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2013 festivals and events to watch in Myrtle Beach area

By Ashlee Carson Dec 31, 2012

The Greek Festival is a popular place for food and fun every September.

Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand are home to countless festivals every year. If you love a good festival, we’ve got the breakdown on the biggest and the best at the beach throughout the year, in addititon to our usual posting of myrtle beach events.

January

Restaurant Week: This annual celebration of South Carolina's cuisine features special chef's selections and discounts. Participating restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area include Aspen Grille, Brentwood Restaurant, Drunken Jack's, Ruth's Chris and Tommy Bahama.

March

Canadian-American Days Festival: The 52nd annual Canadian-American Days Festival will be March 9-16, 2013, in Myrtle Beach. Festivities in this celebration of our friendly neighbors to the north include concerts, games and a golf tournament.

Run to the Sun: For more than 20 years, Run to the Sun has been Myrtle Beach’s premiere car show. 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 25th year and will be held March 14-16, 2013.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival North Myrtle Beach: The 25th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. March 16, 2013. 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. The coldest Irish brews and famous Irish food will be served up all day long. Bag pipers, Irish folk songs and dance teams perform their numbers on stage on the street.

3rd annual Irish Fest: The 3rd annual Irish Fest has quickly become a popular event at The Market Common. Festival goers can feast on traditional Irish food and beers as well as an oyster roast. Kids will love the face painting and inflatables just for them. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

5th annual Myrtle Beach Beer Fest: The 5th annual Myrtle Beach Beer Fest will be held March 29-30 at the House of Blues at Barefoot Landing. Formerly held at The Market Common, the Beer Fest features samples of craft beers from around the country. Tickets will be sold in sessions and VIP tickets are available for 100 people per session.

April

Art in the Park: The Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild has been hosting Art in the Park 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. Art in the Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 & 14; June 22 & 23; October 5 & 6 and November 2 & 3 at Chapin Park in Myrtle Beach. It will also be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 & 21 and November 9 & 10 in 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. Shagging competitions at local clubs are quite fierce and most of all, fun to watch. The Society of Stranders (SOS) promotes a theme of “Good Friends, Good Times and Great Memories.” The Spring Safari will be held April 12-21, 2013.

May

Atlantic Beach Bike Week: Atlantic Beach Bike Week, also known as Black 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.

Blue Crab Festival: The 32nd annual Blue Crab Festival is scheduled May 18-19 on the waterfront in Little River. The festival includes tasty treats and entertainment for the whole family along the Little River waterfront.

Mayfest on Main: North Myrtle Beach hosts its eighth annual Mayfest on Main festival to kick off summer. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 11, 2013. It includes live music, crafts and food vendors all along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach Bike Week – Spring Rally: The Myrtle Beach Bike Week spring rally will be May 10-19, 2013, 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: Just west of the beach is the historic town of Conway, South Carolina, host of the Rivertown Music and 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. The festival is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 4, 2013.

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 15-21, 2013.

September

Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival: 2013 will mark the 38th year for the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival in Huntington Beach State Park. Upwards of 100 artists line the park with their unique treasures. You can find anything from glass pieces to baskets. The festival runs from Sept. 27-29, 2013.

Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival: The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Beach, Boogie and BBQ Festival at the beach over Labor Day weekend. Live bands, vendors with arts and crafts and unique entertainment make for a weekend of fun. Get your fill of the award-winning barbeque served up all day.

Irish Italian Festival: Live music and the best of Irish and Italian fare and spirits set North Myrtle Beach afire each September during the Irish Italian Festival. This year the festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28, and the event features a food contest for local eateries as well as a spaghetti-eating contest.

St. John’s Greek Festival: St. John’s Greek Festival will host its 22nd event in Myrtle Beach in 2013. This famous festival is one not to miss. 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! The festival is from Sept. 26-29, 2013. It's at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 3301 33rd Ave. Extension N., Myrtle Beach.

October

Little River Shrimp and Jazz Festival: The Little River Shrimp and Jazz Festival offers precisely what its name suggests. Tasty shrimp creations are available at this annual festival held on Columbus Day weekend. The sounds of jazz music fill the air and create an atmosphere of fun and liveliness along the water in Little River Oct. 12-13, 2013.

Loris Bog-Off: If you haven’t visited Myrtle Beach in the fall, then it’s possible you don’t know about the Loris Bog-Off. This festival is such a favorite of many locals that it’s no wonder they’ll mark their 34th year in town in 2013! 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 slated for Oct. 19, 2013.

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. Authentic German cuisine is served up alongside free concerts all day. You’ll definitely want to stay for the bratwurst eating contest! 2013 dates have not been announced.

Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art: The Pawleys Island Festival of Music and Art, which runs from Oct. 1-13, 2013, has been a favorite local tradition for years, as well as a strong non-profit organization on the Grand Strand. Exclusive concerts and symphonies, a wine gala and theater performances are just a few of the arts you’ll experience.

Did we miss something? E-mail us at events@myrtlebeach.com. Check out our events page for the most up-to-date happenings on and around the beach!

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