Myrtle Beach, South Carolina didn’t get its nickname “The Sun Fun Capital” by accident, particularly when it comes to the summer months. During the 100 days between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, Myrtle Beach puts on one big party that lasts all summer long and creates vacation memories that last a lifetime.
From the Sun Fun Festival and Military Appreciation Days celebration to the Fourth of July and Beach Booge & BBQ end of summer bash, Myrtle Beach keeps the summer party kicking. And now there’s a new event, the June 29 Myrtle Beach Water Lantern Festival, that promises to add to the hot fun in the summer time.
Held at Grand Park in the Mark Common, only a couple of miles from Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort, the Myrtle Beach Water Lantern Festival allows attendees to take part in making the magic. Visitors get to design their own handmade lanterns to set adrift on the lake, creating a lovely glow reflecting off the water.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. with live music, food trucks and other games, the festival allows patrons to decorate their own water lantern as a tribute to lost loved ones. After sunset at 9 p.m., the water lanterns are released while visitors hold sparklers to add to the beauty of the reflective light on the water surface.
Tickets range from $30 in advance to $40 the day of the festival and include admission, your own lantern, a marker to design your floating tribute and other goodies. The cost also covers the post-festival cleanup of the lake. To register or for more information, visit www.waterlanternfestival.com/myrtlebeach.
Here’s a look at some of the other highlights of the summer festival season.
Military Appreciation Days: A full month of activities honoring our veterans culminates on Memorial Day weekend with the May 25 Military Appreciation Days Parade & Picnic through the Market Common. The month-long festival culminates with a Veterans March and Remembrance Ceremony on Memorial Day, May 27.
Sun Fun Festival: Started in 1951, the Sun Fun Festival kicks off the summer season with fun and games on the oceanfront. Held along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk in the downtown district, the Sun Fun Festival is highlighted by a parade, free concerts and a fireworks show over the ocean on Saturday night.
Hot Summer Nights: There’s always something fun going on at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk with this summer festival. Beginning in June, enjoy live music at the Plyler Park Stage six nights a week and catch the free fireworks show from Second Avenue Pier every Wednesday. The popular Kids Carnival is held every Monday.
Summer Nights: Broadway at the Beach hosts a party every night from June 1 to Sept. 2 beginning at 7 p.m. Enjoy free live music and entertainment, fireworks shows on Tuesdays and Fridays, and lots of fun and games for kids.
Art in the Park: This long-running festival has expanded from its origins at Chapin Park to the Market Common, where it has flourished in its new and larger environment. Visitors can shop for all types of art, from paintings and sculptures to woodwork and blown glass. This year’s event is set for June 29-30.
Fourth of July: Myrtle Beach goes all out to throw an annual birthday bash for America, including free concerts and fireworks shows throughout the Grand Strand. Popular fireworks shows are held at Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach, the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
Beach Boogie & BBQ: The end of summer is celebrated Labor Day weekend at the Market Common with this shindig of live music, dancing, a car show and an international barbecue cookoff. Patrons can sample some of the best BBQ, chicken wings and other smoked meats, wash it down with a cold beer, and dance away the final days of summer on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
It all adds up to another fun summer jam-packed with festivals and special events. Book your summer vacation plans at Compass Cove Resort and get ready to soak up all the good times in the Sun Fun Capital.
