Myrtle Beach Festivals & Fun
The vibrant atmosphere of the Myrtle Beach area and Grand Strand is punctuated with colorful festivals, theme parades, expositions and exciting celebrations throughout the year. No matter when you visit this great American playground, you will discover attractions to put a smile on your face.
Remember, there is an easier way to get around town! Leave your car keys on the counter and choose a different way to visit the local attractions!
- Park your vehicle and avoid traffic congestion and parking hassles! Easy to ride, go anywhere, YRyde pedal-assist electric bicycles can be delivered to your Vacation Rental of choice! Weekly and monthly rental reservations are available by clicking: Yrydebykes of Myrtle Beach
- Beach it in style with a golf cart from Salty Frye's. Reserve your golf cart now at Salty Frye's Golf Carts! Special rates & discounts available for Elliott Beach Rentals guests.
Music On Main
St. Patricks Day Celebration
Blue Crab Festival
Naming each event would be impossible, but take a look at a sampling of what sunny North Myrtle Beach has to offer throughout the year:
January: Runners will enjoy the annual January Winter Run, sponsored by the Grand Strand Running Club. The group, dedicated to achieving personal running and fitness goals, raises money for local charities and provides scholarships to local high school runners. Featuring a 5K and 15K race covering portions of Ocean Boulevard, Hillside Drive, Main Street, and various side streets, this event is the oldest continuous running event in Horry County. You can find more information at www.grandstrandrunner.com.
Februrary: Who needs Mardi Gras in New Orleans? In February, several bars and restaurants at Barefoot Landing offer Mardi Gras specials all month, and Dick’s Last Resort sponsors an eclectic parade you have to see. From dogs to bicycles, vehicles, imaginative floats, hilarious costumes, masks, beads and folks tossing loads of candy to bystanders, you will want to join in the fun. Prizes are offered for best and worst floats.
March: Join in on the wearing of the green in North Myrtle Beach during the March St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival on Main Street. This annual parade and family friendly one-day street festival offers live music, more than 100 arts and crafts, foods, plus games and rides for the kids. Delicious aromas from the food booths invite you to sample everything Irish as well as local fare, and you might get in on a leprechaun contest or a shepherd’s pie eating contest.
March continues as a great month for those who like to sample local cuisine. Taste of the Coast at House of Blues, Barefoot Landing, is a family friendly culinary event where some of the finest restaurants showcase their specialties in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Live local entertainment abounds and the kids will have a blast participating in games, contests, character appearances, face painting and more.
April: The Carolina Shag, a partner dance associated with beach towns in the Carolinas, is recognized in national and international dance contests. Shag dancers are a passionate lot, and each April the SOS (Society of Shaggers) Spring Safari celebrate the arrival of spring on the Grand Strand. Dancers descend from all points around the country for a parade and to party and dance the night away in North Myrtle Beach clubs. You are in for a treat just sitting back to watch these folks do their fancy footwork.
May: The world famous Blue Crab Festival in the Little River community just north of North Myrtle Beach is one of the premier events in May. Mouthwatering local seafood, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, games for kids, and scenic views top the attractions at this family fun event. Unwind in this charming fishing village and enjoy all that it has to offer.
Also in May, beautiful Brookgreen Gardens invite you to an enchanting catered breakfast buffet with crafts and activities for children at the Whispering Wings Butterfly House.
June: The beginning of summer is bursting with events and celebrations, including Summerfest at Barefoot Landing from June to September. Exciting lakeside evenings at the complex feature food, rides, live music, jugglers, stilt walkers, dancers, face painting, princesses and super heroes, and spectacular fireworks on Monday nights.
You will discover championship golf tournaments, oceanfront concerts, car shows, and the Sun Fun Festival. In addition, the famed Carolina Country Music Festival, one of the premier outdoor country music festivals in the Southeast welcomes summer in June. Showcasing a huge lineup of headliners and upcoming entertainers, the three-day family celebration is located on 18 acres extending from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to Ocean Drive. For country music lovers, this is the place to be.
July: In July, a fabulous fireworks show over the Atlantic has drawn people to the Cherry Grove fishing pier for nearly 20 years. Bring your lawn chairs to this free event that will wow all ages.
August finds the continuing round of live concerts and events that bring people back to North Myrtle Beach time and time again.
September brings the fall migration of shag dancers back to North Myrtle Beach in hopes of prolonging the summer as they shimmy their way across sandy dance floors.
An event of solemn reflection, the September 11 candlelight vigil in the horseshoe at the end of Main Street pays homage to Americans who lost their lives on the September 11th attacks on our country. This powerful event concludes in hushed tones with the soft glow of candles against a majestic ocean backdrop as taps are played and a wreath is taken out to sea in honor of the fallen.
The festivities continue at the end of September with the Irish Italian International Festival. Celebrating the Irish Italian cultures, the free event features food, live entertainment, street performers, arts and craft vendors and dancers.
October brings thousands of car enthusiasts to Barefoot Landing for the Cruise to the Coast Antique and Classic Car/Truck Show. Sponsored by the Chicora Car Club, the event welcomes all makes and models including classic, antique, custom, special auto, and late models. Usually more than 200 vehicles are registered with trophies, prizes and fun for everyone.
The Loris Bog Off and Little River Shrimpfest are also October favorites with food, carnival rides, entertainment and an antique car show.
November: On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the Intracoastal Christmas Boat Regatta and maritime parade at Little River is a much anticipated event.
December brings plenty of holiday parades, concerts, cantatas and more.
North Myrtle Beach is a never ending playground of exciting events, activities and amusements that will make wonderful vacation memories.
