Festivals & Events
Guide to the Myrtle Beach SOS Spring Safari 2026
Overview of the 2026 Myrtle Beach SOS Spring Safari
Join fellow dancers at the Myrtle Beach SOS Spring Safari April 17–26, 2026, and celebrate the Lowcountry classic Shag dance. While Myrtle Beach is a popular destination for its sandy shoreline and green fairways, the Grand Strand is also renowned as the birthplace of shag dancing.
To the Myrtle Beach community, SOS stands for “Society of Stranders.” The SOS association keeps shagging alive with annual events, competitions, and spritzers. The Myrtle Beach SOS Spring Safari is a 10-day celebration of soul music and shag dancing in North Myrtle Beach. Every year, shaggers flock to the Grand Strand to mingle, party, and, most importantly, dance. Vendors line Main St. as local bands and DJs put on free live performances. Participants are encouraged to attend local dance classes by day.
Once the sun sets, SOS Spring Safari really starts. Lounges and bars across North Myrtle Beach transform into dance clubs suited to accommodate hundreds of swinging dancers. You’ll want to brush up on your dance moves before the SOS Spring Safari. Show off new moves to old friends or impress new acquaintances at one of the many parties held along the Grand Strand that week. Some clubs even host competitions and award prizes to the partners who dominate the dance floor.
Consult our handy guide and start planning your SOS Spring Safari 2025 vacation today:
SOS Spring Safari 2025 Details
- When: April 17-26, 2026; The official association meeting is on April 25 at 10 a.m.; The ACSC Parade will be held on April 25 at 1 p.m.
- Where: This massive 10-day event will be held in North Myrtle Beach. The official SOS Association meeting will be held at Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort at 98 N Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. The ACSC Parade will be held on Main St. in North Myrtle Beach.
- Pricing: This celebration of shag dancing is free to attend, but private lounge, bar, and restaurant events associated with the SOS Spring Safari may cost between $5 and $10 to attend.
Myrtle Beach SOS Spring Safari Highlights
- Dance classes and competitions
- Live performances by local bands and DJs
- Parties hosted by local lounges, clubs, and bars
- An official Society of Stranders Association meeting
- The annual ACSC Parade held on the last Saturday of Spring Safari
- Parade float cash prizes
Lounges & Clubs for SOS Spring Safari
When the sun goes down, the shaggers hit the dancefloor. During the SOS Spring Safari, several bars, clubs, and lounges in North Myrtle Beach clear away the tables to welcome shaggers to dance the night away. These venues will host live performances from local artists and dance classes from popular shag instructors. The SOS Spring Safari band schedule and list of available classes will be available closer to April. For now, plan to visit one of these SOS-associated lounges during the Spring Safari:
- Duck’s Night Life
- Fat Harold’s Beach Club
- The OD Arcade
- The OD Beach & Golf Resort Spanish Galleon
- Deckerz
- Pirate’s Cove Bar & Grill
Where To Stay
North Myrtle Beach is home to some of the nicest hotels along the Grand Strand. Choose from hotels close to the ACSC Parade, resorts in quiet pockets of the Grand Strand, and luxury oceanfront lodging options. Snowbirds and dance enthusiasts alike flock to the Grand Strand for the SOS shaggers Spring Safari. Avoid the mad dash for accommodations and book your SOS Spring Safari hotel room today.
Avista Resort
300 N Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
The towering Avista Resort is a great choice for shaggers attending the SOS Spring Safari, thanks to its proximity to the parade location. Avista Resort is within walking distance of Main St. and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. This oceanfront resort offers comfortable accommodations and modern amenities at an affordable price.
North Beach Resort & Villas
100 North Beach Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Treat yourself to a luxurious beach vacation at North Beach Resort & Villas. This sprawling oceanfront resort is located in North Myrtle Beach, making it ideal for SOS Spring Safari shaggers. When you aren’t out on the dance floor, enjoy a soothing massage at the resort’s on-site Cinzia Spa.
Prince Resort
3500 N Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Prince Resort offers incredible value to shaggers attending the 2026 SOS Spring Safari. This oceanfront resort offers clean, comfortable lodging options with ocean and city views. This North Myrtle Beach resort is within walking distance of Cherry Grove Pier, the perfect place to meet up with fellow shag enthusiasts.
Beach Cove Resort
4800 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Reserve a room at Beach Cove Resort and enjoy ocean views and direct beach access. When you aren’t mingling with fellow shaggers at the Spring Safari, take a load off and float along the lazy river or soak in the swimming pool. This North Myrtle Beach resort features a hot tub perfect for relaxing those muscles after a long night on the dancefloor.
SeaSide Resort
2301 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
SeaSide Resort offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the SOS Spring Safari. The North Myrtle Beach hotel is an oceanfront resort with ample water amenities, including an indoor and outdoor pool, a lazy river, a hot tub, and direct beach access.
Where To Eat
After working up an appetite on the dancefloor, SOS Spring Safari shaggers can grab a bite to eat at one of the many fantastic Myrtle Beach restaurants. From seafood to burgers, the fare offered at restaurants along the Grand Strand can satisfy any craving. Check out these dining options near the SOS Spring Safari action:
Local on the Water
1525 13th Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Keep the party going from the dance floor to Local on the Water. This lively alfresco restaurant serves surf and turf-style cuisine and hosts live music from local artists and DJs. Local on the Water is a short seven-minute drive from the SOS Spring Safari lounges and serves food until 10 p.m. on weeknights and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bennett’s Calabash Seafood Buffet No. 1
9701 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Eat your fill of buttery seafood and delectable sides at Bennett’s Calabash Seafood Buffet. Open from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Bennett’s Buffet is a dinner must. The North Myrtle Beach location of Bennett’s Calabash Seafood Buffet is only a short drive from the main SOS Spring Safari lounges.
Greg Norman Australian Grille
4930 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Greg Norman Australian Grille serves grilled surf and turf options and refreshing cocktails. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, this venue is an excellent spot to enjoy dinner and a view before dancing the night away at one of the SOS Spring Safari events, just a 13-minute drive from the restaurant. The Australian-style eatery is open until 9 p.m. on weeknights and until 9:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Golden Griddle
508 Main St, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
The Golden Griddle will be serving up flapjacks every morning just a few blocks down from the SOS Safari lounges. Start a long day of dance classes and competitions on the right foot with a hearty breakfast at The Golden Griddle in North Myrtle Beach.
