables and a spectacular fireworks display—the Town of Apex's Fireworks Frenzy will feature entertainment for the whole family beginning at 5pm (and the grand finale at 9:30pm) at Hunter Street Park on July 3, followed by a long-standing traditional July 4 day of carnival games, ice cream vendors, roaming street performers, a children's bike/wagon/scooter parade and more activities that are always entertaining for all ages.

Note: The Town of Apex is celebrating its own 150th birthday this year (and has tons of ways to celebrate)

 

Garner July 3rd Independence Day Celebration

Mon., July 3 (includes fireworks)
Grab a blanket and head to Garner's Lake Benson Park for an evening of patriotic entertainment. The Independence Day Celebration starts at 5pm with food vendors, kids' crafts, tours of the Garner Veterans Memorial and more. The North Carolina Symphony will put on a patriotic program at 8:30pm, followed immediately by fireworks. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Morrisville July 3rd Family Fun Festival

Mon., July 3 (includes fireworks)
You don't have to wait until July 4 for fireworks in Morrisville! The annual Morrisville July 3rd Fireworks display will be held on Town Hall Dr., with music from local bands, giveaways and craft vendors kicking things off at 6pm, and fireworks blasting off at dusk. Bring a chair and cash for a tasty treat from a local food truck.

 

Wake Forest Fireworks Spectacular and Independence Day Celebration

Mon., July 3 (includes fireworks), and Tues., July 4 (parade and art market)
Celebrating 50 years of events in 2023, the Town of Wake Forest's annual Independence Day event is free and open to the public, with July 3 fireworks taking place inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School (150 Forestville Rd.) in Wake Forest. Gates will open at 5:30pm, legendary local music group Band of Oz will take to the stage at 6:15pm and the fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:30pm. The following day (July 4), a children's parade will make its way through downtown Wake Forest, and an art market will take place from 11am-1pm at the Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave.

 

Mudcats for America Independence Day Fireworks

Tues., July 4 (includes fireworks)
A night of baseball, peanuts and post-game fireworks? Count us in! The Carolina Mudcats—taking to the diamond at Five County Stadium in Zebulon—will take on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in this first game of a homestand that is sure to be light up the scoreboard (and the sky!). 

Note: The Mudcats have fireworks after each Friday night home game, including July 7 and July 21.

 

Town of Cary Independence Day Celebration

Tues., July 4 (includes fireworks)
Relax under the pines at Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the Town of Cary Independence Day Celebration. With doors opening at 3:30pm, the Cary Town Band will kick off the entertainment, followed by a patriotic performance by the North Carolina Symphony and fireworks over beautiful Symphony Lake to cap the evening. General admission seating is available free to the public on a first-come basis, and a limited number of table reservations are available for purchase. Food vendors will be available outside the venue gates. A detailed schedule of events will be announced soon.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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City of Raleigh July 4th Celebration at Dix Park

Tues., July 4 (includes fireworks)
It's a return to beautiful Dorothea Dix Park for the City of Oaks' biggest July 4th event in 2023, where 30 food trucks, live music, arts activities, slides, Skee-ball, a foam party pit and more await thousands of expected visitors. Parking will be off site for this event—on North Carolina State University Centennial Campus and at downtown Raleigh parking decks—with free shuttles running between Centennial Campus and Moore Square to Dix Park beginning at 4:30pm. Bring sunscreen, blankets, chairs and coolers!

See the City of Raleigh's FAQ page about this event here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Brier Creek Commons Star Spangled Block Party and Fireworks Show

Tues., July 4 (includes fireworks)
An evening full of festivities and fun at Brier Creek Commons, the Star Spangled Block party kicks off at 8pm with DJ Mark McNally. Settle in for one of this area’s largest fireworks shows that begins after dark. A fireworks soundtrack will be broadcast on Kix 102.9 radio—tune in after dark and listen to the choreographed show live. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Rolesville 4th

Tues, July 4 (includes fireworks)
Food trucks, family crafts, inflatables, yard games, beer and wine and a big fireworks show to cap the night—can't ask for much else! But the cherry on top of this Rolesville celebration is that iconic band Liquid Pleasure will be taking to the stage from 6-9pm to keep things groovy before the grand finale!

 

Holly Springs July 5th Celebration

Wed., July 5 (includes fireworks)
A second day for the USA! Celebrate Independence Day on July 5 with food, live entertainment and fireworks in Holly Springs—the celebration kicks off at 6pm at Sugg Farm at Bass Lake. Hot dogs, ice cream, tacos, BBQ, funnel cakes and more will be available from 20 various food trucks and concessionaires. Dance along to live music and of course end the night with one of the area's best fireworks shows beginning at approximately 9:15pm.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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