The top July 4 fireworks, festivals, and food trucks in the Triangle + maps

Happy Independence Day! There are a lot of Fourth of July events happening in the Raleigh area, including three nights of fireworks at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and big fireworks shos in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Fayetteville and more.

Fireworks on July 4 will be happening at many locations in the Raleigh area, including around the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium. If you plan to do your own fireworks display at home, know that some fireworks are illegal to set off in the state of North Carolina. And after you do set up fireworks, you need to dispose of them safely.

July 4: Raleigh’s July 4th Fireworks Celebration - The city of Raleigh's annual July 4 fireworks display has moved to Dix Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

July 4: Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest - An all‑day event at the State Capitol in Raleigh marking the United States' 250th birthday. Organizers say it’s a chance to honor North Carolina’s ‘First in Freedom’ legacy while celebrating arts, history, and culture.  The festival will also feature music from Tift Merritt and Rissi Palmer.

July 4: Star-Spangled Block Party at Brier Creek Commons - Brier Creek Commons Shopping Center will host a block party on July 4 from 8 to 9 p.m. with fireworks and more fun. 

July 4: Children's Independence Day Parade at Durham Central Park - Bring the whole family to Durham Central Park on July 4 for the annual Children's Parade! Come and decorate those bike, trikes, wagons and strollers! All are welcome at 9:30 a.m. Then, parade through the park at 10:30. Following the parade there will be free popsicles and fire truck tours.

July 3-5: Fireworks at the Durham Bulls - Bulls fans will be treated to three consecutive fireworks shows starting on Friday, July 3, followed by shows on Saturday, July 4 and a special post-game fireworks show on Sunday, July 5. 

July 3: Celebration in Downtown Cary Park -  Get ready to kick off your July 4th festivities early at our July 3rd Celebration in the Park. Join us for a star-spangled extravaganza featuring a movie screening, family-friendly activities, and a mouthwatering lineup of food trucks.

July 4: Cary Presents: Independence Day Celebration - There will be music from the North Carolina Symphony. Enjoy patriotic favorites, high-spirited classics, fun activities for kids and a dazzling firework display over Symphony Lake. General admission lawn is free and does not require a ticket. The event begins at 3:30 p.m. on July 4, and fireworks begin at 9:25 p.m.

July 4: Independence Day Fishing Tournament - The event is held between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Bond Park Boathouse. Anglers of all ages are welcome. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the tournament begins at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the longest and shortest fish caught in each age group.

July 3: Fireworks Frenzy - Kick off your Fourth of July celebrations with an evening of food, games, a uniquely-Apex drone show, and a spectacular fireworks display. Because the Olde Fashioned Fourth of July event is canceled for 2026, the Parade of Wheels and Apex Fire Department Splash Down will be moved to the Fireworks Frenzy event.

July 4: Fourth on First Avenue at Knightdale Station Park - The event will include a bike parade, live music, food trucks, inflatables and giveaways. There will also be a DJ performing at the splashpad, which will be open to help people cool off. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Knightdale Station. It will not include fireworks.

July 5: Holly Springs July 5th Celebration - Enjoy a second day for the USA! The Holly Springs Independence Day Celebration at Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park on July 5 is full of fun with live music, food trucks, games and spectacular fireworks. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free and open to all.

July 4: Independence Concert and Fireworks - Gates open at 6 p.m. for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra concert followed by fireworks at Festival Park.

July 4: Rolesville Fourth - Beginning at 5 p.m., enjoy food trucks, beer and wine, local vendors, inflatables and yard games. There will be live music from 6 to 9 p.m. followed by a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

July 3: Fireworks Spectacular - The festivities get underway with the Fireworks Spectacular inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. 

July 4: Wake Forest Children's Parade - On July 4, enjoy a children's parade at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum.

July 4: Art & More in the Park - This market will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wake Forest Community House, located at 133 W. Owen Ave.

July 4: Chapel Hill July 4th Drone Show- Technology meets creativity in this year’s drone show at Chapel Hill High School, presented by Skyworx. A collection of 300 synchronized drones will lift off and arrange themselves into shapes and images, using light and color to paint designs across the Chapel Hill sky.

July 4: Fourth of July Celebration in Carrboro - The event will be held at Carrboro Town Commons from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4. Pre-event activities will be held at Weaver Street Market beginning at 9:30 a.m., including a bike/wagon decorating contest and a costume contest for kids.

July 3: Clayton Independence Day Fireworks - This year’s Independence Day Fireworks Display will not be held in conjunction with the Square-to Square Street Festival. Due to construction of the new Clayton High School, fireworks will be launched from Clayton Middle School on Friday, July 3.

In North Carolina, emergency rooms see a spike in visits every Fourth of July due to fireworks accidents. The most common injuries involved the hands, fingers, eyes and face.

State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said the best way to avoid injury is to leave fireworks to the experts.

"By leaving the fireworks to the experts, we can all help reduce these numbers and ensure that our Fourth of July celebrations are memorable for the right reasons," Taylor said. "Public displays are not only safer but also far more spectacular than anything you can do at home."

Keep these fireworks safety tips in mind this Fourth of July:

• If you purchase fireworks for your personal entertainment, make sure that the fireworks are legal.
• Read instructions carefully. If under the age of 16, please have adult supervision.
• Never light fireworks indoors or inside vehicles.
• Never try to re-light or pick-up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never light fireworks near dry grass.
• Keep a bucket of water, fire extinguisher, or garden hose nearby in case of an accidental fire or other mishap.
• If the fireworks malfunction, soak the fireworks with water and dispose of the fireworks.

Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, who can become frightened or disoriented by the sound. Please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities, and opt instead to keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

According to the SPCA, more pets get lost on July 4 than any other day of the year because they can get spooked by loud noises from fireworks and other celebrations.