Where to find Fourth of July fireworks in Hampton Roads & the Outer Banks

As America gets ready to celebrate its 249th birthday, Independence Day events are preparing to take place across Virginia and North Carolina.

There's a wide range of July 4 celebrations to enjoy, from live music and fireworks to parades and apple pie contests! Take a look at the events happening near you:

NORFOLK

• 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks
  
  • What: Live music, picnic and fireworks
  • Where: 113 Waterside Dr.
  • When: July 4. Festivities start at 5 p.m. and go until 10 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

• July 4th Firework Cruise on the American Rover
  
  • What: Live acoustic guitarist and fireworks all from the water
  • Where: 333 Waterside Dr. 
  • When: July 4 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Shore Thing Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Display
  
  • What: Live music and fireworks 
  • Where: 100 W. Ocean View Ave.
  • When: July 4. Music starts at 6:00 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

VIRGINIA BEACH

• 4th of July Stars & Stripes Celebration

  • What: Live concerts and fireworks
  • Where: 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks
  • When: July 4. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
• July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore
  
  • What: Live music, food trucks and fireworks
  • Where: 310 Edwin Dr.
  • When: July 4. Festivities start at 8 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

CHESAPEAKE

• Celebrate Freedom
  
  • What: Live concerts and fireworks
  • Where: 900 City Park Dr.
  • When: July 3. Children’s entertainment and concessions start at 5 p.m.; Concerts start at 7 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
• Annual South Norfolk July 4th Parade & Picnic in the Park
  
  • What: Parade, picnic and performance from a “featured musical artist”
  • Where: Parade starts at South Norfolk Baptist Church. Full route can be viewed here; Picnic will be at Lakeside Park
  • When: July 4. Parade starts at 10 a.m.; Picnic starts once parade ends, around 11 a.m.
• Independence Day Celebration
  
  • What: Family-friendly event featuring crafts, an encampment, reenactors and readings of the Declaration of Independence
  • Where: Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum
  • When: July 4 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SUFFOLK

• Stars & Stripes Spectacular!
  
  • What: Food trucks, bounce houses, games and fireworks, with music by Popwire
  • Where: Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina
  • When: July 4. Music starts at 6 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9 p.m.

PORTSMOUTH

• Shaggin' 4th of July Celebration
  
  • What: Beach music party and fireworks
  • Where: 2 High St.
  • When: July 4 from 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
• 4th of July Fireworks on the Waterfront
  
  • What: Fireworks
  • Where: 10 Crawford Pkwy.
  • When: July 4 from 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

HAMPTON

• Fourth at the Fort: Independence Day Celebration at Fort Monroe
  
  • What: Fun-filled activities, historical tours, a naturalization ceremony, fireworks/drone show and more
  • Where: 20 Ingalls Rd.
  • When: July 4 from 8:30 a.m - 11 p.m.; Fireworks and drone show starts at 9:15 p.m.

NEWPORT NEWS

• Stars in the Sky
  
  • What: Fun activities, live music featuring DJ Nykylla and Kustom Made Band and fireworks
  • Where: 50 26th St. 
  • When: July 4. Music starts at 6:00 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9 p.m.
• Celebrate the 4th with a Bang—Laser Style!
  
  • What: Daytime and evening laser shows
  • Where: Virginia Living Museum
  • When: July 3-6 at 12:30 p.m.; July 4 at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

OUTER BANKS

• Avon Fishing Pier 4th of July Fireworks Show

  • What: Radio shows and fireworks
  • Where: 41001 Hwy. 12
  • When: July 4. Fireworks begin 9:00 p.m.

• Independence Day at Island Farm

  • What: Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy the festivities, including traditional games, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and more
  • Where: 1140 N US Hwy. 64
  • When: July 4 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Town of Duck Annual 4th of July Parade

  • What: One mile parade
  • Where: Begins at Scarborough Lane and ends at Pamela Court
  • When: July 4. Parade starts at 9:00 a.m.

• Town of Kill Devil Hills Fireworks Show

  • What: Fireworks
  • Where: 2111 North Virginia Dare Trail at Milepost 6
  • When: July 4. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
• The Town of Manteo 4th of July Celebration
  
  • What: Bike parade, apple pie contest, live entertainment featuring The Deloreans, fireworks and more
  • Where: George Washington Creef Park along the downtown waterfront
  • When: July 4. Celebration starts at 4 p.m.; Live music starts at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks start at around 9 p.m.

• Town of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular

  • What: Fireworks
  • Where: Nags Head Pier near Mile Post 11.5 on South Virginia Dare Trail
  • When: July 4. Fireworks start at 9:25 p.m.

EASTERN SHORE

• Town of Cape Charles 4th of July Celebration
  
  • What: Parade, street fair, live music, food, youth basketball tournament, fireworks and more
  • Where: Parade starts at Bay Avenue and ends at Mason Avenue; Street fair will be held at Bay Avenue; Basketball tournament will be at Washington Avenue; Fireworks are at the Harbor and beach
  • When: Parade starts at 10:00 a.m.; Street fair opens after the parade around 11:00 a.m.; Basketball tournament starts at 11:30 a.m.; Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

WILLIAMSBURG

• Fourth of July at Colonial Williamsburg 
  
  • What: Six noteworthy events, with the night ending in a fantastic display of fireworks
  • Where: Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg; Fireworks at Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Va. 300 Palace Green St.
  • When: July 4. Festivities start at 9:30 a.m., with multiple events occurring throughout the day; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

JAMES CITY CO.

• Independence Day Celebration
  
  • What: Visit one of James City County’s outdoor pools to celebrate this patriotic holiday
  • Where: Chickahominy Riverfront Park; Upper County Park
  • When: July 4 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

YORK CO. & POQUOSON

• Independence Day Celebration
  
  • What: 8K/5K run/walk, parade, games, fireworks and more. 
  • Where: 8K/5K run/walk will take place at York High School; All other festivities are at River Walk Landing on 3311 Water Street 
  • When: July 4. 8K/5K run/walk starts at 8 a.m.; Parade starts at 9 a.m.; All other festivities start at 11 a.m.; Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

• Liberty Celebration
  
  • What: Interpretive programs, artillery demonstrations and more
  • Where: American Revolution Museum at Yorktown 
  • When: July 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

• The Fabulous 4th of July Celebration
  
  • What: Food trucks, music, vendors, entertainment and fireworks
  • Where: Downtown Colonial Waterfront Park in Edenton, N.C.
  • When: July 4. Festivities start at 4 p.m.; Fireworks begin at dusk

FRANKLIN & ISLE OF WIGHT CO.

• Independence Day Celebration 
  
  • What: Fireworks are still happening, but all other festivities are canceled, according to the City of Franklin
  • Where: Barrett's Landing at 100 Barrett St., Franklin, Va.
  • When: July 2. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.

• Family Fireworks Celebration

  • What: Food and fireworks
  • Where: The Smithfield Center 
  • When: July 2 from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

• Town of Smithfield Fireworks
  
  • What: Food and fireworks
  • Where: Clontz Park in Downtown Smithfield 
  • When: July 2. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., lasting until 10 p.m.
• Heritage Park Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show
  
  • What: Live music, food vendors, fireworks and more
  • Where: Heritage Park
  • When: July 3. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; Live music begins at 7:30 p.m.; Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

GLOUCESTER CO.

• Fireworks Display Presented by Yorktown
  
  • What: Fireworks
  • Where: Gloucester Point Beach
  • When: July 4. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.