Article

Things To Do in May in Myrtle Beach

  By  Shelbi Ankiewicz

Each year, the month of May brings an ample amount of events and things to do. Returning for its third year, we are thrilled to host The Beach’s special PGA TOUR event, celebrate our service members and veterans during Military Appreciation Days, and head out to the ballfields for nights of fun with the Pelicans. It’s tough to pick only one event to attend, but if you plan strategically, you may be able to hit a few of them during the same visit. Here are some of our favorite things coming up this month!

 

Signature Events You Should Plan Around

 

PGA TOUR’S Myrtle Beach Classic

May 7-10

The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic is a PGA TOUR event that held its debut at The Beach in 2024. Now, back and better than ever for its third year, the event will take place May 7-10 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club at 9000 North Ocean Boulevard. This dual-field tournament is a part of the FedExCup regular-season of events for 2026. Options to the Classic include daily general admission tickets, weekly general admission tickets, clubhouse admission, and more. Children and teens, ages 15 and under, will be admitted for free with an adult ticket holder, and military and first responders can receive two free tickets for Wednesday’s practice round and discounted tickets for tournament rounds. Tickets are on sale now!

Dunes Club hole 9 - Credit Golf Tourism Solutions

 

Sun Fun Festival

May 1-3 at Plyler Park

Reappearing for its 71st anniversary, the Sun Fun Festival is The Beach’s biggest celebration that welcomes the upcoming summer days! Don’t miss three days of events with plenteous family-friendly activities and live music. You can spend this time participating in sandcastle-building competitions, playing beach games, watching light displays, and enjoying tasty food from local vendors. The festival will be near Plyler Park in the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Entertainment District between Second Avenue North and 15th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach.

Sun fun

 

World's Largest Rubber Duck Exhibit

May 1-2

While you're down at Sun Fun, stroll along the Boardwalk to check out the World's Largest Rubber duck that will be on display May 1-2 to promote water safety. Organized by the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, "Mama Duck" and her 61 ft tall self, will be sitting pretty near the Ocean on Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place from 10am-5pm each day. Stop by to take snap a pic and learn about water safety!

World's Largest Rubber Duck

 

Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Beach

May 10, 2026

If you’re looking for a way to make Mother’s Day feel a little less expected this year, Myrtle Beach makes it easy. Start with a relaxed brunch—many local restaurants and resorts offer special menus just for the occasion—then turn it into a full day she’ll actually enjoy. Think a stroll through Brookgreen Gardens in full bloom, a spa treatment (check out Spa33, trust me!), or a sunset dinner overlooking the water.

You’ll also find plenty of ways to keep it simple but meaningful, whether that’s a quiet beach walk, a dolphin cruise, or just time spent together with ocean views in the background.

Pro tip: Reservations fill up quickly for brunch and spa services—book early if you’re planning a weekend visit.

The Market Common African American ladies shopping

 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Various Dates in May

Let’s cheer on our home team as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans play throughout the month. May is a beautiful time of year to go to a ballgame - especially if you haven't seen the new stadium updates! They’ll be playing 3 teams at home in May. Every night has its own theme that offers discounts on specific products, including Tacos and Tallboys Tuesdays, Wet Nose Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursday, Sippin’ Saturdays, and Friday night fireworks! Be sure to stick around after the games, too, for the kids to run the bases! Get your tickets and Go Birds!

 

World Famous Blue Crab Festival

May 16-17 at the Historic Little River Waterfront

The 44th annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival will be held along the Historic Little River Waterfront this May with live music, plenty of seafood, and more vendors than you can count. This festival is consistently ranked as one of the most popular events on the Grand Strand, not only for its mouthwatering food, but also for the scenic views and unique selection of arts and crafts. Tickets are $10/person, and ages 12 and under are free. Several parking lots are available to festival goers who are provided with a free shuttle ride to the event. The festival will run each day from 9 am to 5 pm. Be sure to pick up a balloon animal or souvenir for your kids from one of the roaming stilt walkers!

 

Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days

May 23-25 throughout the Myrtle Beach area

Celebrate our military members during Military Appreciation Days. Myrtle Beach used to be home to the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base that closed its doors in 1993. Since then, it has been remodeled into what’s now the Market Common District. To celebrate, there will be a series of events over a handful of days hosted by the City of Myrtle Beach and local partners. Things will kick off on May 23 with a parade at 10:30 a.m. in The Market Common, followed by a family picnic at 11:30. On May 24, there will be the Jack Platt Veterans’ March with a Battlefield Cross Ceremony along Ocean Boulevard at 9:00 a.m., and a Memorial Day Rememberance Ceremony at the Convention Center at 11:00 a.m. Additionally, the National Retired Military Golf Classic, taking place May 26–31, 2026, welcoming veterans from across the country for several days of competition and camaraderie.

Warbird Park The Market Common

 

One of a Kind Event

Add a little island flair to your May plans! Big Chill Island House is turning up the heat with a live Hula and Fire Show from Ohana Kahakai on May 22 from 8 to 9 PM. It’s completely free to attend and perfect for all ages, so bring the whole crew and settle in for an unforgettable night of music, movement, and fire-lit excitement.

Big Chill Island House Patio

 

Live Shows & Concerts To Check Out

The Carolina Opry Theater

Celebrating it's 40th anniversary on May 2nd, The Carolina Opry is a staple for Myrtle Beach live entertainment. Aside form their show "The Carolina Opry" running multiple nights weekly, there is also Time Warp which is a separate show focused on hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Special May Concert Guests include:

  • May 3 – Killer Queen (Queen tribute)
  • May 6 – George Thorogood & The Destroyers
  • May 9 – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Farewell Tour)
  • May 10 – Elton John Experience
  • May 16 – Scotty McCreery
  • May 17 – Beginnings: Chicago Tribute
  • May 31 – Happy Together Tour

The Grand Strand has nearly a dozen theatre venues that all have something special to offer. Check out our complete list and celebrate 40 Years of Entertainment at The Beach.

The Carolina Opry Photo 3

 

House of Blues

Located next to Barefoot Landing, The House of Blues always delivers with high energy shows. Here's the lineup for May:

  • May 1 – JJ Grey & Mofro
  • May 3 – Soulja Boy (The Drip Tour)
  • May 8 – Bloodywood
  • May 9 – Sevendust
  • May 10 – Black Label Society
  • May 12 – Lorna Shore
  • May 14 – American Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute)
  • May 16 – Molly Hatchet
  • May 17 – Fit For A King
  • May 23 – A Flock of Seagulls
  • May 29 – Buckethead
  • May 30 – Insane Clown Posse

 

More Ways to Enjoy May at The Beach

We'll see you at The Beach!

 

Shelbi Ankiewicz
Shelbi Ankiewicz is a senior at Coastal Carolina University studying communication, journalism, and intercultural studies. She is originally from Montgomery, Alabama, but has resided in Myrtle Beach for 14 years. She is the Editor-in-Chief of CCU's student newspaper, The Chanticleer, and is a member of a two-year leadership program called the Wall Fellows. Shelbi enjoys trying new restaurants, traveling to major cities in the SouthEast, and attending concerts. In her free time you can find her hanging out with her frenchton bulldog, Oma, or visiting the local trails Myrtle Beach has to offer.