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Article

Myrtle Beach Area Events to Attend This Year

  By  Nora Battle
Myrtle Beach aerial of coastline with SkyWheel

Myrtle Beach Area Events to Attend This Year

Where should you be in 2024? We’ve narrowed down the top events, month by month, that are worth planning ahead for.

It’s time to “save the date” for these upcoming festivals, activities, concerts, and more in the Myrtle Beach area! And … go!

 

Shuckin’ on the Strand Oyster Roast

Feb. 24, noon to 4 p.m., Hot Fish Club, Murrells Inlet

The Shuckin’ on the Strand Oyster Roast is the Grand Strand’s largest oyster roast, open to the public and serving up oysters, food and fixins. The 15th annual Shuckin’ on the Strand Oyster Roast hosted by the Grand Strand Young Professionals will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, from noon-4 p.m. at the Hot Fish Club at 4911 Hwy. 17 S. Bus. in Murrells Inlet. All proceeds benefit the Substitutes for Santa, an annual event hosted by GSYP every December to give local children a Christmas. 

There will be live entertainment.

Attendance is limited and purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Adult tickets are $40, which includes all you can eat oysters, one plate of chicken bog and fixins and two beers. Take home a commemorative oyster shucker for $5, available as an option in your ticket purchase. You can purchase a child ticket (12 and under) who do not eat oysters for $10. Adults who do not eat oysters can purchase a $20 ticket, which will include one plate of chicken bog and two beers.

Please note you may not bring chairs into the venue.

Parking is limited.

Fresh oysters on a table

Penguin Dash 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Run

Feb. 17, Ripley’s Aquarium, 9 a.m., Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is excited to host the Penguin Dash and Ripley’s Penguin Family Fun 1 mile walk/run. This family-friendly, themed event will be a celebration of the South African Penguins. There is even a free Toddler Waddle taking place in front of Ripley’s Aquarium that morning at 9am. This event will start and end in front of Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach and the route takes the runners through the Broadway at the Beach shopping and dining complex. Norman and Sharkee will be there and we may get a special visit from the penguins themselves!
*Animals are not permitted on the race course and will result in disqualification.
*Baby joggers, baby strollers, skate boards, roller blades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled device are not permitted on the race course and will result in disqualification. For more information, visit https://www.nspromos.com/races#/ripleyspenguin-5k/

Town of Surfside Beach BBQ Festival

March 9, Downtown Surfside Beach

It's BBQ TIME!!!  

The Town of Surfside Beach invites you to bring your family and friends for a day of BBQ competition, food, shopping, live music, activities for the kiddos, and FUN for the entire family!

You won't want to miss this!

Myrtle Beach Marathon

March 2, 7 a.m.

The mega Myrtle Beach Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K are back to the streets of Myrtle Beach. The longtime sporting event is known nationwide for its flat, fast, and fun course.

Myrtle Beach Marathon

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 16, 9 a.m., North Myrtle Beach

Get ready to celebrate at the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade on the Grand Strand! Boasting a long history and more than 100 parade entries, the special event starts and ends on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach for its two-hour route. The party continues post-parade, with a street festival featuring three stages of live entertainment, including Irish pipe bands, dancers, and more, plus more than 100 food, art and craft vendors, leprechauns and street performers, and a children’s activities area.

Run to the Sun Car Show

March 14-16, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Myrtle Beach

The Pee Dee Street Rodders host the annual Run to the Sun Car Show, one of the largest car shows in the Southeast, each year at 2501 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. The massive show brings more than 3,000 pre-1989 cars and trucks from across the continent together all weekend long.

Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival

April 5-7, 2024

Always popular, the free Myrtle Beach Food Festival weekend will again be held at the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place in downtown Myrtle Beach. Food trucks will be parked and ready to sell their specialties, along with beer and wine vendors, a kids zone, and live music. Hours are Friday, 11 a.m. -6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Spring Fest

March 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grand Park

The City of Myrtle Beach’s Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department will host an all-day Spring Fest at Grand Park in The market Common. The free event will include food vendors, a car show, egg hunts, games, and more.

National Anthem and Knights of Columbus Presentation 10:00 am

Egg Hunts on Savannah's Playground begin at 11:00 am

Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

April 23-27

The 19th annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (MBIFF) will take action again this year at Stone Theaters in The Market Common. In addition to film showings, there will be networking, forums, and food events, where filmmakers, industry professionals, and film fans will converge.

Brookgreen Gardens Art Festival

April 27 and 28, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

This two-day event showcases the fine craftsmanship and quality art being produced regionally and throughout the nation.  

Come and enjoy the work of talented artists and artisans at the annual Brookgreen Art Festival. Painting, sculpture, fabric art, pottery, glass, and more will be available to browse under the oaks.

Socastee Heritage Festival

April 27, 10 a.m.

Always a fun family tradition, the 12th annual Socastee Heritage Festival, sponsored by the local nonprofit Socastee Heritage Foundation, gathers around the town’s swing bridge, with arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, and tons of activities.

Dragon Boat Festival

April 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Grand Park

The 16th annual all-day Dragon Boat Festival will descend upon the lake at Grand Park at The Market Common, where teams of 20 paddlers and one drummer row their way through the day and race for the fastest time in their division. The fundraising event is free to spectators; additional activities include a live DJ, Family Fun Zone, food and drink vendors, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.

Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival

May 4, 10 a.m., North Myrtle Beach

The 7th annual Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival welcomes one and all to gather to listen, sing, and dance along with the day’s lineup of music on a stage between Main Street and First Avenue South in North Myrtle Beach.

World Famous Crab Festival

May 18 and 19, Little River

The historic Little River waterfront is the backdrop for this longstanding local event – and one of the largest festivals in the Southeast. The two-day event features some of the area’s best seafood, live music, children’s activities, and hundreds of arts and crafts vendors on-hand.

 

Military Appreciation Days Parade, Family Picnic, and Exhibits

May 25-27, Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach salutes our nation’s military through a variety of events leading up to and on Memorial Day, including a patriotic parade a family picnic at The Market Common, where there will also be live music, and military exhibits and displays. The Jack Platt Veterans’ March with Battlefield Cross Ceremony will also take place on May 27 at 9 a.m. from 16th to Ninth Avenues North along Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach.

Carolina Country Music Fest

June 6-9, Myrtle Beach

The four-day CCMF oceanfront concert/party will go all out for country music lovers at the 18-acre Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Company. This year’s all-star lineup includes: Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Parker McCollum, Old Dominion, Lady A, Megan Maroney, Lee Brice, and many more.

Muzika! The Grand Strand Music Festival

June 1-30, 7 p.m., Various Locations

Back for encore performance, Muzika! will feature 30 incredible performances throughout the Grand Strand. Exact performance lineup details are to be determined, but will include fully staged operas, musical theater productions, choral-orchestra performances, Broadway selections, voice recitals, and chamber performances. A Master Artists Concert Series also features internationally recognized artists from the Metropolitan Opera and other groups of this caliber.

Long Bay Symphony members string section

Mustang Week

Sept. 2-7, Myrtle Beach Mall

Hundreds of mustangs will return to rev their engines at this annual gathering of Mustang fanatics at the beach. Stay tuned from sponsors for more details.

Town of Surfside Beach Family Festival

Sept. 15, 10 a.m., Downtown Surfside Beach

The annual family-friendly festival welcomes thousands of guests to join in to celebrate with good food, good fun, family-friendly activities, art and craft vendors, food vendors, and two stages of live entertainment.

Little River ShrimpFest

Oct. 12 and 13, Little River Waterfront

The 19th annual ShrimpFest on the Little River Waterfront is a must-see, with live music on two stages, balloon artists, kids activities, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, and, of course shrimp and other fresh fish dishes served up by local restaurants.

Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon & 5K

Oct. 12, 2024

Our awesome half marathon course features over 5 miles of oceanfront running! Both the 5K and half marathon start and finish with beautiful views of the ocean! 

Loris Bog-Off Festival

Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Loris

Loris has hosted this festival for the last 45 years, and there’s a reason why: chicken bog! The South Carolina staple is celebrated on this day by thousands of attendees, which also includes samplings of other Southern food, live music, arts and crafts, children’s activities, and a fireworks finale.

Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival

Oct. 18-20, Myrtle Beach

You’ll love the smooth sounds from this free jazz festival held on historic Carver Street in Myrtle Beach. Also on the itinerary are food and beverage service, children’s activities, and more.

 

Myrtle Beach Jeep Jam

Oct. 25-27, Myrtle Beach

Hundreds of jeeps will go “off-road” together for three days at the former site of the Myrtle Square Mall near the convention center. Jeep lovers will show off their vehicles and network, plus compete in an obstacle course, and all can enjoy a car show, vendors, entertainment, and daily beach crawls. 

Dickens Christmas Show & Festival

Nov. 7-10

Ring in the holiday spirit at this annual award-winning holiday event that transforms the Myrtle Beach Convention Center into a Victorian Marketplace filled with shops, entertainment, vendors, and more.

Nora Battle

As a lifelong South Carolinian and nearly lifelong Grand Strand resident, Nora Battle knows there is lots to love about the Myrtle Beach area. She is a full-time stay-at-home mom to two boys, ages 3 and 6 months, and a part time travel contributor for Visit Myrtle Beach. She’s passionate about all things Myrtle Beach, and knowledgeable about what makes the destination such a smart choice for families. Nora especially enjoys dining out, bargain hunting, and spending time outdoors adventuring with her children, husband (also a Grand Strand native) and her two dogs.