Fourth of July Celebration

The City of Wilmington's free family-friendly event includes music featuring the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, other entertainment, kids activities, food, and fireworks. It will be held rain or shine.

Stage Schedule

5:30 p.m. Gates Open
6:30 p.m. Mackenzi Morris and Joshua Alan Rupp featuring the Theater for All chorus
7:30 p.m. Wilmington Symphony Orchestra: This year’s performance includes the premiere of a newly commissioned work by local composer Chelsea Loew, created in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
9 p.m. Firework Display: In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this year’s display will feature two simultaneous fireworks shows: one launched across from Riverfront Park and another from a barge near the Battleship. Spectators will be able to best view the displays along the Riverwalk.

 *Please note: There will be a boating safety zone for 30 minutes after the fireworks around the launch site. No thru boating traffic will be allowed.

Also, animals are not permitted, except for service animals.

Food/Beverages

• Food and beverages (soft drinks, beer, and wine) will be sold at the park.
• No outside food or drink can be brought inside the park, with the exception of water up to 1 gallon in a factory-sealed or empty bottle.
• This is a cashless event. All food and beverage sales will only accept debit, credit, or mobile pay (Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Seating for Lawn Area

Beach chairs (with legs no longer than 9 inches) and blankets are allowed.

Event Parking

• City decks located at 155 Brunswick St. and the Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St., will charge a $10 event fee (after 4 p.m.)
• On-street metered parking is free.
• The City of Wilmington has marked accessible parking at all of its managed downtown public parking lots and parking decks. Patrons with a valid accessible parking license plate or permit / hang tag may also park for free at any on-street metered or un-metered space for an unlimited time.
• Parking Website Information.

Traffic Information

• Arrive early and consider your exit strategy prior to parking.
• Expect one- to two-hour delays leaving downtown after the fireworks due to large volumes of traffic for this event.
• Vehicles should park on the side of downtown (with Red Cross St. being the dividing line) that is closest to the direction they will travel after the fireworks have ended. 
• Traffic parked south of Red Cross St. will be diverted south towards Market St., Dawson St. and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge - includes City parking decks in the 100 block of Market St., the 100 block of N. 2nd St. as well as the County deck in the 200 block of N. 2nd St. and the CFCC deck at Nutt and Red Cross
• Traffic parked north of Red Cross St. will be diverted north towards MLK Parkway and the Isabel Holmes Bridge – includes the Wilmington Convention Center parking deck at 515 Nutt St. and the CFCC deck at 3rd and Hanover
• Those utilizing parking decks can expect longer delays due to high volumes exiting at one time. 
• No standing, stopping or parking on bridges, roadways or along medians on route 17, 74/76, 133 or 421 – police will monitor these areas and towing will be enforced.
• For traffic information call 511 or visit the NCDOT's traffic site

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