06/27/2026 to 07/04/2026
Get DirectionsThe patriotic spirit of America is alive and well in the City of Southport.
For over 200 years this small maritime community has celebrated our nation's independence in a big way! The celebration has grown from colonial times when ships lay anchor in her harbor and shot their cannons to today's festival where 40,000 to 50,000 people come each year to bathe in the richness of spirit commemorating Old Glory.
Incorporated as the N.C. 4th of July Festival in the year 1972 the festival committee strives to keep the focus of the festival on honoring our nation's birthday with a little fun thrown in.
Summary of Activities & Events
Events for this year's festival will be held in and around the Southport and Oak Island areas. For a full schedule of events, complete with locations and times, please visit the official Festival website.
Saturday, June 27th Events
- Old Brunswick Jail Open, 41st Annual Fire Fighters Freedom Competition & Apparatus Expo, A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society, Patriots Ball
Sunday, June 28th Events
- AARGH! A Pirate's Life For Me! Melodrama & Vaudeville Fun, The Bellamy Joyner Post 213-Everday Heroes, A Tribute To ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society, We The People Gospel Fest, World's Largest Ice Cream Sundae
Monday, June 29th Events
- NC Maritime Museum Open, Celebrating Art in Southport, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum Open
Tuesday, June 30th Events
- Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum Open, NC Maritime Museum Open, The Bellamy Joyner Post 213-Everyday Heroes
Wednesday, July 1st Events
- Oak Island Beach Day, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum Open, NC Maritime Museum Open, Summer Regional Art Show, Old Brunswick Jail Open, Independence Eve: Coloniall Food & History, Welcoming Cermony- Oak Island, Fireworks Oak Island
Thursday, July 2nd Events
- Historic Chapel of the Cross Self Guided Tours, NC Maritime Museum Open, Arts & Crafts, Trolley Available from Southport Elementary, Food Concessions, Summer Regional Art Show, Old Brunswick Jail Open, Red White & Blue Freedom Flotilla, Cape Fear Radio Hosting at Waterfront Stage, Meet Miss NC, Waterfront Stage Entertainment- Whiskey Ridge Outlaws , Reading of the Declaration, Hometown Heroes: Oak Island Loggerheads vs. Shallotte Shallywags Baseball Game, Waterfront Stage Entertainment- The Conspiracy
Friday, July 3rd Events
- Waterfront Stage Entertainment- The Conspiracy, Meet Miss NC & Winners of the 2026 Miss NC 4th of July Festival & Court, Historic Chapel of the Cross Guided Tours, NC Maritime Museum Open, Summer Regional Art Sshow, Arts & Crafts, Festival Merchandise Tent Open, Trolley Available from Southport Elementary, Children's Entertainment, Kid Zone aat Taylor Field, Humhrey Honey Bunny Farmm Traveling Petting Zoo, Food Concessions, Naturalization Ceremony, Click of Confidence annd Trick Horses, Old Brunswick Jail Open, Flag Retirement Ceremony, Meet Miss NC & Wiinners of the6 Miss NCC c 4th of Jly Festivall & Court, Cape Fear Radio Hosting at Southport Waterfront Stage, Waterfront Stage Entertainment- Deep Creek Soul, Waterfront Stage Eentertainment & Street Dance- Ssleeping Booty,
Saturday, July 4th Events
- Pancake Breakfast, Trolley Available from Southport Elementary, Historic Chapel of the Cross Guided Tours, Summer Regional Art Show, Arts & Crafts, Festival Merchandise Tent Open, Reading of the Declaration, Flag Raising Ceremony, Festival Parade, Food Concessions, Cape Fear Radio, NC Maritime Museum Open, Old Brunswick Jail Open, First Responders Vehicle/ Helicopter Display, Coast Guard Activies, All Veterans Jump, Old Smithville Burying Grounds Tour, Miss NC 4th of July Scholarsship Pageant Talent Showcase, UPWA Live Pro Wrestling, Waterfrontt Stage Entertainment- Salty Dawgs, Waterfront Entertainment- Irresistible Groove, 4th of July Fireworks, Stop Soldier Suicide: Oak Island Loggerheads vs. Laurinburg Highland Hooligans Baseball Game
NC 4th of July Festival Information
For more information on this year's festival, including events, how to purchase the official teeshirt, and so much more, visit the official website.
