From picnics and parades, to historical reenactments and fireworks, there are numerous events to commemorate the Fourth of July around North Carolina this weekend.
July 1
North Carolina Symphony, Fayetteville. July 1. Concerts in Your Community-Independence Day. Features patriotic favorites, high-spirited classics and fireworks at Festival Park. 8 p.m. Free.
July 2
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson. July 2. Guided tours featuring stops at the ruins of an 18th century home and view the Cape Fear River from atop Fort Anderson. All the tours are outdoor and will be conducted by historians in period attire. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $5 for ages 13 and up, younger free.
North Carolina Symphony, Wilmington. July 2. Old-fashioned salute to the red, white and blue at Cape Fear Community College. Featuring patriotic favorites and high-spirited classics 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15-$71.
Festival for the Eno, Durham. July 2. 37th annual festival featuring music, crafts, food trucks, vendors and more. West Point on the Eno, Single-day pass $18, two-day pass $30.
Fort Fisher, Kure Beach. July 2. Learn about the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, who were the first women trained to fly our military's front line arsenal during World War II. Check Fort Fisher's Facebook page for updates. 2 p.m. Free.
Historic Stagville, Durham. July 2. Antebellum Games. Come to learn and play games. Try your hand at games from the 1800s, such as cup and ball, jacks and others. Make a toy to take home. Noon-1 p.m. $1 per person (cash or check only).
Fourth of July on Sugar Mountain. Village of Sugar Mountain. July 2. Fireworks on Sugar Mountain's 5,300 ft. peak begin around 9:30 p.m.
Red Bull Global Rallycross. Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville. July 2 and 3. Featuring a new course layout that brings the track close to fans. The event is open to DoD cardholders with base credentials on Saturday and to the general public on Sunday. General admission is free with the option of paid premium seating for both days.
"Follow the Fight" Tours, Bentonville Battlefield, July 2. Tour the 20,000-acre battlefield and stop at actual battle sites, including the headquarters of Union Gen. William T. Sherman and Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Guided tours last approximately two hours. Tours are limited to the first 12 cars and are $5 per person for ages 12 and up. Under age 12 is free. Reservations required.
July 3
North Carolina Symphony, Garner. July 3. Concerts in Your Community-Independence Day. Celebration with patriotic favorites, high-spirited classics and fireworks. Enjoy selections from "Old American Songs" and "Stars and Stripes Forever." 7:30 p.m. Free.
July 4
The 'Works July 4th on Fayetteville Street. July 4. Downtown Raleigh celebration featuring musical performances, watermelon seed spitting contest, art exhibition, kid games and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Doors open at noon.
Camp LeJeune Fourth of July Celebration. July 4. Commemorate America turning 240 and Camp Lejeune turning 75. Features live music and entertainment. Doors open at 4 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
Festival for the Eno, Durham. July 4. 37th annual festival featuring music, crafts, food trucks, vendors and more. West Point on the Eno, Single-day pass $18, two-day pass $30.
Fun Fourth Festival. July 4. Downtown Greensboro's Independence Day celebration, featuring a parade, food vendors, performers and fireworks starting at 9:25 p.m. Street festival runs from 2 to 8 p.m.
Chapel Hill Fourth of July Celebration. July 4. Kenan Stadium. Features fireworks display, family activities and musical performances, including The Soul Psychedelique Orchestra. Also features a Watermelon Eating Contest. Gates open at 7 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Historic Edenton, Edenton. July 4. A reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Joseph Hewes Monument by the Daughters of the American Revolution. A short biographical sketch of Hewes, an Edenton resident and signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, a prayer and wreath laying. 10 a.m. Free.
Historic Halifax, Halifax. July 4. Independence Day Celebration. Small-town Independence Day celebration featuring a tour of historic buildings, hands-on activities and a festival on the grounds of the Halifax County Courthouse. 9:30 a.m. with fireworks at dark. Free.
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo. July 4. July 4th Celebration. Features patriotic tunes from the 440th U.S. Army Band in the outdoor pavilion. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dark. Free.
Tryon Palace, New Bern. July 4. Celebration with historical interpreters, games, crafts, exhibitions, free access to the gardens, and a live reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Palace steps. Festival starts at 10 a.m. Free. Evening event with fireworks starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults/$5 children, under 5 free.
Reading of Frederick Douglass' essay "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro." July 4. Carrboro. The reading is one of the events included in the day-long Carrboro July 4th Celebration. Carrboro Community Center. Noon.
State Capitol. Raleigh. July 4. Salute to Independence. Event will offer musical performances, historical and military displays, carriage rides, face painting and several hands-on and play activities for children. Guests can take a narrated trolley ride through historic downtown Raleigh. A naturalization ceremony for new citizens at noon starts the event. Food vendors. Free.
N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh. July 4. Independence Day. Downtown festivities and museum exhibits, including "Southern Impressions: Paintings from the James-Farmer Collection." The exhibit features 40 loaned paintings from the collection of Dr. Everette James and Dr. Nancy Farmer, of Chapel Hill. 9 a.m. Free.
North Carolina Symphony, Cary. July 4. Summerfest-Independence Day. Featuring patriotic favorites, high-spirited classics and fireworks. Hear the "1812 Overture," "Americana Suite" and more. 7:30 p.m. Free.
Olde-Fashioned Festival, Apex, July 4 Celebration in historic downtown Apex to commemorate the 4th of July. Food, music and contests. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Salen Street, Apex.
Independence Day Celebration. Durham. July 4. Celebrate patriotism and civic pride with Durham Parks and Recreation and the Durham Bulls. Attend the baseball game and enjoy a dynamic fireworks show following the game. Game at 6:05 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
