There are an abundance of places to check out if you’re celebrating Independence Day in South Carolina. From big city living in Charleston and small town parades, to concerts by army bands and more, your choices are nearly endless. Choose from plenty of vacation rentals in South Carolina so you and your family can easily visit exciting festivals or take a beach trip. Here are just a few family-friendly destinations in this classic Southern state to check out this 4th of July.
1. Lake Murray
Lake Murray has been voted one of the top 50 places to live in the nation and one of the top 10 places to live and boat. That’s why it’s our top pick for places to celebrate Fourth of July in South Carolina! This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, July 1st, so mark your calendars. The day-long celebration begins at noon with the annual boat parade and ends with a spectacular fireworks show once the sun goes down. The best places to view the parade are from the SCE&G park sites at the Dam, the walking path on the Lake Murray Dam and by boat, but everyone is encouraged to decorate their boat and join the parade!
2. Ninety Six
Ninety-Six, south Carolina is the home of the SC Festival of Stars, an Independence Day celebration geared towards tons of family fun. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with live music and continues on Saturday morning with the Town’s Main Street Parade. Spend the rest of the day in the park for delicious festival food, amusement rides, classic and custom automobiles, food and craft vendors, contests, events and more before the fireworks show at 9:45 pm. Best of all, the event is free and takes place at the home of the National Historic Site of Star Fort Battle Site, site of the first land battle of the American Revolution fought in the South. Where our Patriots battled the British sounds like the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day!
3. Cheraw
The kids will love celebrating Independence Day in Cheraw. The day starts with the Patriotic Children’s Parade where prizes will be presented to the best-decorated bikes and wagons. There are also a variety of kids’ games and rides, food vendors, and fireworks display at dusk. Sneak in a little education by visiting one of Cheraw’s historic areas like the Lyceum Museum, Old St. David’s Church, Town Hall, and the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce.
4. Hilton Head
Join Hilton Head’s 32nd Annual Firecracker 5K Run and Family Fun Walk. It’s the largest and oldest road race in Beaufort County and one of the top ten races in the state of South Carolina with over 1,700 participants from across the United States. Post-race festivities include a Children’s Fun Run, music, fresh fruit, ice cold refreshments, door prizes, and more, and a percentage of proceeds from the event benefits local charities.
5. Gilbert
Life is just a bowl of peaches at the Lexington County Peach Festival. Celebrate Fourth of July while you get your fill of everything peachy. Events include a peach recipe contest, peach parade, and every kind of peach food you can imagine. There’s also an antique car show, live entertainment, and our favorite, a live reading of the Declaration of Independence. It’s the perfect combination of history and fun that of course ends with a fireworks display at 10 pm.
6. Spartanburg
Spartanburg is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and beautiful Barnet Park is the perfect setting for Spartanburg’s Independence Day celebration. Enjoy patriotic music, great food and last but not least, spectacular fireworks show. Spartanburg is also the perfect place to learn a little about American history. This town has been around since 1753, has a lot of history, and is very proud of it. A good place to start is the Spartanburg Regional History Museum at Chapman Cultural Center in downtown Spartanburg.
7. Greer
Greer’s Freedom Blast isn’t just about celebrating our country’s birthday but about thanking our veterans and the men and women of the US Armed Forces that protect our freedom every day. From great live music to fantastic fireworks, many have made this celebration their family tradition. Spend the entire weekend in Greer for some extra outdoor fun. Whether you’re a golfer looking for a challenging course or a hiker seeking a perfect weekend getaway, Greer has plenty to offer.
8. Charleston
There’s plenty to see and do in Charleston, including celebrating Fourth of July. Their 4th of July Blast at Patriots Point is sure to wow you with a professional fireworks display and shore side party with a beach music band. VIP tickets are available for $100 and with complimentary drinks from a full bar, a catered BBQ dinner, and special access to the ship’s bow with chairs and tables, it’s worth every penny. $35 tickets grant you access to the Flight Deck where food and drink are available for purchase. You can also view the fireworks for free on land.
9. Myrtle Beach
Broadway at the Beach is Myrtle Beach’s most popular tourist destination with great activities year-round including Fourth of July. Join them for Summer Nights which offers free nightly entertainment and kids activities all summer long before enjoying the Fireworks Extravaganza at 10 pm. With other attractions like WonderWorks, Ripley’s Aquarium Palace Theatre and Hollywood Wax Museum, it is easy to make a day of it.
10. Columbia
What better place to celebrate AmericaÂ’s independence than at the U.S. ArmyÂ’s largest soldier training center? There will be a common salute to each state and territory in the United States, music by the 282nd Army band and a spectacular stars-and-stripes firework display.