Irish Italian International Festival

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalNorth Myrtle Beach
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsPairing two distinct immigrant cultural
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Irish Italian International Festival in North Myrtle Beach

The Irish Italian International Festival is a one-day, rain-or-shine celebration held each September on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Now past its twentieth year, the free festival draws roughly fifteen thousand visitors for competitive food vendors, two stages of live music and dancing, arts and crafts, and a signature spaghetti-eating contest.

The Irish Italian International Festival grew out of North Myrtle Beach's substantial community of residents and seasonal visitors with Irish and Italian heritage, a demographic pattern common along much of the northern Grand Strand, where retirees and vacation-home owners from the Northeast have settled for decades.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Pairing two distinct immigrant cultural traditions under one festival banner is unusual, and the event leans into that combination through structured competition rather than simple coexistence: food vendors compete for Best Entree, Best Dessert, and Best Decorated Booth honors judged across both cuisines

02

The mystery stays covered

The signature Spaghetti Eating Contest, sponsored by a regional pizza chain, has become the festival's most talked-about single event, drawing free-to-enter competitors to a dedicated Italian stage each year

03

The city starts moving

With free admission and parking and attendance around fifteen thousand people for a single day, the festival punches above its weight for a one-day, rain-or-shine event, reflecting North Myrtle Beach's substantial year-round and seasonal Irish- and Italian-American population

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's centerpiece tradition is its judged food vendor competition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

awarding Best Entree

The sacred route

Living ritual

Best Dessert

The local code

Living ritual

and Best Decorated Booth across both Irish and Italian culinary traditions each year

Tradition 5

Living ritual

no-entry-fee Spaghetti Eating Contest at 1:30 p

Tradition 6

Living ritual

held at the dedicated Italian stage

Tradition 7

Living ritual

has become the festival's most anticipated single event and a fixture of its late-September schedule

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Irish Italian International Festival, plan transport around the exact North Myrtle Beach venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual late-summer clothing suits North Myrtle Beach's warm late-September weather; comfortable shoes are useful for walking Main Street's vendor rows, and light rain gear is worth carrying...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Irish Italian International Festival, stay near the part of North Myrtle Beach you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.82 N, 78.68 WOpen in Google Maps

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Nearest airportMYR — Myrtle Beach
TransportFor Irish Italian International Festival, plan transport around the exact North Myrtle Beach venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Irish Italian International Festival, stay near the part of North Myrtle Beach you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to North Myrtle Beach via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near North Myrtle Beach, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual late-summer clothing suits North Myrtle Beach's warm late-September weather; comfortable shoes are useful for walking Main Street's vendor rows, and light rain gear is worth carrying given the festival's rain-or-shine policy.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Irish Italian International Festival?

Irish Italian International Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Irish Italian International Festival take place?

The festival is listed in North Myrtle Beach, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnmb.us
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Calgary Stampede

Past edition: 3–12 July 2026

Calgary, Canada
Photo pending

Mawazine - Rhythms of the World

Past edition: 19–27 June 2026

Rabat/Sale, Morocco
Photo pending

Seville April Fair

Past edition: 21–26 April 2026

Seville, Spain
Photo pending

Minnesota State Fair

August · Summer

Falcon Heights, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →