HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Fourth of July is coming up and localities across Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina are ready to celebrate with various events and firework shows!
Here is an event guide to help you find something fun to do near you…
Chesapeake
Celebrate Freedom – The City of Chesapeake will hold its annual event featuring the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, with roaming entertainment and food vendors. A fireworks show will be held after the concert. The event is free to the public, but on-site parking is $5.
- Date: Sunday, July 3
- Location: Chesapeake City Park
- Schedule (times are approximate):
- 6 p.m. Gates Open | Roaming Entertainment | Food Vendors
- 7 p.m. Tidewater Winds Concert Band
- 8:30 p.m. U.S. Fleet Forces Band Concert
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks
Elizabeth City, NC
Independence Day First Friday ArtWalk – Every month, Elizabeth City celebrates local artwork and they will have a special ArtWalk for the Fourth of July. Artist demos, live music, food trucks, fireworks and activities for children will be included.
The event will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1, with fireworks set off at 9 p.m. from Waterfront Park.
- Date: Friday, July 1
- Location: 200 S Water St.
Hampton
Star-Spangled Makers Market – Peninsula Markets and Sly Clyde Ciderworks are partnering for the Makers Market in Hampton. The event will feature 30+ handmade vendors, food trucks and live music.
The event will begin at 12 p.m. and end at 5 p.m.
- Date: Saturday, July 2
- Location: 207 E Mellen St.
Isle of Wight
Independence Day Celebration – Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation will celebrate with food vendors, live music, and fireworks.
- Date: Sunday, July 3
- Location: Heritage Park Fairgrounds, Windsor
- Schedule:
- 4:30 p.m. Gates open
- 5 p.m. Live music
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks
Nags Head, NC
Fireworks Spectacular – The Town of Nags Head and Nags Head Fishing Pier will be hosting their annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular on the Fourth of July. The show begins at 9:25 p.m. and will last for about 25 minutes. If needed, a rain date has been set for Tuesday, July 5.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Nags Head Fishing Pier
Newport News
Stars in the Sky – The City of Newport News will celebrate Independence Day with free children’s inflatables, strolling entertainment, various vendors, and a performance by Tomcats Dixieland Band.
Fireworks will be presented at 9 p.m. by international award-winning fireworks company Pyrotecnico.
The event and parking is free.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Victory Landing Park
- Schedule:
- 7 p.m. Free children’s inflatables, free face painting, Tomcats Dixieland Band, strolling entertainment
- 9 p.m. Pyrotecnico fireworks show
Norfolk
4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks – Celebrate Festevents and Norfolk’s 39th annual American event with hotdogs, hamburgers, barbecue and live music from military brass bands.
The event opens at 5 p.m. on the Fourth of July and the fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Town Point Park – Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
July 4th Fireworks Cruise – American Rover Sailing Cruises invites guests for a special Fourth of July cruise with views of the Inner Harbor, fireworks and live music from an acoustic guitarist.
The ship will sail from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: 333 Waterside Drive
Portsmouth
103rd Annual 4th of July Patriotic Fest – The Cradock Civic League will celebrate their annual patriotic salute with a parade, speaker USCG Commander James Cullen, various performances, cornhole, food trucks and more.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Afton Square
- Schedule:
- 10 a.m. Parade Registration
- 10:30 a.m. Parade – Skateboard, Bikes, Wagons, and more
- 11 a.m. Ceremony – Speaker is USCG Commander James Cullen & performances by various artists
- 11:30 a.m. Festival until 3pm – DJ, vendors, food trucks, non-profits, basketball arcade shooting, obstacle course, corn hole, and fun for kids, dogs, and the entire family
Fireworks Cruise – The Carrie B Showboat will show off views of fireworks.
The cruise will depart at 7 p.m.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: North Landing Ferry Terminal
Shaggin’ 4th of July Celebration – The Breadwine & Blooze Band will play some shag stepping beach music. Tidewater Concert Band will follow after with patriotic music and fireworks.
- Date: Monday July 4
- Location: High Street Landing
- Schedule:
- 5 p.m. Breadwine & Blooze Band
- 8 p.m. Tidewater Concert Band
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks show
Suffolk
Star & Stripes Spectacular – The annual event returns for another year of fireworks, entertainment, children’s activities and food vendors.
A shuttle will be available due to no on-site parking. The shuttle parking will begin from the following sites:
- First Baptist Church located at 237 N Main Street
- Suffolk Municipal Building parking lot located at 440 Market Street
- Mills Godwin Courthouse Building located at 150 N Main St
The last shuttle will run at 8:20 p.m. to get guests to the site before the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Shuttles will resume after the fireworks have concluded.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina
- Schedule
- 5:30 p.m. Park opens
- 6 p.m. Fuzz Band performs
- 9 p.m. Fireworks show
Virginia Beach
Mount Trashmore 4th of July Celebration – The City of Virginia Beach will hold its annual Fourth of July celebration at Mount Trashmore with live music returning this year!
Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Admission is free while limited on-site parking is $10.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: 300 Edwin Drive
- Schedule:
- 6 p.m. Vinyl Headlights performance
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks by Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts
Stars and Stripes Celebration at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront – The “Star Spangled” salute is coming back for another year with multiple live performances, fireworks and fun.
All performances are free and open to the public.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Multiple
- Schedule:
- 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Chester B’s Motown Review | 17th Street Park
- 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The Tidewater Winds Concert Band | 24th Street Park
- 9:30 p.m. Fireworks
- 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. DEJA | 31st Street Park
38th Annual Independence Day 5K – The race includes a 5K, 1/4 mile Tot Trot and a virtual 5K. The race supports the YMCA Annual Giving Campaign to provide financial help towards camps, swim lessons, etc.
Register for the 5K here.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: 4441 South Boulevard
- Schedule:
- 7:30 a.m. 5K
- 8:30 a.m. Tot Trot
Williamsburg
Lights of Freedom at Colonial Williamsburg – The City of Williamsburg will hold a four-day long event that includes music, history, auctions, museum visits and more.
The musical performances are partnered with the CW American Music Concert series and are free and open to the public.
The event will end with a 20-minute fireworks show.
- Date: July 1 – July 4
- Location: Colonial Williamsburg
- Music schedule:
- July 1 – 7:30 p.m. Virginia Symphony Orchestra on Palace Green
- July 2 – 7:30 p.m. Virginia Arts Festival | Big Band, featuring jazz vocalist Sharón Clark, on the Lawn of the Art Museums
- July 3 – 7:30 p.m. The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band on the Lawn of the Art Museums
- July 4 – 8 p.m. CW Fifes & Drums and musicians on Palace Green
Yorktown
Independence Day Celebrations – Yorktown will host various events for 4th of July including an 8K, parade and fireworks.
The events start at 8 a.m. and last until about 10 p.m.
- Date: Monday, July 4
- Location: Main Street and Water Street
- Schedule:
- 8 a.m. Yorktown Independence Day 8K Run/Walk – York High School
- 9 a.m. Parade on Water & Main Streets
- 1 p.m. Family Games & Kids’ Activities (sponsored by Riverwalk Landing Business Association) – Riverwalk Landing
- 4 p.m. Event Parking Opens – Corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street
- 7 p.m. Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony – Riverwalk Landing Stage
- 8 p.m. Super Jazz Band Concert featuring Conni Ironmonger – Riverwalk Landing Stage
- 9:15 p.m. Fireworks display over the York River
If you know of additional Fourth of July events open to the public in the Hampton Roads area for 2022 to add to this post, please email us at this link with all the details.