You don't have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and you don't have to be in Myrtle Beach on the official March 17 date to get in on the festivities. Because St. Patrick's Day falls on a Thursday, the Irish-themed parties are spread out over two weekends so you can get more than your fill of green beer with corned beef and cabbage on the Grand Strand.
Guests at the Breakers Myrtle Beach Resort are literally in the middle of all the action, with major celebrations set on the North, Central and South Strand. There are also numerous smaller parties hosted by local bars and cafes, including dinner specials at the on-site Rusty Reel and Papa's Restaurant. Here are the hot spots to hit the week surrounding St. Patrick's Day:
- Saturday, March 12, 28th Annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade: As many as 30,000 celebrants are expected to show up for this 28th traditional rite of spring. The parade rolls down Ocean Drive to Main Street, where live music plays at the Horseshoe and patrons sit in lawn chairs and dance in the streets. More than 150 vendors sell everything from food and drinks to arts and crafts, and a children's play area keeps the little ones entertained. The party runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by some great after-parties in the local shag clubs and bars.
- Saturday, March 12, Seventh Annual Irish Fest: Head to Market Common's Valor Park for this St. Patrick's Day party that celebrates the most popular exports from Ireland – beer. In addition to the usual brands and famous green beer that folks consume for the holiday, Irish Fest offers a wide selection of Irish imports, as well as Irish food, music and games. The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Guests can also soak up all the entertainment, shopping and dining that Market Common has to offer.
- Thursday, March 17, Luck of the Marshwalk Party: The Murrells Inlet Marshwalk serves as one of the best venues for St. Patricks' Day festivities. Featuring a wooden walkway that leads to a dozen waterfront restaurants and bars, the Marshwalk knows how to throw a party and goes all out for this Irish affair. Guests dress in green and stroll from bar to bar to sample great Irish food along with some of the best seafood on the Strand.
- Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day: Local bars and restaurants help paint the entire Strand green with Irish-themed gatherings. Among the most popular private parties are held at Finn McCool's, Dolly Marcy's, Pat & Mike's and Flynn's Irish Tavern on the North Strand; Beef O'Brady's, Handley's Pub, Bumstead's and Magoo's in the Myrtle Beach area; and O'Keefe's, the Old Bull and Bush and Quigley's Pint and Plate on the South Strand. Dine on corned beef and cabbage and wash it down with Irish beer at these hot spots.
- Thursday-Sunday, March 17-20, St. Patrick's Day Irish Sip-N-Shop: Celebrate St. Patrick's Day for four full days in the downtown district on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Organizers of the old St. Paddy's Day Party have decided to spread the event through the entire weekend, offering live music, green beer, oceanfront dining and shopping and amusements for all ages. Visitors can wear green during their visit and cash in on several “green light specials” at participating merchants.
No matter where, when or how you decide to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Myrtle Beach, you can’t go wrong by staying with us at the Breakers Resort.
