St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival

33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Parade: 9 AM
Festival: 11 AM - 4 PM


Free Admission / Free Parking

One Day Rain or Shine Event*

*unless forecast includes unsafe weather conditions  

Parade: North Myrtle Beach welcomes you to a sea of green!   The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest on the Grand Strand with over 100 parade entries and a long history of fun.  Masses of people line Main Street each year to get a glimpse of a magical parade that can only be experienced and not described.  The parade begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.  Be sure to set up your “viewing station” by 8:30 a.m. with friends, family, beach chairs, blankets, and golf carts.  You don’t want to miss this two-hour phenomenon.

The parade route and direction will be the same as in 2022, starting on Ocean Boulevard and ending at Ye Olde Kings Hwy. The purpose for this direction change in 2022 was to try to reduce the impact the parade has on 2nd Avenue North, and North Myrtle Beach Public Safety felt this was successful. The parade will begin on Ocean Boulevard at 2nd Ave North and proceed south to 1st Avenue South. At the intersection of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard the parade turns right onto 1st Avenue South, then right onto Hillside Drive, then left onto Main Street, and traveling on Main Street to Ye Olde Kings Highway to conclude the parade route. 

The parade staging and line up will occur at 7:00 am on Ocean Boulevard from 2nd Ave North to 11th Ave North. Southbound lanes on Ocean Boulevard from 11th Ave North to 1st Ave South will be closed to traffic from 7:00 am-11:00 am. From 9:00 am-11:00 am the closure will include both southbound and northbound lanes from 2nd Ave North to 1st Ave South.

An emcee announcing parade participants will be stationed at the entrance of the Horseshoe. Judges will also be stationed at the Horseshoe to vote for their “Best” parade entries. 

WPDE personalities, Ed Piotrowski and Jennifer Abney, will be announcing the parade at the Community Stage located at Main Street and N. Oak Drive. For those that can’t make the parade in person, it will be broadcast LIVE on CW21.

This fun-loving parade of St. Patrick’s Day themed and decorated floats is a 33 year tradition on the streets of North Myrtle Beach. It is a great time for all ages and  kicks off  the 33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival taking place on Main Street from 11:00 am-4:00 pm. 

Festival:  After the parade, continue the fun with a street festival!  Three stages of live entertainment will keep you in the Irish spirit all day.  Expect Irish Pipe Bands, Irish Dancers, and many more live performances.

Over 120 vendors will display their crafts.  Food vendors and Main Street businesses will have a variety of Irish treats and festival food favorites for everyone to enjoy.  Keep an eye out for all the street entertainers and leprechauns that scurry around this festival.  Bring the “wee” ones to enjoy the children’s area that is chocked full of rides and games for all ages.

Festivities end at 4:00 p.m., but before you leave, stop by the Information/Parks and Recreation tent to purchase a souvenir t-shirt to end your glorious day!  T-shirt quantities are limited so purchase your souvenir t-shirt early at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center the week of the festival.

Contests:

Leprechaun Contest / Jr. Leprechaun Contest

Show off your love of all things Irish by competing in the 33rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival Leprechaun Contest. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, appearance, enthusiasm and energy. More information to come.

Shepard's Pie Eating Contest
First to clear their plate (without using their hands) wins an awesome plaque and gift card. More information to come.

Entertainment Schedule

Community Stage

Coming Soon

Irish Stage

Coming Soon

Ocean Stage

Coming Soon


Kids Area

Rides and games for all ages!

Food Area

Irish food and festival favorites!  


Vendors

Traffic Info

The parade staging and line up will occur at 7:00 am on Ocean Boulevard from 2nd Ave North to 11th Ave North. Southbound lanes on Ocean Boulevard from 11th Ave North to 1st Ave South will be closed to traffic from 7:00 am-11:00 am. From 9:00 am-11:00 am the closure will include both southbound and northbound lanes from 2nd Ave North to 1st Ave South. 

Main Street from Ash Street to Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 5:00 am - 6:00 pm. Main Street to Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 8:30 am - 11:00am for the parade. Main Street becomes festival area from Ash Street to Ocean Blvd after the parade until 6:00 pm. 

The parade will begin at 9:00 am. Ocean Boulevard will be open to vehicular traffic until 8:30 am and is expected to reopen around 11:30 am, immediately following the parade.



Event Parking

•  Corner of 2nd Avenue North and Ocean Blvd.

•  Corner of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Blvd.

•  McLean Park: 93 Oak Drive

•  Bi-Lo Shopping Center on Main Street

•  Free shuttle service 8am - 5pm from: Ocean Drive Elementary School (901 11th Avenue North, NMB)

•  Free shuttle service 8am -5pm from: NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center (1100 2nd Ave South, NMB)


lep contest winner

2022 Leprechaun Contest Winner

Congratulations again to Michael, the 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Leprechaun. Leprechauns were judged on:

  • Appearance
  • Creativity
  • Energy
  • Enthusiasm
  • Originality
jr lep contest

2022 Jr. Leprechaun Contest Winner

Congratulations again to Avie, the 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Leprechaun. Leprechauns were judged on:

  • Appearance
  • Creativity
  • Energy
  • Enthusiasm
  • Originality
shep pie winner

2022 Shepherd’s Pie Eating Contest Winner

Congratulations to Pups on winning the 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Shepherd’s Pie Eating Contest.