Want to celebrate America’s 250th birthday around Hilton Head? Here’s how
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lowcountry hosts multiple events around July 4, 2026, for the 250th.
- Salute from Shore flyover will start in Myrtle Beach and end in Bluffton.
- The 1877 tall ship Elissa will stop in Savannah July 23–26 and be open for tours.
America’s 250th birthday is this weekend, and South Carolina’s Lowcountry is gearing up to get in the patriotic spirit.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate America in and around the Lowcountry this week and beyond, from fireworks shows to tall ships arriving in Savannah, Georgia to military flyovers. The local celebrations will coincide with national commemorations like the Indy Car race around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and the FIFA World Cup being played in Philadelphia and Houston on the semiquincentennial.
Here’s how you can celebrate in the Lowcountry everywhere from Beaufort to Hilton Head Island to Savannah.
Beaufort County beaches
The annual Fourth of July military flyover, Salute from the Shore, is happening from Myrtle Beach all the way to Bluffton. Organizers of the annual event, which began in 2010, ask those watching to take patriotic photos and videos of themselves and post them to social media with the hashtag #salutefromtheshore.
Town of Bluffton
July 2
10 a.m.: Independence Day Flag Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park at Buckwalter Place Park with free Italian Ice Courtesy of Rita’s Italian Ice, 2 Venture Drive, Bluffton.
7 p.m.: Independence Day 5K at New Riverside Barn Park followed by awards ceremony and a free concert with musical act Deas-Guyz starting at 7:45 p.m. Independence Day drone show starts at dark, approximately 9:15 p.m. 30 Red Barn Drive, Bluffton.
July 3
A free Savannah Trolley shuttle will operate from Bluffton’s Town Hall, 20 Bridge St., Bluffton.
5 p.m.: Independence Day Pre Fireworks Show Party at Martin Family Park with DJ Jeff “T-Bone” Taylor, Parris Island Marine Band “Dirty Boots,” bounce houses, a rock wall, carnival style games, food and beverages for purchase and patriotic prizes. 68 Boundary St., Bluffton
9 p.m.: Independence Day Fireworks Show. The fireworks will launch from a barge in the May River and should be visible from Oyster Factory Park, 55 Wharf St., Bluffton as well as Wright Family Park, 111 Calhoun St., Bluffton.
Hilton Head Island
July 4
7:30 a.m.: USA 5K - Hilton Head Island run or walk with charity partner the Sea Turtle Patrol, hosted by Hilton Head Running Company at Coligny Beach, 1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head.
8 a.m.: Hilton Head Firecracker 5K Presented by HOKA at Honey Horn Plantation, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head.
8:30 p.m.: HarbourFest Fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina with 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. family show performance with Shannon Tanner, 13 Harbourside Lane. A free shuttle service is available from Hilton Head Island Community Church, 860 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head.
Sea Pines (gate entrance fee required)
July 4
8:30 a.m.: Fourth of July Parade held at the Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town at 147 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head.
10 a.m.: 11:30 a.m.: Fourth of July Carnival at Harbour Town. Families can enjoy carnival-style games, a bounce house, inflatable axe throwing, face painting, tie-dye, juggler and bubble show and watermelon eating contest.
8:15 p.m.: Hilton Head Island bald eagle flyover: The American Eagle named “Lincoln,” best known for his flights at Philadelphia Eagles games, will be making an appearance at the Sea Pines Resort. “Lincoln” will fly from the top of the candy-striped Harbour Town Lighthouse to the 18th green of Harbour Town Golf Links. Gregg Russell will also play a Fourth of July Concert under the Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town.
9 p.m.: Fourth of July Fireworks at Harbour Town (Harbour Town Lighthouse and Calibogue Sound) 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head.
City of Beaufort
8 a.m.: Beaufort 5K Firecracker Run: Starts at Bay and Newcastle streets to benefit HELP of Beaufort. Run through historic downtown Beaufort and across the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge, Beaufort. The S.C. Department of Transportation will close the bridge to boat and vehicular traffic from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. for the race.
The Town of Port Royal
July 4
Noon: Free admission to the Town of Port Royal, Shellring Ale Works and the Historic Port Royal Foundation’s 4th of July Celebration at Sands Beach with live music, fireworks and a-la-carte food vendors including Scouting America, 13 Scoops, Fly Pies, Time to Eat and a Taco Truck. Sands Beach Road, Port Royal.
Main Stage:
Noon: Liz Jane.
4 p.m.: The Esquires
8:30 p.m.: Marine Corps Rock Band until fireworks.
Community Beer Garden Stage:
2 p.m.: Austin Williams
6 p.m.: Campfire Tyler
Savannah, GA
On the Fourth of July, Savannah will illuminate city hall in red, white and blue. Free events will center along the riverfront at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, with three waterfront stages at Plant Riverside District and Eastern Wharf. Fireworks will be discharged from a barge on the Savannah River.
For the after party, on July 23-26, a 1877 tall ship from Galveston, Texas named the “Elissa” will stop by the Coastal Empire on its return trip from the Port of New York and New Jersey, where it participated in the Sail 250 celebration of America’s birthday. Elissa is scheduled to stop in Savannah on her return trip; her last port of entry to the “Hostess City of the South,” was 1894.
The ship will be open for tours and other events. The history of the ship can be found on her website.
July 4
6 p.m.: Most Patriotically Dressed Contest.
6:45 p.m.: Presentation of Colors by Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Color Guard & National Anthem.
7 p.m.: Third Infantry Division Brass Band
8 p.m.: Third Infantry Division Rock Band
9:30 p.m.: Fireworks Show
Did we miss an event? Email newsroom@islandpacket.com pertinent details, including a website and contact information, and we will add it to the list.