Greensboro Fun Fourth Festival & Fireworks Show 2026 in North Carolina

Downtown Greensboro Fun Fourth Freedom Festival takes pride in being among the best 4th of July events found throughout the Old North State. Known as The Gate City due to the history of railroad transportation, Greensboro's Independence Day celebration features fun for all ages, traditional carnival games and of course, fireworks.

Fun Fourth Freedom Run (July 4)

To get off the Independence Day on the right foot, consider joining a Freedom Run, which begins a whirlwind of festivities. The Fun Fourth Freedom Run is labeled to be the Triad's longest-running race tradition. It offers three distance options: One-Mile Fun Run, 5K race, and for those who want a challenge, 10K run. All of them start off and end at Center City Park. The 10K run begins early in the morning at 7:30 am, while the 5K run begins at 8 am. The start time for the One-Mile Fun Run is 8:05 am.

A ticket is required if you'd like to participate. The participation cost for the One Mile Fun Run is $24, $49 for a 10K run, and $39 for a 5K run. We highly recommend registering beforehand, as prices typically increase before the event.

Freedom Fest (July 4)

Freedom Fest promises a fun-packed program that has something for everyone. The festivities are all usually held along Elm Street from 1 to 6 pm. In addition to traditional live music and vendors, the festival features old-fashioned family games, prizes for the best costumes and wagon decorations.

Entertainment

Freedom Fest organizers promise never-ending entertainment and family-friendly fun. And they're not wrong—multiple areas for thrilling activities are set up down Elm Street. You'll have a chance to try your hand at obstacle courses, dance parties, climbing, karaoke, and face painting. To beat the heat, stop by the water play area, which features water slides, sprinklers, and dunk tanks. As a soundtrack to your day of fun, local musicians will set the stage ablaze with their performances.

Red, White + Say 'I Do'

A stand-out highlight of the festival is definitely a Red, White + Say 'I Do' tradition, which gives you a chance to have a wedding in a patriotic red, white, and blue theme. You can either witness such a unique spectacle or bring your loved one and even get married yourself. The ceremony is accompanied by appropriate music and decorations, which will make for a memorable snapshot.

Local Vendors

The Independence Day celebration is a great chance to try out some of the local foods and beverages from the regional businesses. You'll have plenty of options at Elm Street, ranging from cookies and pastries to traditional BBQ options. And if you'd like to remember this day with a souvenir, consider stopping by some of the artisan booths, which feature jewelry, clothing, and all kinds of merch.

Fireworks Display

But the pinnacle of merrymaking is the firework show, which traditionally takes place at First National Bank Field after the Greensboro Grasshoppers' home game at 6:30 pm. The riveting match of the local stars spans approximately two hours. The tickets to the event range from $12 to $18. However, if you weren't able to grab a ticket, you can watch the fireworks display either from the parking lots nearby or from Deep Roots Market.