Wilmington's free July 4 celebration at Riverfront Park ends with two fireworks shows at 9 p.m., one near the Battleship. 2027 details not out yet.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2027 celebration has not been announced; the details below are from the city’s 2026 event page and will be replaced when the city posts next year’s plans; the 2026 plans were posted in June.

Wilmington’s Fourth of July is a free city celebration at Riverfront Park, 10 Cowan St., that ends with fireworks over the Cape Fear River. In 2026, for the nation’s 250th birthday, the city launched two shows at the same time at 9 p.m.: one across the river from Riverfront Park and one from a barge near the Battleship North Carolina.

Who to call

How the 2026 night ran

Time What
5:30 p.m. Gates open at Riverfront Park
6:30 p.m. Mackenzi Morris and Joshua Alan Rupp, with the Theater for All chorus
7:30 p.m. Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, including a new work by local composer Chelsea Loew for the 250th anniversary
9 p.m. Two fireworks shows at once

Cumulus Media and Sunbelt Rentals sponsored the 2026 event. Boats were kept out of a safety zone around the launch sites until 30 minutes after the show.

What to bring, and what to leave home

The city’s 2026 rules:

  • Allowed: blankets, and chairs with legs 9 inches tall or shorter; up to a gallon of water in a factory-sealed or empty bottle.
  • Not allowed: outside food and drink, and animals other than service animals.
  • Paying: the park was cashless. Vendors took debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay for food, soft drinks, beer and wine.

Road closures

These downtown streets closed for the 2026 show.

From as early as 6 p.m.:

  • Water Street and Front Street, Dock Street to Red Cross Street
  • Market Street, Front Street to Water Street
  • Princess, Chestnut, Grace and Walnut streets, North Second Street to North Water Street

At 9 p.m.:

  • Davis Street, North Third Street to North Fourth Street
  • Northbound North Fourth Street, Harnett Street to Davis Street
  • Harnett Street, North Third Street to Front Street

Parking and getting home

In 2026 the city charged a $10 event fee after 4 p.m. at the downtown decks at 155 Brunswick St., 115 Market St. and 114 N. Second St., the Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St. and the county deck at 212 N. Second St. On-street meters were free, and drivers with an accessible parking plate or placard could park free on the street with no time limit.

The city warned of one to two hours of delays leaving downtown and offered this advice:

  • Park on the side of Red Cross Street that matches your way home. Traffic south of Red Cross Street was sent toward Market Street, Dawson Street and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge; traffic north of it toward MLK Parkway and the Isabel Holmes Bridge.
  • Do not stop or park on bridges, roadsides or medians on U.S. 17, U.S. 74/76, N.C. 133 or U.S. 421 to watch. Police patrol them and tow.

Frequently asked questions

What time are the Wilmington, NC fireworks on the Fourth of July? In 2026 the fireworks started at 9 p.m., with two shows at once: one across the river from Riverfront Park and one from a barge near the Battleship North Carolina. The 2027 time has not been announced.

Where is the best place to watch the Wilmington fireworks? The city’s celebration is at Riverfront Park, 10 Cowan St., which is free and opens at 5:30 p.m. Both 2026 shows were set off across the river from the downtown waterfront.

Where do I park for the Wilmington Fourth of July fireworks? In 2026 the city’s downtown decks charged a $10 event fee after 4 p.m., and on-street meters were free. The city warned of one to two hours of delays leaving downtown.

Can I bring a cooler to the Wilmington Fourth of July celebration? No. In 2026 outside food and drink were not allowed except up to a gallon of water in a sealed or empty bottle, and pets other than service animals were not allowed. The event was cashless.

More: getting around Wilmington, things to do this month and parks and trails.