Make the most of the tourist off-season with 10 of the best festivals around the Myrtle Beach area
With the winter holidays over and the tourist season still months away, the Grand Strand experiences a bit of a lull in the late winter and early spring. But even in the off-season, there’s plenty to do in the Myrtle Beach area.
Parades, cook-offs, art shows and more, these festivals around the Grand Strand offer something for everyone this spring. Here are some popular ones you won’t want to miss.
Saturday, Feb. 1
12 - 4 p.m.
With fresh oysters, craft beer, art and live music, the Oysters and Art Festival is returning to the parking plaza behind Grand Strand Brewing Co. in downtown Myrtle Beach for a second year. The festival benefits the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum and tickets can be purchased online here. General admission tickets will run you $5 and tickets including a bucket of oysters are valued at $25.
Saturday, Feb. 15
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Caffeine lovers won’t want to miss the 2025 Coastal Coffee Fest at the Horry Georgetown Technical College Conference Center in The Market Common. The coffee convention will feature artisan brews, food trucks and seminars on topics like coffee sourcing and roasting. Standard tickets are $38 and include 18 coffee tastings, a T-shirt and a tote bag.
Saturday, Feb. 22
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Celebrating mac and cheese and benefiting the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach, Macaroni Mania is back at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex for its seventh year. Admission is free and visitors can shop local vendors, enjoy live music, bid in a silent auction and, of course, gorge themselves on macaroni dishes. If you think your macaroni recipe is top-notch, you can compete in the cook-off for a chance at the $500 prize.
Saturday, Feb. 22 - Sunday, Feb. 23
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The 11th annual Taste of The MarshWalk offers live music, vendors, bounce houses, games, a petting zoo, a bloody Mary showdown and more, all with the backdrop of Murrells Inlet’s salt marsh. Attendance is free and visitors can sample small dishes from MarshWalk restaurants like Dead Dog Saloon and The Wicked Tuna for $5 to $8.
Friday, March 7 - Saturday, March 8
Various times
The town of Surfside Beach is bringing live music, amazing food and more back to Surfside Drive and the Yaupon parking lot for its annual BBQ Festival. Before the main event, competitors will cook up anything but barbecue on Friday evening. Then, on Saturday visitors can check out the barbecue competition, vendors, kids activities and more. If spring rain drowns out the festival, a rain date is scheduled for Sunday, March 9.
Run to the Sun Car and Truck Show
Thursday, March 13 - Saturday, March 15
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
A long running tradition for Grand Strand gearheads, the Run to the Sun Car and Truck Show is back for its 36th year in 2025. Visitors can check out thousands of cars and trucks all from before 1990 at the former Myrtle Square Mall. Adult spectator tickets are $20 for a single day and $35 for three days. Military members and veterans can purchase three-day tickets for $15 and kids under the age of 12 enter for free with an adult.
North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Saturday, March 15
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Two days before the actual holiday, the city of North Myrtle Beach will host its 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival. The celebration will kick off with the parade, running from Ocean Boulevard to Ye Olde King Highway. After the parade, visitors can head to Main Street to enjoy live performances on three stages, vendors, rides, street entertainers, a shepherd’s pie eating contest and even a leprechaun contest.
Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival
Friday, April 11 - Sunday, April 13
Various times
Advertised as the biggest gathering of food trucks in South Carolina, the Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival is returning to the former Myrtle Square Mall this spring. While this year’s offerings haven’t been announced yet, the festival’s Facebook page promises more than 90 food vendors. Between bites, foodies can also enjoy live music performances and check out craft vendors.
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival
Tuesday, April 22 - Saturday, April 26
Various times
Cinema buffs won’t want to miss the 20th annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival at the Grand 14 theater in The Market Common. Film submissions are still open, so this year’s lineup hasn’t been announced, but last year the festival featured 40 independent films. Individual film block tickets will be available through Grand 14 for $17 and all-access passes will go on sale later this spring.
Brookgreen Gardens Art Festival
Saturday, April 26 - Sunday, April 27
9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Art lovers can browse paintings, pottery, glasswork, textiles and more in a stunning natural landscape at the Brookgreen Gardens Art Festival. If you plan to make a day of your visit, the event will also have food trucks. Admission is free for members and included with general Brookgreen Gardens admission for non-members, so visitors can also check out Brookgreen’s botanical gardens, sculptures, historical sites and lowcountry zoo.
