Fourth of July Celebrations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

However your spell it - Fourth of July, 4th of July, or Independence Day - it all spells fun in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Here are just a few of the places to celebrate the Fourth of July in Myrtle Beach.

Broadway at the Beach - Special Fourth of July Activities in Myrtle Beach

I think Broadway at the Beach is a "must-do" for tourists and locals alike on any day, but they kick it up a notch for the 4th of July. In addition to their regular schedule of fireworks every Tuesday night during the summer months, Broadway at the Beach will schedule a special Independence Day Star Spangled Celebration including patriotic music and a fireworks spectacular for the Fourth of July.

Just so we're clear on this, Broadway at the Beach covers 350 acres of shopping, dining, hotel accommodations, and top-flight attractions. This is definitely the most popular shopping and entertainment destination in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There are at least 18 restaurants you'll know well (Planet Hollywood, Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, just to name a few) and other stops for lighter bites (Ben and Jerry's, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and Auntie Ann's Pretzels). Shopping is heavy on the tourist side with the usual t-shirt shops interspersed with the nicer destinations such as the Disney Store, Department 56, Native Sons, and Earthware.

But we're not done yet. There is Carmike Theatre multiplex, an Imax, miniature golf, Ripley's Aquarium, and a Nascar ride. In the middle of the complex is a large lake with paddle boats, too. There's also a small amusement park that is heavy on the fun rides for the kiddies.

If you didn't come with the kids, there are plenty of bars for music and nightlife - so no one is left out.

Fireworks on the 4th of July begin at 10p.m.

Pros for the Fourth of July: You can come early, stay late, and never run out of things to do. Something for everyone. Ample parking.
Cons for the Fourth of July: Broadway at the Beach is, um, not on the beach. It will be crowded. Leaving after the fireworks may take awhile.

Broadway at the Beach
1325 Celebrity Circle
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 444-3200
www.broadwayatthebeach.com

The Market Common - An Old-Fashioned 4th of July for Families Featuring the Former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base

Built on the grounds of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, The Market Common, a fairly new mixed-use shopping, dining, and residential center, will focus on the military and old-time family fun for the Fourth of July. Adjacent to the upscale shopping and dining area (Anthropologie, Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, White House/Black Market) is a children's playground, Valor Memorial Garden, Warbird Park and the Memorial Wall of Service.

On the Fourth of July, the entire area is festooned with flags. The Independence Day Celebration takes place in Valor Memorial Garden. The emphasis here is on a festival that the family can enjoy. It always features the favorite festival foods, plenty of children's activities, and of course, fireworks.

Pros for the 4th of July: Families with a history of military service or who enjoy historical sites may enjoy this smaller and very patriotic celebration on the grounds of a military base. Plenty of parking.
Cons for the 4th of July: Not as large and not as many activities as Broadway at the Beach.

The Market Common
4017 Deville Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 839-3500
www.marketcommonmb.com/about.html

Independence Day Fireworks Display in Myrtle Beach BB&T Stadium - Myrtle Beach Pelican Baseball

Baseball is as American as the Fourth of July and what better way to combine the two than enjoying the semi-pro Myrtle Beach Pelicans play on Independence Day. Of course, when the Pelicans are in town for Independence Day you can expect fireworks. This year marks the first celebration for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and you can count on them to do it up right. On Friday night, July 3rd, the Pelicans will offer patriotic baseballs to the first 1500 fans in the gates. On the 4th of July, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans combine baseball and fireworks. There'll be free American flags for the fans, players donning red, white, and blue uniforms and after the game, fireworks, of course.

Pros for the Fourth of July - Baseball, a hotdog, and fireworks - nothing missing here but the apple pie
Cons for the Fourth of July - Great for the baseball fans but maybe not for the rest of the family.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans
BB&T Coastal Field
1251 21st Avenue North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 918-6000
www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com

Fourth of July in Myrtle Beach Memorial Stadium - 4th of July Symphony Concert

If you like your music on Independence Day, don't miss the celebration at Myrtle Beach Memorial Stadium in the heart of the city. This is a long-time 4th of July favorite in the Myrtle Beach area. Enjoy entertainment from local music groups but don't miss the highlight of the evening, the Long Bay Symphony and the finale, the wonderful fireworks display. Get there early - over 8,000 people usually attend this concert! Sit in the bleachers or bring your own chair or blanket. You are allowed to bring your own cooler - but leave the glass containers at home, please. Free admission. Some food and drink vendors will be available at the stadium.

Pros for the Fourth of July: The symphony and the built-in seating. Coolers are allowed.
Cons for the Fourth of July: This is a popular event drawing up to several thousand people each year, so get there early if you want bleacher seats. Or prepare to bring a blanket/lawn chair.

Myrtle Beach Memorial Stadium
3500 North Ocean Boulevard at 33rd Avenue North
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Fourth of July Symphony Concert

Independence Day Celebration at the Surfside Pier - South Myrtle Beach

If you've ever enjoyed watching fireworks out over the ocean, then you'll understand the popularity of this Fourth of July fireworks display in Surfside Beach - just south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There's a stage full of entertainment from 6-9p.m. and the quintessential moon bounce and slides for children. What's more American than vendors with hot dogs, hamburgers, and the standard chips and soft drinks for an Independence Day celebration. Don't forget the free watermelon and ice cream. Or, the 4th of July highlight, fireworks over the ocean beginning at 9:30p.m.

Pros for Independence Day: Very nice, simple, old-fashioned celebration at the beach.
Cons for Independence Day: Larger celebrations can be found elsewhere.

Town of Surfside Beach, South Myrtle Beach
Surfside Beach Pier
913-6111 Ext. 359

Fourth of July Boat Parade - Murrells Inlet - South of Myrtle Beach

This Independence Day favorite boasts up to 125 boats participating in the Murrells Inlet Annual 4th of July Boat Parade. Long known as a seafood restaurant destination for vacationers in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet can claim its famous Fourth of July Boat Parade is as a holiday staple - held now for over 25 years. The parade starts at high tide at Garden City Beach and proceeds to Murrells Inlet. Trophies are awarded for best decorated boats and docks. Check with the local newspaper and the locals to find out the exact start of the parade since high tide times vary.

Prime viewing areas for the boat parade are Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, Belin Memorial Methodist Church parking lot, Capt. Dick's Marina, Murrells Inlet boat landing, Nance's Restaurant, and Hot Fish Club. All of these can be reached from U.S. Highway 17.

Murrells Inlet does set off fireworks at 10p.m. These can be viewed from any of the boat parade viewing points, too.

Pros for the Fourth of July: The only boat parade - always fun to do something different, particularly if you aren't a local.
Cons for the Fourth of July: Celebration is spread out over several places so you might have more fun at this celebration if you are in a larger group or don't plan to stay all day.

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
(843) 357-2007
www.murrellsinletsc.com/events.html

4th of July Fireworks at Cherry Grove - North Myrtle Beach

A long-time standard for celebrating the Fourth of July in Cherry Grove, the 17th Annual Fireworks display will be held at the Cherry Grove Fishing Pier, just a little north of Myrtle Beach. This is a great place to enjoy Independence Day if you want to see fireworks and miss the larger crowds you'll encounter at Broadway at the Beach, for instance. The 1/4 mile fishing pier is an attraction - especially for viewing the fireworks. The main event at Cherry Grove is the fireworks - 9:30p.m. to 10:30p.m. Free.

Pros for the 4th of July: This is another small but very nice celebration right on the beach in North Myrtle Beach. The Pier for viewing fireworks is a definite plus for this event.
Cons for the 4th of July: You'll don't have the excitement and varied activities of Broadway at the Beach.

Cherry Grove Pier, North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce (843) 281-2662

Sources:
Broadway at the Beach, www.broadwayatthebeach.com
The Market Common, www.marketcommonmb.com/about.html
Myrtle Beach Pelicans, www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com
Shaw Memorial Stadium, www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/MyrtleBeachSC/pointsOfInterest/ShawMemorialStadiuminMyrtleBeachSC.cfm
Surfside Beach, www.myrtlebeachareachamber.com/area/surfside_beach.html
Murrells Inlet, www.murrellsinletsc.com/events.html
Cherry Grove, www.nmbevents.com/component/option,com_events/Itemid,29/task,view_detail/agid,180/year,2009/month,07/day,04/