Looking to commemorate our nation’s 250th birthday in historical style? Join Tryon Palace July 4, 2026, for its annual Glorious Fourth celebration. The Palace Grounds and Gardens will be open to the public for FREE from 9 a.m. – noon, so come out and enjoy a morning stroll through the summer blooms before the festivities begin!
Starting at 10:00 a.m. at the main gates, hear a costumed interpreter read aloud the Declaration of Independence. Following the reading, historic interpreters will fire a cannon volley and the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps will perform.
At 10:30 a.m., the City of New Bern’s Fourth of July Parade travels up Pollock Street in front of the main gates.
At 11:00 a.m., join interpreters on the Tryon Palace South Lawn for a guided firing of our 3-pound brass cannon.
At 3:30 p.m., take a “Discovering Tryon Palace: Caswell’s Capital” tour. This unique guided tour explores North Carolina’s role in the American Revolution and is the perfect addition to a day commemorating our independence. You can also take our standard Tryon Palace tour at their regularly scheduled times. All Palace tours require a purchased ticket for admittance.
Keep an eye out! At the 2026 Glorious Fourth, you won’t see a modern U.S. flag with 50 stars and 13 red and white stripes. Instead, look for the hand-sewn silk replica of the Grand Union flag. It has thirteen alternating red and white stripes with the British Union Jack in the upper left corner. It was one of the first flags used in the Revolution. In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a new design thirteen stars on a blue field and thirteen stripes.
You’ll also experience a Glorious Fourth inspired by city celebrations in the 18th century.
Tryon Palace began commemorating July 4 early in its history with different programs over the last 67 years. Today, we base our interpretation on New Bern’s 1778 commemoration of the second year of our independence—the first held in North Carolina—and the city’s celebration of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended hostilities between the United States, Great Britain, and their European allies.
Join Tryon Palace on July 4 and raise a huzzah! to 250 years of our Independence!