This year we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Semiquincentennial spirit will add extra excitement to the annual 4th of July festivities. If you’re in the Golden Isles for Independence Day, we’ve got a preview of what’s planned for the holiday weekend. Be sure to check our website calendar and social media posts for more details and other holiday events that may pop up between now and then. For live music listings, we've always got you covered in I'm With the Band.
St. Simons Island
The 42nd Annual July 4th Sunshine Festival Race & 1 Mile begins the day on Saturday, July 4th. Runners and walkers are invited to celebrate both our nation’s 250-year history and 50 years of Golden Isles Track Club’s local running tradition at one of Georgia’s most scenic and spirited 5K events—recently selected by the Road Runners Club of America as an official State Championship Event. The 5K starts at 7:00 a.m. and the 1 Mile starts at 8:00 a.m. with both beginning and ending at St. Simons Park/Kings Park in the Village. Packet pick-up begins at 6:00 a.m. Pre-Race Day packet pick-up is Friday, July 3 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Please note that there will be NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. The Awards Ceremony will take place around 8:30 a.m. If you don’t run, you can still join the fun—volunteers are always welcome. For more info/registration, visit goldenislestrack.club or runsignup.com.
**UPDATED INFO** Lineup for the annual 4th of July Pier Village Golf Cart Parade presented by St. Simons Bait & Tackle will begin at 10:00 a.m. in front of Mallery Park. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a procession from Mallery Park down Mallery Street to Pier Village to Beachview Drive to Ocean Blvd, ending back at Mallery Park. Registration is a $20 donation that goes towards No Kill Glynn County, the annual Kids Fishing Extravaganza tournament prizes, and fishing classes. Cash, checks, and Venmo will be accepted. Last year's parade had more than 200 participants, so get there early for a good spot in the patriotic procession. If you're planning to watch the parade, it's a good idea to have a cold beverage and a seat handy.
Uptown Tap & Cigar invites you to head to the beach with them. They'll be set up at Myrtle Street Beach under the Big Green Uptown tent starting at 11am and handing out 250 assorted Cokes, Sprites & waters. Each drink comes with an Uptown koozie & sticker attached. Bring the koozie with the sticker still attached to Uptown Tap in Redfern Village before July 10 and receive your first domestic beer free (over 21+, of course).
Glynn County is hosting a special expanded 4th of July celebration on St. Simons Island in honor of Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary. Festivities will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue throughout the evening, with fireworks lighting up the sky over the ocean at the Pier at 9:00 p.m., followed by additional live entertainment. Throughout the day, there will be family-friendly games and activities near the Casino building, Craft-to-Go kits provided by the Marshes of Glynn Libraries in the Casino Atrium from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., movie showings at 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 p.m., plus DJ entertainment and live music across multiple areas in Pier Village and Neptune Park.
Currently scheduled musical performances include SaltWater Gypseas from 1:00-2:30 p.m., Your Mom's Favorite Band from 3:00-4:30 p.m.; 3 Day Weekend from 5:00-6:30 p.m., Brandon Fuller at 7:00 p.m., John Langston at 7:30 p.m., and the Brody Williams Bandperforming after the fireworks from 9:30-10:30pm. Grab your friends, family, picnic blankets, and beach chairs, to grab a spot along the waterfront at Neptune Park to enjoy the music and evening fireworks show. Admission and parking are free.
Jekyll Island
On Jekyll Island, they’re celebrating the semiquincentennial with two days of laid-back, family-friendly fun. On Friday, July 3, there’s a free carnival in Beach Village from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy bounce houses, carnival rides including a mechanical shark, face-painting, and more. On Saturday, the 4th, the Turtle Stage in Beach Village will feature live musical performances from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with Gypsy Joe (11am), WharfRatz (1pm), and Squirt Gun (3pm). After soaking up the sun and some great tunes, head down to the beach where the night sky will light up with a fireworks display over Great Dunes Park. Fireworks will begin around 9:00 p.m., and this year’s display is promised to be the biggest and best yet! For more info, visit jekyllisland.com.
Historic Downtown Brunswick
Independence Day celebrations in Historic Downtown Brunswick will begin with a festive First Friday on Gloucester Street beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Keep an eye on Downtown Brunswick social media accounts for details about live entertainment and other excitement planned for the weekend. On Saturday, July 4, Mary Ross Waterfront Park will be the site of the annual Old Fashion 4th of July fun and fireworks. Old-fashioned games for all ages like sack races, three-legged races, egg toss, tug-of-war, and hula-hoop contests provide fun for the whole family, beginning around 6:00 p.m. There will also be free watermelon and live music by Last Call to add to the evening's festivities. A fireworks show over the East River around dusk will close out the night at 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit discoverbrunswick.com.
Sea Island 4th of July Week
If you’re a Sea Island resident or guest, there’s a full week of festivities to celebrate the red, white, and blue. On Saturday, in addition to the morning’s 26th Annual July 4th Parade, and the evening Red, White & Boom Beach Club celebration with fireworks at 9:15 p.m., the day is packed with activities like family pool games, Veuve pop-ups, and more. Other events during the week include Friday’s Firecracker 5K and Banana Split Challenge at Beach Club, pirate and princess parties, and the popular Rainbow Island Supper on Sunday, July 5. How many memories can you make in a week?! For a full itinerary, visit seaisland.com.
