Fireworks, games, live entertainment and more await you at Wake Forest’s 2026 Independence Day Celebration. This community extravaganza is the Town’s most eagerly anticipated summertime event serving up two days’ worth of free fun and excitement for the entire family.

 

The festivities get underway with the Fireworks Spectacular on Friday, July 3, inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., The Swingin' Medallions will take the stage at 6 p.m., and the fireworks show will begin around 9:30 p.m.

 

The Independence Day revelry continues Saturday, July 4, with the popular Children’s Parade. Area youngsters are invited to hop on their bicycles and be a part of their very own “walking parade.” The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 10:30 a.m.

 

The festivities conclude at 11 a.m. with Art & More in the Park. Free arts and crafts activities will take place inside the Community House, including the creation of various patriotic-themed crafts for all ages, cupcake decorating and more. Children’s Parade participants are also invited to enjoy Holding Park, located adjacent to the Community House.

The breakfast offers a menu of biscuits and gravy, pancakes, several types of sausage (mild and spicy), coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and orange juice. The aspect that has made the offering unique is that customers can eat as much as they care to for one low price.

 

Adults eat for $7.00 per person – Children under 12 for $1.00 and children under 7 eat free.

 

The proceeds from the breakfast are used to assist rehabilitating veterans.

Our 2026 concert series will include:

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at several downtown restaurants.

 

A variety of food and dessert trucks will also be on site in the Depot Parking Lot, 110 S. White St., and along East Owen Avenue. 

 

Food Truck Menus:

Past years food and dessert trucks included:

• VFW Chuck Wagon,
• Cousins Maine Lobster,
• Virgil's Jamaica,
• Warehouse BBQ,
• La Katrina Tacos,
• Cheese Curd Shack,
• The Naked Empanada,
• Charlie's Kabob Grill on Wheels,
• Kono Pizza, 
• Not Just a Fry Guy,
• Magnificent Concessions,
• Little Halos,
• Lumpy's Ice Cream, and 
• Kona Ice

Bring a lawn chair and blanket - but if you bring a lawn chair and/or blanket, please place them in the street - not on the sidewalk. Please leave the sidewalks open for pedestrians.

 

Please leave your coolers and outside alcoholic beverages at home.

 

Please leave your pets at home.