NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – One of the Grand Strand’s largest celebrations, the Irish Italian International Festival, returns to North Myrtle Beach’s iconic Main Street for its 13th year on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual celebration of Irish and Italian culture draws approximately 15,000 attendees from near and far each year, shutting down Main Street for an unforgettable time of fun and festivities for all.

“The Irish Italian International Festival is one of our favorite celebrations every year and we’re excited to welcome it back for its 13th year,” said George DuRant, Vice President of Tourism Development for the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, CVB. “This festival is an exciting commemoration of cultural traditions in North Myrtle Beach, and it is a fantastic way to bring both locals and visitors together to share delicious food and live entertainment.”

The festival will feature the always entertaining Claudio’s Spaghetti Eating Contest, sponsored by Villa Romana, along with two stages of live entertainment, food from local restaurants, arts and crafts vendors, street performers and more, all exemplifying the rich Irish and Italian cultures rooted in the Grand Strand. Restaurants will compete for the title of Best Entrée, Best Decorated and Best Dessert while serving up tasty and unique creations to festival attendees. There will also be a designated children’s area featuring balloon art, inflatables, magic shows and more.

For more information on this year’s Irish Italian International Festival, other community events and all-things North Myrtle Beach related, visit ExploreNorthMyrtleBeach.com.

 

About the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The seaside town of North Myrtle Beach is hustling and bustling with all the energy of Santa’s elves to get ready for the magical holiday season. Whether its grand light displays, boats decked in holiday cheer parading down the waterway, award-winning live entertainment, shopping galore or the beloved tradition of the annual Christmas Parade along Main Street, North Myrtle Beach offers endless possibilities to get into the holiday spirit.

Throughout the months of November and December, North Myrtle Beach will be featuring a variety of activities, festivals, shows and more that will dazzle every member of the family. Upcoming holiday events include:

  • The Great Christmas Light Show - Making its holiday debut in North Myrtle Beach, this inaugural holiday event brings the magic of Christmas to life with a drive-thru light show experience, Santa’s Village, Santa’s Express Train, a petting zoo, s’mores and much more. The event takes place at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex (150 Citizens Circle, Little River,) and began on Friday, Nov. 25. For a full event schedule, including hours of operation, visit https://www.nmb.us/433/The-Great-Christmas-Light-Show.
  • Christmas Tree Lighting – Join Santa and his friends on Friday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sandhills Bank Amphitheater in the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex for the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. Activities, entertainment and refreshments are available for children of all ages.
  • North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade – Downtown Main Street will celebrate the season with festive holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for this annual tradition. The streets will be filled with music, colorful floats, marching bands, beauty queens and more.
  • North Myrtle Beach Christmas Cantata – Hear the sounds of the season at the annual Christmas Cantata on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3:30 p.m. and on Friday, Dec. 4 at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. This annual tradition features a jaw dropping performance by the North Myrtle Beach All City Choir and it takes place at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church (410 6th Ave. S., North Myrtle Beach, S.C.). Admission is free, however, tickets must be acquired in advance due to limited space. Tickets are available at the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to these holly jolly events, visitors can also shop ‘til they drop throughout the area at Barefoot Landing, Tanger Outlets and on downtown Main Street. Don’t forget to indulge in delicious coastal cuisine and top off a day in North Myrtle Beach by seeing “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show” at the Alabama Theatre.

“The holiday season is truly one of the most exciting times of the year to experience the North Myrtle Beach community,” said George DuRant, Vice President of Tourism Development at the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The people of North Myrtle Beach love celebrating the season through these exciting events and its always a treat to welcome visitors on their weekend getaways to take in the entertainment, enjoy the events and check off their shopping lists as the holidays approach. We know this year’s line up events will be an outstanding experience for all.”

For more information on North Myrtle Beach and its upcoming events, visit www.ExploreNorthMyrtleBeach.com.

 

About the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau

The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau, an accredited five-star Chamber and qualifier for the 2014 Chamber of the Year, has been serving the local community for the past 13 years. The mission of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is to be recognized as the premier business organization serving the North Myrtle Beach area and its business members by providing quality products, programs, and services while influencing issues that enhance the economic prosperity and the sustainable development of our community.

The Chamber’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) division provides a wide range of visitor services, sports and group tourism management and is the lead agency for marketing North Myrtle Beach and its beachside communities under the successful Just Coast® brand.  The CVB serves and promotes nearly 15,000 widely varied accommodations and numerous attractions and is the area advocate for the regional and national travel industry; generated more than $1 billion in economic impact.

“North Myrtle Beach is a classic seaside town where the screen-porch beach cottage memories of your childhood still reside comfortably alongside all the modern refinement and outdoor adventure you could hope for…all in one vacation. Where else can every generation feel at home? From Southern tradition to a bona fide millennial uprising, we unpack nine unique miles of incomparable shoreline, representing the coalescing of four old seaside communities, artfully crafted into one surprisingly progressive destination.”

For additional information about the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce/CVB, visit www.NorthMyrtleBeachChamber.com. For travel information, visit www.explorenorthmyrtlebeach.com.

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