When to visit Myrtle Beach for sun, festivals and great deals

Myrtle Beach’s 60 miles of coastline attracts large crowds during the summer months. Things calm down in the fall when festival season kicks off and the weather cools down for the golfers.

Here are our picks for the best time to go to Myrtle Beach.

High Season: June to August

Best time for the beach and concerts
July and August are the busiest months, but crowds thin out in late August. All seasonal attractions are running, along with several concert series including Hot Summer Nights and Sounds of Summer Concert Series. In terms of other festivals, this is a quiet time, as most visitors are here just to soak up the sun on the beach. Keep in mind that hurricane season officially starts on June 1st and runs through the end of November with a higher risk starting in late August.

Shoulder Season: March to May; September to October

Best time for golf and festivals
The best part about shoulder season is the lack of crowds at most attractions and shows, and shorter wait times at restaurants. March to May is great for golf due to cooler temperatures, but green fees for golfers trend higher. Fall is festival season with plenty of sun and summer-like temperatures. The ocean remains warm enough to swim through October.

Low Season: November to February

Best time for budget travelers
Hotel and resort rates are the lowest of the year with great deals on oceanfront rooms. While some attractions are closed, holiday events and shows kick off in early November and run through the first weekend in January.

January

The cold weather keeps most people away, resulting in the cheapest hotel rates of the year and no crowds. There are no major events except for Restaurant Week South Carolina. While many attractions are closed, it’s one of the cheapest times to play golf.

Key Events: Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candles, Restaurant Week South Carolina

February

While the crowds are still sparse, the room rates start to increase a bit despite the cold weather. Many theaters remain closed for the month but golf season is starting to kick off. There are no big events or festivals during February as Myrtle Beach gears up for spring.

March

As Spring Break season kicks off, college students pack the beaches looking for a party. Many seasonal attractions and restaurants start to reopen. Golf season is in full swing.

Key Events: Can-Am Days Festival, Myrtle Beach Marathon

April

April is filled with warm days and cool nights. Tees times and green fees can be more expensive but accommodation rates are lower than high season. Since Spring Break for K-12 schools falls around Easter, it is a popular time for families to visit.

Key Events: Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Horry County Fair

May

Early May is typically warm and less crowded. The spring motorcycle rallies start the second week of May and continue through Memorial Day when the crowds and hotel rates start to increase.

Key Events: World Famous Blue Crab Festival, Atlantic Bike Week, Spring bike rally

June

Early June brings in families and a flood of recent high school and college graduates looking to celebrate. The heat and crowds increase dramatically during the month. Even though hurricane season officially kicks off on June, it’s still a good time to visit. Waterparks, watersports and amusement parks are all open.

Key Events: Carolina Country Music Fest, Conway Riverfest, Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Hot Summer Nights

July

The crowds and hotel rates increase in July. All attractions are open but expect to wait in lines everywhere. There are a variety of July 4th events and several outdoor concert series.

Key Events: Salute from the Shore, Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Hot Summer Nights

August

Unlike the heat and humidity, the crowds start to shrink in late August as school starts back. Check the weather before you visit – the chance for hurricanes starts to peak at the end of the month.

Key Events: Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Hot Summer Nights

September

After Labor Day, the crowds decrease significantly making it easy to spread out on the beach and avoid traffic. The weather and water are warm and most attractions are still open. This is the second busiest golf season so expect higher prices.

Key Events: Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down, Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, Fall bike rally

October

The summer humidity and high season rates disappear by October. While nighttime temperatures will start to dip, the ocean is warm enough for swimming. Another bonus is the risk for hurricanes decreases dramatically near the end of the month.

Key Events: Little River ShrimpFest, Loris Bog-Off Festival, Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival

November

Hotel rates are significantly discounted in November. Holiday attractions and shows kick off at the beginning of the month. Most importantly, it’s the end of hurricane season.

Key Events: Myrtle Beach Invitational, Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candles

December

While December weather is normally chilly, there can still be a few warm days. Holiday shopping and events are in full swing.

Key Events: A Grand Strand Holiday, Myrtle Beach Bowl, Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candles

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