Thursday, October 22, 2026
By Outer Banks Voice on June 22, 2024
Rain date of July 5th. The 4th of July celebration will feature a collection of events which includes corresponding radio shows on the island’s local station, Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9, and an incredible front row view of the fireworks display from the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.
The annual one-mile 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. Please note: no part of the parade will take place on Duck Road.
A Community Celebration will be held immediately following the parade at the Duck Town Park. The celebration will feature live music, cold refreshments, including watermelon provided by Green Acres Farm Market, and the awarding of the parade trophies. Learn more at Town of Duck website.
The 11th Annual Golf Cart Parade on Hatteras is a must. What began with a meager 8 carts years ago has grown into a spectacular event! Come and see the carts decked out in all the Americana that can be mustered or deck one out yourself and join the fun. Whichever, you’re sure to enjoy this free, fun-filled, family friendly 4th of July event! Anyone can participate and with a little decorating imagination, the carts sport themes from patriotic to the ridiculous. The parade is fun for participants and viewers alike. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48ABA72BABFBC16-july. Participants will need to be at Teach’s Lair Marina by 5:45 on July 4th to line up. Route begins at Teach’s, through the village.
Hatteras Village free Community Cookout for residents and visitors at the Village Center. Come by for burgers and dogs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Pick up and go or find a spot to sit and watch the parade. For more information visit Hatteras Village Facebook page.
Visitors can keep the Independence Day celebration going strong with this special fireworks display in the heart of the central Outer Banks that’s sponsored by the Town of Kill Devil Hills, and which is held at the scenic Avalon Pier.
The Avalon Pier is located at milepost 7, and while visitors won’t be able to watch the show from the pier itself, the wide and surrounding beaches are ideal for pulling up a chair and enjoying the show. The public is welcome to bring a chair, blanket, or beach towel and find a spot, and should note that parking may be limited, so an early arrival may be key. A rain date will be set in case of inclement weather, and town parking is free to the public, with multiple beach access points throughout the town, and walking-distance close to the oceanfront. (Visitors will want to arrive early to secure a spot.) A great way to cap off the Independence Day holiday, the Town of Kill Devil Hills fireworks show is sure to be an unforgettable part of any vacation.
Celebrate Independence Day, 1850’s style with Island Farm! On Thursday, July 4, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Farm will host visitors to celebrate the holiday. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the Farm’s grassy lawn, and continue celebrations of the nation’s birth with musket-fire, traditional games, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
A living history farmstead, Island Farm is a tangible glimpse into coastal history, and the realities of life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800’s. Admission to the site is $10, and children 3 and under are admitted for free. The site is located at 1140 N US Highway 64, north of Manteo on Roanoke Island. Island Farm is owned and operated by Outer Banks Conservationists, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1980 to protect important natural, cultural, and historic resources along North Carolina’s Outer Banks through education and conservation. For more information, visit https:obcinc.org/visit-our-sites/island-farm/, or email info@obcinc.org or call 252-473-6500.
The Town of Manteo Fourth of July Celebrationis free and open to the public, and this year’s celebration will be held at George Washington Creef Park next to the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum in downtown Manteo.
Soak up some sun along the beautiful waterfront, sit back, relax and enjoy some good ‘ole fashioned community fun! All those coming out to the festivities are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets or whatever seating scenario you find most comfy for a great afternoon and evening of music and yes – FIREWORKS!
Kicking off the celebration will be our beloved Manteo native Tshombe Selby, a tenor with the Metropolitan Opera, singing the National Anthem.
Kid’s games and activities, decorated bike contest and parade (trike, scooter, and wagons welcome too), apple pie contest, food trucks, and summer treats are more than enough reason to come on out and spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. A great big thank you to Dare County Cooperative Extension for their help collecting all those yummy apple pies and their superb taste buds!
Riggsbee Road is back by popular demand to help us celebrate the Fourth of July! This all-female country and “new” grass band is always high-energy but their incredible harmonies are what takes them over the top! Following behind them will be the Brickhouse Band playing classic R&B, Motown Funk and more. DJ Mixin’ Mike will continue to bring some tunes afterwards in Creef Park while the Independence Day Concert starts up at Roanoke Island Festival Park at their scenic waterfront pavilion. Dancing in the park was never so much fun!
The Independence Day concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park is free and open to the public and features the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band. The band serves as the premier musical organization for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and connects the Army to the American people. They are based in Fort Eustis in Virginia and perform locally for public concerts, military ceremonies, and educational outreach program. Band members are soldiers on active duty and are full-time musicians performing in a wide variety of musical ensembles, having trained and studied music at some of the finest colleges, universities, and conservatories in the United States and abroad.
Free parking shuttles will be available once again throughout the day into the evening to help with parking needs. Shuttles will run from the College of the Albemarle, Manteo Middle School and Manteo High School. You might just catch a ride down one of the side streets too! The finale…FIREWORKS at dusk provided by the Town of Manteo, complete with lots of twinkle and sparkle illuminating the night sky with vibrant colors and explosive entertainment!
In conjunction with the Nags Head Fishing Pier and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, we’re hosting a fireworks spectacular Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 9:25 p.m. on Nags Head Pier at Mile Post 11.5 on South Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head.
A rain date has been set for Friday, July 5. The fireworks display will last approximately 25 minutes.
Parking at and near the fireworks display site will be directed by the Nags Head Police Department. Those attending the show are encouraged to park east of U.S. Highway 158/South Croatan Highway and use designated crosswalks. Those choosing to park west of U.S. Highway 158/South Croatan Highway should use extreme caution while attempting to cross this heavily traveled roadway and use designated crosswalks.
All persons attending this event are reminded not to use or block private driveways. Vehicles blocking driveways or presenting a traffic hazard before, during, or immediately following this event will be towed.
The Town of Nags Head requests that persons use the public beach accesses as pathways to the oceanfront. Please stay off the environmentally sensitive dune and do not use the private property of others, such as private gazebos or decks, to view the fireworks without the property owner’s permission.
No vehicles, with the exception of authorized Town and emergency vehicles, will be allowed on the ocean front beaches.
The following public beach accesses are recommended for access to the beach for fireworks viewing:
South of Nags Head Fishing Pier
North of Nags Head Fishing Pier
At the conclusion of the fireworks, spectator, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic exiting the area will be directed and controlled by Nags Head police officers.
The Town of Nags Head wishes to express its gratitude to Andy and Lovie McCann and the entire staff of the Nags Head Fishing Pier for agreeing to co-host this event and to the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau for their generous grant.
July 4th, 2024
Independence Day Celebration
Historic Corolla Park
5:00pm – 9:00pm (or at the conclusion of the fireworks show)
What better way to celebrate America’s independence than with free live music and a spectacular firework show on the northern Outer Banks! The Currituck County Department of Travel & Tourism invites you to Historic Corolla Park for our annual Independence Day Celebration! Activities begin at 5:00pm and conclude with the largest fireworks show on the Outer Banks at dusk. Admission is free and free parking is available at the park until our lots are full. Enjoy incredible live music, fun family activities and more! 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 and Air Up Station will be closed from 3pm on July 3rd until 7am July 5th. No boat docking will be allowed. Only leashed dogs are permitted. However, due to the noise from the fireworks, dogs are not recommended at this event.
Parking:
Free onsite parking for this event will begin at 3:00pm at Historic Corolla Park and will be available on a first come, first served basis. With record crowds this summer on the Currituck Outer Banks and with many visitors expected to attend, please note that our dedicated onsite parking spaces are expected to fill up early. Please plan accordingly.
Entertainment: “The Dickens” performing from 5pm to 8:30pm
Food Vendors (so far):
The Ocracoke Civic & Business Association and Hyde County invite everyone to join the Independence Day festivities. Activities start on July 2 with fireworks at the NPS Docks.
7 pm: Pre-fireworks gathering Ocracoke Island deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks.
9:15 pm: Fireworks by Pyrotecnico will be launched from the large National Park Service parking area at the southern end of the island. The NPS parking lot will be closed at 5 pm July 1 through July 2.
3 to 6 p.m. Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons.
7 to 8:30 pm: Old fashioned Ocracoke Square Dance: in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. Charge at the door: $5 for adults 13 and over.
9:30 am – Noon: 43rd 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.
4 pm: Independence Day Parade Theme: Old Tyme Ocracoke. All are welcome to enter the parade to vie for Best Walk & Roll, Best Wheels, Best Float, Best Theme and Best in Show. Sign up starts at 3 pm at Old Beach Road & Irvin Garrish Hwy. Lineup starts at 3:30 pm. Parade starts at Old Beach Road and ends at NPS docks. No throwing water; no political themes.
5:30 pm: Awards presentation for Parade & Sculpture Contest winners; Books to Be Red stage, featuring the National Anthem played by Dallas Mason. BYO seating.
6 p.m. Fundraising cookout at the United Methodist Church
7 to 10 pm: Community Beach Fire under the Stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows, and roasting sticks.
Independence Day activities are sponsored by the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board, Hyde County and the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.
Accept the challenge! The 16th running of the “Killer Dunes” will take place on July 4, 2024! Join Friends of Jockey’s Ridge and Outer Banks Sporting Events for this unique race. Celebrate Independence Day by supporting an OBX treasure! We invite you to run/walk/overcome 2 miles on Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern US! Attracting runners looking for a “unique” challenge (and drawing a very competitive field), we also welcome people to walk the course! Proceeds benefit Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, a local non-profit dedicated to supporting, preserving and enhancing Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
If Space Remains Race Day Registration is open from 6:30 – 7:15 AM. All registration for all events will close at 7:20 AM July 4th All American family and community event in the spirit of American Independence! Presented by SUN Realty and The OBX Running Company For questions regarding general information please email us at obxrunning@gmail.com or text 252-489-8239.
