Carolina Beach Fireworks 2026: Boardwalk Blast Schedule

Every Thursday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Carolina Beach puts on one of the best free summer events on the North Carolina coast. The Boardwalk Blast combines live music at the Gazebo Stage on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk with a fireworks show launched directly from the beach. Music runs from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, fireworks go up at 9:00 PM sharp, and the whole thing is free.

The 2026 season runs 16 weeks, from Friday, May 22 through Friday, September 4. Most shows fall on Thursdays, with three Friday exceptions for holiday weekends. The boardwalk, the amusement rides, and every restaurant and bar in the area are open and busy on show nights, so it doubles as a full evening out whether you're on vacation or just looking for a weeknight thing to do.

2026 Lineup 2026 Boardwalk Blast Music Lineup at Carolina Beach

The Town of Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation books a different band each week. The genres rotate between tribute acts, party bands, and local favorites. All performances happen at the Gazebo Stage from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, with fireworks kicking off at 9:00 PM during the set.

• Friday, May 22: Beatlesque (Beatles tribute)
• Thursday, May 28: The Petty Mac Revue (Tom Petty / Fleetwood Mac tribute)
• Thursday, June 4: Dubtown Cosmonauts (psychedelic funk jam-rock)
• Thursday, June 11: Shoot to Thrill (AC/DC tribute)
• Thursday, June 18: No Regretz (classic blues and rock)
• Thursday, June 25: Spare Change (party band)
• Friday, July 3: Carl Newton Review (R&B / soul)
• Thursday, July 9: The Cruise Brothers (Motown, country, classic rock)
• Thursday, July 16: Resoul (dance, rock, country)
• Thursday, July 23: Port City Shakedown (dance/party band)
• Thursday, July 30: Machine Gun Band (variety party band)
• Thursday, August 6: OC3EANS (rock, soul, hip-hop)
• Thursday, August 13: The Main Event (beach / classic rock)
• Thursday, August 20: Frank Grant & The Feelin' (groove band)
• Thursday, August 27: The Boilin Brothers (country roots)
• Friday, September 4: Too Much Sylvia (4-time CBMA Group of the Year)

Where to Watch Boardwalk Blast Fireworks at Carolina Beach

The fireworks launch directly from the beach strand in front of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. The town ropes off a section of the boardwalk deck and a buffer zone on the sand around the launch area, but the rest of the beach is open seating. Bring a chair or a blanket, plant yourself in the sand, and you're set. The show runs roughly 10 to 15 minutes and goes off right over the ocean.

The beach directly in front of the boardwalk fills up first, but you can see the fireworks clearly from several blocks in either direction. If the main area feels too packed, walking a few hundred feet north or south still gives you a solid view without the crowd. Carolina Beach Lake Park is another option a few blocks inland. The view there is different, but it's a quieter scene if you want to avoid the boardwalk crowds entirely.

The Carolina Beach Pier and the High Tide Lounge & Tiki Bar at the end of it are right in the middle of the action. If you can grab a spot up there, the elevated vantage point over the water is hard to beat.

Where to Eat and Drink Near Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach

Everything around the boardwalk is open and running on show nights. The smartest move is to eat before the fireworks and treat the music as the backdrop to dinner. Here are the spots worth knowing about.

Nollie's Taco Joint sits right near the boardwalk and is a solid pre-show stop. Quick service, good tacos, and you're steps from the sand when you're done. Island Burgers & Bites is a short drive up Lake Park Boulevard and worth the detour. This place started as a counter inside a gas station, landed on Yelp's Top 100 restaurants in North Carolina, and moved into its own standalone building at 254 N Lake Park Blvd in 2025. They now have indoor and outdoor seating plus beer on tap. The burgers are the draw.

Britt's Donuts is the iconic boardwalk stop. The line wraps down the boardwalk on show nights, but it moves fast and the hot glazed donuts are the reason people keep coming back since 1939. Expect a wait, plan for it, don't skip it. Fentoni's Pizza is another boardwalk staple for a quick slice.

For a sit-down meal with drinks, SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar and Hurricane Alley's are both right on the boardwalk strip with outdoor seating and full bars. Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill up on Lake Park is a good call if you want more of a sports bar vibe before the show. The bars are all in full swing on Boardwalk Blast nights.

For dessert and sweet treats after the show, the options are everywhere. Squigley's Ice Cream & Treats, Beach Bunny Ice Cream & Coffee, Celtic Creamery, Island Ice Factory, and Fun Time Ice Cream are all within walking distance. Between the ice cream shops, candy stores, and Britt's Donuts, this is one of those nights where the kids (and everyone else) are going to want something sweet.

Parking for Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach

Parking on Boardwalk Blast nights fills up fast. Metered street parking and municipal lots are scattered around the boardwalk area, and paid enforcement runs from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, March through October. The ParkMobile app works at all town-managed meters and lots, which is useful for extending your time remotely if the show runs later than you planned.

The best advice is to arrive early. If you're planning to eat before the fireworks anyway, get to Carolina Beach by 5:00 or 5:30 PM and you'll have a much easier time finding a spot close to the boardwalk. Show up at 7:30 and you'll be walking a few blocks. For a full breakdown of lots, rates, and strategies, check the Where to Park at Carolina Beach guide.

What to Bring to Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach

Boardwalk Blast is low-key. You don't need much, but a few things make the night smoother.

• Beach chairs or a blanket. You're sitting in the sand for the fireworks. Chairs are welcome.
• Bug spray. Summer evenings on the coast mean mosquitoes, especially once the sun drops.
• Cash. Some boardwalk vendors and Britt's Donuts are cash-only or cash-preferred.
• A light layer. Even in July, the ocean breeze can cool things down after dark.

Tips for Families at Boardwalk Blast in Carolina Beach

Boardwalk Blast is one of the best free summer nights in the area for families with kids. The live music and fireworks don't cost a thing, and sitting on the beach to watch the show is free. Everything around it is where the spending starts. The amusement rides at the boardwalk midway sell individual tickets and sometimes offer unlimited wristbands, the Carolina Beach Arcade will keep kids busy for as long as your wallet allows, and the ice cream shops are everywhere. It adds up, but you can control the budget by sticking to the beach and the free show if you need to.

The boardwalk shops line both sides of the walkway, which makes for narrower paths when it's crowded. If you have a stroller or younger kids, the shuffle through the main stretch is real on busy nights. Getting there earlier helps, and the crowd thins out a bit once people spread onto the beach for the fireworks.

Boardwalk Blast also works well as a date night. Grab dinner at SeaWitch or Hurricane Alley's, catch some of the live music, and watch the fireworks from the sand. It's a low-effort, high-payoff evening.

Common Questions About Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach

Cost How Much Does Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach Cost?

Boardwalk Blast is completely free. The live music and fireworks are put on by the Town of Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation. The only costs are food, drinks, and parking.

Alcohol Can You Bring Alcohol to Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach?

Alcohol is not allowed on the beach at Carolina Beach. No open containers, no exceptions. The bars and restaurants along the boardwalk all serve drinks, so grab a drink at Hurricane Alley's, SeaWitch, or High Tide Lounge instead.

Dogs Are Dogs Allowed at Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach?

Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk or in the boardwalk business district at any time. During summer months (April 1 through September 30), dogs are only allowed on the beach before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM, so technically they could be on the sand during the show. That said, fireworks and loud music are stressful for most dogs. It's best to leave them at the rental.

Rain What Happens If It Rains During Boardwalk Blast?

Boardwalk Blast is weather permitting. If storms roll through, the show may be delayed or canceled for that week. There's no rain date. Check the Town of Carolina Beach Facebook page for same-day updates on cancellations.

Fireworks Duration How Long Are the Boardwalk Blast Fireworks at Carolina Beach?

The fireworks show runs roughly 10 to 15 minutes. It's not a 30-minute Fourth of July production, but it's a solid show over the ocean every single week for 16 weeks straight. The consistency is the draw, not the length.

Best Time to Arrive What Time Should You Arrive for Boardwalk Blast?

Aim to get to Carolina Beach by 5:30 PM if you want convenient parking and time to eat before the music starts at 6:30. Showing up right at 9:00 for fireworks means parking farther out and fighting through the crowd. The earlier arrival makes for a better night overall.