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JULY 4TH, 2026 ON THE GRAND STRAND America Turns 250 and Myrtle Beach Is Going All Out Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach, SC |
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âš DISCLAIMER: All fireworks shows are weather-permitting. Dates, times, and event details are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information before attending. |
This isn't just another Fourth of July.
On July 4, 2026, the United States turns 250 years old. And if you're going to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, doing it on 60 miles of Atlantic coastline with fighter jets overhead, fireworks at every turn, and the whole Grand Strand lit up red, white, and blue... that's a pretty hard thing to beat.
Visit Myrtle Beach is an official partner of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for the statewide SC250 celebration. This year's Fourth isn't just a beach holiday. It's a full-on national milestone.
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July 4th falls on a Saturday in 2026. Parades and celebrations are expected to be some of the largest in recent years, with most visitors arriving Thursday or Friday and staying through the weekend. Plan early. Book early. The crowds will match the occasion. |
The Day Starts in the Sky: Salute from the Shore
Before a single firework goes off, the Grand Strand gets its first show in broad daylight.
At 1 PM on July 4th, F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base begin their flight down the coastline, starting at Cherry Grove in North Myrtle Beach and heading all the way to the Beaufort and Bluffton area in the Lowcountry. Following the military jets, a civilian group of vintage Warbirds takes over — T-34s, T-6s, and T-28s.
Salute from the Shore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose goal is to show appreciation to those who serve. 2026 marks its 17th year.
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Pro Tip: Get on the beach by 12:45 PM. The planes move fast. Look north first — you'll have about 30 seconds of warning before they're right overhead. Bring your flags and wear red, white, and blue. |
North Myrtle Beach: A Full Day of Events
North Myrtle Beach goes hard on the Fourth. Here's how the full day breaks down:
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TIME |
EVENT |
LOCATION |
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Morning July 3 |
Red, White & Blue 5K (8th Annual) |
Barefoot Landing |
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Morning July 4 |
Salute to America March |
Main Street, NMB |
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1:00 PM |
Salute from the Shore Flyover |
Cherry Grove Beach — look north |
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Evening |
Music on Main — The Entertainers |
The Horseshoe, Main Street NMB |
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9:30 PM |
Cherry Grove Pier Fireworks |
3500 N Ocean Blvd — free, all ages |
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10:00 PM |
Barefoot Landing Fireworks |
Over the lake — full evening destination |
The Fireworks: Multiple Shows, All Night Long
You don't pick one fireworks show here. You pick your spot and the sky does the rest.
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TIME |
LOCATION |
DETAILS |
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9:00 PM |
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk (2nd Ave Pier) |
Fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean. Any spot along the 1.2-mile Boardwalk works. Weather permitting. |
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9:30 PM |
Cherry Grove Pier, NMB |
Free, family-friendly. 30 minutes. Beach closes 300ft around pier at 7 PM — arrive early. |
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9:30 PM |
Surfside Beach |
Relaxed, low-key option. Perfect for families with young kids wanting a quieter celebration. |
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10:00 PM |
Barefoot Landing, NMB |
Over the lake. Live music, food, and SummerFest entertainment before the show. |
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10:00 PM |
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk |
Waterfront show over the marsh. Combine with dinner at the MarshWalk for a full evening. |
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Post-Game |
Myrtle Beach Pelicans — TicketReturn.com Field |
America's pastime then post-game fireworks. |
For Locals: What to Know Before You Go
• Traffic is real. July 4th on a Saturday in the 250th anniversary year means higher than usual traffic on Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard. Walk or bike if you can. NMB Police will initiate a reverse traffic pattern in Cherry Grove after the show.
• Consider the Barefoot Queen cruise. The Barefoot Queen Riverboat offers a special July 4th dinner and full bar cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway, ending at Barefoot Landing to watch fireworks from the boat.
• From the right spot in NMB you can sometimes see both the Cherry Grove show (9:30) and Barefoot Landing (10:00) without moving.
• Summer fireworks continue all season. Barefoot Landing fires fireworks every Monday through August 31 at 10 PM. Broadway at the Beach does Tuesdays and Fridays all summer.
• Hotel rooms: Book now. This will be one of the most in-demand weekends on the Grand Strand in decades.
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July 4, 2026 is a Saturday. It's the 250th birthday of the country. And the Grand Strand is doing it right. From fighter jets at noon to fireworks at ten, there isn't a better place to be for America's biggest birthday party in 250 years. |
