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The Best 4th of July Events Across the South: Food, Fireworks & More!

Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Take advantage of the long holiday weekend with a road trip! From nostalgic small-town festivities to rockin' music lineups, we've rounded up an exciting list of Fourth of July events to kickstart your holiday planning. Organized by state, these are the parties around the South that everyone is talking about. ALABAMA Mobile, AL | 4th of July Celebration Friday, July 4, 2025 — Head to Cooper Riverside Park & Mardi Gras Park for one of Alabama's most spirited July 4th celebrations. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. sharp, but arrive early to kick off the party in Mardi Gras Park. You can expect a Kids' Zone with bounce houses, games, and activities for all ages, local vendors, and live music by Tip Tops and Fly By Radio. Friday, July 4, 2025 — Snag a spot on the grassy lawn at Lake Martin's AMP for one of the Southeast's largest Fourth of July fireworks displays. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the music kicks off around 6:30 p.m. Lake Martin's favorite cover band, The Bank Walkers, and Taylor Hicks will supply the tunes, and the 9 p.m. fireworks show is slated to be the best one ever. The 4th of July Boat Parade from Russell Marina begins at 10 a.m. Pin FLORIDA Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, 2025 — 30A offers multiple 4th of July celebrations. A popular event includes Grayton Beach's annual 4th of July parade at 8 a.m. at The Red Bar. The event includes cars, scooters, golf carts, floats, boats, and vehicles of all kinds adorned in their most festive trappings. Red, White, and Baytowne is another standout celebration. The annual event includes a spectacular fireworks display that begins at 9:15 p.m. as well as crafts, face painting, and balloon sculpting. SB Tip: To see a comprehensive list of Fourth of July events happening on 30A and South Walton, visit Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, 2025 — PCB is one of the best places on the Gulf Coast for three nights of impressive fireworks shows and festive events. The fun starts with Sunday night's Light Up The Bay show. On Monday, Light Up The Gulf's fireworks will boom from Boardwalk Beach Resort while Freedom Rocks works with participating waterfront restaurants for great views of the Grand Lagoon Bridge. On Tuesday, don't miss the Gulf's largest displays from Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier. Pin St. Augustine, FL | Fireworks Over the Matanzas Friday, July 4, 2025 — St. Augustine's Fourth of July celebration includes a live music concert in the Plaza de la Constitución and a spectacular fireworks display over the historic bayfront and the Castillo de San Marcos. 'Fireworks Over the Matanzas' is one of the most impressive fireworks displays on the East Coast, featuring 5,000 individual shells exploding as high as 2,000 feet and as low as 100 feet. The 20-minute show is choreographed to patriotic music over an extensive sound system that carries over the entire bayfront area. GEORGIA Pine Mountain, GA | Callaway Resort & Gardens Star Spangled Beach Party Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, 2025 — Callaway has a weekend-long bash of beach activities, live music, food trucks, contests, and spectacular fireworks displays. Book a room at the resort to maximize your outdoor adventures, waterside relaxation, and indulgent culinary options. Explore Aqua Island, play putt-putt, take out pedal boats, rent beach bikes, snack beachside, and more. Friday, July 4, 2025 — Georgia's darling coastal city provides a free Fourth of July event with local food and fireworks. Savannah's Waterfront showcases the city's signature fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m. Many waterfront restaurants will be offering dinner and drink specials! Pin St. Simons, GA | 41st Annual Sunshine Festival Friday, July 4, 2025 — This beloved festival at Pier Village is a longtime St. Simons tradition. After the 5K or one-mile fun run, head to the Crafts In The Village artisan festival and see the fireworks on the pier around 9 p.m. Nearby coastal community Sea Island also holds exclusive July 4th celebrations for its guests and residents. KENTUCKY Bowling Green, KY | 54th Annual Thunderfest Saturday, June 28, 2025 — Thunderfest at the National Corvette Museum Amphitheater fills Bowling Green with fireworks and fun each year. Celebrate America's favorite holiday at the home of the Corvette, with food trucks, live music, children's activities, and more. This fundraiser gives 100% of the proceeds to local non-profit organizations. Campbellsville-Taylor, KY | 49th Annual 4th of July Celebration Saturday, June 28 through Saturday, July 5, 2025 — Celebrate the Fourth of July for a week straight! This weeklong festival is one of Kentucky's largest and features a full schedule of events, including hot air balloons, live music, parades, face painting, outdoor movie nights, and plenty of food vendors. The celebration wraps up with a spectacular fireworks display on July 4th at 10 p.m. that lights up the sky over Miller Park. Pin Friday, July 4, 2025 — This beloved annual event lights up the downtown riverfront with live music starting at 5:00 p.m in McConnell Plaza and an unforgettable fireworks show at approximately 9:15 p.m. The celebration gets even bigger with fireworks launching from multiple locations across the city, offering a spectacular skyline view no matter where you are! Friday, July 4, 2025 — Learn about Stephen Foster's story of becoming the 'father of American music' and celebrate the fourth! Expect bouncy houses, games, and cupcakes along with a performance with costumes, singing, and dancing for Stephen's birthday. To end the night, fireworks will be set off immediately following the show. Paducah, KY | Paducah Independence Day 2025 Friday, July 4, 2025 — Experience Paducah's Riverfront along with food, live music, and drinks this Independence Day! LOUISIANA New Orleans, LA | Go 4th on the River Friday, July 4, 2025 — Celebrate the Fourth of July on the Historic Downtown New Orleans Riverfront. The free admission fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. over the Mighty Mississippi River and can be viewed from both river banks. Similar to years past, this year's show includes dueling displays, making for an unforgettable Independence Day celebration. MISSISSIPPI Saturday, June 7, 2025 — Get ready to kick off summer in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, at the 20th Annual Red, White & Blueberry Festival! This beloved community event will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 p.m. at the L&N Depot Plaza. Homemade jams, complimentary ice cream topped with berries, and other baked goods can be expected alongside local vendors and cooking sessions at the festival! Greenwood, MS | Stars and Stripes Thursday, June 26, 2025 — Stop by The Park Between the Bridges starting at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy games, food vendors, and live music! Entertainment by Chapel Hart begins at 7:30 and as night falls, gather at Veterans Bridge for a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the Delta sky. Ridgeland, MS | Celebrate America Balloon Glow Friday, June 27, 2025 — Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. at Northpark East Field with the awe-inspiring Balloon Glow at dusk. Enjoy a night filled with glowing hot air balloons, live music, delicious local food vendors, and family-friendly fun as Ridgeland celebrates America in style. Bring your chairs, blankets, and patriotic spirit for an unforgettable night. Long Beach, MS | 4th of July Jubilee Saturday, June 28, 2025 — Get ready for a star-spangled celebration all day long at the 3rd Annual 4th of July Jubilee in Downtown Long Beach! The 12-hour-long festival starts off with local vendors from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a parade that sets the stage for a patriotic evening. Keep the party going with Coastal Daiquiri's block party from 7 to 11 p.m., and look to the sky for a fireworks finale at 8:45 p.m. Bay St. Louis, MS | 41st Annual Crab Fest Thursday, July 3, through Saturday, July 5, 2025 — Join attendees from all over to partake in some of the best crab (and other shellfish delicacies) to be had in the state of Mississippi! Natchez, MS | 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza Friday, July 4, 2025 — Stop by the Mississippi River to watch a magnificent fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.! The event is free, but donations are welcome, and it will last about 22 minutes. There is no better way to get in the patriotic mood! NORTH CAROLINA Southport, NC | NC 4th of July Festival Tuesday, July 1, through Friday, July 4, 2025 — For over 200 years, this charming maritime community (the set of many celebrated films) has celebrated our nation's independence in a HUGE way. Fifty thousand people join the fun in Southport each July. There's an artisan craft market, a full day of beach activities, rockin' live musical performances, a flag ceremony, a firefighter competition, and more. This is a July 4th bucket list item. Cashiers, NC | Annual Fireworks Extravaganza On The Green Thursday, July 3, 2025 — The Village Green, a 13.2-acre park in the heart of Cashiers, hosts its annual Fireworks Extravaganza On The Green. Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs, food, and drinks. The fireworks display begins around 9 p.m. and is expected to last about 20 minutes. Pin Cabarrus County, NC | Annual Harrisburg July 4th Celebration Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, 2025 — The authentically Americana setting of Cabarrus County is known for the Charlotte Motor Speedway and its delicious BBQ and brews. The free two-day July 4th Celebration in Harrisburg has become one of the region's most well-attended Independence Day events. Fireworks and tunes by Chris Taylor and the Rumor will kick off Thursday night, and on Friday, enjoy more fireworks and musical performances. Charlotte, NC | Fourth of July Celebration Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4, 2025 — Stop by the Whitewater Center for yoga, a 5k race, and live music to spend your holiday outdoors! Events begin at 6:30 p.m on Thursday and 8:30 a.m on Friday. Asheville, NC | Independence Day Block Party Friday, July 4, 2025 — As the sun sets, enjoy an evening of free live music headlined by The Pink Stones, along with delicious food and drinks from local vendors. The night caps off with a fireworks show that lights up the sky in a classic celebration of freedom and community. Greensboro, NC | Fun Fourth Freedom Fest 2025 Friday, July 4, 2025 — Join the city of Greensboro for a festive excursion celebrating Independence Day with a fun run and other festivities! From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can enjoy live music, strolling performers, and much more! Cary, NC | Independence Day Celebration Friday, July 4, 2025 — Listen to the music provided by the North Carolina Symphony along with activities for children and a fireworks show to finish off the night. Admission is free, and there will be space for picnics or tables available for purchase! SOUTH CAROLINA Lake Murray, SC (near Columbia, SC) | Annual 4th of July Celebration Saturday, June 28, 2025 — Lake Murray's famous Patriotic Boat Parade starts at noon at Bomb Island and features jaw-dropping boat decorations created by locals and visitors alike! The parade is viewable from the park sites at the Lake Murray Dam or by boat. Later that evening, the largest fireworks display in South Carolina launches at about 9:30 p.m. from Spence Island and Dreher Island. Charleston, SC | 4th of July Fireworks Blast Friday, July 4, 2025 — This beloved Holy City event returns this year with food trucks, fireworks, and live music at the most patriotic venue in South Carolina: the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Starting at 7 p.m., the land-side party includes live music, six food trucks, and a fireworks show above Charleston Harbor after sundown. TENNESSEE Springfield, TN | Annual Freedom Fest Thursday, July 3, 2025 — Head to the Robertson County Fairgrounds to celebrate Independence Day with carnival rides, inflatables, food trucks, and vendors. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. and are free to attend. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Gatlinburg, TN | Annual Fourth of July Midnight Parade and Fireworks Finale Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, 2025 — Can you stay up late enough to see the award-winning Fourth of July Midnight Parade (the first one in the nation each year!)? Floats, patriotic displays, and balloons line Gatlinburg's Parkway beginning at 12:01 a.m. Then, stick around for all-day festivities, including the annual River Raft Regatta — a race of unmanned floatables down the Little Pigeon River — and then the Fireworks Finale. Chattanooga, TN | Pops on the River Thursday, July 3, 2025 — Stop by Coolidge Park at 3 p.m for an Independence Day celebration! There will be local vendors, live music, and food to enjoy the holiday. Clarksville, TN | Independence Day Celebration Thursday, July 3, 2025 — This family-friendly event will provide delicious food, live music, and entertaining activities from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2025 — Downtown Music City once again hosts the biggest fireworks show in Nashville history alongside pyrotechnics synchronized to a live performance by the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony. This year's musical lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Russell Dickerson, Grace Bowers, and more. Pin Johnson City, TN | Pepsi Independence Day Fireworks Celebration Friday, July 4, 2025 — Don't forget to check out the 38th Annual Pepsi Independence Day celebration from 4-11 p.m at Freedom Hall! Expect food, children's activities, and an amazing firework show to end the night. Friday, July 4, 2025 — Get ready for the biggest Red, White & BOOM yet from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Original Putnam County Fairgrounds. Enjoy live music from local band KOUZIN and Bon Jovi tribute band Slippery When Wet, plus food trucks, military displays, and Tennessee's second-largest fireworks show synchronized to patriotic music. Admission and parking are free, so bring a lawn chair and your patriotic spirit! Happy Fourth! ********** To explore more great Southern events, visit our Happenings calendar! About the Author Elizabeth Master