When summer winds down, the fun certainly doesn’t stop along the Grand Strand. In fact, fall may be one of the best times of year to visit North Myrtle Beach. The weather is comfortable, the crowds are a little smaller, and the calendar is packed with festivals celebrating everything from seafood and Southern food to music, arts and local traditions.
If you’re planning a fall getaway, here are 10 events worth putting on your calendar.
SOS Fall Migration | September 18–27
North Myrtle Beach’s famous shag-dancing tradition takes over Ocean Drive during the SOS Fall Migration. Expect live music, dancing, parties, vendors and plenty of Carolina beach-music atmosphere. Whether you’re an experienced shag dancer or just curious about what all the fuss is about, it’s a uniquely Grand Strand experience.
Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival | September 25–27
Head south to Huntington Beach State Park for one of the area’s favorite arts and crafts festivals. More than 100 artists and craftspeople showcase everything from paintings and photography to jewelry, pottery and handmade creations. Add live music, food vendors and the beautiful setting around Atalaya Castle, and you’ve got a great fall afternoon.
NMB Live! | September 26
Main Street in North Myrtle Beach gets turned into a giant outdoor celebration for the inaugural NMB Live! The free, family-friendly festival features three stages of live entertainment, more than 150 vendors, food trucks and local restaurants, plus a Kids Zone. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine unless unsafe weather is forecast.
Little River ShrimpFest | October 10–11
Bring your appetite! The Historic Little River Waterfront hosts its annual ShrimpFest with two stages of live music, more than 200 vendors, arts and crafts, family activities and plenty of shrimp and fresh seafood. It’s one of those quintessential Grand Strand fall events.
North Carolina Oyster Festival | October 17–18
Cross the state line and head to Ocean Isle Beach for the 45th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival. You’ll find live music, arts and crafts, local food, cooking contests and, of course, plenty of oysters. The festival takes place at Town Center Park and offers a great excuse to explore Brunswick County for the day.
Loris Bog-Off Festival | October 17
If seafood isn’t your thing, how about chicken bog? The Loris Bog-Off has been a Horry County tradition since 1980, beginning as a chicken-bog cooking contest and growing into a full-day festival with food, entertainment, vendors, children’s activities and fireworks.
N.C. Yam Festival | October 24
Yes, yams. And it’s a lot more fun than you might expect. Head north to Tabor City, North Carolina, for this long-running community festival celebrating the area’s agricultural heritage. You’ll find a parade, food, vendors, entertainment and plenty of good old-fashioned small-town festival fun.
Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival | October 16–18
Spend a fall weekend listening to live jazz during the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival. The free three-day event features performances, food and beverage vendors and children’s activities. It’s a great option when you want something a little more laid-back than a traditional festival.
Flavors of Fall | November 7
As autumn settles in, North Myrtle Beach celebrates the season with Flavors of Fall. It’s a chance to enjoy local food, entertainment and the flavors of the season while exploring one of the area’s most popular destinations.
Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival | November 13–14
Wrap up the fall festival season with two days of original music at the Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival. More than 50 local, regional and touring songwriters perform at venues throughout downtown Myrtle Beach, sharing not only their songs but the stories behind them. The festival is free to attend.
Make a Fall Festival Weekend Out of It
One of the best things about a fall getaway to North Myrtle Beach is that you don’t have to choose between the beach and the festivals—you can enjoy both.
Spend the morning walking along the shoreline, head out to a festival in the afternoon, grab dinner somewhere local and then return to the comfort of Best Western Ocean Sands Beach Resort.
The summer crowds may be fading, but the Grand Strand is still going strong.
This fall, come for the beach—and stay for the festivals!