Events

Ready for some outdoor fun? New Bern Parks & Recreation presents the Lawn Games Extravaganza! Gather your friends and family for a casual evening filled with classic and new lawn games. Whether you’re aiming for a bullseye in lawn darts, tossing for a win in cornhole, or climbing the ladder in ladder ball, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! No need to bring anything but your game face – snacks and drinks are on us! While you can just drop in, we do encourage registration so we can prepare for an amazing time with all of you. To register for this free family event, visit our parks and recreation page at https://www.newbernnc.gov/departments/programs/index.php

The Annual 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks show will be held on Thursday, July 4th at Lawson Creek Park- 1309 Country Club Road, New Bern, NC. This event is free! Activities begin at 5:30pm. Live Entertainment, featuring RIVERMIST begins at 6:15pm. FOOD, GAMES, MAGIC and MORE!!! Parking in the park is limited. Additional parking is available at Temple Church – 1500 Kingdom Way, with free shuttle service available starting at 5:00pm. The Fireworks show starts around 9:15pm. The fireworks show can also be viewed from Union Point Park, behind Tryon Palace and along the Riverwalk. This event is presented by the City of New Bern. For information, call 252-639-2901 or visit us online at www.NewBernNC.gov.

Come celebrate Independence Day with Tryon Palace! From the steps of the Palace hear the Declaration of Independence read by a costumed interpreter. Hear the passion in his voice as he declares the independence of the colonies from English rule. This is a day of festivities with demonstrations at the encampment, Fife & Drum Corps performances, firing of the muskets and free Pepsi products! Itinerary: Begins at 10:00 AM Procession of Fife & Drum and Continental Line to South Lawn Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Palace South Steps 1st North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Line will be encamped and do a firing demonstration after the reading Fife and Drum Corps will perform immediately after the reading Admittance to the Gardens is FREE all day. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war. In 1778, New Bern was the site of the first celebration in North Carolina under federal authorization. This is believed to be the first observance of the fourth of July as Independence Day in North Carolina, and the third celebration in the nation, following those in Boston and Philadelphia.