America 250:

Fourth of July Symphony Pops Concert

Presented by The City of Wilmington and The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

July 4, 2026

Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
Peter Askim, Music Director/Conductor
Chelsea Loew, Composer
Melissa Wimbish, Soprano

Riverfront Park and Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan St, Wilmington, NC 28401

5:30 PM | Gates open
6:15 PM | Joshua Alan Rupp and Mackenzi Morris
7:30 PM | Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
9:00 PM | Fireworks Show x 2:
In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, this year’s display will feature two simultaneous fireworks shows: one launched across from Riverfront Park and another from a barge near the Battleship. Spectators will be able to best view the displays along the Riverwalk.  *Please note: There will be a boating safety zone for 30 minutes after the fireworks around the launch site. No thru boating traffic will be allowed.

FREE CONCERT!

General Seating; No Tickets Required

VIRTUAL PROGRAM COMING SOON!

Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a family friendly concert on the Fourth of July with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra!

Highlights of the evening include:

  • a new commissioned work by local composer Chelsea Loew in honor of America’s 250th anniversary,

  • guest appearances,

  • patriotic favorites, pops, and classics,

  • and spectacular fireworks display.

In honor of this year's U.S. 250th anniversary, there will be two fireworks locations to amplify viewing range along the Riverwalk. One will be displayed near Riverfront Park, and the other will be staged on a barge near the Battleship.

*Please note: There will be a boating safety zone for 30 minutes after the fireworks around the launch site. No thru boating traffic will be allowed.

Click here for Live Oak Bank Pavilion parking, seating, guidelines and rules.

THANK YOU TO OUR 4TH OF JULY POPS CONCERT SUPPORTERS!

City of Wilmington, North Carolina logo with stylized wave design.
Logo of Wilmington Symphony Orchestra featuring stylized exclamation mark and music note, with text.
Design commemorating the 50th anniversary of America in North Carolina, with the number 50 prominently displayed.
Logo for the New Hanover Community Endowment featuring a stylized wave, sun, and water elements with text reading 'The Endowment' and 'New Hanover Community Endowment'.
Logo of The Arts Council of Wilmington & NHC featuring abstract shapes in blue, orange, and teal with text below.
Logo for Avalanche Music Productions with the word 'AVALANCHE' in large black letters and 'Music Productions' in smaller black letters underneath.
A graphic illustration of a city skyline with various buildings and a bridge, accompanied by the text 'Bring it Downtown, Park and Explore'.
Logo of North Carolina Arts Council celebrating fifty years of leadership, featuring colorful dotted patterns surrounding a green circle with "nc-Art" in white text.
Text-based graphic with black text on white background, reading 'National Endowment for the Arts' and 'arts.gov' at the bottom, with red and blue lines underneath.
UNCW Department of Music logo featuring a stylized building with triangular roof and the text 'UNCW Department of Music'.

Media Sponsors:

Thank You to Cumulus Media for your support of this event

Logo of radio station 94.5 The Hawk with an eagle graphic and station slogan 'The Port City’s Classic Rock.'
Coast 97.3 radio station logo with purple, white, and yellow colors.
Logo of 102.7 GNI radio station with station name and slogan
Logo of WWCQ 101.5 radio station with slogan 'Cape Fear's Country Leader!'
KAAY news logo with text 'NEWS TALK SPORTS 980-AM'
Southport Magazine logo featuring an anchor symbol and a blue and turquoise color scheme, listing locations such as Oak Island, Boiling Spring Lakes, Bald Head Island, and St. James.
Leland Magazine logo with a stork illustration

LIVE OAK BANK PAVILION PARKING, GUIDELINES & RULES

Food:
Food and beverages (soft drinks, beer & wine) will be sold at the park.
*No outside food or drink can be brought inside the park with the exception of water up to 1 gallon in a factory sealed or empty bottle.*

Parking:
Parking is available on the street and in downtown parking lots. Street parking on July 4 is FREE. For more information and maps, please visit the City of Wilmington’s website HERE.

Cashless Payments:
This is a cashless event - no cash accepted. All food and beverage sales will ONLY accept debit, credit or mobile pay (Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Seating:
Beach Chairs (with legs no longer than 9 inches) and blankets will be allowed.

Animals: 
No animals allowed inside the venue with the exception of registered, working service animals.

For more information visit www.wilmingtonrecreation.com or call (910) 341-7855.