Beach Day
Beach Day commemorates the July 1, 1999 merger of the Towns of Yaupon Beach & Long Beach into what is today known as the Town of Oak Island. It is held each year on July 1, unless that falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed on the Saturday before.
Beach Day is filled with fun and family-friendly activities organized by Oak Island Parks & Recreation, with some events often held in collaboration with the North Carolina 4th of July Festival in neighboring Southport, NC, celebrating our nation's Independence Day.
Read the following for more information on Beach Day.
2026 Beach Day Events Schedule & Registration
NOTE: Registration is required to participate in the activities listed for the Middleton Park Complex. Registration is NOT needed to attend the day or access the food vendors and enjoy the entertainment provided.
Registration is only available in-person on Beach Day, starting at 7:00 AM in the Middleton Park Complex, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
EVENTS SCHEDULE
- 7:00 AM: Registration (open until filled)
- 8:00 AM: Volleyball
- 8:30 AM: Sandcastle Contest (SE 46th St. Access)
- 9:00 AM: Horseshoes
- 9:30 AM Stars, Stripes, & Snouts Dog Costume Contest
- 10:00 AM: Cornhole
- 10:30 AM: Freedom Scoot Baby Crawling Race
- 11:00 AM: Splash for the Stars Water Balloon Toss
(PRE-k - 5th Grade)
- 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM: Cape Fear Radio MC’ing
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Inflatables
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Large Field Games
- 11:30 AM: Red, White and Blue Bucket Relay
(6th -12th Grade and 18 = Divisions)
- NOON: Mic Drop For America Karaoke Contest
- 1:00 PM: Liberty Looks Costume Contest
- 5:15 PM: 250th Activity
- 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: July 4th Welcoming Ceremony
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Food Vendors
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Summer Concert Series with The Extraordinaires
- 6:00 PM: Music at the Oak Island Pier (705 Ocean Drive)
SUNSET (All Ages)
- Fireworks Display from the Oak Island Pier (705 Ocean Drive)
2026 Fireworks & Traffic Information
Beach Day always ends with a spectacular Fireworks Display, performed from the Oak Island Pier. The Oak Island Police Department maintains traffic control before, during, and after the display, and encourages all drivers to view the following information before attending the day's festivities:
PARKING: As a reminder, Beach Day is a Town-sponsored event, meaning Paid Parking will NOT be enforced throughout the entire day in the Middleton Park Complex area, from SE 46th St - SE 49th St. All other areas will operate under normal enforcement. Paid Parking ends at 5:00 PM each day, and will NOT impact the Fireworks Display that evening (parking in all locations for this event will be first-come, first-served).
TRAFFIC (UPDATED): The Post-Fireworks Traffic Plan will ask ALL vehicles to EXIT the Island using E Oak Island Drive to access either the Swain's Cut Bridge at Middleton Ave (NC 906) or the G.V. Barbee Bridge at Long Beach Rd (NC 133) -- DO NOT use side streets like Yacht Drive or Beach Drive for "shortcuts", as these will only slow traffic down when having to merge back onto E Oak Island Drive later.
Additionally, while driving please avoid distractions from phones, media devices, or other passengers, in order to help keep traffic moving steadily.
Be sure to watch for pedestrians who may try to cross E Oak Island Dr., and obey all traffic directions from officers and signage onsite.
Thank You Oak Island!
Provided below is an "American Eagle-eyed" view of a Beach Day Fireworks Finale, as seen from 400' in the air!