Red, White, and Beach: July 4th on Edisto

Edisto celebrates the Fourth of July with a full day the Edisto Chamber of Commerce calls “Red, White, and Beach”: a decorated golf cart parade in the morning and music and professional fireworks at Bay Creek Park after dark. The Chamber’s calendar holds Sunday, July 4, 2027, for next year’s parade, with the rest of the 2027 schedule still to come.

At a Glance

• When: Sunday, July 4, 2027; parade 10–11 a.m. (Chamber calendar placeholder); evening schedule not yet posted
• Where: Parade lines up at Mikell and Myrtle streets in the beach town; fireworks at Bay Creek Park, 3706 Docksite Road
• Cost: Free
• Organizer: Edisto Chamber of Commerce
• Good for: Families, multi-generation beach weeks, anyone with a golf cart and a box of streamers

How the Day Unfolds

In 2026 the island marked the holiday on Saturday, July 4, like this:

• Morning: the Golf Cart Parade stepped off at 10 a.m.
• 1:24 p.m.: a “Salute from the Shore” F-16 flyover along the coast, a one-time addition for 2026.
• Evening: “July 4th on the Creek” at Bay Creek Park, with live music and a professional fireworks show. People brought lawn chairs and picnics.

The fireworks start time for 2026 wasn’t published in the sources we checked, and the 2027 evening plan hasn’t been announced. Expect the parade-then-fireworks shape to hold.

Joining the Parade

This is a homemade parade, which is the fun of it. According to the Chamber’s 2027 listing, decorated golf carts, bikes, scooters, and walkers line up at 9:30 a.m. at Mikell and Myrtle streets, and the parade begins at 10. No entry fee or registration is listed. If you’re renting a cart for the week, ask the rental company about decorations before you start taping flags to it.

Rules Worth Knowing Before the Fourth

• No personal fireworks on the beach. The Town of Edisto Beach bans them; the show at Bay Creek Park is the way to see fireworks here.
• Golf carts stay off Palmetto Boulevard and SC-174. You can cross straight over, but you can’t drive along the main road. Carts also run in daylight only, so a cart is fine for the morning parade but not for the ride home after the fireworks unless it’s a street-legal low-speed vehicle.
• Dogs must be leashed on the beach from May 1 through October 31. Many dogs also dislike fireworks, so consider leaving yours at the rental for the evening.

Is It Worth Building a Trip Around?

July 4 is the busiest week of the year on Edisto, so the question is less “is it worth it” and more “did you book early enough.” Book your rental as early as you can. If you love a small-town Fourth with neighbors in folding chairs rather than a big-city spectacle, this is a good one. If you dislike crowds, come the week after.

Plan Your Visit

• Traffic: SC-174 is the only road onto and off the island. On a holiday weekend, arrive early and plan your drive out for an off hour, not right after the fireworks.
• Staying up-island? If your rental is along SC-174 rather than in the beach town, drive to the parade early and park once for the day.
• Daytime ideas: Fill the gap between parade and fireworks with a morning at the state park, a paddle from our kayaking guide, or a beach walk using the public beach access list.
• Heat and storms: Summer afternoons can bring pop-up storms. Check Edisto weather before heading to the park.
• Kids: Our things to do with kids guide has more ideas for the rest of the week.

FAQ

What time are the Edisto fireworks?

The 2027 time hasn’t been posted. The show is part of the evening celebration at Bay Creek Park; check with the Edisto Chamber of Commerce at 843-869-3867 closer to the date.

Can I set off my own fireworks on Edisto Beach?

No. Fireworks aren’t allowed on the beach. Watch the professional show at Bay Creek Park instead.

Is there a fee to be in the golf cart parade?

No fee or registration is listed. Line up at 9:30 a.m. at Mikell and Myrtle streets with your decorated cart, bike, or scooter, or walk.

What if it rains?

No rain plan is published. Summer storms often pass quickly, but follow the Chamber’s July 4th page for updates.

Details from the Edisto Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Edisto Beach as of October 2026; confirm with the organizer before you go. See every date in our Edisto Island events calendar.