Celebrate July 4th 2018 on the Outer Banks

Posted By Matt Artz on June 29, 2018

This Independence Day there will be plenty of Outer Banks July 4th fireworks displays happening throughout the area to keep the sky alive with explosions of color in celebration of America’s birthday.

In addition to the professional fireworks displays, there are also a number of patriotic events happening throughout the day as well.

Here’s where you can see fireworks on the Outer Banks and what else is happening to celebrate the holiday on Independence Day, July 4th, 2018!

KILL DEVIL HILLS

The Town of Kill Devil Hills will once again host its annual Independence Day fireworks display off of Avalon Pier on Wednesday, July 4, starting at dusk.

NAGS HEAD

The Town of Nags Head will host, in conjunction with the Nags Head Fishing Pier and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, its annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular on Wednesday, July 4, at 9:25pm on Nags Head Pier, located at Mile Post 11.5 on NC Route 12, S. Virginia Dare Trail, in Nags Head. (A rain date has been set for Thursday, July 5.) The fireworks display will last approximately 25 minutes.

Parking at and near the fireworks display site will be directed by Nags Head’s Police Department. Those attending the show are encouraged to park east of U.S. Highway 158/S. Croatan Highway. Those choosing to park west of U.S. Highway 158/S. Croatan Highway should use extreme caution while attempting to cross this heavily traveled roadway.

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
Curlew Street
Hollowell Street
Conch Street

North of Nags Head Fishing Pier
Bladen Street
Bittern Street
Bonnett Street
Barnes Street
Blackman Street

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is another ideal spot for viewing the fireworks. Other local fireworks may be seen, but distantly. The park will be open late to accommodate visitors. Please call the park at 252-441-7132 for more information.

At the conclusion of the fireworks, spectator, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic exiting the area will be directed and controlled by Nags Head police officers.

Please remember that the personal use of fireworks in Nags Head is illegal.

The annual Killer Dunes charity run is also happening on the morning of Wednesday, July 4th at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Click here for full details on the run.

MANTEO

The Town of Manteo will host its annual Independence Day celebration along the downtown waterfront starting at 3pm on Wednesday, July 4, with its own fireworks display set for that night, starting after dark.

The Town of Manteo is celebrating the 4th of July of 2018 with new festivities and entertainment.

At 10:30am, there is a children’s concert presented by the 208th Army Band at Roanoke Island Festival Park theater. The event is free but you must have an admission ticket that can be picked up before the day of the event.

This year there will be an Independence Day Parade down Queen Elizabeth Street. Everyone is invited to participate in the parade with their wacky hat, decorated bike and decorated golf cart. Families are encouraged participate together with the latest patriotic hat or bicycle. This year we are adding golf carts to be decorated and judged as the best patriotic cart on four wheels. Parade line up starts at 2:45pm at the Magnolia Market.

Parade will start at approximately 3:15pm beginning at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth Street and Ananias Dare Street and will end at the George Washington Creef Park at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. Judging for the three events will take place at the park after the parade.

Be sure to bring your best homemade apple pie for the annual American Apple Pie Contest. Submit your entries at the tent in the park by 4:00pm. Judging will take place and winners will be announced at 5:30pm. At 3:30pm “The Lost Colony Choir” will perform at the Boathouse Stage in the park.

Registration opens at 3:30 pm in the park for the Firecracker Corn hole Tournament. Teams of two will compete for the grand prize to be the top firecracker in Corn Hole Competition. Age groups are 10-15 and 16 and up. It will be single elimination and complete rules can be found at townofmanteo.com. Tournament starts at 4:00pm. Winners will be announced and presented with awards when tournament is completed.

At 4:30pm the Echoes of Heritage will perform on the Boathouse Stage.

At 4:30pm registration opens up for the Sparkler Watermelon Eating Contest that will start at 5:00pm. The object is to finish a set amount of watermelon, to be determined at time of contest, in the shortest time. Hands free eating is required and all watermelon must be consumed. The winner will be the person who consumes the entire portion of watermelon in the shortest amount of time. The winner will be announced and presented their award at 5:30pm. There are two age categories for this contest. Ages 10-15, and ages 16 and up are eligible to enter.

At 5:30pm “The Crowd” will play on the Boathouse Stage until 7:30pm.

There will be food vendors located in the parking lot next to the weather tower serving funnel cakes, lemonade, slushies, sausages, ribbon fries, barbeque, and much more.

Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo is also hosting its annual free Independence Day concert, featuring the 208th U.S. Army Band live on stage starting at 8pm.

COROLLA

The 26th Annual Festival of Fireworks returns to Historic Corolla Park in Currituck County on Wednesday, July 4th, featuring a full day of free events starting at 3pm with food vendors, children’s games, a watermelon eating contest, a cornhole tournament, and live music in the evening starting at 5pm and followed by the fireworks display beginning at dusk.

No coolers, alcohol, or on-street parking are permitted at this event. Historic Corolla Park boat ramp is closed; with no docking allowed on July 4th.

AVON

Avon and Hatteras Island’s annual Independence Day celebration, “Fireworks at the Beach” is also happening on Wednesday, the 4th of July. The fireworks display, permitted by and in cooperation with the National Park Service, will begin about 9:15 p.m. from a launch site at the end of the Avon Pier, located in the village of Avon. The show, presented by Pyrotecnico, lasts about 20 minutes.

Radio Hatteras will broadcast patriotic “Music for Fireworks” from 9 until 10 p.m. and “Red, White & Blue” music until Midnight at FM 101.5 and 99.9. Tune in at 9 p.m. to hear Bob Barris talk a little about the origin of Fireworks and offer a brief history lesson about the celebration of Independence Day. Then watch the sky light up to a very familiar Galactic tune, followed by a selection of patriotic music. To stream Radio Hatteras live on your computer, go to radiohatteras.org.

Fireworks are visible all along the Avon beach and parking is limited, so attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool.