The much-anticipated 2021 Fourth of July celebrations on the Outer Banks are set to make a big bang among residents and visitors alike. This year, more than any years past, is one worth celebrating and we at Outer Banks Coastal Life have your guide to celebrating your holiday with a BANG! From north to south, here’s a rundown of what’s happening to celebrate:

Historic Corolla Park – July 5th

1100 Club Road Corolla, NC
Beginning at 5 p.m., Corolla will kick off its Annual Independence Day Celebration featuring food vendors, live music, a watermelon eating contest and children’s games. Fireworks display kick off at dusk. Sponsored by Currituck Outer Banks Travel & Tourism, the event and parking are free. No coolers, alcohol or on-street parking permitted. Historic Corolla Park boat ramp is closed; no docking on July 5th. Dogs are permitted on leashes. For more information, call 252-435-2947 or visit www.visitcurrituck.com/events.

The Town of Duck – July 4th

Sadly, the Town of Duck canceled their 2021 Fourth of July festivities earlier in the year when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the future of Summer 2021 plans to be uncertain.

 The Town of Kill Devil Hills – July 4th

Avalon Pier, milepost 6
You can catch the Town of Kill Devil Hills show on July 4th beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Avalon Fishing Pier, 2111 Virginia Dare Trail. Rain date is July 5^th. So, pack a snack, bring a chair, unroll a blanket, get some sand between your toes, and have a dazzling good time at Kill Devil Hills’ Family Fireworks Event! This event was made possible with the assistance of grant funding from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
For more information, visit www.kdhnc.com.

:: Make sure you grab Outer Banks Food To Go and GO! ::

The Town of Nags Head-July4th

Nags Head Fishing Pier, milepost 11.5
The Town of Nags Head will kick off its Annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular beginning at 9:25 p.m. on July 4th at the ocean pier located at Mile Post 11.5 on NC Route 12, S. Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head. The rain date for the event is July 5th.

Parking at and near the fireworks display site will be directed by the Nags Head Police Department. Those attending the show are encouraged to park east of U.S. 158. Those choosing to park west of of the bypass should use extreme caution while attempting to cross this heavily-traveled roadway.

The town reminds anyone attending not to use or block driveways. Vehicles blocking driveways or presenting a traffic hazard before, during, or immediately following this event will be towed. The Town of Nags Head requests that persons use the public beach accesses as pathways to the oceanfront. Please stay off the environmentally sensitive dune and do not use the private property of others, such as private gazebos or decks, to view the fireworks without the property owner’s permission.

The following public beach accesses are recommended for access to the beach for fireworks viewing:

South of Nags Head Fishing Pier

• Curlew Street
• Hollowell Street
• Conch Street

North of Nags Head Fishing Pier

• Bladen Street
• Bittern Street
• Bonnett Street
• Barnes Street
• Blackman Street

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is another great spot for viewing the fireworks. Other local fireworks may be seen but distantly. The park will be open late July 4th to accommodate visitors. Please call the park at 252-441-7132 for more information.

At the conclusion of the fireworks, spectator, pedestrian and vehicular traffic exiting the area will be directed and controlled by Nags Head police officers.

For more information, call 252-441-5508 or visit www.nagsheadnc.gov.

The Town of Manteo – July 4th

Budleigh Street
Come out to Manteo’s Fourth of July Celebration on the waterfront starting at 3 p.m., where you can participate in a wacky hat contest, decorated bike contest, apple pie contest, live music and more. Music will be provided during the afternoon and evening by The Crowd and Echoes of Heritage. Then, after the sun goes down, take in one of the best fireworks shows on the Outer Banks while the 208th Army Band plays patriotic songs at the outdoor pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The rain date is July 5th. For more information, call 252-473-2133 or visit www.townofmanteo.com.

Hatteras Island – July 4th

A July 4th golf cart parade motors off at 6 p.m. in Hatteras Village. The parade starts at Teach’s Lair Marina.

In Avon, fireworks are scheduled at the Avon Pier starting at 9:00 p.m. The fireworks display, permitted by and in cooperation with the National Park Service, lasts about 20 minutes. Fireworks are visible all along the Avon beach and parking is limited, so walk, bike or carpool to your closest beach access and maintain social distancing guidelines.

This event is additionally made possible through donations from the Hatteras Island business community and its residents, property owners, and guests. Radio Hatteras will broadcast patriotic “Music for Fireworks.” Rain date is July 5th.

Ocracoke – July 4th

Ocracoke Island’s celebrating Independence Day over a three-day period, starting Saturday, July 3, with an island-wide scavenger hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To sign up for this event, visit the stage at Books to Be Red in Ocracoke village. At 8 p.m., Ocracoke Island’s own Tommy Hutcherson will play dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks near Silver Lake Harbor for a pre-fireworks gathering. At 9:15 p.m., a fireworks show will be launched from the NPS parking area at the southern end of the island. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and gather anywhere around the harbor for a view of the spectacle.

On July 4, the celebration continues all day with a sand sculpture contest (9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.), Ocracoke Lighthouse viewing (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and “Old Time Independence Day Parade” featuring floats, walkers, decorated golf carts and bicycles (4 p.m.). The festivities conclude with a Community Beach Bonfire Under the Stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. Don’t forget to bring your beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows and roasting sticks!

Please Note: N.C. state law prohibits any fireworks that propel an object or that explode. Permissible fireworks emit only sparks or smoke from a stationary position. Please check individual municipalities for local regulations. In addition, its encouraged that if you are watching the fireworks displays beginning held on the beach that you park east of U.S. 158.