City of Wilmington's Fourth of July Celebration

Next date: Saturday, July 04, 2026 | 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM

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Sponsored by Cumulus Media and Sunbelt Rentals, this family-friendly event will feature music from the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, other entertainment, kids' activities, food, fireworks, and more.

In honor of this year's U.S. 250th anniversary, there will be two fireworks locations to amplify viewing range along the Riverwalk. One will be displayed near Riverfront Park, and the other will be staged on a barge near the Battleship.

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. Fireworks Show x 2: 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 enjoy the displays from locations throughout downtown and 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.

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, 115 Market St., 114 N. 2nd St, the Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St., and the County deck at 212 N. 2nd 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

Street Closures

The following streets will close as early at 6 p.m. 

  • Water St. between Dock St. and Red Cross St.
  • Front St. between Dock St. and Red Cross St.
  • Market St. between Front St. & Water St.
  • Princess St. between N 2nd St. N Water St.
  • Chestnut St. between N 2nd St. & N Water St.
  • Grace St. between N 2nd St. & N Water St.
  • Walnut St. between N 2nd & N Water St.

The following streets will close at 9 p.m.

  • Davis St. between N 3rd St. & N 4th St.
  • Northbound N 4th St. between Harnett St. & Davis St.
  • Harnett St. between N 3rd St. & Front St

When

  • Saturday, July 04, 2026 | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Location

Riverfront Park, 10 Cowan St, Wilmington, 28401, View Map

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Cost

Free

Contact

Kayla Hillman
910-772-4177
Kayla.Hillman@wilmingtonnc.gov
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