View of the downtown Norfolk Fourth of July fireworks show from WAVY’s Tower Cam.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – This year, the 4th of July falls on a Friday. There are plenty of celebrations planned across the WAVY viewing area. Featuring everything from live music, food trucks, parades and of course fireworks — there’s something for everyone.
To ensure a safe ride home on the Fourth of July weekend, 757 Sober Ride is offering a Lyft credit for rides in the Hampton Roads area. Click here for details.
Also, a reminder that many city offices, departments and services will be affected because of the Independence Day holiday. Check with your locality for specific impacts.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the local festivities:
CHESAPEAKE
Celebrate Freedom
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Chesapeake City Park, 900 City Park Drive
4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Free event. $10 on-site parking fee.
Following band concerts featuring patriotic music, fireworks will light up the night sky.
Annual South Norfolk July 4th Parade and Picnic in the Park
Friday, July 4, 2025
Lakeside Park Chesapeake
Parade at 10 a.m.
Picnic at 3 p.m.
Live music and food
Independence Day Celebration at the Great Bridge Battlefield Museum
Friday, July 4, 2025
Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(Admission prices vary by age range)
HAMPTON
Fourth at the Fort- Independence Day Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
Fort Monroe, Hampton VA
8:45 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Events all day.
All incoming traffic to Fort Monroe will be closed at 8 p.m.
Firework Show: 9:15 p.m.
First Friday In Phoebus
Friday, July 4, 2025
East Mellen Street, Hampton VA
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Art and Merchant Gallery
NEWPORT NEWS
Stars in the Sky
Friday, July 4, 2025
Victory Landing Park
6 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Firework Show at 9 p.m.
First Fridays Summer Block Party. The Friday, July 4 event is canceled.
NORFOLK
4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks
Friday, July 4, 2025
Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
Shore Thing Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
Friday, July 4, 2025
Ocean View Beach Park
6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
“Wonderland” is the headline performer
Brews and BBQ Patio Party
Friday, July 4, 2025
Grain (Downtown Norfolk)
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
4 Course Menu (In light of the 4th)
Private event — $60 per person
July 4th Fireworks Cruise
Friday, July 4, 2025
American Rover Sailing Cruises
333 Waterside Drive (Norfolk VA)
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Private Event: — $85 per person
Military Family Appreciation Day
Friday, July 4, 2025
MacArthur Memorial
Free screening of Pixar’s Finding Nemo
10 a.m.
There will be free snacks, gift bags, crafts and a brick-figure museum scavenger hunt.
This event is free, but registration is required.
PORTSMOUTH
Shaggin’ 4th of July Celebration
High Street Landing — 1 High Street
Music, dancing and fireworks! A tribute to Portsmouth’s own Bill Deal and beach music favorites.
5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Cradock’s 107th Annual Patriotic Salute
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Afton & Farragut St, Portsmouth
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Parade and various activities
SMITHFIELD
2025 Summer Concert Series: 4th of July theme
Friday, July 4, 2025
228 Main Street, Smithfield VA
Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on the Main Street Stage
Featuring the Peninsula Concert Band- Patriotic
SUFFOLK
Stars and Stripes Spectacular
Friday, July 4, 2025
Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Crittenden/Eclipse/Hobson: 4th of July
Friday, July 4, 2025
Morning Events (Location varies) (Eclipse, Suffolk)
Evening Events- Ebenezer UMC,
(All day affair) 10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. food and games, 3
p.m. Ruritan raft race, 5-9 p.m. evening music, games and fireworks.
VIRGINIA BEACH
Stars and Stripes Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
Multiple Locations along the Beach: 17th Street Park, 24th Street Park,
and Neptune’s Park on 31st Street
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Concerts all night.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore
Friday, July 4, 2025
310 Edwin Drive
8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
WILLIAMSBURG
Fourth of July at Colonial Williamsburg
Friday, July 4, 2025
Colonial Williamsburg
Free tickets online
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Historic activities and performances
YORKTOWN
Independence Day Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
Townwide: Historic Main Street and Water Street
8 a.m. : Yorktown Independence Day 8K/5K Run/Walk at York High School
9 a.m. : Parade on Water & Main Streets
Activities continue all day. There’s a hot dog eating contest, cupcake decorating contest and much more.
Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. over the York River.
Liberty Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Various activities all day. Free admission for those who live Yorktown,
James City County, and Williamsburg
NORTH CAROLINA
COROLLA
Independence Day Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
Historic Corolla Park
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fireworks at dusk
DARE COUNTY
Town of Duck Annual 4th of July Parade
Friday, July 4, 2025
Begins at 9 a.m.
The annual one-mile parade route begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane, travels east towards the ocean, turns left onto Ocean Way, and then continues onto Christopher Drive to end at Pamela Court. Please note: no part of the parade will take place on Duck Road.
EDENTON
Friday, July 4, 2025
Waterfront activities all day
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
New this year: Edenton PD will have a Public Safety Command Center in the alley behind council chambers for lost children, first aid, and general information.
ELIZABETH CITY
4th of July celebration at Mariners’ Wharf Park
Friday, July 4, 2025
4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Fireworks scheduled to begin between 9:00 and 9:15 p.m.
HERTFORD COUNTY
Community 4th of July Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
115 Justice Drive, Winton NC
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks at dusk
PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN
Friday, July 4, 2025
Family, fun, fireworks celebration at Waterfront Park.
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
No parking will be permitted on July 4 at Waterfront Park, Coast Guard Part, Charles Creek Park, Museum of the Albemarle, part of College Park.
Roads surrounding the event area will close at 2 p.m. and remain closed until after the fireworks display concludes and all vendors are cleared.
TOWN OF MANTEO
4th of July Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
George Washington Creef Park along the downtown waterfront
Begins at 4 p.m. with the National Anthem and continues through dusk.
Live music from The Deloreans from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fireworks begin at dusk
Several localities have posted about anticipated traffic delays and road closures. Check the specific event page or social posts for updates.
OCRACOKE
*** The Ocracoke fireworks have been canceled due to the threat of thunderstorms and high winds forecast for July 2. The pre-fireworks gathering at the NPS docks has also been canceled. The rest of the July 4 activities will continue as planned.
