Regular visitors to the Grand Strand — along with the locals — know that fall is something of an insider’s secret in the Myrtle Beach area. Compared to the peak summer season, the autumn temperatures here are refreshingly cooler, the beaches are less crowded, and the majority of the coast’s wide-ranging, family-friendly attractions are still open and ready to be explored.
Further, the Grand Strand also shines in another appealing category during the fall — when the calendar of family-friendly festivals in the area is brimming with possibilities. Consider these fun reasons to book a family getaway to North Myrtle Beach and The Cottages at North Beach Plantation during the autumn:
7th Annual Seacoast Artists Guild Art in Common Fall Festival
Scheduled for September 21-22 in 2019, this festival held in The Market Common’s Valor Memorial Garden features (generally between 30 and 50) artists and craftspeople from around the region displaying their works. Items on display generally include photography, drawings, painted arts, jewelry, pottery, stone, wood and glass crafts, and more. Get more details on this pet-and child-friendly event at com.
Share the Love of Local Fall Festival
Set for September 29, 2019, at Myrtle Beach’s Cooper House Event Center, this festival will put a spotlight on local businesses, a range of which will be on hand to share their wares and service offerings with the community. Other draws will include inflatables, games, pet adoption, food, drink and lots more. Learn more.
Harvest Home Weekend Festival
Held at 9,100-acre sculpture garden and wildlife preserve Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, this annual festival — set for October 5-6 in 2019 — features pumpkin painting, scarecrow building and hayrides, as well as great food and live, family-friendly entertainment. Further, attendees get the opportunity to explore all of Brookgreen Gardens’ regular, year-round attractions such as its collection of lush and expansive botanical gardens; 2,000-plus artworks; nature trails; butterfly garden; historic rice plantations; and the Lowcountry Zoo. To learn more about the festival, view more here.
Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest
Another event held at The Market Common, this October 11-12, 2019, celebration will feature dozens of vendors, a pumpkin patch, live entertainment, face painting, inflatables and a beer garden with a wide selection of brews. Visit the event’s website for more information.
John’s Greek Festival
Scheduled for October 17-20 in 2019, this annual festival at Myrtle Beach’s St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church celebrates all things Greek with food, live music, inflatables, over a dozen craft and vendor tables, and more. For many, the fantastic food served here is the main draw, and fresh-made Greek favorites like spanakopita, gyros, baklava, salads, pastries, cookies, breads and more will be available for purchase. Learn more at stjohn-mb.org.
Hippie Fest: Set for Saturday, October 26, 2019, at the Myrtle Beach Speedway, this touring event’s Grand Strand stop will celebrate the free-spirited hippie lifestyle. Among the many draws here will be live music on multiple stages; a bohemian shopping area featuring a range of artists and other vendors; a car show focused on vintage Volkswagen buses; kids’ activities like a DIY tie-dye station, a giant bubble garden and interactive drum circles; food and drink; and more. For more information, visit org.
After your day of festival fun, head home to your comfortable coastal accommodations at The Cottages at North Beach Plantation to relax, enjoy the property’s wide-ranging list of on-site amenities, and rest up for more Myrtle Beach area adventures. Book your fall Grand Strand getaway today — and start planning some memorable autumn outings on the Carolina coast.
