Are you and your family heading to Myrtle Beach this week for the 4th of July? If so, we must tell you about the local events you don’t want to miss, especially with 2026 marking America’s 250th birthday. Staying in one of our North Beach vacation rentals will keep you close to all the action. Look at the events below and start planning your holiday around them.
Independence Day Race
For many families, whether they live here or are just visiting, a themed race is a must-do on every holiday. This year, you can be part of something special: the 17th Annual Independence Day 5K at the Market Common. The race kicks off at 7:00 am at the Grand Park Lake Courtyard, and every 5k and 1-mile finisher will walk away with a medal. If 3.1 miles feels like too much on vacation, the 1-mile fun run starts shortly after at 7:30 ap, and there’s even a free 50-yard Kids’ Dash at 8:00 am for the littlest runners in your crew. It’s a fun, festive way to start your Fourth of July before the rest of the day’s celebration begins.
It's a Flyover
If you’re staying in one of our North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals, this next event is one you’ll want to catch from your own stretch of the sand. The 17th Annual Salute from the Shore takes off from Cherry Grove around 1:00 pm on the 4th of July. It’s a tradition the armed forces put on each year to help celebrate the birth of our country, with F-16s leading the way down the coast before a flight of vintage Warbird aircraft follows behind. The flyover travels all the way down to the Beaufort and Bluffton area, but Cherry Grove is where you’ll feel it the most. It’s loud, it’s low, and it’s completely free to watch from the beach.
Firework Display
For many families, coming to the beach for the week of July 4th has been a tradition for years, and 2026 gives you even more reason to keep it going. If you’re near Cherry Grove Pier, don’t miss the fireworks show set to start at 9:30 pm. You’ll have one of the best seats on the beach as your family looks up in awe at the show lighting up the sky over the Atlantic. Keep in mind that Ocean Boulevard closes to traffic at 7:00 pm, so plan to walk or get settled early. With the country turning 250 this year, it’s the perfect night to start a family tradition that sticks for years to come.
A Few tips for the Big Day
Since the 4th of July falls on a Saturday this year and the whole country will be celebrating 250 years of independence, expect bigger crowds than usual along the Grand Strand. If you’re planning to catch the flyover at Cherry Grove, try to get down to the beach by 12:30 pm, so you have time to find a good spot before the planes come through around 1:00 pm. And if fireworks at Cherry Grove Pier are on your list for that night, remember that Ocean Boulevard closes to traffic at 7:00 pm, so it’s worth walking down or heading out a little early rather than trying to drive in.
A few other things worth packing or planning for: sunscreen and hats for the race and flyover; comfortable shoes if you’re doing the 5K or fun run; and a portable phone charger so you can keep snapping photos all day without your battery dying. Since this year’s holiday is shaping up to be one of the busiest in a while, it’s also a good idea to book your rental sooner rather than later. Many properties along the Grand Strand require at least a week’s stay during this time of year, so the earlier you lock in your dates, the better your options will be.
While plenty of other events will pop up throughout the week, these are a few of our favorites. If you haven’t locked in your family’s vacation plan yet but still want to be at the beach for this milestone Fourth of July, now’s the time. We at North Beach Vacations hope your family has a safe and wonderful 4th of July!
