NC 4th of July Festival

Summer Regional Art Show
2025-07-01 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E West St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by The Associated Artists of Southport.

NC Maritime Museum Open
2025-07-01 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-30 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 17:00 | NC Maritime Museum at Southport, 204 E Moore St, SOUTHPORT, NC, 28461, United States

The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
2025-07-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Southport Fire Department Downtown Substation, 111 E Nash St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by the Southport Fire Department. Sponsored by Southport Cares.

Beach Day
2025-07-01 07:00 - 21:00 | Middleton Park, 102 SE 47th St, Oak Island, NC, 28465, United States
Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
Agenda:
7:00 AM: Beach Day – Contest Registration at the Middleton Park Rec tent. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
8:00 AM: Beach Day – Volleyball at the Middleton Park Complex. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
8:30 AM: Beach Day – Sandcastle Contest, 46th Street SE & Beach Drive Access. Hosted by Oak Island Recreation.
9:00 AM: Beach Day – Horseshoes at Middleton Park (Register at field by Softball Field). Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
9:00 AM: Beach Day – Beached Out Dog Costume Contest at Middleton Park Complex Stage. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
10:00 AM: Beach Day – Cornhole at Middleton Park Complex. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
10:00 AM: Beach Day – Baby Crawling Race at Middleton Park Complex Stage. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
11:00 AM: Beach Day – Pre-K School Age Reusable Balloon Toss at Middleton Park Complex Stage. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
11:00 AM–2:00 PM: Beach Day – Inflatables at Middleton Park. Hosted by Oak Island Parks and Recreation.
11:00 AM-2:00 PM: Cape Fear Radio MCing at Middleton Park.
12:00 PM: Beach Day – Limbo (6th-12th grade & 18+ Divisions) at Middleton Park Complex Stage. Hosted by Oak Island Recreation.
5:30 PM: Welcoming Ceremony, Oak Island. Middleton Park Complex.
6:00 PM: Beach Day Concert – Chairmen of the Board Feat. Ken Knox at Middleton Park Complex Stage. Hosted by the Town of Oak Island.
9:00 PM: Beach Day – Town of Oak Island Anniversary Fireworks. Oak Island Pier. Hosted by the Town of Oak Island.

Celebrating Art in Southport
2025-06-30 10:00 - 17:00 | NC
10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Celebrating Art in Southport – Patriotic Art Contest & Porch Activity at Artisans Gallery on Howe, 114 S. Howe Street. Hosted by Artisans Gallery on Howe. Presented by Southport Art Gallery Guild.
10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Celebrating Art in Southport – Open House & Art Activity at Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E West Street. Hosted by Franklin Square Gallery. Presented by Southport Art Gallery Guild.
10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Celebrating Art in Southport – Refreshments & Kids’ Craft-Making Activity at Studio Artists of Southport, 715 N Howe Street. Hosted by Studio Artists of Southport. Presented by Southport Art Gallery Guild.
10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Celebrating Art in Southport – Patriotic Sidewalk Chalk Activity at Lantana’s Gallery, 113 S Howe Street. Hosted by Lantana’s Gallery. Presented by Southport Art Gallery Guild.
10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Celebrating Art in Southport – Open House & Refreshments at Ricky Evans Art Gallery, 211 N Howe Street. Hosted by Ricky Evans Art Gallery. Presented by Southport Art Gallery Guild.

Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum Open
2025-06-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum, 203 E BAY ST, SOUTHPORT, NC, 28461, United States

World’s Largest Ice Cream Sundae
2025-06-29 18:00 | Franklin Square Park, 130 E West St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by the Southport Fire Department

A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society
2025-06-29 15:00 | Odell Williamson Auditorium, 150 College Rd NE, Bolivia, NC, 28422, United States
Patriotic Concert – A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society. Brunswick Community College, Odell Williamson Auditorium. Sponsored by Southport Cares.

A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society
2025-06-28 15:00 | Odell Williamson Auditorium, 150 College Rd NE, Bolivia, NC, 28422, United States
Patriotic Concert – A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society. Brunswick Community College, Odell Williamson Auditorium.

40th Annual Fire Fighters Freedom Competition & Apparatus Expo
2025-06-28 15:00 | Southport Fire Department Downtown Substation, 111 E Nash St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by the Southport Fire Department.

AARGH! A Pirate’s Life For Me! Melodrama & Vaudeville Fun
2025-06-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Southport Community Building, 223 E Bay St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Brunswick Arts Council presents: AARGH! A Pirate’s Life For Me! Melodrama & Vaudeville Fun

Old Brunswick Jail Open
2025-06-28 12:30 - 15:30 | Old Brunswick Jail, 318 E Nash St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by the Southport Historical Society.

Summer Regional Art Show
2025-06-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E West St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by the Associated Artists of Southport

Freedom Run 5K and Fun Walk
2025-06-28 07:30 - 10:00 | Waterfront Park, 146 E Bay St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Freedom Run and Fun Walk

Families looking for a unique July 4th destination need look no further than Southport, NC. The town’s annual Independence Day celebration is the official celebration of the state of North Carolina. Highlights include picnics, arts and crafts in the park, a car show, parade, fireworks, firemen’s competition, children’s games, live entertainment nightly, great food, and lots of red, white, and blue.
This year’s Freedom Run/Walk/ will be held on Saturday, June 28th.
Click here to register for the Run ($35)
Click here to register for the Walk ($0)
Join us for an unforgettable 5K experience along the picturesque waterfront of downtown Southport! The race will wind through the quaint neighborhood, allowing you to immerse yourself in the area’s beauty. Take in the majestic oak trees and feel the refreshing coastal breezes from the nearby Cape Fear River. This route promises to be one of the most scenic 5Ks in the state.
Awards:

Top overall male and female
Top three male and female five-year age groups:

14 and under
15 – 19, 20 – 24, 25 – 29, 30 – 34, etc
70 plus
All 13 and under kids for the one Mile will receive a small finishers medal

Packet Pickup:

Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
Time: 3:30 – 6:30 PM
Location: Indian Trail Meeting Hall, 113 W Moore St, Southport, NC 28461
We will also handle last-minute registrations. Please have cash (ATM nearby) or a check written to “NC 4th of July Festival.” Bring exact change.

Race Day Packet Pickup:

Time: 7:00 – 7:30 AM
Location: Southport Waterfront Park

Things to Note:

We’ll have three water stops strategically placed along the course to ensure your comfort and enjoyment.
Online registration will be turned off on 6/26/25, so please register soon. All parking is on the street and is first come, first serve. The festival may be a bit hectic with vendors, so please arrive early.
Once you cross the finish line, replenish yourself with a variety of refreshing beverages and snacks.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! You can register now before the race reaches capacity. We can’t wait to see you there

Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click here.

Reading of the Declaration
2025-06-27 18:15 - 18:30 | Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum, 203 E BAY ST, SOUTHPORT, NC, 28461, United States

Welcoming Ceremony - Southport
2025-06-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum, 203 E BAY ST, SOUTHPORT, NC, 28461, United States
Sponsored by the City of Southport
Agenda:
6:00 PM: Welcoming Ceremony Begins on Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn.
6:10 PM: Singing of the National Anthem and Color Guard.
6:15 PM: Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
6:30 PM: Brunswick Summer Winds

Welcoming to town: The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit Arrives
2025-06-27 15:00 | NC
9/11 Remembered Traveling Memorial enters Southport at the intersection of 87 and 211. Hosted by the City of Southport Fire Department.

Old Brunswick Jail Open
2025-06-27 12:30 - 15:30 | Old Brunswick Jail, 318 E Nash St, Southport, NC, 28461, United States
Hosted by the Southport Historical Society

NC Maritime Museum Open at Southport
2025-06-27 10:00 - 17:00 | NC Maritime Museum at Southport, 204 E Moore St, SOUTHPORT, NC, 28461, United States
