Charlotte fireworks, 4th of July parades, festivals, more for 2018

SkyShow Charlotte

Searching for Charlotte fireworks? Plan your Charlotte area 4th of July 2018 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. Make sure to check the date, because some are not on the 4th.

We’ve put “fireworks” in red so you can find those Charlotte fireworks easily. This is a growing list, so 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.

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Disclaimer: Always click on the links and verify information with the venue or organization’s page. Information can change. Typos are sometimes made.

Saturday, June 23rd

Gaston All American Fair
For early fireworks check out Gaston All American Fair, outside Eastridge Mall in Gastonia. The fair will be going on from Friday, June 15th, to Sunday, June 24th, with fireworks taking place Saturday, June 23rd. Admission is free, and there will be live music, contests and more. Rides and carnival games will require tickets. Free admission.

Thursday, June 28th

Mt. Holly Fireworks
Thursday, June 28th, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. South Main Street, Mount Holly. Live music by “Coming Up Brass”, food trucks, kids’ zone and Fireworks . Free.

Friday, June 29th

Charlotte Symphony Concert
Friday, June 29, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Village Park in Kannapolis. Followed by Fireworks Free.

Mile High Fourth
June 29-July 4
Beat the heat with a trip to Beech Mountain and Banner Elk. The communities have six days of festivities planned, including fireworks on Saturday, June 30th, a free concert by Tommy DeCarlo, lead singer of Boston, on Tuesday, July 3rd, and a parade, music, and lunch and games on Wednesday, July 4th.

Saturday, June 30th

Carowinds Military Days
Free park admission to any active, inactive, or retired United States Service men and women with a valid military ID from Saturday, June 30th, to Sunday, July 8th.

Sunday, July 1st

Charlotte Symphony
Charlotte Symphony plays at Symphony Park at SouthPark. It costs $18, including taxes and fees. Youth tickets are less, and children 12 and under are free. Sunday, July 1st. Charlotte Symphony performs at 8:15 p.m. Fireworks follow.

Tuesday, July 3rd

Star Spangled Spectacular
Tuesday, July 3rd, 6 p.m.
Fireworks return to American Legion Memorial Stadium, 310 N. Kings Drive, as the kickoff to Charlotte’s 250th anniversary. They’ll be viewable from the stadium, as well as from Independence Park and many locations in Uptown Charlotte, and will be synched to music on 102.9 FM, The Lake. The event will also include kids’ activities, live music from The Voltage Brothers and food for purchase.

Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration
2 day celebration at Harrisburg Park.
Tuesday, July 3rd, 4 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Wednesday, July 4th, 4 p.m. to 11:00 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 Wednesday morning there’s a parade on Hwy. 49, which starts at 9 a.m. Free, but there’s a cost for some activities. Follow above link for details.

Igniting Brighter Possibilities
Tuesday, July 3rd, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lowes YMCA, 170 Joe V. Knox Ave, in Mooresville. This annual celebration, which is open to the community, features live music, kids’ activities and fireworks. Bring a blanket or chairs. Arrive early. Free.

Red White and Boom in Old Town Rock Hill

Red White and Boom
Tuesday, July 3rd, 5:30 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 9:45 p.m. Free.

4th of July Festival at US National Whitewater Center
Festival begins on Tuesday, July 3rd and continues to Wednesday, July 4th. Includes live music followed by a fireworks display each night. Live music on Tuesday by Dangermuffin and Marc Broussard. Admission is free. Parking is $6.

Charlotte Motor Speedway 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Drivers’ autographs and Fireworks follow Bojangles’ Summer Shootout on Tuesday, July 3rd. The Shootout starts at 5 p.m. Adult tickets are $8. Kids under 13 get in for free.

Wednesday, July 4th

SkyShow at BB&T Ballpark
SkyShow Fireworks Spectacular follows the July 4th 6:05 p.m. baseball game between the Charlotte Knights and the Durham Bulls. Buy tickets for the game here. Don’t delay, as they will sell out. If you’re not attending the game, you should be able to see the fireworks from 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. Kids can get a wristband that will allow them to climb, slide and bounce.

4th of July Festival at US National Whitewater Center
Festival begins on Tuesday, July 3rd and continues to Wednesday, July 4th. Includes live music followed by a fireworks display each night. Live music on Wednesday by Sam Morrow and Colter Wall. Admission is free. Parking is $6.

18th Annual 4th of July Plaza Midwood Pig Pickin’
Wednesday, July 4th, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Festivities will be all over Plaza Midwood. There will be live music out and about, including three bands on the stage outside The Diamond, 1901 Commonwealth Avenue. The Diamond will also be roasting a whole hog, and selling pulled pork plates and sandwiches, as well as hot dogs. Other participating businesses include The Roasting Company, Thomas Street Tavern, Legion Brewing, Peculiar Rabbit, Midwood Smokehouse, Whiskey Warehouse, Soul Gastrolounge, Snug Harbor and Ace Custom Tattoo. Outside entertainment is free. Check on individual businesses to see what they’ve got going on.

There will be lots of live music throughout the neighborhood. The band schedule for the Diamond is The Willie Douglas Band (6 p.m.), The Penitentials (7:30 p.m.) and Paint Fumes (9 p.m.)

Fun Family 4th of July in Matthews, with the People’s Parade
Matthews People’s Parade meets at the Town Hall Green at 5:00 pm Wednesday, July 4th 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. Free.

Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration
2 day celebration at Harrisburg Park.
Tuesday, July 3rd, 4 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Tuesday, July 4th, 4 p.m. to 11:00 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 Wednesday morning there’s a parade on Hwy. 49, which starts at 9 a.m. Free, but there’s a cost for some activities. Follow above ink for details.

Free Fishing Day: Every 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, crafts, a lecture, and the ringing of the American Freedom Bell. 3500 Shamrock Drive, Wednesday, July 4th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.

Downtown Gastonia 4th of July Celebration
The City of Gastonia’s official celebration has been scaled down to an evening event. It takes place at Rotary Pavilion, 111 N. South Street, Gastonia, Wednesday, July 4th, starting at 6 p.m. Festivities start with a DJ, followed by 42 (a Coldplay tribute band) and then an expanded fireworks show. Free.

50th Annual Hickory Grove Parade and Celebration
Wednesday, July 4th, 2018. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Hickory Grove Recreation Center, 609 Pence Road, and ends at The Grove Presbyterian Church, 5735 East W.T. Harris Boulevard, where the celebration takes place. The parade route is approximately 1.3 miles. Kids can ride their bikes in the parade. The celebration includes games, food, music and more. Charlotte Folk Society members will be providing music during the parade and the celebration. Free.

Waxhaw 4th of July Celebration
In downtown Waxhaw. Wednesday, July 4th. Parade at 10 a.m.; Fireworks at dusk. Free.

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. There may be a cost for some of the activities. At 9:30 p.m. there will be fireworks.

Baxter Village 4th of July Parade
The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 4th, on 940 Market Street, Fort Mill, South Carolina, and proceeds 10 blocks south down Market Street. There’s plenty of free parking in Baxter Town Center. Charlotte sports mascots, bands, stilt walkers and much more. Free

Town of Dallas 4th of July Celebration
The celebration starts at Historic Dallas Court Square, 131 N. Main Street, Dallas, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with games and popcorn. Then at 6 p.m., the band Image performs at Cloninger Park, 225 S. Oakland Street, followed by fireworks.. Free

Lake Wylie Fireworks
Fireworks Wednesday, July 4th will be viewable from near the Buster Boyd Bridge around 9:15 p.m., if past years events are any indication. More details will be available soon. Free.

Davidson Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, 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 Radiojacks will perform at 6:00 p.m. as part of the Concerts on the Green concert series. Free.

Kings Mountain Revolutionary Fourth
The City of Kings Mountain, NC celebrates Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4th, at the Revolutionary Fourth celebration on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018, starting at 5 p.m., at Deal Park Walking Track, 211 N. Cleveland Avenue, Kings Mountain. Festivities include a live band, food vendors, and a scene performed from “Liberty Mountain – The Revolutionary Drama about the Battle of Kings Mountain,” written by Bob Inman. The evening concludes with a fireworks show. Free.

Indian Trail 4th of July Parade
Wednesday, July 4th, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in downtown Indian Trial. There will be a parade and more festivities. Check back soon for more details. Free.

Red White and Belmont
Belmont’s 4th of July celebration will take place at Stowe Park, 24 S. Main Street, Belmont, on Wednesday, July 4th, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Festivities include rides, face painting, balloon twisting, Uncle Sam on stilts, a pie eating contest, a parade of patriotic pups, and a parade of patriotic bikes, trikes, and wagons with decorating contests for parade participants. The festival will be immediately followed by the final installment of the Friday Night Live concerts, featuring Gary Lowder & the Smokin’ Hot, and then fireworks. Free (but costs for some activities.)

Kannapolis Intimidators’ ballpark
Wednesday, July 4th. A fireworks displays follows the game. Buy tickets here.