Grand Strand Fun Heats up With Full Summer Events Schedule

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Featuring over 60 miles of scenic Atlantic Ocean coastline plus a long list of family-friendly attractions, the Grand Strand is a renowned destination for Southern summertime fun. Consider the wide-ranging and abundant summer festivals and events found in the Myrtle Beach area, and it’s easy to see why the South Carolina coast grows even more appealing as the temperatures rise.

Considered by many to be the unofficial kickoff to the Grand Strand’s summer season, Memorial Day weekend is always a blast here. This year, the holiday weekend’s loaded schedule includes a range of observances honoring our nation’s heroes, perhaps highlighted by the culmination of Myrtle Beach’s month-long Military Appreciation Days, which offers a parade, a picnic and a remembrance ceremony, in addition to other patriotic events.

And Memorial Day weekend just gets the action-packed summer lineup on the Grand Strand started. While the options for summer fun in the Myrtle Beach area are countless, check out these five exciting events that serve as summer-calendar highlights:

Carolina Country Music Fest, June 7-10, 2018: Returning this summer for year No. 4 on the oceanfront at the former site of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion amusement park, the Carolina Country Music Fest — known as the East Coast’s largest three-day outdoor country music festival — will feature more than 30 of country music’s biggest names. Headliners will include superstars like Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band and Cole Swindell, all performing on a site where the Atlantic Ocean serves as the backdrop and vendor booths, concession stands and even a zip line ramp up the fun in the sun. Check out the full lineup and learn more about the festival at carolinacountrymusicfest.com.

Red, White & Bang, June 30, 2018: Held at the famed Murrells Inlet biker bar Suck Bang Blow, this all-day bash gets 4th of July week off to a rousing start with vintage bikes, classic cars, live music on two stages, a fireworks show, a burn-out and more. Note — this event includes adult-oriented activities and is not suitable for the kids in your vacation crew. Learn more about the music lineup and additional activities on tap at redwhiteandbang.com.

Junior SOS, July 17-22, 2018: The world’s biggest and greatest junior dance event marks its 27th anniversary this year, and it will again celebrate Shag dancing’s next generation of torchbearers. Held in some of the same North Myrtle Beach dance clubs that host the adult Society of Stranders events, Junior SOS is organized by the Junior Shag Association and puts the spotlight on young talent. Event headquarters are the O.D. Beach and Golf Resort on Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach. To learn more, visit juniorshaggers.com.

Broadway at the Beach Fireworks: Located about 10 minutes south of Ocean Reef Resort, the Broadway at the Beach shopping/dining/entertainment complex is one of the area’s most popular destinations for vacationing families year-round. But the attraction sizzles even more in the summer, when free fireworks light up the skies over the complex most Tuesday and Friday nights at 10 p.m. See the full fireworks schedule at broadwayatthebeach.com.

Hot Summer Nights on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk: Thanks to this entertainment series, family-friendly activities and live entertainment add to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk’s already strong allure on Monday through Saturday nights from mid-June through early September. And guests at Ocean Reef Resort can get there via an easy, 13-minute drive — the northern terminus of the 1.2-mile oceanfront walkway is roughly 5 miles south of the resort property. Check myrtlebeachdowntown.com for a full schedule of planned Hot Summer Nights events.

This is just a small sampling of the many exciting events planned for this summer on the Grand Strand — the complete list just keeps on going. Whatever activities you choose to pursue during your visit to the Myrtle Beach area, cap off your day by heading back to the comfortable accommodations and wide-ranging amenities at Ocean Reef Resort to rest up and prepare for your next adventure on the Grand Strand. Book your Myrtle Beach getaway today, and start planning you explorations all of the Grand Strand’s many awesome summertime attractions!