The Fourth of July, Outer Banks Style

July 4th is a big deal on the Outer Banks. Not only is it peak season for summer visitation and one of the busiest weeks of the entire year, but it's also chock full of Independence Day celebrations and events. We're talking six major fireworks shows and lots of live music, but almost even better than that are the community events that bring the locals and the visitors together: three parades, a sand sculpture contest, an apple pie contest, a road race, a race over the sand dunes, community suppers and so much more. If you want a taste of a small-town celebration (because the Outer Banks towns are really just small communities that welcome a ton of summer visitors), don't miss these events. The Outer Banks locals go all out for the Fourth of July, and there's a ton of fun to be had, Outer Banks style.

Photo: The Kids' Bike Parade is a Fourth of July tradition in Manteo.

Be sure to keep safety in mind as you celebrate. Keep an eye on kids when they’re near the water or around traffic, stay hydrated, reapply your sunscreen, be extra cautious crossing the roads and designate a sober driver for all vehicles and boats. And remember: Personal fireworks are illegal in North Carolina, so leave them to the professionals.

If you plan to head out to watch the fireworks, keep in mind that you can see them for miles, so you don’t necessarily have to be right at the launching site to enjoy them. Go to the beach a few accesses away to avoid the crowds or watch from your house if possible. Walk or bike if you can to avoid driving in the traffic. If you do walk or bike, bring a flashlight or wear glow sticks so cars can see you. If you're boating for the fireworks, make absolutely certain your running lights are working before you head out because you and a lot of other boats will be returning to the docks in the dark.

First off, let's talk fireworks. Fireworks are beautiful anywhere, but if you have the chance there's nothing like seeing them over the ocean, which you can do in Avon, Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills.

2023 Fourth of July Fireworks Displays

Sunday, July 2

Ocracoke Fireworks, 9:15 p.m. from the NPS Docks parking area

Tuesday, July 4

Avon Fishing Pier, 41001 N.C. Highway12, Avon, Hatteras Island, 9 p.m.

Downtown Manteo, Queen Elizabeth Avenue, 9 p.m.

Nags Head Fishing Pier, 3335 S. Virginia Dare Trail, MP 11.5, Nags Head, 9:25 p.m.

Avalon Pier, 2111 N. Virginia Dare Trail, MP 6, Kill Devil Hills, 9:15 p.m.

Historic Corolla Park, 1160 Village Lane, Corolla, 9 p.m.

More Fourth of July Festivities

OCRACOKE

Sunday, July 2

8 p.m. DJ Tommy Hutcherson at NPS docks

9:15 p.m. Fireworks launched at NPS docks parking area (parking area will be closed)

Monday, July 3

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Old Fashioned Ocracoke Square Dance with Molasses Creek at Berkley Barn ($5 cover charge for ages 13 and older)

Tuesday, July 4

9:30 a.m. to noon 43^rd Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at Lifeguard Beach

10 a.m to 2 p.m. Ocracoke Lighthouse Open for view inside (no climbing)

4 p.m. Old-time Independence Day Parade to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Ocracoke Lightstation

7 to 10 p.m. Community Beach Fire Under the Stars – NPS Lifeguard Beach

Photo: Dressed-up golf carts parade through Ocracoke Village.

HATTERAS ISLAND

Tuesday, July 4, Hatteras Village

6 p.m. Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade
The parade starts at Teach’s Lair Marina and goes through the village toward Eagle Pass Road. Anyone can enter; just be in the lineup by 5:45 p.m. 

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Community Cookout
Come out and get a burger or hot dog, and watch the parade from the cookout’s central location. (Parade winners will be announced near the Village Center as well.)

MANTEO

Tuesday, July 4, Downtown Manteo

3 to 5:30 p.m. National Anthem, Decorated Bike Contest and Kids Parade, Watermelon Eating Contest, Where’s Waldo Contest, Apple Pie Contest, Fun & Games

5:45 to 7:15 p.m. Music by Appalachian Road Show

7:45 to 9:15 p.m. Music by Whiskey Rebellion

After dark: Fireworks

Photo: The Killer Dunes 5K draws a crowd to Jockey's Ridge State Park for a grueling but fun run over the dunes.

NAGS HEAD

Killer Dunes 2-Miler and Fun Run

Tuesday, July 4, 8 a.m.

Run or walk 2 miles on the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States. Or choose a quarter-mile Fun Run. Proceeds benefit Friends of Jockey’s Ridge. This one starts at 8 a.m. and is sponsored by Outer Banks Sporting Events. Register here. 

Town of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular

Tuesday, July 4 at 9:25 p.m, MP 11

KILL DEVIL HILLS

Freedom 5K and Fun Run

Tuesday, July 4, 5K at 7:30 a.m., Fun Run at 8:10 a.m.

The race starts and ends at Kill Devil Hills Town Hall. The entrance fee includes a t-shirt, medals, awards, chip timing and snacks and refreshments. Register here.

Kill Devil Hills Fireworks Show

9:15 p.m. Avalon Pier

Photo: The Town of Duck kicks off the Fourth with a spirited parade along the village side streets.

DUCK

Town of Duck Fourth of July Parade

Tuesday, July 4, 9 a.m.

The 1-mile route begins on Scarborough Lane, travels east to Ocean Way and continues onto Christopher Drive to end at Pamela Court. No part of the parade is on Duck Road. A free post-parade party with music, refreshments and parade awards is held at Duck Town Park.

COROLLA

Corolla Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks

Tuesday, July 4, 5 to 9 p.m., Historic Corolla Park

5 p.m. Food trucks, live music with The Black and Blue Experience Band, family fun activities

9 p.m. Fireworks

Free parking on site will begin at 3 p.m. until it’s full. Walk or bike to the site if possible.

Photo: Fun and games for all ages is what the Corolla Independence Day Celebration is all about.

That's definitely not all there is to do during Fourth of July week on the Outer Banks. Scroll our listings for fun events, from free yoga classes to art shows to live music every night of the week; the links are here for our Daytime and Nightlife listings. Be safe out there and have fun!