07/19/2023
Myrtle Beach is home to more than just gorgeous beaches. A variety of diverse and unique annual events happen year-round along the South Carolina coast. Some visitors plan their vacations around these festivals, booking summer stays at Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort to enjoy Summer Light: Art by Night at Brookgreen Gardens or a spring getaway to the Grand Strand during the Blue Crab Festival. Check out our favorite Myrtle Beach festivals that are fun for all ages:
Summer Light: Art by Night at Brookgreen Gardens in Myrtle Beach is a chance to explore the iconic garden landscapes after dark. Eleven artistic lighting installations light the way through Brookgreen’s sculpture garden, Oak Allee, Beyond the Garden Wall, Children’s Garden, and more areas bathed in beautiful soft light. Summer Light: Art by Night runs from June 7 to August 26 on Wednesday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 10 pm.
The annual Craftsmen’s Summer Classic festival will be held August 4, 5, and 6th in Myrtle Beach. Approaching 50 years of Craftsmen’s Classics, this indoor festival showcases the talents of anywhere between 250 and 450 participants. The Summer Classic will highlight a carefully-curated blend of crafts and fine art, with a balance between contemporary and traditional workings. See the Craftsmen’s Classic schedule and details here!
The Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down is one of the Myrtle Beach area’s most well-known festivals, celebrating 43 years of fun this year. Taking place on the third Saturday of September, the Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down features arts and crafts vendors, live music and other entertainment, a parade, pageant, and more. See more details here.
The 18th annual Little River ShrimpFest will take place on Saturday and Sunday October 14th and 15th, 2023. Enjoy a full weekend of festivities from 9 am to 5 pm on the Historic Little River Waterfront. Food vendors will have your festival favorites and new flavors to try, over 100 vendors, stilt walkers, live music, and (of course) shrimp!
Visit the 44th annual Loris Bog-Off Festival on Saturday, October 21, 2023. This festival’s main focus is the chicken bog-off, but that event is supplemented by over 200 vendors, live entertainment, and more. Whether you’re a bog connoisseur or want to try this Southern delicacy for the first time, the Loris Bog-Off Festival is the place to be!
The annual Harvest Home Weekend Festival is October 7th and 8th, 2023. Brookgreen Gardens hosts this fall festival to celebrate the arrival of cooler weather in Myrtle Beach, offering pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, and a hay maze for younger children. Food vendors, the Harvest Restaurant, the Old Kitchen, and the Courtyard Cafe will be open for food and drinks.
Myrtle Beach’s annual I Love Seafood Fest combines the social and artistic aspects of delicious seafood cooking with award-winning live entertainment. Celebrating this year on September 9th and 10th, join the I Love Seafood Fest for paella, oysters, crab, whole fish and shrimp, and much much more!
The 48th annual Atalaya Arts + Crafts Festival takes place this year September 22 – 24. See artists who specialize in basketry, clay and porcelain, glass, jewelry, leather work, printmaking, photography, paper and ink, and other categories – and purchase work directly from the artists themselves. This festival takes place at the oceanfront home of famed sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington.
See the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk transformed into a dazzling light display for the Winter Wonderland at the Beach festival. Winter Wonderland at the Beach features light installations, artificial snow, vendors, ice rinks, and more so you can get your holiday shopping done while you enjoy the feel of winter in beautiful Myrtle Beach.
Brookgreen Gardens comes to life at night during Nights of a Thousand Candles, happening this year in Myrtle Beach on select dates from November to December. Almost 3,000 hand-lit candles and sparkling lights bathe the gardens in a soft, magical glow as you explore the grounds, enjoy holiday music, and sip cider.
The Myrtle Beach International Film Festival (MBIFF) takes place annually in Myrtle Beach, and will be held from April 23 – 27, 2024. In collaboration with the local, national, and international film communities, MBIFF encourages industry professionals and novices to engage with their work and audiences in new ways.
The annual Little River Blue Crab Festival will be held in May of 2024. On the scenic waterfront of Historic Little River, enjoy fresh local seafood, live music, and unique items from vendors. This world-famous festival has been awarded the Best Annual Event/Festival on the Grand Strand for almost 10 years in a row.
The Carolina Country Music Fest will be back in Myrtle Beach June 6 – 9, 2024. Headliner Morgan Wallen has been announced, with more big names and upcoming stars to come. Gather with country music fans from all around the states to share your love of country tunes and good times. Early bird tickets go on sale July 21, 2023 here!
Join the city of Conway for Riverfest 2024! Shop local and regional vendors, enjoy delicious restaurants only found in Conway, and stick around after sunset for a fireworks show – typically the first fireworks show of the Fourth of July season!
Myrtle Beach is a year-round vacation destination for those looking for fun festivals for the entire family. From Winter Wonderland at the Beach to Country Carolina Music Fest and all the seafood in between, any time of year is a great time to book a room at our Myrtle Beach hotel and enjoy one of the area’s many festivals!