The 4th of July brings big celebrations to the Outer Banks, with locals and visitors coming together at fireworks shows, parades, parties and live music events. With events happening from Corolla to Ocracoke, there will be something going on near you. If you can get to one of these events without getting in your car, that’s your best bet. With the Outer Banks towns at maximum capacity this holiday weekend, traffic is going to be messy. But no matter how you get there, you are guaranteed to have a good time at any these 4th-of-July-themed events.
What follows is a north-to-south rundown of the local celebrations. Of course it's only a small portion of what’s going on this holiday weekend. For a whole lot more fun things to do, visit our Daytime and Nightlife events listings. It’s the most comprehensive listing of events for the Outer Banks, and you can sort the listings by location, type of activity and date.
4th of July Fireworks
Historic Corolla Park, 1160 Village Lane, Corolla, 9 p.m.
Avalon Pier, 2111 N. Virginia Dare Trail, MP 6, Kill Devil Hills, 9:15 p.m.
Nags Head Fishing Pier, 3335 S. Virginia Dare Trail, MP 11.5, Nags Head, 9:25 p.m.
Downtown Manteo, Roanoke Island Festival Park, 9 p.m.
Avon Fishing Pier, 41001 N.C. Highway 12, Avon, Hatteras Island, 9:15 p.m.
Corolla Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
July 4, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Historic Corolla Park
With views of the sound, a lush lawn and the shade of live oaks, Historic Corolla Park is the perfect setting for a community celebration. Gather here for free live music, family-friendly activities, food trucks and fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission and parking are free, but parking is limited so walk or bike to the site if possible.
Town of Duck 4th of July Parade and Community Celebration
July 4, 9 a.m.
Duck Village
This annual parade packs a lot of enthusiasm and community spirit into its 1-mile route. The parade begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane, travels east to Ocean Way and continues onto Christopher Drive to end at Pamela Court, which keeps Duck Road open to traffic. A free post-parade party with music, refreshments, watermelon and parade awards follows at Duck Town Park.
Freedom 5K and Little Sparkler Fun Run
July 4, 5K at 7:30 a.m., Fun Run at 8:10 a.m.
Kill Devil Hills Town Hall
Run through Kill Devil Hills for a good cause with Outer Banks Running Company and Sun Realty. The entrance fee includes a t-shirt, medals, awards, chip timing and snacks and refreshments. Proceeds benefit Outer Banks Giving Tree. Register here.
Killer Dunes 2-Miler and 1-Mile Color Run
July 4, 8 a.m.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head
Whether you run or walk, this 2-mile race on the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States, is a killer. But it’s memorable for sure! This year they’re also offering a 1-Mile Color Run in honor of Jockey’s Ridge State Park’s 50th anniversary. 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 Manteo Fourth of July Celebration
July 4, 3 to 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Manteo
For a slice of small-town charm, you can’t beat the Town of Manteo’s 4th of July festivities. From the 3 p.m. singing of the National Anthem to the Decorated Bike Contest and Kids Parade to the Apple Pie Contest and activities, it’s wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day. Popular ‘80s band The Deloreans will have everyone dancing from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with fireworks to follow. Food trucks will be on site, and restaurants and bars will be open. Parking is limited downtown so there will be free shuttles from College of the Albemarle and Manteo Elementary School. You'll have a fantastic view of the fireworks from anywhere downtown or you can walk over to Roanoke Island Festival Park.
Independence Day Concert & Fireworks at Roanoke Island Festival Park
July 4, 7:45 p.m.
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
Spread out on the vast lawn at Roanoke Island Festival Park with your own picnic or pick up snacks from a food truck. Gates will open at 6 p.m. so you can get all set up in your favorite spot before the live music with Divergent Soundz starts at 7:45 p.m. The fireworks will start around 9:15 p.m. Roanoke Island Festival Park is just across the water from Downtown Manteo, so you could easily enjoy the music and celebrations downtown, the pop over here after. This concert is free.
Independence Day at Island Farm
July 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Island Farm, 1140 N U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
Celebrate Independence Day 1850s style. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the farm’s lawn and celebrate the nation’s birth with musket-fire, traditional games and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Regular admission fees apply. See more here.
4 on the 4th and 1776-Foot Dash
July 4, 7 a.m.
Kinnakeet Shores, Avon
Kick off the day with a 4-mile run or walk through beautiful Kinnakeet Shores in Avon. All registered runners receive an eco-friendly cup for use on the course, an icy cold towel at the finish, a finisher's medal, a performance t-shirt and a delicious breakfast/post-race party! There’s also a 1,776-foot dash for the kids. Sponsored by Barrier Island Group, this run benefits Hatteras Island Meals, OBX Buddies, Chicamacomico Life Saving Station Historic Site. Register here.
Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade and Community Cookout
July 4, 5:30 p.m.
Hatteras Village
Locals and visitors come together for this festive holiday parade in Hatteras Village. All are welcome to participate, so if you have a golf cart or have rented one, decorate it and join in the fun. Meet at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum parking lot by 5:45 to get in the parade line. If you’re spectating, watch along N.C. Highway 12 from the museum north to the village center. The Community Cookout in the village center runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with free hot dogs and hamburgers and an awards ceremony following the parade.
Ocracoke Island Independence Day Celebration
July 3 and 4
Ocracoke Village
The people of Ocracoke go all out with their Independence Day celebrations. Unfortunately, their fireworks show scheduled for July 2 was canceled this year due to weather, but there’s plenty more to do!
July 3
4 p.m. - Fundraising Fish Fry for the Ocracoke Preservation Society at the Island Inn Commons
7 to 8:30 p.m. - Old fashioned Ocracoke Square Dance with Molasses Creek in the Berkley Barn. Charge at the door: $5 for adults ages 13 and older.
July 4
9:30 a.m. to noon - 44th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing the inside (no climbing though)
4 p.m. - Independence Day Parade. Sign-up starts at 3 p.m. at Old Beach Road and Irvin Garrish Highway. The parade winds along Irvin Garrish Highway around Silver Lake and ends at the NPS parking lot.
5:30 p.m. - Awards presentation for Parade and Sand Sculpture Contest winners at Books to Be Red
6 p.m. - Fundraising cookout at the Ocracoke United Methodist Church
7 to 10 p.m. - Community Beach Bonfire under the Stars at Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. Bring beach blankets, chairs and s’mores supplies.
I hope everyone has a fun and safe long weekend ahead. For some reminders about safety in the ocean and on the boat and the legality of fireworks, see this blog.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
