Festivals & Events
Guide to Atlantic Beach Bikefest 2024
This May, the Atlantic Beach Bikefest will celebrate its 44th anniversary with its usual Memorial Day weekend block party and motorcycle rally. This event is free to attend and anyone with a passion or interest for bikes is welcome to join in on the Atlantic Beach Bikefest fun. So polish your hog, pull out the leathers, and strap on your helmet for this wild ride.
Also called Black Bike Week, this event is one of the largest events for this historic African American community in the Myrtle Beach area. The rally was originally founded in 1980 by the Flaming Knight Riders motorcycle club and was met with booming success. Once partnered with the local cultural center, the Atlantic Beach Black Pearl Cultural Heritage Festival and Bikefest was born.
If this is your first Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest, you can expect a weekend filled with food, drinks, and motorcycles as far as the eye can see. Vendor tents line the streets of Atlantic Beach, offering delicious street food, themed merchandise, and other goods from local shops. Concerts, live shows, and contests entertain guests during the day. Bars, lounges, and restaurants host parties to keep the rally going even when the sun goes down.
Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock to the Grand Strand every Memorial Day weekend, and this year’s Atlantic Beach Bikefest is expected to be just as wild. Hotels are already filling up for the holiday, so we recommend mapping out your plans early on.
Atlantic Beach Bikefest 2024 Dates & Details
- When: May 24–27, 2024; Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: 717 30th Ave. S., Atlantic Beach, SC 29582
- Cost: Free to attend.
- Traffic: Plan to be stuck in some traffic if you attend this Memorial Day event. Jams lasting up to four hours are expected. A dedicated traffic lane from Hwy. 17 will be set up to allow attendees access to the Bikefest as efficiently as possible. Once in the lane, drivers won’t be able to turn left or merge onto Hwy. 17 until a few blocks past the event.
Highlights
- A wide variety of food vendors
- Merchandise and retail vendors
- Concerts, live entertainment, and contests
- Motorcycle showings
- After parties hosted by local bars, lounges, and restaurants
Where To Stay
Hotels fill up quickly in Myrtle Beach for Memorial Day weekend. That’s why we recommend that Bikefest attendees and vendors reserve their accommodations as soon as possible. Explore oceanfront hotels in Myrtle Beach and enjoy luxurious resort amenities after a long day of riding and walking. Guests with trailers will appreciate the wide open space and cheap prices at campgrounds along the Grand Strand. Check out some of these resorts and campgrounds:
Best Western Ocean Sands
1525 South Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Enjoy the 2024 Bikefest on a budget at Best Western Ocean Sands. This affordable hotel offers comfortable lodging options and is just a short four-minute drive from the Atlantic Beach event. Reserve a room with an in-suite kitchen and store snacks and drinks to enjoy after a day on the pavement.
Avista Resort
300 N Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Reserve an oceanfront or ocean view room at the towering Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach. The luxurious hotel features an oceanfront pool, direct beach access, and on-site dining options. This all-inclusive resort is an eight-minute drive from the event.
SeaSide
2301 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
SeaSide is an oceanfront hotel ideal for Bikefest attendees. The North Myrtle Beach property is just an eight-minute ride from the 2024 event site and offers affordable prices and a variety of lodging options. This hotel features a modern aesthetic, comfortable accommodations, and resort amenities.
Myrtle Beach Travel Park Campground
10108 Kings Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
The Myrtle Beach Travel Park Campground offers affordable lots for Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy the campground’s sparkling waterfront views from the comfort of your RV. This sprawling RV park is just 10 minutes away.
Prince Resort
3500 N Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Enjoy a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of Atlantic Beach Bikefest at Prince Resort. This North Myrtle Beach hotel sits on a quiet portion of the Grand Strand, allowing guests to relax and recharge. Prince Resort is a 13-minute ride from the main event.
Grande Shores Oceanfront Hotel
201 77th Ave North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
After a long day of checking out the parade of bikes, take a load off at Grande Shores Oceanfront Hotel. This sprawling property is a 15-minute drive from Atlantic Beach, offering a break from the noise of engines and crowds. Choose from a range of accommodations, including suites and condos, for a reservation that suits your budget.
North Myrtle Beach RV Resort & Dry Dock
260 Old Crane Road, Little River, SC 29566
Pack up the family bikes in your camper and head to North Myrtle Beach RV Resort & Dry Dock for the 2024 Bikefest. Just 15 minutes from the event site, this RV resort is a family-friendly property equipped with a pool and waterslide.
Where To Eat
Even though the Atlantic Beach Bikefest serves up some delectable street food, you’ll want to reserve some time to try other local eateries. North Myrtle Beach is packed with restaurants that residents and vacationers just can’t get enough of, including popular options at Barefoot Landing. Check out our recommendations for restaurants that are close to the event:
Captain Jack’s Seafood Buffet
1400 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Seafood lovers will appreciate Captain Jack’s Buffet filled with buttery lobster, crab, fish, shrimp, and all the fixings. This North Myrtle Beach restaurant is only a four-minute drive from the center of the event.
Bennett’s Calabash Seafood
9701 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Calabash-style seafood is a must when visiting Myrtle Beach. Bennett’s Calabash serves fresh seafood in a buffet style, perfect for large groups. This eatery is only four minutes away from the Memorial Day weekend event.
Ultimate California Pizza
2500 N. Kings Highway , Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Take a break from the crowds and grab a slice at Ultimate California Pizza. This popular restaurant serves pies, salads, and subs to suit your craving. Plus, this restaurant is only a five-minute ride from the main attraction.
Greg Norman Australian Grille
4930 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Treat yourself to an upscale dinner at Greg Norman Australian Grille. This waterfront restaurant serves surf and turf options, refreshing drinks, and dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Located in Barefoot Landing, this alfresco restaurant is only six minutes away.
Local on the Water
1525 13th Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Local on the Water offers a lively dining experience with local performers and boatside bar service. This exciting restaurant is 11 minutes from Bikefest, offering a reprieve from the event’s traffic and noise.
