Events

Your Lowcountry 4th of July Cheat Sheet

Jessica Cherie Blommaert · July 3, 2026

Local Love • Lowcountry

Every fireworks show, parade, and celebration within about 2 hours of Charleston, with times, addresses, parking, store hours, and snacks. All of it.

From your favorite redheaded REALTOR®, Just Call Jess

The 4th is my favorite holiday of the entire year, and this one is extra special. America turns 250.

To this day I can still picture waving glow sticks the whole way home and trying to save them in the freezer for later. For me it has always been the same three things rolled into one loud, happy, red-white-and-blue weekend: faith, family, and community, all under the same beautiful sky.

These are the nights our kids remember. And the best part of this holiday is that no matter where you are in life, with a little effort you can share it with the people you love. So here is your Lowcountry cheat sheet, checked and double-checked. Wherever you land, go make the memories.

Fireworks at a Glance

FRI darkCane Bay (Old Rice Retreat)

FRI 9:00Bluffton (May River)

SAT 9:00North Charleston Riverfront · Folly Beach · Goose Creek · Hilton Head Harbour Town · Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

SAT ~9:05Sullivan's Island (shortly after 9)

SAT 9:15Isle of Palms · Port Royal

SAT 9:30Moncks Corner · Georgetown

SAT 9:40Downtown Charleston (the SC250 grand finale)

Tonight

Friday, July 3

Daniel Island Patriotic CelebrationThe warm-up night: decorated golf carts, music, and food at Smythe Park.

When4 to 9pm, parade steps off at 4pm SHARP

WhereSmythe Park, Daniel Island

ExpectDecorate-your-own golf cart parade, live music, food. Street parking fills fast, so arrive early or roll in on your own cart.
Jamestown 4th of July CelebrationThe tiny Berkeley County town that throws a big-hearted party, and it is for a good cause.

WhenTraditionally the night before the 4th; confirm this year's timing on the Jamestown 4th of July Facebook page before you drive out

WhereJamestown, about 30 minutes up Highway 17-A from Moncks Corner

ExpectA true small-town community celebration where the proceeds support the Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department and EMS. Fireworks with a purpose
Cane Bay: Old Rice Retreat July 3rd CelebrationThe neighborhood kicks things off a night early, and it is a whole party.

WhenTonight, 5 to 9pm, fireworks after dark

WhereOld Rice Retreat Pavilion, 128 Decatur Dr., Cane Bay Plantation

ExpectLocal small-business vendors, food trucks, DJ music, bounce houses, Mr. Sudz, and a Pokémon card pop-up from DiamondCo TCG, with more besides. Hundreds of neighbors have already RSVP'd, so pull up with chairs, wagons, and golf carts
Bluffton Independence Day Celebration FreeWorth the drive tonight: a full carnival evening capped by 20 minutes of fireworks over the May River.

WhenPre-party 5pm, fireworks 9pm (about 20 minutes)

WhereMartin Family and DuBois Parks; watch from Oyster Factory or Wright Family Park

ExpectCarnival games with patriotic prizes, bounce houses, a rock wall, a DJ, the Parris Island "Dirty Boots" Brass Band live from 6 to 7pm, a bubble show, and food and drink concessions

TipThe fireworks launch from a barge and its position can shift, so stay flexible on where you set up

The Big One

Saturday, July 4

Start Your Day

Sullivan's Island Golf Cart & Bike ParadeThe sweetest small-town start to the 4th.

When8:30am, rain or shine

WhereStarts at Sunrise Presbyterian Church (3222 Middle St.) and rolls to the elementary school

ExpectDecorated carts and bikes; limited day-of registration at the start line, and the winners get their ribbons at the Stith Park party that evening
Salute from the Shore FreeSC Air National Guard F-16s fly the entire coastline, Cherry Grove down to Beaufort.

WhenStarts about 1pm up north; over Isle of Palms around 1:15, Hilton Head around 1:30

WhereAny beach, just face the ocean

ExpectIt is FAST. Be on the sand a few minutes early, listen for the roar, and have the camera up

Close to Home

Goose Creek: Fabulous Fourth in the Creek FreeThe hometown favorite, with a kids' zone that earns the hype.

When6:30 to 9:30pm, fireworks around 9

WhereJoseph S. Daning Amphitheater at the Municipal Center

ExpectBalloon artists, face painting, kids' activities, food vendors, live music

ParkingFree but limited. Shuttle loops from Westview Elementary about every 10 minutes, 5 to 10:30pm, plus a designated rideshare drop-off
Moncks Corner Independence Day Festival FreeSmall-town Americana done right, starting with the Declaration itself.

When6 to 10pm, fireworks around 9:30

WhereRegional Recreation Complex events field, 418 E. Main St.

ExpectA historian reading the Declaration of Independence to open, then a live band, DJ, food trucks, and face painting
Summerville: Fireworks & Freedom Festival FreeThe easiest logistics of any big show, thanks to the shuttle.

When5:30 to 9:30pm, fireworks cap the night

WhereGahagan Park, 515 W. Boundary St.

ExpectFood trucks, vendors, live music, and a kids' zone

ParkingPark downtown at the First Citizens lot (200 S. Main St.) and ride the free shuttle, looping 5:30 to 11pm

RulesNo pets, sparklers, large coolers, or alcohol in the park

Charleston & the Beaches

Riverfront Park, North Charleston FreeThe Lowcountry's biggest show, and parking is free too.

WhenGates at 5pm (no early entry), fireworks at 9pm

WhereRiverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave.

ExpectGrammy winner Quiana Parler and her Band, DJ Natty Heavy and DJ D-NYCE, Gino Castillo and the Cuban Cowboys, food and drink vendors. No seating provided, bring chairs and blankets

ParkingFree. From the north enter on Virginia Ave., from the south use the Bainbridge or Cosgrove Connector
Downtown Charleston: SC250 Waterfront Celebration FreeThe city's big one for America's 250th, over the harbor.

When4 to 10pm, fireworks at 9:40pm (about 20 minutes)

WhereWaterfront Park, launching from a barge in Charleston Harbor

ExpectAn evening of programming with the Charleston Symphony building up to the finale. Big crowds, plan to walk a few blocks

Parking$10 flat rate from 2pm at the Aquarium, Cumberland Street, and East Bay/Prioleau garages. East Battery and Murray Blvd. close to cars at 7pm, and no parking around White Point Garden after 8am
Patriots Point / USS YorktownA 20+ minute show over the harbor from the flight deck of the Yorktown.

WhenEvent 7 to 10pm, show goes up just before the downtown display

Where40 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant

ExpectFlight-deck tickets are SOLD OUT and the grounds close to the public at 3pm, but the show over the water is free from shore: Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is the classic lawn, or Gadsdenboro Park on the peninsula side
Folly Beach FreeOne of the best shows on the coast, straight off the sand.

WhenFireworks around 9pm

WhereNear 2nd Street East

ExpectParking is famously brutal. Get there late afternoon, park once, and plan to walk. Folly Road backs up for a solid hour after
Isle of Palms FreeFireworks over the ocean at Front Beach.

WhenFireworks around 9:15pm

WhereFront Beach / Ocean Blvd.

ExpectThe launch stretch of beach clears at 6:30pm, so set up just outside it. County park paid lots fill early in the day
Sullivan's Island: Party in the Park FreeThe morning parade's encore, with the whole island out.

WhenMusic from 6pm, fireworks shortly after 9

WhereJ. Marshall Stith Park, 2056 Middle St.

ExpectLive music, Kona Ice for everyone, the fire department hosing down willing kids, and parade ribbons awarded
Edisto Beach FreeA full small-town beach 4th, start to finish.

WhenGolf cart parade and flyover salute during the day, Bay Creek Park 6 to 9pm, fireworks after

WhereBay Creek Park

ExpectAbout an hour from Summerville, and the whole day has that unhurried Edisto pace

Worth the Drive (about 1 to 2 hours)

Georgetown FreeHarborwalk fireworks with a front porch concert first.

WhenFree concert 6:30pm, fireworks around 9:30pm

WhereConcert on the Kaminski House lawn (1003 Front St.), fireworks from Morgan Park over the Harborwalk
Port Royal / Beaufort FreeFireworks over Battery Creek, about 75 minutes away.

WhenFestivities from 4pm, fireworks around 9:15pm

WhereThe Sands, Port Royal. In Beaufort, the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park lawn is the classic viewing spot
Hilton HeadTwo shows in one night if you time it right.

WhenShelter Cove HarbourFest 6 to 10pm, Harbour Town fireworks around 9pm

WhereShelter Cove Harbour and Harbour Town, over Calibogue Sound
Myrtle Beach FreeThe Grand Strand doubleheader.

WhenBoardwalk fireworks 9pm over the ocean, Broadway at the Beach at 10pm over Lake Broadway

ExpectAbout 1 hour 50 from Charleston, so this one is for the night owls or anyone already up the coast

Red, White & Delicious

Cooler-Friendly Crowd-Pleasers

Fruit sparklersWatermelon stars and blueberries stacked on skewers. Five minutes of work, and the kids carry their own.
Flag snack boardStrawberries, blueberries, cheese cubes, and crackers laid out in stripes. Travels flat in one container and disappears first.
Firecracker hot dogsHot dogs on skewers wrapped in spiral crescent dough and baked. Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on the 4th, so lean in.
Red, white & blue potato saladRed, white, and purple baby potatoes in one bowl. Same classic recipe, instant theme.
Berry trifle cupsLayer berries, pound cake, and whipped cream in individual clear cups at home. No slicing, no serving, no sandy spoons.
Make-ahead sweetsRice Krispie treats, Oreo bark, and brownies with red-white-blue sprinkles hold up in the heat far better than anything frosted.
Kettle cornThe zero-cooler snack. Toss a bag in with the chairs and thank yourself at 8:45pm.
Sparkler lemonadeLemonade with frozen berries as ice cubes. It chills the drink, turns it patriotic, and becomes a snack at the bottom.
Bomb pop coolerA small cooler of the classic red-white-blue pops, packed tight with ice so they make it to the finale.
Backyard flightsThe 2026 party trend: little tasting flights of hot dogs, s'mores, or mocktails so everyone samples everything. Easy to DIY with mini cups and a marker.

Don't Forget

Grab It Today

Your reminder to shop TODAYIce, propane, batteries, sunscreen, and bug spray are the first things to sell out before a holiday weekend. Make today's errand run count so tomorrow is all fun.
Open regular hours on the 4thPublix, Harris Teeter, Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens (pharmacy counter hours can vary, so call ahead if you need a prescription).
Open but closing earlyTrader Joe's closes at 5pm, most Whole Foods at 6pm, Aldi runs roughly 9am to 4pm, and Home Depot and Lowe's close at 8pm.
Closed all dayCostco. If it is on your list, it is on TODAY'S list.
Liquor storesSince the 4th lands on a Saturday this year, SC liquor stores can open (usually 9am to 7pm), but holiday hours are the owner's choice and many close early or take the day off. Grocery stores and gas stations still sell beer and wine. Translation: make that stop today.

Jess's Insider Tips

Save this so you can skip the stress

Pick your show by exit strategy

The big shows are all wonderful, so choose by how fast you want to be in bed. Suburb shows (Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Summerville) clear out in 20 to 30 minutes. Downtown takes about an hour to empty, and beach traffic can take longer. With little kids, the suburb festivals are the pro move.

Arrive-by times that actually work

Beaches: parked by 5, or plan to walk far. Suburb festivals: by 7 for good grass. Riverfront Park: right at 5 when gates open (there is no early entry anyway). Downtown: garage by 6, dinner, then stroll to the water by 8:30.

Pack Like a Pro

Lawn chairs, a blanket, more water than you think, a small cooler, bug spray, sunscreen, a portable fan, glow sticks, and ear protection for the littles. Cash for food trucks moves faster than cards. Phones die fast when you are filming fireworks, so charge up before you leave. A wagon earns its keep on the walk in.

Don't Forget the Dogs

More pets go missing on July 4th than any other night of the year. Leave them home in a quiet room with a fan or the TV on, and double-check those ID tags today.

The Golden Rule

Wherever you go, get there before dark, park facing your exit, and soak it in.

One quick note: Times and details can change, especially around a holiday this big. It is always smart to confirm with the host or your community page before you head out.

New to the Lowcountry, or thinking about it?

Knowing where to be on the 4th is the easy part. If you want a local who can help you find the right neighborhood for the life you are building, I would love to help.

Just Call Jess

Jessica Cherie Blommaert, REALTOR®
eXp Realty LLC • 843.288.1157
JustCallJess.CO • @JC.JessicaCherie

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Have a question? Just call Jess.