N.C. Fourth of July Festival

The history of Southport's Fourth of July Festival celebration was first recorded in a newspaper in 1795. Through the years and the dedicated efforts of many civic groups and citizens, the Festival has evolved to encompass a wide variety of American celebration traditions. Each year festival highlights include a Naturalization Ceremony, Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Veterans Recognition Ceremony, Flag Retirement Ceremony, and Flag Raising Ceremony. Each year, city residents and business owners adorn their yards and shop windows with patriotic decorations, and for a time, the sounds of the Festival fill the air. This year marks the 230th year of the Festival. The patriotic spirit of America is alive and well in the City of Southport and Town of Oak Island. A full calendar of eents on the Festival website.

2025 Calendar of Events

Saturday, June 28th

• 3:00 pm - Patriotic Concert - A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society. Brunswick Community College, Odell Williamson Auditorium

Sunday, June 29th

• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, Southport Fire Department Downtown Substation
• 3:00 pm - Patriotic Concert - A Tribute to ALL Our Heroes. Sea Notes Choral Society. Brunswick Community College, Odell Williamson Auditorium
• 5:00 pm - Gospel Fest, Franklin Square Park
• 6:00 pm - World’s Largest Ice Cream Sundae, Franklin Square Park

Monday, June 30th

• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum Open
• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - NC Maritime Museum at Southport 204 E Moore St, SOUTHPORT, NC, United States

Tuesday, July 1st

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm - Beach Day, Middleton Park
• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum Ope
• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm -mThe Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - NC Maritime Museum Open
• 5:30 pm - Welcoming Ceremony - Oak Island, Middleton Park
• 9:00 pm - Fireworks - Oak Island, Middleton Park

Wednesday July 2nd

• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - NC Maritime Museum Open
• 10:00 am - 7:00 pm - Arts & Crafts, 203 Bay Street
• 10:00 am - 7:00 pm - Merchandise Tent Open, 203 Bay Street
• 10:00 am - 11:00 pm - Trolley Available from Southport Elementary
• 11:00 am - 10:00 pm - Food Concessions, 116 S Howe St
• 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Children’s Entertainment, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum
• 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Waterfront Stage Entertainment - The Brown Dirt Cowboys, Waterfront Park
• 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Summer Regional Art Show, Franklin Square Gallery
• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Cape Fear Radio hosting at Waterfront stage, Waterfront Park
• 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Military Exhibits, Waterfront Park
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Brunswick Summer Wind Ensemble, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum
• Red, White & Blue Freedom Flotilla, Waterfront Park
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - 440th Army Band, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum
• 6:00 pm - A Salute to Veterans, Southport Community Building
• 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Waterfront Stage Entertainment - The Embers, Waterfront Park

Thursday, July 3rd

• 8:00 am - 10:00 am - Children’s Games hosted by the City of Southport Parks & Recreation, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum
• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Summer Regional Art Show, Franklin Square Gallery
• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Military Exhibits, Waterfront Park
• 10:00 am - 7:00 pm - Arts & Crafts, 203 Bay Street
• 10:00 am - 11:00 pm - Trolley Available from Southport Elementary
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - 440th Army Band, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum
• 11:00 am - 4:00 pm - Kid Zone at Taylor Field, Taylor Field
• 11:00 am - 4:00 pm - Humphrey Honey Bunny Farm Traveling Petting Zoo, Taylor Field
• 2:00 pm - 1:45 pm - Naturalization Ceremony, Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors Center and Museum
• 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Cape Fear Radio hosting at Waterfront stage, Waterfront Park
• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Clicks of Confidence and Trick Horses, Taylor Field
• 2:00 pm - Flag Retirement Ceremony, Waterfront Park
• 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Waterfront Stage Entertainment - The Rick Cannon Band, Waterfront Park
• 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Waterfront Stage Entertainment & Street Dance - Sleeping Booty, Waterfront Park

Friday, July 4th

• 7:00 am - 10:30 am - Pancake Breakfast, Trinity Methodist Church
• 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Historic Chapel of the Cross Self-Guided Tours
• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Summer Regional Art Show - Franklin Square Gallery
• 10:00 am - 9:00 pm - Arts & Crafts, 203 Bay Street
• 10:00 am - 11:00 pm - Trolley Available from Southport Elementary
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Festival Parade, Howe Street
• 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Food Concessions - Howe Street
• 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Cape Fear Radio hosting at Waterfront stage, Waterfront Park
• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - First Responders Vehicle/Helicopter Display, Waterfront Park
• 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - UPWA Live Pro Wrestling, Southport Fire Department Downtown Substation
• 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Waterfront Stage Entertainment - Back Porch Rockers, Waterfront Park
• 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Waterfront Stage Entertainment - Bounce! - Waterfront Park
• 9:00 pm - 9:30 pm - 4th of July Fireworks, Waterfront Park
• 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Band Returns to Waterfront Stage, Waterfront Park