Bluffton's July fireworks launch from a barge on the May River, seen from Oyster Factory and Wright Family parks. 2026 details here until the 2027 plan is out.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. The Town of Bluffton has not yet announced its 2027 Independence Day plans, so the details below are from the 2026 celebration, taken from the town’s June 22, 2026, news release (PDF). Expect a similar plan; check back in June.

The Town of Bluffton’s Independence Day Celebration ends with a fireworks show over the May River, launched from a barge and seen from Oyster Factory Park and Wright Family Park in Old Town. In 2026, the fifth year of the town’s celebration and the nation’s 250th anniversary, the show ran 20 minutes from 9 p.m. Friday, July 3.

Who to call

  • Event questions: Lyndee Simoneaux, Town of Bluffton director of events and venues, 843-540-1662
  • Town Hall: 843-706-4500
  • Illegal fireworks complaints: Bluffton Police Department, 843-706-4550; 911 for an emergency
  • Official site: Town of Bluffton

How the 2026 celebration ran

Thursday, July 2

  • Flag ceremony, 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park at Buckwalter Place Park, with the Sons of the American Revolution and bagpipes. Free.
  • Bluffton Independence Day 5K, 7 p.m. at New Riverside Barn Park, with the free “Chase the Chief” kids fun run at 6:45 p.m. against Police Chief Joseph Babkiewicz. A concert by Deas-Guyz and a drone show at dark followed. Parking was at Pritchardville Elementary School, 9447 Evan Way, with a free shuttle from 5:30 to 11 p.m.

Friday, July 3

  • Pre-party, 5 to 9 p.m. at Martin Family Park and DuBois Park: carnival games, bounce houses, a rock wall, food vendors, a DJ and the Parris Island Dirty Boots Brass Band from 6 to 7 p.m. The national anthem was at 5:55 p.m.
  • Fireworks, 9 p.m., 20 minutes, from a barge in the May River. The town warned that the barge position can change with weather and water conditions, so viewers may need to move.

Parking and the shuttle

For the 2026 fireworks the town ran a free Savannah Trolley shuttle from Town Hall, 20 Bridge St., from 4 to 11 p.m. Parking near the shuttle stop:

  • Town Hall lots around 20 Bridge St.
  • The M.C. Riley Elementary School bus lot on Bridge Street
  • The renovated lot on Pritchard Street near the Beaufort County pool and baseball field
  • The M.C. Riley Early Education Center bus loop on Pritchard Street

Paid church parking was offered at First Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 10 Robertson St.; Campbell Chapel AME Church, 25 Boundary St.; and Cornerstone Church, 1300 May River Road. ADA parking was at Town Hall, with a free golf cart shuttle for guests with mobility needs.

Road and dock closures

In 2026, from 3 p.m. Friday, Calhoun Street from Green Street to Water Street and Bridge Street from Boundary Street to Wharf Street were closed, with local access limited after 8 p.m. Police helped homeowners in, except between 8 and 11 p.m. Lawrence Street and Green Street closed Thursday evening.

The Calhoun Street Regional Dock and the Oyster Factory dock closed to pedestrians from 5 to 11 p.m. on fireworks night. Boats could use the river, but law enforcement set a safety zone around the barge before and during the show, and the public boat ramp stayed open with delays.

Fireworks are illegal in Bluffton

Personal fireworks are banned inside town limits. Bluffton Municipal Code Sec. 14-99 says it is unlawful to fire, sell, store or possess fireworks in the Town of Bluffton, and the town says police will confiscate them and respond to complaints.

What this means for you

  • Plan for an evening of July 3 in Old Town, not July 4, if the town keeps the 2026 schedule.
  • Use the shuttle from Town Hall; Old Town streets close in the afternoon.
  • Leave the backyard fireworks out: they are illegal in town limits.
  • Events run rain or shine; canceled events are not rescheduled.

More: getting around Bluffton, parks and trails and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Bluffton fireworks?

Over the May River in Old Town. The Town of Bluffton launches its 20-minute show from a barge, and it can be seen from Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St., and Wright Family Park, 111 Calhoun St.

What time are the Bluffton fireworks?

In 2026 the show started at 9 p.m. Friday, July 3, after a pre-party from 5 to 9 p.m. at Martin Family Park. The town has not announced the 2027 schedule.

Where do I park for the Bluffton fireworks?

In 2026 the town ran a free Savannah Trolley shuttle from 4 to 11 p.m. from Town Hall, 20 Bridge St., with parking at Town Hall and nearby school lots on Bridge and Pritchard streets.

No. Bluffton Municipal Code Sec. 14-99 makes it unlawful to fire, sell, store or possess fireworks in town limits, and police confiscate illegal fireworks.