Apex celebrated July 3, 2026, with Fireworks Frenzy at Hunter Street Park: food trucks, a drone show and fireworks. Details for 2027 have not been announced.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year. The Town of Apex has not yet announced its 2027 Fourth of July plans, so the details below describe the 2026 celebration from the town’s Fireworks Frenzy page. We will update it when the 2027 event is announced.

Apex marks Independence Day with Fireworks Frenzy, a town-run evening at Hunter Street Park that ends with a fireworks show. In 2026 it was held Friday, July 3, from 5 to 10 p.m., the night before the holiday.

Who to call

  • Town events: Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, 919-249-3402
  • Fireworks safety questions: Apex Fire Department, 919-362-4001
  • Event page: Fireworks Frenzy
  • Emergencies: 911

What happened in 2026

According to the town, the 2026 Fireworks Frenzy had:

  • Food trucks, games and a Kids Zone with inflatables
  • The Parade of Wheels and the Apex Fire Department Splashdown, two traditions moved over from the Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
  • A newly expanded drone light show, followed by the fireworks
  • A quiet, sensory-friendly room and sensory bag checkouts at the Apex Senior Center, 63 Hunter St.

The event is free and organized by the town.

The Olde Fashioned Fourth of July

The town’s other holiday tradition, the Olde Fashioned Fourth of July, is usually held on July 4 on Salem Street downtown. In 2026 it could not run in its normal form because of the Salem Streetscape construction, so its parade and splashdown moved to Fireworks Frenzy. The streetscape work is due to be finished by mid-January 2027; see our road construction page for the latest.

Getting there

Hunter Street Park is at 1250 Ambergate Station. The park is normally open 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Road closures and parking for 2027 will be posted with the event details; check the town’s event page in June.

The rest of the year, Hunter Street Park has a dog park, a skate plaza, soccer and softball fields and a shelter you can rent. Questions about the park or the event go to Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources at 919-249-3402.

How to keep up with the 2027 plans

The town posts its event details on the Fireworks Frenzy page and in its All in Apex email newsletter. We will update this page with the 2027 date, times, road closures and parking as soon as the town announces them.

The Apex Fire Department’s firework safety page sums up North Carolina law: anything that explodes or is launched into the air is illegal.

Illegal in North Carolina Legal in North Carolina
Firecrackers Wire sparklers
Bottle rockets Fountains
Roman candles Snakes and glow worms
Ground spinners Smoke devices
Aerial fireworks Party poppers, string poppers and snappers

Children under 16 cannot legally buy or use fireworks in the state. The department’s tips:

  • Buy from reliable vendors, and never alter fireworks or make your own.
  • Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby, light one at a time and step back.
  • Light them outdoors on pavement, away from grass and trees.
  • Never relight a dud, carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them from metal or glass.
  • Sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees and are the most common cause of fireworks injuries to children nationwide.

The department encourages residents to watch a professional show instead.

Trash pickup on the holiday

The Fourth of July is one of the six holidays when the Wake County landfill closes. When the holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling move one day later for the rest of that week. July 4, 2027, is a Sunday, so pickup is not expected to change. See our trash and recycling guide.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Fourth of July fireworks in Apex?

In 2026 the Town of Apex held its fireworks at Fireworks Frenzy at Hunter Street Park on July 3, from 5 to 10 p.m. The town has not announced details for 2027.

Is there a Fourth of July parade in Apex?

The town’s Olde Fashioned Fourth of July is usually held on July 4 on Salem Street. In 2026, because of the Salem Street construction, its Parade of Wheels and Fire Department Splashdown moved to Fireworks Frenzy on July 3.

Only fireworks that do not explode or leave the ground, such as sparklers, fountains, snakes and party poppers, are legal in North Carolina. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and aerial fireworks are illegal.

How old do you have to be to buy fireworks in North Carolina?

Children under 16 cannot legally buy or use fireworks in North Carolina, according to the Apex Fire Department.