Please note that this blog has been updated to reflect 2022 event dates.
Asheville and the surrounding area are perfect for your upcoming 4th of July celebration. Whether you’re looking to spend time on the lake, watch a stellar fireworks show, or enjoy the best beer and food in the southeast, Asheville has all that you’re looking for. You’ll certainly have your pick of fireworks shows, but there’s a whole day of fun to be had leading up to the grand finale. Here’s our weekend guide on how to let freedom ring in Asheville.
Pre-Independence Day Festivities
McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists
The 4th of July festivities in Asheville kick off on Friday, July 1 with baseball at the historic McCormick Field in downtown. The Asheville Tourists, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, are home playing against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Grab a beer, chow down on a stadium hot dog, and try a deep fried moon pie while you enjoy America’s favorite pastime in one of America’s best cities. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. with Independence Day fireworks directly after the game.
Independence Day By Area
Asheville & South Asheville-
Start your holiday off with a BANG at the Independence Day 5K along the French Broad River Greenway in Carrier Park. This course is a flat, family friendly course that starts and ends at Carrier Park near the River Arts. $3 from each 5k registration will be donated to BeLoved Asheville. Race Day Packet Pick Up starts at 6:30 AM, and the 5K begins at 8:00 AM.
Enjoy the Independence Day Fireworks Display from beautiful Pack Square Park in Asheville.
The biggest celebration in town is Ingles’ Independence Day Celebration at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville. This annual, family-friendly event gets started at 2 PM and runs all day long. Activities for the kids include Splashville and bouncy house from 2-6 PM. Adults can enjoy local beer, wine, and cider vendors, along with over 10 food trucks showcasing Asheville’s amazing food scene. The event culminates around 9:30 PM with a fireworks show over downtown.
There is also a fireworks show at Lake Julian in South Asheville between 9-9:30 PM on July 4th. The 300-acre public lake offers water access, fishing, picnic areas, disc golf, volleyball, paddleboats, and playground. Spend the day at the lake and then kick back and enjoy the show that evening.
Wanna celebrate Independence Day in the Asheville area? Check out these Greybeard Asheville area vacation rentals:
- Celia’s Retreat and Celia’s Cottage - less than 10 minutes to downtown
- About the View-15 minutes to downtown
- Annie's Cabin-15 minutes to downtown
- Country Cottage Getaway-15 minutes to downtown
- Retro Metro Deck House-15 minutes to downtown
- White Pine Retreat-10 minutes to Lake Julian
Black Mountain and Montreat-
Montreat Conference Center Parade
A longstanding tradition is the Montreat 4th of July Parade, which takes place at 10:30 AM. This parade brings visitors from all over the country, who return every year for Montreat’s 4th of July Celebration. In the afternoon, The Montreat Conference Center organizes games and activities in Montreat. The swimming pool, tennis courts, Lake Susan paddle boats and canoes will also be open to the public. From 7:00-9:00 PM, attend Montreat’s 4th of July Square Dance.
Just down the road, Black Mountain is hosting their annual July 4th Street Dance & Fireworks. Starting at 5:30 PM in downtown Black Mountain, there will be live music, activities for kids, as well as food vendors and dancing. The White Horse Black Mountain will also have Land of Sky Symphonic Band playing and doors open at 7:30 PM. Fireworks begin at dark, and can be best viewed south of the railroad tracks in downtown. However, we highly recommend Swannanoa Valley Museum’s Independence Day Sunset Fireworks Hike, a 1.5-mile, moderate hike to the peak of Sunset Mountain. You’ll be treated to an old-fashioned watermelon cutting, and then stay to watch the sunset and the fireworks explode over the town of Black Mountain.
Check out these Black Mountain and Montreat Vacation Rentals- all within walking distance to the 4th of July festivities:
- Downtown Treehouse and Uptown Treehouse- downtown Black Mountain
- King Cottage- downtown Black Mountain
- Cabin Fever-downtown Black Mountain
- Blueberry Grove-downtown Black Mountain
- Deja Blue Cottage-downtown Black Mountain
- Hydrangea Hideaway-downtown Black Mountain
- Stone's Throw Retreat-downtown Black Mountain
- Carolina Skies-downtown Black Mountain
- The Montreat House-between Black Mountain and Montreat
- Birdwood-Montreat
- Stone Ledge-Montreat
Marion and Morganton-
Marion’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks will take place from 6:00-10:00 PM in downtown Marion on Saturday, July 2. Shop from local craft and food vendors, who will be setup downtown during the event. The parade will begin at 6:00, followed by a street dance with “Gotcha Groove” at 7:00, and fireworks after dark.
The City of Morganton will hold its annual July 4th Celebration featuring music, food, activities for kids, and a fireworks show at Freedom Park. Admission is free, and the fireworks start 9:45 PM. Explore the charm of Marion and Morganton by staying at one of these incredible Greybeard vacation rentals:
- Shortoff Mountain Retreat-located in Morganton
- Days Like This-located in Marion
- Summit Sunsets-Located in Marion
- The Rock House and The Barn at Maple Hill
Chimney Rock and Lake Lure-
Chimney Rock State Park
On Friday, July 1, enjoy a kid-friendly Animal Encounter starting at 2:00 PM at Chimney Rock State Park. Celebrate the rest of the July 4th Weekend by hiking the trails to Hickory Nut Waterfall or to the top of Chimney Rock for panoramic views of the town below.
Lake Lure is also having their annual Fireworks Show on the eve of Independence Day. Fireworks can be seen from Morse Park or Lake Lure Beach. The show is free every year and supported by the sale of concessions like snow cones, funnel cakes and ice-cream. Prior to the show, enjoy an incredible lakefront dinner at La Strada- located across the street from the Lake Lure beach. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy the show starting at 9:00 p.m.
On the 4th, Rumbling Bald Resort will shoot off fireworks for their private guests, but others can enjoy the show from boats on the lake. For a truly unforgettable fireworks experience consider renting a pontoon boat to enjoy the show directly on the lake!
Vacation rentals in or around Lake Lure:
- Scenic Point on Lake Lure-lakefront
- Lake Lured Away-lakefront
- Lakeshire on Lake Lure-lakefront
- Catahoula Cabin-10 minutes from Rubling Bald Resort
- Rumbling Ridge Retreat-located in Rubling Bald Resort
Hendersonville and Brevard-
One of WNC’s most patriotic celebrations can be found at Brevard’s Red, White Squirrel and Blue Independence Day Celebration which runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in downtown Brevard. The Firecracker 5K and 10K starts at 8:00 AM and ends in the heart of downtown. There will be food, games, interactive booths, and local vendors. There’s also the annual Fine Arts & Crafts Showcase on West Main Street. You’ll also love the live reading of the “Declaration of Independence” performed by Brevard’s elected officials. There will also be live music all day at the Courthouse Gazebo.
No 4th of July is complete without witnessing Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shops’ 15th annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Brevard Music Center will also host the Pendergrast Family Patriotic Pops, a musical extravaganza featuring patriotic favorites (and a live cannon), at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at 2:00 PM. Transylvania Community Art Council’s Duck Race for Kreative Kids on Kings Creek at Brevard College at 6:00 PM. End the night with the grand finale Fireworks Extravaganza.
Greybeard Rentals has rentals available for your perfect 4th of July vacation in Asheville, and our vacation planners are also eager to help. Give them a call at 855-688-9574.
