Myrtle Beach Beyond Summer: A Guide to the Grand Strand's Autumn

The shift in atmosphere begins with unconventional events like the Witches Sunrise Surf in North Myrtle Beach, where participants hit the waves in black hats and broomsticks. This spirit of community-driven spectacle extends to the 47th annual Loris Bog-Off Festival on October 17, a deep dive into the region's culinary soul centered on chicken bog—a storied mixture of rice, sausage, and secret spices. Nearby, the town of Conway leans into the seasonal aesthetic by declaring itself the City of Halloween, transforming its riverfront with oversized displays and the quirky Graveyard Grand Prix Coffin Race.

New programming continues to broaden the area's appeal. Little River introduces the Patriots Day Festival and Waterfront Fright Nights, while the inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival brings over 50 performers to the city in mid-November. Long-standing staples remain vital, such as the SOS Fall Migration, which keeps the Carolina Shag dance tradition alive, and the 10th anniversary of the Myrtle Beach Jazz Fest. For those seeking classic seasonal activities, Brookgreen Gardens hosts its Harvest Home Weekend, offering pumpkin picking and scarecrow building amidst the Lowcountry landscape, proving that the Grand Strand’s autumn is a deliberate, stand-alone season rather than a mere post-summer afterthought.