Below is a list of the larger festivals in the Myrtle Beach area.
March
Canadian-American Days Festival: The 51st annual Can-Am Days Festival will be March 10-18, 2012, in Myrtle Beach. Festivities include concerts, games and a golf tournament.
Irish Fest: The third annual event will be March 17, 2012, in Valor Park at The Market Common. Festivities include Irish food, beer, entertainment and kids’ activities. The link also includes information for the Rear Beer Night and the 4th Annual Beer Fest, both held in Myrtle Beach.
Run to the Sun: Three days full of cruising along Ocean Boulevard, Car Shows and races bring in car enthusiasts from all over. This year’s event marks the 24rd year and will be held March 15-17, 2012. Not sure if there will be vendors at this event.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival North Myrtle Beach: The 24th annual Parade will begin at 9 a.m. March 17, 2012. The parade is touted as the largest on the Grand Strand with more than 100 entries. After the parade, Main Street in North Myrtle Beach comes to life with this annual festival. Cold beer, food and traditional Irish entertainment is on tap for the day.
5th Annual Taste of the Coast, Barefoot Landing: Saturday, March 24, 2012, 11am-4pm. The event is to raise scholarship funds to benefit the students of Risen Christ Lutheran School through the support and efforts of Coastal Culinary Community.
April
Earth Day Music Fest & Expo: April 21st from 11am to 6pm at Grand Park, Market Common. The Expo portion of that event promotes health and wellness vendors, exhibitors, green businesses and local non-profit organizations. It is an outdoor event held every April to promote sustainability and eco-friendly businesses. There are six to seven regional and local bands; everything to promote a healthy planet. Earth Day Music Fest & Expo is scheduled for April 21st at Grand Park at Market Common, and we are accepting new vendors.
Art in the Park: The Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild has been hosting the event in the Myrtle Beach area for 40 years. The events allow local artists to display their work and draw vendors and visitors from along the East Coast. In 2012, shows will be April 14-15, June 9-10, Oct. 6-7 and Nov. 3-4 at Chapin Park. Shows will be held April 21-22 and Nov. 10-11 at Valor Park at The Market Common.
Society of Stranders (SOS) Spring Safari: The Shag is the state dance of South Carolina and welcomes festivals and events at various times in the year. The Society of Stranders (SOS) promotes a theme of “Good Friends, Good Times and Great Memories.” It will be held April 20-29, 2012.
Coastal Uncorked Food and Wine Festival: The Coastal Uncorked Food and Wine Festival is an annual celebration of food and wine in Myrtle Beach. Events for 2012 include a restaurant week, gourmet village and a strolling music and arts promenade. The event ends with the Coastal Uncorked Food Challenge and Tasting Finale. April 22-29.
Socastee Heritage Festival: April 30, 2011 Festival Project: Playground for special needs students.
May
The 31st Annual Blue Crab Festival: The festival will be held along the intracoastal waterfront in Little River, SC. on May 19th and 20th.
Atlantic Beach Bike Week: Atlantic Beach Bike Week is an annual motorcycle rally on the Grand Strand. Memorial Day weekend is when the fun takes place. Get ready to see custom motorcycles and cars and loads of events and entertainment.
MayFest: Details are still to come for this annual Myrtle Beach festival, which includes free entertainment and a Memorial Day Parade down Ocean Boulevard. There is always plenty of family fun to be had at this annual event.
Myrtle Beach Bike Week – Spring Rally: The Myrtle Beach Bike Week spring rally, known this year as “The Ride,” will be May 14-28th, along the Grand Strand. Numerous vendors, local bars and venues bring plenty of biker fun to the beach for this event.
Rivertown Music & Arts Festival: Local and regional bands provide the sounds of jazz, gospel, steel drums and more! Local artists display their pottery, wood, glass and paintings. Gourmet foods and local cuisine will be served at the festival on May 5, 2012.
June
July
Mustang Week: If you own a Mustang, or even if you just love the cars, Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach offers the most unique collection of these famous cars. Burnout contests, races and car shows are just a few of the events in town. Meet up with other Mustang fans during Mustang Week July 16-22, 2012.
Brews-a-Palooza: The House of Blues in Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach will host the event on the deck on July 21 from 5-11:30 p.m.There will be more than 50 craft beer brewing including some highly coveted libations: Founders Devil Dancer, Founders Frangelic Mountain Brown, New Belgium La Folie, Terrapin Easy Rider, He’Brew Funky Jewbilation, and Jolly Pumpkin La Roja to name a few!
September
The 2012 South Carolina’s Largest Garage Sale in Myrtle Beach will be held on September 8 from 7am-2pm at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Admission to the sale is free, but parking is $3 per car per day.
SOS – Society of Shaggers Fall Migration, September 14 -23 on Main Street in NMB.
Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival: Live bands, vendors with arts and crafts and unique entertainment make for a weekend of fun. It is set for August 31- Sept. 2 at Grand Park in Market Common. Food is the main attraction, with eating/cooking events featuring the nation’s finest barbeque competitors. Come enjoy live music, art and craft exhibitors, water skiing demonstrations, boat rides, fireworks and more. Festivities kick off on Friday at 6 p.m. and continue through Sunday at 5 p.m. For more information, go to Beach, Boogie & BBQ.
Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival: Friday, Sept. 28, Noon – 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.,Sunday, Sept. 30,10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily festival admission fee is $6 for adults.A multi-day pass is available for $10. Featuring more than 100 of the finest artisans, the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival provides aesthetic beauty against a background of natural beauty.
Irish Italian Festival: Live music and the best of Irish and Italian fare and spirits set North Myrtle Beach afire each September. This year the festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29,beginning at 10:00 am and continues until 4:00 pm on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach; featuring food from local restaurants, two stages of live entertainment, street performers, art & craft vendors, and dance groups all surrounding an Irish Italian International theme. Restaurants will compete for the title of Best Entrée, Best Decorated, and Best Dessert. Festival goers can join in friendly competitions from a spaghetti eating competition to a Lego contest!
St. John’s Greek Festival: St. John’s Greek Festival will host its 21st event in Myrtle Beach September 27th – 30th, 2012. This 4-day event will be held on Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM, and on Sunday from Noon until 7 PM. Enjoy the finest Greek pastries, cookies and baked goods or sip on some delicious Greek wines. Feast on homemade delicacies like Mousaka, Spanikopita and Gyros. Your stomach will thank you after leaving this fun (and cultural) event! Dates and times to be announced for this local favorite!
Oktoberfest at Valor Park: Sept. 28th – 30th. Friday from 4pm-9pm, Saturday, from 11am-7pm,Sunday, from 12pm-5pm. Come out and enjoy live German music, fun and games for the kids, German food, 20+ vendors, largest selection of Oktoberfest beer, german wines, facepainting, inflatables, and much more.
Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art: 22nd Annual Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art, slated for September 27- October 14, 2012.
October
Week of October 1-7:
Harley Davidson Fall Bike Rally, October 1-7. A quieter version of the Spring Rally. For activities, check Fall Bike Week.
Conway Fall Festival, October 6, 10-6, family fun for all.
Ocean Boulevard’s Oktoberfest: If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate your German roots, Ocean Boulevard’s Oktoberfest is the perfect spot to do it. October 6th from noon until 11pm.
The Annual Surfside Beach Family Festival will be held on Saturday, October 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Surfside Drive and nearby Fuller Park. Please contact Debbie Ellis at 843-650-9548 with any questions.
Taste of the Town, 4pm to 10pm at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Admission is $5 and food and drink tickets can be bought inside for the many of participating restaurants.
Week of October 8-14
Low Country Herb Society Fall Garden Festival, October 12 and 13 from 8am to 5pm. Members of the Low Country Herb Society and the Inlet Culinary Garden staff will be on hand to answer questions about fall planting and herb gardening. A selection of food samplings showcasing the available herbs and vegetables will be offered with recipes and information on using and preserving herbs for culinary uses.
ShrimpFest 2012: Tasty shrimp creations are available at this annual festival in historic Little River. Featuring live entertainment, vendors for your shopping pleasure, activities for the kids and fresh shrimp and seafood specialties. October 13 and 14.
Harvest Home Weekend Festival at Brookgreen Garden,Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14. More Entertainment, More Scarecrows, More Animals and More Fun!
Lip Rippin’ Chili Cook-Off at the Crazy Sister Marina, Murrells Inlet, free to attend and $1 for each chili sample; entertainment for kids and adults alike
Week of October 15-21
Myrtle Beach Wine Fest, 11am to 7pm on October 20 at Valor Park, Market Common will feature more than 120 wine varieties; food samples and jazz and more. $5 for sampling glass and tickets are $1 each.
Loris Bog-Off: This festival is such a favorite of many locals that it’s no wonder they’ll mark their 33rd year in town to be held Saturday, October 20, 2012 in downtown Loris. Chicken Bog is a South Carolina specialty dish with rice, sausage, spices and chicken. You’ll taste the best bog in town year after year at this tasty festival.
Wooden Boat Show from 11am to 6pm on October 6 in downtown Georgetown; free to attend to see about 100 boats. This year will include a boat building competition, kids area, food and music.
Week of October 22-28
Endless Summer from 10am to 4pm on October 27 in the horseshoe at the center of Main and Ocean in NMB. There will be a street fair and of course music.
Celebrity Square of Terror on October 27 from 7:30pm to 2am at Celebrity Square at Broadway and billed as the largest costume contest in South Carolina.
November
SC State Bluegrass Festival on November 22-24 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. One of the premier displays of Bluegrass in the South. For times and costs, check their website.
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You missed 2 great festivals in Conway. Riverfest on June 30th and the St. Nicholas Festival in November.
Thanks so much for telling us. We will update this later today. Unfortunately we do not have a contact yet in Conway to give us updates as we do in the other cities on the Grand Strand but we are working on it.
I’ll immediately take hold of your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
You can go to our website, grandstrand.happeningmag.com and enter in your email on the right to receive our monthly newsletter. We do not have rss at this point.