Charlotte 4th of July fireworks, parades, festivals, more

Plan your Charlotte area 4th of July 2017 festivities with this list of free and cheap July 4th events. These events include fireworks, parades, live music, historical presentations, water fun and much more. Follow each link to find the important details that you will need. Unless I’ve mentioned a price it’s free. And make sure to check the date, because some are not on the 4th. And I’ve put “fireworks” in red so you can find them easily. This is a growing list, so keep bookmark it and keep checking back! If you know of a free (or very cheap) 4th of July event, please let me know about it. jody@charlotteonthecheap.com

And don’t forget that to subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap’s email list.  One more thing: if you’re looking for more stuff to do, you can always check out the Free Events List for the current week.

Here are some Groupons for fireworks stores in South Carolina. Disclaimer: be safe and legal.

Thursday, June 29th

Mt. Holly Fireworks
Thursday, June 29th, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. South Main Street, Mount Holly. Live music, food trucks, kids’ zone and Fireworks . Free.

Friday, June 30th

Charlotte Symphony Concert
Friday, June 30th, 2017, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Village Park in Kannapolis. Followed by Fireworks Free.

Saturday, July 1st

Charlotte Symphony
Charlotte Symphony plays at Symphony Park at SouthPark.  It costs $16. Saturday, July 1st. Gates open at 5 p.m., prelude performances start at 7 p.m. Charlotte Symphony performs at 8:15 p.m. Fireworks follow.

Matthews People’s Parade
Matthews People’s Parade meets at the Town Hall Green at 5:00 pm Saturday, July 1st for bike and wagon decorating, and the parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Followed by concert by The Entertainers at 7 p.m. at Stumptown Park, along with bounce houses, food trucks, crafts and balloon gifts.

Red White and Blue Lawn Party at The Ballantyne
The Ballantyne is hosting a lawn party on Saturday, July 1st, 2017, starting at 5:30 p.m. It’s free to attend and open to everyone. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel. There will be live music, food trucks, local North Carolina beer and games, followed by fireworks.

Red White and Blue Ribbon Party
Saturday, July 1st, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free hamburgers & hot dogs. Three bands. Age 21+. Midwood Country Club, 2123 Central Avenue. Free.

Military Appreciation Luncheon
Saturday, July 1st, 2017, the Billy Graham Library is holding a free luncheon for military members and their families. It’s free but you need to register in advance. Follow above link for all the information.

Monday, July 3rd

Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration
3 day celebration at Harrisburg Park.
Monday, July 3rd, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Tuesday, July 4th, 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Harrisburg celebrates with a two day festival at Harrisburg Park, with live music, amusements and lots more. Both days end with Fireworks displays. On Tuesday, the festival is preceded by a parade on Hwy. 49, which starts at 9 a.m. and proceeds to the park.

Fireworks after Charlotte Knights Game
Monday, July 3rd, there will be Fireworks at BB&T Ballpark after the Charlotte Knights game.

Kannapolis Intimidators’ ballpark
Monday, July 3rd. A  fireworks displays follows the game. Buy tickets here. Also, the Intimidators guarantee that they will win. If they lose, you’ll get a ticket to a future game.

Red, White & Blue Blaze
Monday, July 3rd, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Blue Blaze Brewing. Live music by Analog Crash, $2 off pitchers all day, free hot dogs off grill. Free.

Igniting Brighter Possibilities
Monday, July 3rd, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lowes YMCA, 170 Joe V. Knox Ave, in Mooresville. This annual celebration features live music, kids’ activities and fireworks. Bring a blanket or chairs. Arrive early.

Red White and Boom
Monday, July 3rd, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., in Old Town in Rock Hill, South Carolina. There’s a kids’ zone (there’s a fee for this) a free concert and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Carowinds Military Days
Free park admission to any active, inactive, or retired United States Service men and women with a valid military ID on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Fireworks July 4th.

4th of July Festival at US National Whitewater Center
Festival begins on Monday July 3rd and continues to Tuesday July 4th. Includes live music followed by a fireworks display each night. Live music includes Lucero, Banditos, Coddle Creek, Yonder Mountain String Band, more. Admission is free. Parking is $5.

Tuesday, July 4th

4th of July Celebration at BB&T Ballpark
SkyShow Fireworks Spectacular follows the July 4th  baseball game between Team USA and Team Cuba.  Buy tickets for the game here. If you’re not attending the game, you should be able to see the fireworks from any place adjacent to the ballpark, like Romare Bearden Park. Here’s some more information. There will also be a free street festival from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in front of the ballpark. Live music, as well as carnival rides, bounce houses and more. There’s a charge for some activities at the festival.

4th of July Festival at US National Whitewater Center
Festival begins on Monday July 3rd and continues to Tuesday July 4th. Includes live music followed by a fireworks display each night. Live music includes Lucero, Banditos, Coddle Creek, Yonder Mountain String Band, more. Admission is free. Parking is $5.

Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration
3 day celebration at Harrisburg Park.
Monday, July 3rd, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Tuesday, July 4th, 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Harrisburg celebrates with a two day festival at Harrisburg Park, with live music, amusements and lots more. Both days end with Fireworks displays. On Tuesday, the festival is preceded by a parade on Hwy. 49, which starts at 9 a.m. and proceeds to the park.

Free Fishing Day: On July 4th, it’s free to fish in all public bodies of water in North Carolina. No fishing license is required. Many locations have loaner equipment too.

4th of July Celebration at Charlotte Museum of History
Charlotte Museum of History’s annual 4th of July celebration includes a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, tours, crafts and a scavenger hunt. 3500 Shamrock Drive, Tuesday, July 4th,  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 (free for members.)

Waxhaw 4th of July Celebration
In downtown Waxhaw. Tuesday, July 4th. Parade at 10 a.m.; Beach party 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Fireworks at dusk.

4th of July Festival at Birkdale Village
Activities take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 4th. Festival includes stage performances, face painting, balloon art, bounce houses, craft tables, bike decorating & patriotic bike ride, music, roaming entertainment and more! Plus, the annual Huntersville Fire Department water fight at 12:15 p.m.

Tega Cay 4th of July Celebration
Festival begins with a land parade at 9 a.m. July 4th, followed by a canoe joust, a boat parade, the Carolina Ski Show Team’s performance, the Splish ‘n’ Splash Summer Bash (At Golf Course Pavilion Area, featuring water inflatables, DJ and face painting) and a fish fry. At 9:30 p.m. there will be fireworks.

Lake Wylie Fireworks
Fireworks Tuesday, July 4th will be viewable from near the Buster Boyd Bridge around 9:15 p.m.

17th Annual 4th of July Pig Pickin’ in Plaza Midwood
Tuesday, July 4th,  from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This neighborhood crawl will include BBQ, music and fun at a number of Plaza Midwood businesses, including Soul Gastrolounge, The Diamond, Snug Harbor, twenty-two, Thomas Street Tavern, Whiskey Warehouse, Midwood Smokehouse, Legion Brewing, Moo & Brew, Salon 1226, Midwood Country Club, The Pizza Peel Plaza Midwood, The Workman’s Friend and Elizabeth Billiards.

Davidson Independence Day Celebration
Tuesday, July 4th, there will be a parade for all to participate in, starting at McEver Field on South Street at 5:15 p.m., proceeding to the town Green, where the band Da Throwback Band will perform at 6:00 p.m.

Kings Mountain
The city of Kings Mountain is celebrating from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4th. There will be a history encampment starting at 2 p.m. followed by a concert at 6 p.m. At 9 p.m. there will be a patriotic pre-fireworks show, and the fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. It all takes place at Kings Mountain Walking Track and Neisler Stage, 211 Cleveland Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC.  with music provided by the Chris Marks Band from 6:00-9:00 pm, and a variety of food vendors available at Walking Track Park. In honor of the turning point of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Kings Mountain (fought just south of town) a scene from “Liberty Mountain – The Revolutionary Drama” written by Bob Inman will be performed by the cast. All will lead up to the big event, the fireworks show.

Hickory Grove Parade and Celebration
The 48th Annual Hickory Grove Parade and Celebration is the largest block party in East Charlotte. Tuesday, July 4th.  The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Hickory Grove Recreation Center, 6709 Pence Road, and proceeds to The Grove Church, 5735 East W.T. Harris Boulevard, where the celebration continues until 2:30 p.m., with live music, games, pie-eating contests, inflatables, food and more.

4th of July Party at Snug Harbor
Tuesday, July 4th, 8 p.m. Live bands: Alternative Champs, Dirty Art Club, TKO Faith Healer, Brut Beat, Fat Face Band, at Snug Harbor in Plaza Midwood. Free.

Mile High Fourth of July
If you crave cooler temperatures, consider driving up to Banner Elk and Beech Mountain for their 2nd Annual Mile High Fourth of July celebration. There will be live music all weekend, fireworks, BBQ, a parade and more. The parade, party and Fireworks take place Tuesday, July 4th, but follow the above link for information on other festivities throughout the weekend.

Charlotte Motor Speedway 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Drivers’ autographs and Fireworks follow Bojangles’ Summer Shootout on Tuesday, July 4th. The Shootout starts at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $8. Kids under 13 get in for free.

Baxter Village 4th of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4th, 9:30 a.m. Baxter Village in Fort Mill, South Carolina’s annual 4th of July parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at 940 Market Street. It includes Charlotte sports mascots, clowns, stilt walkers and much more.

Gastonia July 4 Festival
Tuesday, July 4th, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Features live music, eating contests, free carnival rides and fireworks.

Indian Trail 4th of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4th, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 130 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. At 9:30 a.m. the celebration begins, with flag raising, watermelon eating contest, live music, games and activities. At 11:30 a.m. the parade starts. Free.

Carowinds Military Days
Free park admission to any active, inactive, or retired United States Service men and women with a valid military ID on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Fireworks July 4th.

Kings Mountain
The city of Kings Mountain is celebrating with a history encampment starting at 2 p.m. followed by a concert at 6 p.m. At 9 p.m. there will be a patriotic pre-fireworks show, and the fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. It all takes place at Kings Mountain Walking Track and Neisler Stage, 211 Cleveland Ave., with music provided by the Chris Marks Band from 6-9 p.m., and a variety of food vendors available at Walking Track Park.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article158833714.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, July 5th

Carowinds Military Days
Free park admission to any active, inactive, or retired United States Service men and women with a valid military ID on July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Fireworks July 4th.