South Carolina Veteran Discounts Labor Day 2026
Labor Day 2026 falls on Monday, September 7, and South Carolina veterans can take advantage of free museum admissions, retail discounts, hotel deals, and entertainment savings across the state. The biggest Labor Day-specific benefit is the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission to active-duty service members and their families through Labor Day at participating museums like the SC Confederate Relic Room and the International African American Museum in Charleston . For year-round savings, veterans can get 10% off at Lowe’s and Home Depot, 30% off at Ripley’s Aquarium, and military rates on hotels throughout Myrtle Beach and Charleston . To access these discounts, carry your military ID, VA-issued veteran ID, or a state-issued ID with veteran designation .
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Free museum admissions, retail discounts, hotel savings, entertainment deals |
| Eligibility | Veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, Reserves, military families, surviving spouses |
| Application | Present valid military ID, VA ID, or veteran-designated driver’s license |
| Program End Date | Labor Day 2026: Monday, September 7 |
| Official Agency | National Endowment for the Arts (Blue Star Museums), SC Department of Veterans’ Affairs |
| Required ID | CAC card, DD Form 1173, VA ID, DD214, or veteran license designation |
| Updated For | 2026 Blue Star Museums program and year-round military discounts |
Labor Day 2026 Events & Special Programs
Blue Star Museums Program — Free Admission Through Labor Day
The Blue Star Museums program is the largest Labor Day-specific benefit for military families in South Carolina. It runs from Armed Forces Day (May 16, 2026) through Labor Day (September 7, 2026) .
What you get: Free admission for active-duty military personnel and up to five family members at participating museums across South Carolina .
Who qualifies: Active-duty service members in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, including Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps .
Required ID: Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card, or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card .
South Carolina participants:
| Museum | Location | Program Details |
|---|---|---|
| SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum | Columbia | Free admission through Labor Day; honors South Carolina military history from Revolution to present |
| International African American Museum (IAAM) | Charleston | Free admission through Labor Day; 12 permanent exhibitions including galleries and special exhibition “middle of somewhere” |
Tickets for Blue Star Museums must be obtained on-site at the museum . For a complete list of participating Blue Star Museums nationwide, visit arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums .
Labor Day Weekend Activities in Charleston
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityFor veterans and military families visiting Charleston over Labor Day weekend (September 5-7, 2026), there are numerous tours and activities available. General promotional codes like “LABOR” offer 10% off tours and activities booked through certain platforms, though veterans should always ask for the military discount first — it is often larger than standard promo codes .
Year-Round Military Discounts in South Carolina
While Labor Day brings specific programs, South Carolina offers year-round military and veteran discounts that are available every day of the year.
Retail & Home Improvement
| Store | Discount | Requirements | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe’s | 10% off | MyLowe’s account with veteran verification; in-store and online | Myrtle Beach & statewide |
| Home Depot | 10% off | Veteran designation on license or ID.me verification | Myrtle Beach & statewide |
| Coastal Grand Mall | Varies (typically 10%) | Military or veteran ID; individual stores vary | Myrtle Beach |
Tip: A veteran designation on your South Carolina driver’s license serves as instant verification at most retailers, eliminating the need to carry your DD214 .
Entertainment & Attractions
Ripley’s Aquarium (Myrtle Beach):
30% off single attraction tickets for active-duty military and veterans
Discount can be extended to up to four guests
Location: 1110 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
VetTix (Veteran Tickets Foundation):
Free tickets to concerts, sports events, and family activities for veterans, active-duty military, and their families
Apply at vettix.org
Hotel & Vacation Deals
Myrtle Beach has extensive military discounts on hotels, resorts, condos, and vacation rentals . Participating properties include:
Sea Watch Resort
Captain’s Quarters Oceanfront Resort
Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel
Beach Colony Resort
Vacation Myrtle Beach Resorts
Holiday Pavilion Resort on the Boardwalk
Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark
Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort
Landmark Oceanfront Resort
Many of these deals are valid through 2026 and into 2027 . The Grand Strand is recognized as the #1 beach in America for military reunions and group get-togethers .
Other Year-Round Discounts
| Category | Discount Details |
|---|---|
| Sea Screamer Dolphin Cruise (Myrtle Beach) | $5 senior discount for 60+; promo code MIL5 for 5% additional off |
| Car Rentals | 10-25% off with veteran designation or military ID |
| Hotels statewide | Military rates typically 10-30% off standard rates |
How to Prove Your Veteran Status
To access veteran discounts in South Carolina, you need valid proof of service. The following forms of identification are generally accepted :
Military ID card — Active, reserve, or retired
VA-issued veteran ID card
DD214 — Your discharge paperwork
State-issued ID with veteran designation — Available from the South Carolina DMV
VSO membership cards — American Legion, VFW, etc.
Recommendation: Get the veteran designation on your South Carolina driver’s license. It is accepted at Lowes, Home Depot, and many other retailers, and it saves you the hassle of carrying separate documentation .
Beyond Labor Day: Veterans Day Discounts
While Labor Day is approaching, many businesses offer their biggest discounts on Veterans Day (November 11). South Carolina veterans can plan ahead for:
| Business | Veterans Day Offer |
|---|---|
| Applebee’s | Free meal from select menu |
| Dunkin’ | Free donut |
| Golden Corral | Free dinner buffet (5 PM to close) |
| Great Clips | Free haircut |
| Starbucks | Free tall hot or iced coffee |
| Texas Roadhouse | Free meal voucher |
| Denny’s, IHOP, Krispy Kreme | Various free offers (accept veteran license designation) |
Common Questions
1. Are there any free museum admissions in South Carolina over Labor Day weekend?
Yes. The SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum in Columbia and the International African American Museum in Charleston are participating in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to active-duty military and up to five family members through Labor Day .
2. Do veterans get discounts on Labor Day itself?
Labor Day is not a specific holiday for veteran discounts in the same way Veterans Day is. However, the Blue Star Museums program runs through Labor Day, so this is a great way to save on that day . Additionally, all year-round military discounts remain available.
3. What ID do I need to get a veteran discount in South Carolina?
You can use a military ID, VA-issued veteran ID, DD214, state-issued ID with veteran designation, or VSO membership card . The veteran designation on your SC driver’s license is widely accepted at retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot .
4. Where can I get 10% off as a veteran in South Carolina?
Lowe’s and Home Depot offer a 10% military discount year-round at their South Carolina locations . Many retailers at Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach also offer 10% discounts .
5. What is the Blue Star Museums program?
Blue Star Museums is a national initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families that provides free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families at participating museums nationwide during the summer months. The 2026 program runs from Armed Forces Day (May 16) through Labor Day (September 7) .
6. Can National Guard and Reserve members use the Blue Star Museums program?
Yes. National Guard and Reserve members are included in the Blue Star Museums program .
7. Does Ripley’s Aquarium offer a military discount?
Yes. Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach offers 30% off single attraction tickets for active-duty military and veterans, and the discount can be extended to up to four guests .
8. Are there any free event tickets available for veterans?
Yes. VetTix (Veteran Tickets Foundation) provides free tickets to concerts, sports events, and family activities for veterans, active-duty military, and their families .
9. What hotel discounts are available in Myrtle Beach?
Many Myrtle Beach hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals offer military discounts year-round, including Sea Watch Resort, Captain’s Quarters, Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel, and Crown Reef Beach Resort, among others .
10. Do I need to enroll in a program to get the Lowe’s 10% discount?
Yes. To get the 10% military discount at Lowe’s, you must enroll in the free MyLowe’s program and verify your veteran or active-duty status online .
Key Takeaways
Free museums through Labor Day: SC Confederate Relic Room (Columbia) and International African American Museum (Charleston) offer free admission to active-duty military and families through Blue Star Museums program .
10% off at Lowe’s and Home Depot: Both stores offer year-round military discounts — enroll in MyLowe’s program or use veteran license designation .
30% off at Ripley’s Aquarium: Myrtle Beach attraction offers 30% off for veterans and active-duty military, extendable to four guests .
Hotel deals in Myrtle Beach: Multiple resorts offer military rates year-round; the Grand Strand is top-ranked for military reunions .
Veteran ID is essential: Carry your military ID, VA ID, or get veteran designation on your SC driver’s license for instant verification .
VetTix offers free event tickets: Veterans and active-duty military can get free concert, sports, and event tickets through vettix.org .
Veterans Day is bigger for freebies: Plan ahead for November 11 — Applebee’s, Golden Corral, Starbucks, and others offer free meals and drinks .
No special Labor Day sale for veterans: Year-round discounts and the Blue Star program are the best options for Labor Day 2026.
Official Resources
Blue Star Museums Finder: arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums — Find participating museums nationwide
SC Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum: crr.sc.gov — Columbia location and hours
International African American Museum: iaamuseum.org — Charleston location and hours
VetTix (Free Tickets): vettix.org — Free event tickets for veterans and military
Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach: ripleyaquariums.com/myrtlebeach — 30% military discount
Visit Myrtle Beach Military Deals: visitmyrtlebeach.com/hotels/deals/military-discount-packages — Hotel and resort discounts
SC Department of Veterans’ Affairs: scdva.sc.gov — State veteran benefits and resources
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