The entire week of July 4th features many Independence Day celebrations and firework shows in Asheville and many small towns in the western North Carolina mountains! Below is a big list of events and festivals - more than 30!
Downtown Asheville Independence Day Celebration 2021: Join in the fun in Pack Square Park starting 6:30 PM on July 4th. While there will be no accompanying festival this year, attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic basket or order takeout from many surrounding downtown restaurants. Enjoy music from DJ Nex Millen from the Pack Square stage from 6:30-9:30 PM. Fireworks at 9:30 PM can be best seen from the park (buildings will block the view in other parts of downtown). Bring your chair or blanket to picnic. Dogs must be leashed, but please consider leaving your pet at home since fireworks frighten pets. 121 College St.
South Asheville Fireworks: At Lake Julian, the fireworks show starts at dark (9-9:30 PM) on the 4th, but come early. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and find a spot along the lake. Enjoy food trucks and live music throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The park offers picnic tables, grills, a sand volleyball court, two horseshoe pits, boat rental, and a playground. Bring a picnic! Park at William W. Estes Elementary School (275 Overlook Road) across from the lake. Free. Daytime shuttle 8 AM-6 PM. No pets please due to crowds. No alcohol or tobacco products. From Asheville take I-26 East to Exit #37. Turn left at the light onto Long Shoals Road. Address: 406 Overlook Extension Arden.
4th of July Celebrations & Fireworks near Asheville in Western North Carolina Towns
Bryson City Freedom Fest: On Saturday, July 3 the fun begins at 10 AM with all-day events featuring arts, crafts, food, and live music starting at 6 PM. Enjoy Fourth of July food favorites – funnel cakes, shaved ice, Philly cheese-steak sandwiches, BBQ, kettle corn, and more. Also explore Bryson City shops, galleries, and museums. Dine-in or outdoors at restaurants or take food truck treats to one of many picnic tables or pavilion nearby. The fireworks show starts at 10 PM. Go rafting or tubing nearby! (See our Bryson City guide)
Lake Junaluska: Visit just for the day on July 4th with music, barbecue, and fun. Live music starts at 8 PM and fireworks at 9:30 PM. Or stay with one of their overnight packages that include lodging, a lake cruise on the Cherokee IV, and a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard rental. Go to their website for more details.
Sylva: On the 4th, enjoy live music starting at 6:30 PM, followed by fireworks at dark (generally around 9:45 PM) in the picturesque "all-American" small town nestled in the mountains. Stroll Main Street filled with shops, restaurants, and breweries. Go to their website for more details.
Marion: On Saturday, July 3 enjoy a downtown parade at 6 PM and fireworks at 9:45 PM. Go to their website.
Montreat: Montreat will host the all-American small-town parade on Saturday, July 3 at 10:30 AM. It's a longtime local favorite. Get there early to see the short-but-fun parade. See photos and video.
Lake Glenville: Watch fireworks from land or the lake on Saturday, July 3 around 9:30 PM. Rent a pontoon boat at Signal Ridge Marina! Located near Cashiers.
Lake Lure: On July 4th, watch fireworks at dusk over the lake from Morse Park (2948 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure). Bring your picnic and chairs. No alcoholic beverages allowed. Also watch from the beach, opening at 8 PM. On the 3rd, fireworks will be at Rumbling Bald Resort for their guests, but others enjoy from boats on the lake. Expect traffic bottlenecks after fireworks since there's just one road out!
Banner Elk: Iconic small-town parade begins at 11 AM on July 3rd, starting at Lees-McRae College at ending at the town park with lunch vendors, food trucks, rubber duck race, and lawn games at 1 PM. Other events include Art on the Greene, live music, and theatre. Go to their website.
Beech Mountain: On July 4th, 5-10 PM. Celebrate with an American-style cookout, inflatable-style games for all ages, and live music. Fireworks at dark. Bring your own camp chairs and/or blankets. The Beech Mountain Resort will be open 10 AM-6 PM for downhill mountain biking, scenic lift rides, Mile High Yoga, and more.
Hendersonville: July 4th festivities start at 6 PM with a Special Fireworks Celebration Concert at 201 South Main (Visitor's Center). Fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM and launch from South Grove Street. Look for the giant red balloon to signify the visibility of the fireworks show. If you can see the balloon, you can see the fireworks from your location. Bring chairs and blankets. Go to their website.
Waynesville: The Stars and Stripes daytime celebration runs from 11 AM to 3 PM along Main Street with music and sidewalk sales. Children's parade at 11. No fireworks in downtown Waynesville, but see them nearby in Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska. Go to their website.
Maggie Valley: Backyard Fourth, gates open on July 4 at 6 PM and fireworks at dark. Free admission. Alcohol-free. Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Road Maggie Valley.
Robbinsville: Graham County Heritage Festival begins Saturday, July 3rd at 9 AM. Enjoy crafters, food, games, music, and fireworks at 10 PM. Go to their website.
Columbus: Their Fabulous 4th Festival is happening on Saturday, July 3rd featuring food, music, entertainment, family games, and a variety of vendors 10 AM-10 PM, with fireworks concluding the day.
Cashiers: Fireworks on the Green with festival, food, music, and dancing. 6:30-10 PM.
Valdese: On Friday, July 2nd see fireworks in conjunction with their Family Friday Nights Summer Concert Series. See details.
Spruce Pine: On July 3, parade at 5 PM and fireworks at dark.
Cherokee: Pow Wow on July 2-4, 2021 with authentic Indian dancing, drumming, and tribal regalia. Fireworks July 3rd at 10 PM. Read more about Cherokee Pow Wow.
Reminder: Fireworks Illegal in National Forests
Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited on all national grassland and national forest lands year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Regulations are enforced, and violation is punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.
For events throughout the year, see our list of seasonal calendars.
Week of July 4th Things to Do
