North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Set for March 14
North Myrtle Beach will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival on Saturday, March 14, bringing one of the largest holiday celebrations on the Grand Strand back to Main Street.
The parade, which has been a local tradition for more than three decades, is expected to feature over 100 parade entries, including decorated floats, community groups, and performers.
The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. along Ocean Boulevard and typically lasts about two hours. Thousands of spectators are expected to gather along the parade route, with many arriving early to set up chairs and blankets for viewing.
Parade Route
The parade will begin on Ocean Boulevard at 2nd Avenue North and proceed south to 1st Avenue South.
The route then continues:
- Right onto 1st Avenue South
- Right onto Hillside Drive
- Left onto Main Street
- Ending at Ye Olde Kings Highway
Parade staging and lineup will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Ocean Boulevard between 2nd Avenue North and 11th Avenue North.
Traffic closures will be in place on Ocean Boulevard during the morning hours while the parade takes place.
Local television station WPDE will broadcast the parade live from the Community Stage located at Main Street and North Oak Drive.
Festival Begins After the Parade
Following the parade, the 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival will take place along Main Street from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The street festival will include:
- Three stages of live entertainment
- Irish pipe bands and dance performances
- More than 120 craft vendors
- Over 30 food vendors
- A children’s area with rides and games
Street performers and themed entertainers will also appear throughout the event area.
Contests and Activities
Festival contests scheduled for the Irish Stage include the Leprechaun Contest and Jr. Leprechaun Contest, where participants are judged on creativity, costume design, and enthusiasm.
A Shepherd’s Pie Eating Contest will also take place, where competitors attempt to finish a plate of shepherd’s pie without using their hands.
Both contests are scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.
Entertainment Lineup
Live performances will take place throughout the festival on three stages.
The Irish Stage will feature Brendan O’Connor, the Coastal Carolina Shield Pipes and Drums, and The Muckers.
The Community Stage will include performances by the Triple Toe Cloggers, Radio Revolver, and the Bailey Road Band.
The Ocean Stage will host Painted Man, the Drake Irish Dance Group, and The Mighty Kicks.
Parking and Transportation
Event parking will be available at:
- The corner of 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard
- The corner of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard
- McLean Park (93 Oak Drive)
A free shuttle service will run from Ocean Drive Elementary School between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to help transport visitors to the event area.
City officials expect large crowds for the annual celebration, which has become one of the most popular spring festivals in North Myrtle Beach.