Independence Day falls on a Tuesday this year! Take advantage of the extra-long weekend by exploring a new city in a nearby state! From nostalgic small-town festivities to rockin’ music lineups, we rounded up an exciting list of July 4th celebrations to inspire you. Organized by state, these are the Fourth of July parties around the South that everyone is talking about.
ALABAMA
Mobile, AL — 4th of July Celebration
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Head to Cooper Riverside Park & Mardi Gras Park for one of Alabama’s most raucous July 4th celebrations. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. sharp but arrive early to kick off the party in Mardi Gras Park. You can anticipate a live DJ, Kids’ Zone (bounce houses), games and activities for all ages, local vendors, and live music by Ted Hefko & The Thousandaires, and We Got The Beat.
Eclectic, AL — Lake Martin’s July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Snag a spot on the grassy lawn at Lake Martin’s AMP for one of the Southeast’s largest 4th 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 Andrew Jannakos, supply the tunes, and the 9 p.m. fireworks show is slated to be the best one ever. There’s also the 4th of July Boat Parade from Russell Marina beginning at 10 a.m.
Decatur, AL — Spirit of America Festival
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
One of the state’s largest FREE events, the Spirit of America Festival celebrates America’s birthday every Fourth of July. Gather in Point Mallard Park for family games, arts and crafts, a children’s bike parade, live musical entertainment, food vendors, a booming fireworks show, talent shows, and the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award presentation.
FLORIDA
30A/South Walton, FL — 4th of July Parades, Concerts, & Festivities
Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
30A offers multiple 4th of July celebrations. A popular event includes Grayton Beach’s annual 4th of July parade that begins 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 visitsouthwalton.com.
Panama City Beach, FL — Real. Fun. Fourth.
Sunday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 boom from Boardwalk Beach Resort while Freedom Rocks works with participating waterfront restaurants for great views of Grand Lagoon Bridge. On Tuesday, don’t miss the Gulf’s most prominent displays from Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier.
St. Augustine, FL — Fireworks Over the Matanzas
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 biggest and best 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
Saturday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 their outdoor adventures, beachside and poolside relaxation, and indulgent culinary options. Explore Aqua Island, play putt-putt, take out pedal boats, rent beach bikes, eat beachside snacks, and more.
Savannah, GA — Savannah’s Waterfront Independence Day
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Georgia’s darling coastal city provides a free Fourth of July event with live music and fireworks. Savannah’s Waterfront showcases a lineup of live entertainment on the Rousakis Riverfront Plaza. Dinner and drink specials are also available at many waterfront restaurants, as the city’s big fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m.
St. Simons, GA — 39th Annual Sunshine Festival
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 (happening all weekend) and see the fireworks on the pier around 9 p.m. Nearby coastal community Sea Island also holds many July 4th celebrations for its guests and residents.
KENTUCKY
Bowling Green, KY — 52nd Annual Thunderfest
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Thunderfest at the National Corvette Museum Amphitheater fills Bowling Green with fireworks and fun each year. Featuring food trucks, live music, children’s activities, and more, celebrate America’s favorite holiday at the home of the Corvette. This fundraiser gives 100% of the proceeds to local non-profit organizations.
LOUISIANA
New Orleans, LA — Go 4th on the River
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Celebrate the Fourth of July on the Historic Downtown New Orleans Riverfront. The free 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
Hattiesburg, MS — 6th Annual Star-Spangled Celebration on the River
Monday, July 3, 2023
Hattiesburg’s Star-Spangled Celebration on the River takes place in Hattiesburg’s Chain Park and Petal River Park, complete with a 9 p.m. fireworks display over the Leaf River. Admission is free and includes live music, a hot air balloon glow, a kids’ zone, and a range of food vendors on both sides of the Leaf River. Bring lawn chairs and blankets!
NORTH CAROLINA
Southport, NC — NC 4th of July Festival
Saturday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 whole 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 — 9th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza On The Green
Saturday, July 1, 2023
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 as well as food and drinks. The fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. and is expected to last about 20 minutes.
Cabarrus County, NC — Annual Harrisburg July 4th Celebration
Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 the town of Harrisburg has grown to be one of the region’s most well-attended Independence Day events. Fireworks and tunes by Sister Hazel kick off Monday night, and on Tuesday, enjoy more fireworks and a musical performance by Generation Radio.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Lake Murray, SC (near Columbia, SC) — 35th Annual 4th of July Celebration
Saturday, July 1, 2023
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 after 12:30 p.m. 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
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
This beloved Holy City event returns this year with food trucks, fireworks, and live music at the most patriotic venue in South Carolina: the historic World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. Starting at 6 p.m., the free party landside includes live music, six food trucks, and a fireworks show above Charleston Harbor after sundown. For a VIP view atop Yorktown’s flight deck, you can snag upgraded tickets for $25 per person.
TENNESSEE
Springfield, TN — 3rd Annual Freedom Fest
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Head to the Robertson County Fairgrounds to celebrate Independence Day with carnival rides, inflatables, food trucks, and vendors. Plus, this year’s headlining musical act is country singer Megan Moroney. Other musicians include Ben Chapman, Buzzy Poole, and Jimmy Church Band. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and are free to attend. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
Nashville, TN — Let Freedom Sing!
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 Brad Paisley, The War and Treaty, Langhorne Slim, Tiera Kennedy, and more.
Gatlinburg, TN — Fourth of July Midnight Parade and Fireworks Finale
Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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 the Fireworks Finale from the Space Needle at 11 p.m.
Happy Fourth of July!
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To explore more great Southern events, visit our Happenings calendar!
