Friday · July 3 · Free
Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast
Iconic beachside fireworks kick off the 250th on the CB Boardwalk.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk · 8:00 PM
★ This Weekend in Port City ★
THE WEEKEND
JUL 3 - JUL 5
59 Events · Local Bars & Live Music · Family-Friendly · Festivals · Farmers Markets
Saturday · July 4 · Free
Wilmington's 4th of July Celebration (America 250)
America's 250th on the Riverwalk — Symphony Pops + massive fireworks.
Wilmington Riverfront · 5:30 PM
Saturday · July 4 · Free
Freedom Fest 2026
Annual July 4th blowout — pie contest, water balloon battle, BBQ + bluegrass.
Waterline Brewing · 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday · July 3
Concerts 1
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Summer Concert Series at Airlie Gardens
Theater & Performing Arts 3
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Backrooms
Cinema New Release June 29 - July 3
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Jaws (1975) — 50th Anniversary Screening
Legendary thriller from the Vintage Series, a timeless masterpiece of suspense.
Vintage Series July 1-3
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Fresh Air: Inflatable Sculptures & Andy Warhol Silver Clouds
On view daily through Sept 27
Local Bars & Live Music 11
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Delia & Friends — Sunset Live Music Series
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Free Concert Friday: Make Yourself (Incubus Tribute)
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Island Rhythm Section — 3rd of July Celebration
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Live Music: David Dixon
Food: Smash N' Dash opens 5pm
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Three Chord Cory
Wheelz Pizza 5-9pm
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Friday Night Fight Riffs: July '26 Edition
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Live Music: Masonboro Sound Bluegrass
Food Truck: Gunslingers Tex-Mex 5pm
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Salty Southern Band
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Winyah: No Place I'd Rather Be Tour
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Mixed Signals
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SeaWitch Café Outdoor Music Concert
Festivals 1
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Surf City Independence Day Celebration
Live music by The Catalinas + fireworks
Family-Friendly 6
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Wilmington Sharks Baseball & Fireworks
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A250th: Independence Day Fireworks & Boardwalk Blast
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Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast
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Butterfly House at Airlie Gardens
Included with garden admission
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A250th: Sew & Sign250
Runs daily July 3-5
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Flytrap Hike at Carolina Beach State Park
Outdoor & Sporting Events 1
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Fireworks
Saturday · July 4
Concerts 1
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A250th: Fourth of July — Symphony Pops
Wilmington Symphony 4th of July Pops
Local Bars & Live Music 9
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Red, White & Bruised Wrestling
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Nick Black
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Downtown Fireworks Pregame: Live Music with Cool Jerk
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July 4th / USA 250th — Reel Cafe Rooftop w/ JET22
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Live Music: The Instigators
Food Truck: Cape Fear Smash 5pm
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Massive Grass
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Rock The 90s: The Official 90s Rock Tribute
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CD & The Mix
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July 4th DJ Battle w/ Fuzz Jaxx
Festivals 8
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BYO Pool Party — July 4th
20+ food trucks, music
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Freedom Fest 2026
Fresh Start Reptile Rescue, Best Patriotic Dressed, hula hoop, pie eating, water balloon toss/battle. Feelin' Swine BBQ 1-6pm.
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Do the Red, White & Brew Pub Crawl
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Wilmington's 4th of July Celebration (America 250)
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Pops concert + fireworks
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Fourth of July Boatyard Bash
Fireworks + free admission
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July 4th ILM Hot Dog Eating Contest
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Fourth of July Celebration
Annual parade + island celebration
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NC 4th of July Festival (final day)
Parade, vendors, fireworks over the water
Family-Friendly 3
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4th of July Water Park Festival
Water slides, paddling, cornhole
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Red, White & Blue Skate
$4 skate rental; family of 4 w/ rental $40
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4th of July Firecracker Cruise
Farmers Markets 3
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Riverfront Farmers Market
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Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek
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Carolina Beach Market
Car Shows & Cruise-Ins 1
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Cars & Coffee at The Pointe
Sunday · July 5
Concerts 1
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Boogie in the Park Concert Series
Free live music by the sea
Local Bars & Live Music 8
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Blue Sunday w/ The Rhythm Bones
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Country Night w/ The Dew Drops
Themed cocktails, wear your western attire
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ReSoul — Live in The Boatyard
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Weekly Jazz Jam hosted by Jay Killman
Salita Pizza free delivery
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Asia Daye
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Jaden Money
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Excitable: A Tribute to Def Leppard
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Oceanic Summer Music Series
Family-Friendly 1
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New Hanover County Resident Free Day
NHC residents free w/ ID
Farmers Markets 1
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HDWM Artisan Market
Durham, NC 133 mi 1 event
Harry Connick Jr.
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