Where to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July in Wilmington, parking, road closures and more

WILMINGTON — There’s no shortage of things to do in Wilmington for the 4th of July and as usual the city will host its annual fireworks celebration.

“The fireworks display will begin at 9:05 p.m. and will be shot from a barge located just north of the USS Battleship North Carolina. The fireworks display can be seen anywhere along the downtown Wilmington riverfront,” according to the city.

Unfortunately, unlike in years past, the city will not be hosting a concert or street festival due to construction taking place along the Riverwalk.

In order to help visitors prepare for the festivities the City of Wilmington has released some important information.

Important Traffic Information

• Arrive early and consider your exit strategy prior to parking.
• Expect 1 to 2 hour delays leaving downtown after the fireworks due to large volumes of traffic for this event.
• Vehicles should park on the side of downtown (with Red Cross Street being the dividing line) that is closest to the direction they will travel after the fireworks have ended.
• Traffic parked south of Red Cross Street will be diverted south towards Market and Dawson streets and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, including the city’s Market Street and Second Street parking decks, the New Hanover County parking deck on Second Street and the CFCC parking deck at Nutt and Red Cross streets.
• Traffic parked north of Red Cross Street will be diverted north towards the MLK Parkway and the Isabel Holmes Bridge, including the Wilmington Convention Center parking deck at 515 Nutt St. and the CFCC deck at 3^rdand Hanover streets.
• Those utilizing parking decks can expect longer delays due to high volumes exiting at one time.
• No standing, stopping or parking on bridges, roadways or along medians will be allowed on route 17, 74/76, 133 or 421 – police will monitor these areas and towing will be enforced.
• For traffic information, call 511 or visit the NCDOT TIMS website

Street Closures

• North Water Street, between Market and Grace streets, will close at 1:30 p.m.
• Princess Street, between North Water and North Front streets, will close at 1:30 p.m.
• Market Street, between North Water and North Front streets, will close at 1:30 p.m.
• Chestnut Street, between North Front and North Second streets, will close as early as 6 p.m.
• Streets west of Second Street toward the river between Brunswick & Dock streets will close as early as 6 p.m.
• Nixon Street between North 3^rd and North 4^th streets will close at 9 p.m.
• Northbound North 4^th Street between Harnett and Nixon streets will close at 9 p.m.

Parking Information 

• City decks located at 115 Market St. and 114 N. 2nd St. and the County deck at 212 N. 2nd St. will charge a $7 event fee beginning at 2 p.m.
• The Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St. will charge an $8 event fee beginning at 2 p.m.
• Cape Fear Community College decks will charge a $10 event fee.
• On-street parking is free.