4th of July Celebration Activities

There are so many ways to celebrate the 4th of July while staying in Black Mountain, Old Fort/Marion, Lake James, Montreat, and the Asheville area!

•  McCormick Field  Asheville Tourists -  Enjoy Independence Day fireworks with a hot dog in hand at a baseball game on Friday, July 4th, at the historic McCormick Field downtown. The first pitch is at 7:05 PM.
  

•  Montreat - A longstanding tradition is the 4th of July Celebration which will take place on Friday, July 4th starting at 7 AM with the Annual Gait Race 5k, the Montreat Parade at 10:30 AM, Old Timers' Softball Game at 2 PM, Ice Cream Social at 2-4 PM, Lawn Games from 2-3 PM, Free Pool, Boats, and Tennis from 2-6 PM, and more. The night ends with a Fourth of July Big Circle Mountain Dance from 7-10 PM. 

•  Downtown Asheville - Hosts its main Independence Day Block Party on the South Slope between Coxe Ave and Buxton Ave downtown on Friday, July 4th.  Enjoy live performances by the 100th Army Band and the Mission Accomplished Band, cheer on the always-epic Ultimate Air Dogs, and stick around for a fireworks show that will blow you away—literally and figuratively. Note that fireworks are set off closer to 9:30 PM. 
  

•  South Asheville - Hosts its own fireworks display at Lake Julian on Friday, July 4th, but the fun will be happening all day long from noon until 10 PM. Bring a lawn chair and blanket and sit along the lake. Visitors can park across the street at Estes Elementary School on Long Shoals Road.

•  Black Mountain Fireworks - The fireworks will once again be launched from behind the former Bi-Lo Grocery Store (behind Starbucks and The UPS Store) on Friday, July 4th. They will begin at dusk and can be viewed from various locations around town. 

•  The town of Marion - Will host its annual Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4th. The parade begins at 6 PM, followed by a street dance with live music at 6:30 PM, food vendors, and fireworks at 9:30 PM. 
  

•  Lake James & Morganton - You can catch fireworks at Freedom Park on Friday, July 4th, starting at 9:45 PM from Freedom High School, the Soccer Complex at Catawba Meadows, the Ingles parking lot, and other locations around the West side of Morganton. In the 1780/Camp Lake James community, there will be inflatables and face painting during the day on Friday, July 4th, along with live music starting at 5 PM and fireworks between 9:30-9:45 PM. The fun will continue into the weekend with inflatables, a live DJ (starting at noon), and Cousins Lobster Truck on Saturday, July 5th. The weekend concludes on Sunday, July 6th, with the live DJ returning alongside the Kona Ice Truck and a watermelon eating contest from 2-3 PM. 

• In Burnsville - Music and fireworks on the Town Square will take place on Friday, July 4th at 7 PM. The live performers are Dylan Wilson & Friends. PATH’s Sizzlin’ Summer Series with family-friendly activities will be happening in Town Square on Saturday, July 5th from 10 AM-12 PM.

• The Old Fort 4th of July Rodeo - Tradition continues on Thursday, July 3rd, and Friday, July 4th. There will be professional Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Cowboy Action, and Wild West entertainment for the whole family. Food trucks will also be on hand to satisfy everyone's taste. Enjoy fireworks after the Rodeo on Friday, July 4th! Downtown Old Fort will also have its annual fireworks show on Friday, July 4th, on Catawba River Road at dusk.