Fireworks, parades and more: 20+ ways to celebrate July Fourth in and around Charlotte
The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to figure out where you’ll head when the sun goes down to check out a fireworks show.
Several holiday events are planned in and around Charlotte throughout the week of July Fourth, many of which will feature patriotic displays to entertain.
And if you’re not a fan of the sights and sounds that come with fireworks, there are other options for your celebration, including parades and festivals.
Here are your chances to catch Fourth of July fireworks and more celebrations in the region over the holiday weekend:
Town Brewing Co.’s West-Side Block Party
Location: 800 Grandin Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
When: June 29
What to know: This holiday weekend kick-off event will feature live music from Spencer Rush from 6 to 9 p.m. and the Lobster Dogs food truck from 5 to 8 p.m. “Traditional hot dogs” will also be available from Town Brewing’s kitchen.
Belmont’s Red, White & Belmont
Location: 24 S. Main St., Belmont, North Carolina 28012
When: June 30
What to know: This year’s holiday celebration in Belmont coincides with the city’s “Friday Night Live” concert series. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and will include a beverage garden, food trucks and live music.
Matthews’ Independence Day Celebration
Location: 120 S. Trade St., Matthews, NC 28105
When: June 30
What to know: Matthews’ Fourth of July event will feature food trucks, live music and more activities at Stumptown Park. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m., and the town recommends watching them from Matthews United Methodist Church and the MARA fields at Arthur Goodman Memorial Park. Pets and outside alcohol aren’t allowed.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control’s Prep Your Pet event
Location: 8315 Byrum Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217
When: July 1
What to know: Get your furry friends ready for the holiday weekend Saturday morning with free clinic services from 8 to 10:45 a.m., including rabies vaccines, microchips, I.D. tags and thundershirts for dogs. You must be a Mecklenburg County resident to get free services. There will also be a vendor fair from 8 a.m. to noon and emergency exercise demos. Adoption fees are waived from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. when you make a donation.
Troutman Independence Day Parade
Location: Old Murdock Road, Main Street and Cedar Lane, Troutman, NC
When: July 1
What to know: This “old-fashioned, small-town parade” in the Lake Norman area will feature more than “150 units in the parade including floats, music, marching units, church groups, civic organizations, scout troops, motorcycles, military units, horses, submarines, classic and antique cars, fire engines, beauty queens, re-enactment groups, politicians, WWII vehicles, trains, planes, and many more surprises.”
Fort Mill Independence Day Celebration
Location: 345 N. White St., Fort Mill, SC 29715
When: July 3
What to know: Fort Mill’s free July Fourth celebration will also recognize the town’s 150th anniversary and feature “music, vendors, food trucks, a special ceremony, roving entertainment and our amazing fireworks show.” Judging for the “Most Patriotic Contest,” open to all ages, begins at 6 p.m. The fireworks show is scheduled for 9:15 p.m.
Rock Hill’s Red, White and Boom!
Location: Main Street and Caldwell Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730
When: July 3
What to know: Rock Hill’s Fourth of July event will include live music, inflatables, food trucks and beer and wine. Fireworks will start at about 9:30 p.m. on the east side of downtown. Pets are not allowed at the event.
Tega Cay Fourth of July Celebration
Location: Multiple locations
When: July 1, 3 and 4
What to know: Tega Cay will host multiple July Fourth events throughout the holiday weekend, including a concert, “paddleboard fun run,” boat parade, ski show, parade and fish fry. The celebration will culminate with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 4 at the Glennon Center. Some events require tickets and/or pre-registration.
Optimist Hall’s Star-Spangled Weekend
Location: 1115 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28206
When: July 1 and 2
What to know: Optimist Hall’s holiday weekend slate of events includes a free concert Saturday at 7 p.m. and a “family-friendly, interactive performance from The Jolly Lollies” at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Field of Flags Summer Celebration
Location: 170 Joe Knox Ave., Mooresville, NC 28117
When: July 2 and 3
What to know: Folks will begin setting up more than 800 American flags at the Lowe’s YMCA at 8 a.m. Sunday. On Monday, the Field of Flags ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and segway into live music at 7 p.m. and a fireworks display beginning at 9:15 p.m.
Whitewater Center Fourth of July Celebration
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
When: July 3 and 4
What to know: The Whitewater Center’s two-day July Fourth event will feature “ive music, fireworks, races, multiple yoga practices and more.” Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Gastonia Fourth of July Celebration
Location: 107 N, South St., Gastonia, NC 28052
When: July 4
What to know: The city of Gastonia’s official Fourth of July event begins at 5 p.m. and “will include live music, food trucks, a beer garden, vendors, rides, inflatables, and carnival games.” There will be a fireworks display starting at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, and food and beverages will be for sale.
Merchant & Trade’s Red, White & Views Rooftop Party
Location: 303 Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202
When: July 4
What to know: Doors open for Merchant & Trade’s Fourth of July party at 4 p.m., with the rooftop bar “decked out in red, white and blue décor with festive food & drinks specials.” There is no cover charge for the event, but you can get a “skip the line” pass for $25 at exploretock.com/merchantandtrade. Attendees are “encouraged to get into the holiday spirit by dressing up in patriotic attire.”
Baxter Village/Fort Mill July 4th Parade
Location: 940 Market St., Fort Mill, SC 29708
When: July 4
What to know: This July Fourth parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs for 10 blocks. It will feature “150+ entries, including military color guard, bagpipers, bands, floats, pro sports mascots, shriner’s performance units, classic/vintage cars, street entertainers, clowns, decorated golf carts and Jeeps, youth sports and church organizations, and more.” Sign-up is not required to participate in the parade, but you must arrive by 8:45 a.m. to be part of the procession.
Carowind’s ‘Celebrate America Fireworks Show’
Location: 300 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273
When: July 4
What to know: Carowind’s holiday fireworks display begins at 10:30 p.m. “The firework shows will be visible throughout the park, but the best viewing locations can be found in the Carolina Boardwalk, County Fair, and Celebration Plaza areas,” the park advises. “The Thrill Zone area and its surrounding rides will close early” on July 4 in preparation for the fireworks show.
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Independence Day Celebration
Location: 1 Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis, NC 28081
When: July 4
What to know: The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers will end their holiday game against the Down East Wood Ducks with a fireworks show. Get tickets to the game at milb.com/kannapolis/tickets/promotions.
Lake Wylie Annual Fireworks Display
Location: S.C. Hwy 49 at Lake Wylie
When: July 4
What to know: This free fireworks display on Lake Wylie will start at approximately 9:30 p.m. Recommended viewing spots include the Buster Boyd Bridge boat landing, Papa Doc’s Shore Club, Rey Azteca, Lake Wylie Italian and Pizza and Bagel Boat.
WBT SkyShow at Truist Field
Location: 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28202
When: July 4
What to know: Billed as “the biggest and best 4th of July fireworks show in the Southeast,” the 2023 WBT SkyShow will take place at Truist Field. To see the fireworks from inside the ballpark, you’ll need a ticket to that day’s Charlotte Knights game. The Knights will take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. Get tickets at milb.com/charlotte-knights/tickets/single-game-tickets.
Run White & Blue
Location: 13420 Reese Blvd. W., Huntersville, NC 28078
When: July 4
What to know: These holiday races begin at 7:30 a.m. You can run 7.4 kilometers, 7.4 miles or a 1.76 mile fun run. To sign up, visit runsignup.com/Race/Info/NC/Huntersville/RunWhiteBlue. Prices vary by race.
Fourth of July at Birkdale Village
Location: Birkdale Commons Parkway and Sam Furr Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
When: July 4
What to know: Birkdale Village’s Fourth of July celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. with bike decorating, followed by a bike parade, “wet down from the Huntersville Fire Department” and a block party. “All parking decks will be available” during the event, or attendees can valet park at the Dick’s Sporting Goods on Townley Road.
Lincolnton Fourth of July Celebration
Location: Multiple locations
When: July 4
What to know: Lincolnton’s holiday event includes a parade and a fireworks display. The parade will start at 8:30 p.m. and run from East Main to Court Square and Lincolnton High School. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks show will move this year from the Lincolnton High School stadium to City Park, so new recommended viewing spots include the high school’s student parking lots, the Aspen Street sports fields, First Federal Park, North Generals Boulevard near North Aspen and Northside neighborhoods.
