The City of Wilmington invites residents and visitors to the annual 4^th of July Celebration, sponsored by Cumulus Media. Join the fun at Riverfront Park at 10 Cowan Street., and enjoy live music, food, fireworks, and more on Thursday, July 4. This is a FREE event, and no tickets are required.

This year’s event will again feature the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra (WSO) with guest artists from Opera House Theatre Company and Thalian Association Community Theatre. The program includes patriotic favorites, classical selections, and current pop songs. The WSO will be led by Wilmington Symphony Pops Conductor, Dominic Talanca and Mayor Bill Saffo will be a guest conductor this year.

“The 4th of July in Wilmington is a time-honored tradition that brings tens of thousands of people to downtown Wilmington.  This year, we continue the tradition with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra as featured entertainment,” said Mayor Bill Saffo

Fireworks will take place in downtown Wilmington beginning at 9:05 p.m. Fireworks will be shot from a barge located at the convergence of the Cape Fear & Northeast Cape Fear Rivers, just north of the USS Battleship North Carolina, and will be viewable along the downtown riverfront.

Food and beverages (soft drinks, beer and wine) will be available to purchase. All food and beverage sales will ONLY accept debit, credit or mobile pay (Apple Pay or Google Pay) – no cash accepted. Beach chairs with legs no longer than 9 inches and blankets will be allowed in the Great Lawn. Animals are prohibited with the exception of service animals.

Schedule:

5:00 p.m. – Gates Open

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Loud Music Company

7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. –  Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

9:05 p.m. – Fireworks (best viewed from the Riverwalk)

Parking:

• City decks located at 929 N. Front St., 115 Market St., 114 N. 2nd St, 14 Grace St, the Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St., and the County deck at 212 N. 2nd St. will charge a $10.00 event fee (after 4 p.m.)
• On-street metered parking is free.
• The City of Wilmington has marked accessible parking at all of its managed downtown public parking lots and parking decks. Patrons with a valid accessible parking license plate or permit / hang tag may also park for free at any on-street metered or un-metered space for an unlimited time.
• Parking Website Information

Street Closures:

• The following streets will close as early at 6:00 pm
  • Water St. between Dock St. and Red Cross St.
  • Front St. between Dock St. and Red Cross St.
  • Market St. between Front St. & Water St.
  • Princess St. between N 2^nd St. N Water St.
  • Chestnut St. between N 2^nd St. & N Water St.
  • Grace St. between N 2^nd St. & N Water St.
  • Walnut St. between N 2^nd & N Water St.
• The following streets will close at 9:00 pm
  • Davis St. between N 3^rd St. & N 4^th St.
  • Northbound N 4^th St. between Harnett St. & Davis St.
  • Harnett St. between N 3^rd St. & Front St