Ready to break out your red, white, and blue? Check out our list of Independence Day activities happening along the Outer Banks this 4th of July!
Start your Independence Day off right! Sun Realty is proud to sponsor the Annual Freedom 5k and Little Sparkler ¼ mile Fun Run, hosted by the Outer Banks Running Company. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on July 4th, this patriotic-themed race is located at the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall 102 Town Hall Drive. Watermelon, Pastries and Light Refreshments are provided for a little post race celebration. Find more information and register for this event here.
Afterwards, head to the beach for a day of fun in the sun before heading to one of the exciting events the Outer Banks has to offer. With so many options, it’s going to be hard to choose which one to attend!
Hatteras Island
Avon Fishing Pier - 41001 NC Hwy 12, Avon
The Avon Pier will be hosting its fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. on July 4th. Tune in to Radio Hatteras 101.5 FM at 9:00 p.m. for pre-show highlights, acknowledgments, and a short history lesson. The fireworks will be visible all along the Avon beach, so bring a beach chair or blanket to take in the views. Parking is limited, so visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool to their closest beach access, and to maintain social distancing guidelines. This event is sponsored by the Avon Property Owners Association and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, as well as generous donations from Hatteras Island property owners, guests, and the Hatteras Island business community, including Sun Realty.
Roanoke Island
Downtown Manteo
Kicking off with the National Anthem in front of the Dare County Arts Council building at 3 p.m., this downtown Manteo celebration offers kids games and activities, Independence Day trivia, a decorated bike contest (trike, scooter, and wagons welcome too), an apple pie contest, food, and more. A free concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park’s waterfront Pavilion beginning at 5:15 p.m. will feature 80’s cover band The Deloreans, followed by patriotic music and a star-spangled salute to our country by the 82nd Airborne Band & Chorus at 7:45 p.m. The concert will conclude with fireworks at dusk. This event is sponsored by The Town of Manteo and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Central Beaches
Nags Head Fishing Pier - 3335 South Va. Dare Trail, Nags Head
Beginning at 9:25 p.m. on July 4th, this fireworks show is located at the Nags Head Pier at milepost 11.5. Bring along chair or blankets for views all along the local beaches of the stunning display. Parking at or near the fireworks display site will be directed by the Nags Head police department. Visitors are encouraged to park west of the Beach Road in order to avoid crossing the major highway. Be sure to stay off the dunes and to respect private property – like rental homes and privately owned gazebos – that may be adjacent to the beach. A rain date has been set for the following day, Monday, July 5. This event is hosted by the Town of Nags Head, in conjunction with the Nags Head Fishing Pier and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Avalon Pier - 2111 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
Located near milepost 6 in Kill Devil Hills, this fireworks display on July 4th begins at dark. Parking is limited, so visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool to their closest beach access. Bring along a chair or a blanket to relax on the beach and take in the views! A rain date has been set for the following day, Monday, July 5. This event is hosted by the Town of Kill Devil Hills, in conjunction with the Avalon Fishing Pier and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Northern Beaches
Downtown Duck
The annual one-mile Independence Day parade hosted by the Town of Duck will begin at 9 a.m. on July 4th. The parade route begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane, travels east towards the ocean, turns left onto Ocean Way, and then continues onto Christopher Drive to end at Pamela Court. The parade is immediately followed by a Community Celebration at the Duck Town Park, featuring live music, cold refreshments, and an award ceremony.
Historic Corolla Park - 1100 Hunt Club Drive, Corolla
Beginning at 5 p.m., the Currituck County Department of Travel & Tourism invites visitors to its annual Independence Day celebration, featuring live music by The Black and Blue Experience Band and fun family activities, culminating in fireworks at dusk. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase by local vendors. Please note that no coolers, alcohol or on-street parking are permitted in the park. The Historic Corolla Park boat ramp is closed this day with no docking allowed. Dogs are permitted on leashes. Admission is free and parking is available at the park until the lots are full. Free onsite parking will begin at 3 p.m. at Historic Corolla Park and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Onsite parking spaces are expected to fill up early, so please plan accordingly.
For the safety of yourself and others, please leave the fireworks to the professionals. Please note that any devices that leave the ground—such as bottle rockets, mortars, roman candles and aerial fireworks—and that have a report or make a “bang” are illegal in North Carolina.
ALL fireworks – including “safe and sane” pyrotechnics which do not leave the ground, such as caps, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, trick noise-makers, snappers, and sparklers, are illegal in the following areas:
- Town of Duck
- Town of Southern Shores
- Town of Nags Head
- Town of Manteo
- Hatteras Island
- Some sections of unincorporated Dare County
- Currituck County
Safe and sane fireworks are legal in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Roanoke Island, and the Dare Mainland. Find more information on fireworks regulations in Dare County here.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!