Things to Do in October in Myrtle Beach
Cooler weather is on its way, and pumpkins, Halloween decorations, and evening walks on the beach are in full swing. Summer isn’t the only time of year when the beach is a good place to visit.
During the fall you can enjoy the nice scenery in comfort and take part in the numerous festivals across the Grand Strand.
There are also several spots to hit for the Halloween holiday, from family-friendly activities to things to do out on the town with friends.
October Festivals in Myrtle Beach
October 3, 2026 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Celebrate fall in Surfside Beach with more than 125 arts and crafts vendors, festival food, a Kids Zone, live music and two stages of entertainment along Surfside Drive. This longtime community festival is a great option for families looking to spend the day browsing local vendors, enjoying live entertainment and taking in the small-town atmosphere of Surfside Beach. Admission is free.
Oct. 10-11, 2026 | Little River Waterfront
The 20th annual festival is back, ready to make you drool over dozens of varieties of shrimp. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, enjoy the historical waterfront festival in Little River with more than 100 vendors and activities such as live music, stilt walkers, craft vendors, community organizations, and more. Local restaurants will serve their best dishes and food favorites will be available to munch on throughout the day.
Oct. 17, 2026 | Downtown Loris
A southern comfort food, that many know and love, has evolved over the years and become a central point that brings people together. The Loris Bog-off, operating since 1980, started as a chicken bog cooking competition and is now a festival with over 200 vendors. Spend your time judging the different recipes and enjoying dances, concerts, arts and crafts, and a firework show at the end of the day. The event happens every year on the third Saturday in October and will convince you to try the recipe on your own!
Oct. 10-11, 2026 | The Market Common
Since 1972, people have been crowding around to see various mediums of art from artists all around the country. Art in the Park is a show and sale, open to the public and artists. It runs for three weekends a year in Valor Park, Market Common. All art on display is original work or reproductions of original work from artists, including painting, woodwork, photography, pottery, and more. After the event, you can stroll around Market Common to enjoy one of the eateries or shop around the local boutiques.
October 15-18, 2026 | St. John's Greek Orthodox Church
Celebrate Greek culture at the Myrtle Beach Greek Festival at St. John’s with authentic Greek food and pastries, live entertainment, cultural activities and church tours. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, with admission $5 for adults and free for children ages 10 and younger.
Oct. 24, 2026 | Barefoot Landing
Is Barefoot Landing's annual Halloween celebration for the whole family. There are four costume contests which are as follows:
Kids 0 – 3 years old at noon
Kids 4 – 7 years old at 1 pm
Kids 8 – 12 years at 2 pm
Pets at 3 pm
Registration starts at 11 am. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place in all three categories. At 7 pm that evening, there will be a FREE showing of the original Hocus Pocus. All contests and the movie take place on the Dockside Village Stage (across from LuLu’s). Come on out for a day of friendly spooky fun!
October Events and Activities
Oct. 10, 2026 | Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Add another completed race to your list when you sign up for the 13.1-mile mini-marathon in Myrtle Beach! Kicking off at 7 a.m., the route is mapped throughout the downtown area of the city, parts of it running along the coastline allowing wonderful views of the ocean. A 5K is also offered at 7:15 a.m. if you’re looking for a lighter run. It’s a great time for locals and tourists to come together and celebrate their passion for running and the city for all it has to offer.
Oct. 16, 2026 | International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach
The Local Palate, in partnership with Visit Myrtle Beach, the James Beard Foundation and the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, brings the Grand Strand Chef’s Table back to Myrtle Beach for an evening celebrating the area’s growing culinary scene.
Local chefs will be joined by James Beard-recognized talent from across South Carolina to serve inventive tasting plates paired with wine, spirits and craft beer. Guests can also enjoy live chef demonstrations, hands-on culinary experiences and the talents of International Culinary Institute students throughout the evening.
Oct. 2 - 4, 2026 | Myrtle Beach Sports Center
Welcome to ‘A Carolina Fall’. If you love antiquing or searching for upscale items, vintage market days will be heaven for you! Walk around the Myrtle Beach Sports Center which has been temporarily transformed into a market full of clothing, jewelry, home décor, furniture, plants, and even more. It’s a great place to find a treasure or discover unique items that have been locally sourced. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday and tickets can be bought at the gate.
Oct. 17 & 18, 2026 | Georgetown
Historic Downtown Georgetown hosts the 37th annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show along Front Street and the waterfront. More than 100 classic wooden boats, ranging from kayaks to yachts, will be displayed on land and water. Visitors can also enjoy boatbuilding, a corrugated boat race, children’s model boatbuilding, a youth sailing regatta, knot-tying demonstrations, maritime arts and crafts, food and live entertainment. Admission is free, and proceeds benefit the South Carolina Maritime Museum.
October Shows & Performances
October 16-18, 2026 | Myrtle Beach
Get ready for a weekend of smooth jazz, food and live entertainment at the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival, October 16-18, 2026. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival moves to a new location this year at 2501 North Kings Highway, across from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. This year’s lineup includes Patrick Lamb, Althea René, Jeff Ryan, Gary Percell and many more, along with food and beverage vendors and a festival marketplace. For the first time, admission is required, with single-day and three-day passes available. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for three days of live jazz in Myrtle Beach.
Oct. 1-17, 2026 | Pawleys Island
For the first three weeks of October, enjoy numerous bands and artists at The Reserve Golf Club of Pawley’s Island. This festival spans numerous weekends offering different styles and harmonies, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Ticket prices vary depending on the show and seats.
- 26th Annual Pawleys Island Wine & Food Gala — October 1, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- Trouble Man — October 2, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- Girl Named Tom – The Trio Tour — October 3, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- The Landsharks – Jimmy Buffett Tribute — October 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- Trial By Fire: Tribute to Journey — October 9, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- The Kings of Queen — October 10, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- “The Good Life” Tony Bennett Tribute featuring Joe Gransden Orchestra — October 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- Seals & Crofts 2 — October 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
- CeCe Teneal’s Divas of Soul — October 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Fall-Themed Events in Myrtle Beach
Sept. 14 - Oct. 11 | Crooked Hammock Brewery at Barefoot Landing
Crooktoberfest returns to Crooked Hammock Brewery at Barefoot Landing with German-inspired food, seasonal beers, live music and family-friendly events throughout the festival. The limited-time menu features favorites like the Brewer’s Board, Shiz-nitzel, Bier Me Burger and Steinhouse Pork Shanks, while the fall beer lineup includes Crooktoberfest Märzen Lager and Wünder Pumpkin Festbier.
Festival events include stein-holding competitions, Crooktober Family Fest, Sunday Crooktoberfest brunch with pretzel necklace crafts for kids, and live music every Friday from 5-8 p.m. Limited-release Crooktoberfest steins are also available while supplies last.
Oct. 3 & 4, 2026 | Barefoot Landing
Pretzels, bratwurst, cheese, and beer… sounds like Oktoberfest has arrived! Spend your day at Barefoot Landing with tasty food, drinks, and good music. Starting at noon, German-themed food will be served at participating restaurants and shops. A $10 wristband can be purchased for a 10% discount on food and beverages (excluding alcohol) at most restaurants. Once you’ve had your fair share of fun, head to the Dockside Village Stage at 3 p.m. to see dogs dressed up for the ‘Every Dog’s A Weiner’ dog contest.
Oct. 3 & 4, 2026 | Brookgreen Gardens
Celebrate fall at Brookgreen Gardens during Harvest Home Weekend, open from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. This family-friendly event features pumpkin decorating, scarecrow building, a hay maze, craft tables, live music and seasonal activities. Small pumpkins are $5 and large pumpkins are $9, while guests can create a scarecrow to take home for $7 or bring their own outfit and take it home for free. Food vendors and Brookgreen dining options will also be available throughout the weekend. The event is included with regular garden admission.
Oct. 10, 2026 | The Market Common
Sample your way through The Market Common during the Fall Taste of The Market Common from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 40 appetizers, entrées, desserts and specialty items from participating restaurants will be available, with tasting tickets sold for $1 each. Guests can also enjoy live music, sidewalk sales and the chance to vote for their favorite dishes while exploring The Market Common.
Oct. 31, 2026 | Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
Celebrate Halloween along the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk from 5-10 p.m. with trick-or-treating, costume contests, food and drink specials, and plenty of Halloween fun. The children’s costume contest begins at 6 p.m. in front of Drunken Jack’s, while the adult costume contest starts at 7 p.m. with more than $4,000 in cash and prizes. Adult contestants must register at Inlet Shipwreck between 7-8:30 p.m., with final judging at 9:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, 2026 | Broadway at The Beach
Bring the kids in costume for trick-or-treating fun at Broadway at the Beach from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Participating shops, restaurants and attractions throughout the property will hand out treats, making it an easy family-friendly stop for Halloween evening.
Myrtle Beach Theatre Events
Alabama Theatre brings live music and entertainment to the Grand Strand with a mix of variety shows, concerts and special performances throughout the year. Visit the theatre’s current schedule for October performances and ticket information.
The Carolina Opry offers live entertainment throughout the year, with music, comedy and variety performances featuring talented singers, dancers and musicians. Check the current schedule for October show dates and times.
GTS Theatre offers an intimate live entertainment experience in Myrtle Beach, with a rotating lineup of tribute shows, music, comedy and other performances. Because the schedule can change throughout the year, check the theatre’s current calendar for October showtimes and available productions.
