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Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival (2023)

There is no better way to enjoy May in North Myrtle Beach than the fun, sun-soaked experience that is the Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival!

This unique event features live music and activities that capture the vibrant nature of the Palmetto State. Enjoy singing and dancing all day to legendary rhythm and blues, soul, funk, and beach music while basking in the romantic South Carolina sunshine.

Immerse yourself in a happy atmosphere of dancing beachside all day long! Plus, there will be plenty of delicious food and drinks to fuel your good vibes. So mark your calendars now and come down for a blast at this once-in-a-lifetime festival you won’t want to miss!

About the Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival

Photo Credit: Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival

If this is your first time to the Grand Strand in May, you’ve picked a great time of year to visit as it’s time for South Carolina’s annual music extravaganza, the Ocean Drive Beach Musical Festival, which has been running since 2017.

North Myrtle Beach has many great annual festivals but the late spring is when the community comes together to bring some electric bands and musicians to the area, creating a live music festival oozing with beach vibes and laid-back tunes.

There is a presale for individual concert tickets that opens several months before. However, there are also plenty of free events and activities around the venue.

The event happens rain or shine, and there is no refund on tickets. However, the event generally sees sun; if there is rain, it’s usually brief!

Make a whole weekend of it! Between the kick-off party, dance contest, and other exciting events to participate in, there’s something here for everyone!

Getting There

The festival takes place in Downtown North Myrtle Beach along Main Street, with the main entrance to concerts at the 1st Avenue South Parking Lot. The party is within walking distance of many restaurants, stores, and, most importantly, the beach!

Festival Events

There are a few regular events to take advantage of happening before and during the Ocean Beach Music Festival.

OD Beach Music Festival Shag Contest

One of the best parts of this festival? The annual Friday Night Shag Contest.

Come show off your moves (if you’ve got ’em!) at one of the local restaurants in the area, Fat Harold’s Beach Club. You’ll need a partner as the competition is for couples only! All couples will begin dancing, and, in true elimination style, the competition continues until only one couple is standing!

Localism is alive at this festival; in this spirit, the tunes in the contest are from local festival artists.

The prize for stunning all of your best friends and unsuspecting strangers with killer dance moves? Tickets to the OD Beach Music Festival, t-shirts, and (whether you want it or not) a chance to show your shag moves up on the stage at the festival!

This riotous competition is the perfect way to kick off the OD Beach music fest events, and, plus, it’s a free show!

Tip: Throughout the year, Fat Harold’s holds beginner dance classes if you need some extra practice before the contest!

Photo Scavenger Hunt

This contest takes place before the actual event. This is a fun way to get to know the local people and places of the area that hold festival history! You’ll be awarded points for taking pictures with the local shag instructors, your group in front of Fat Harold’s Beach Club, and even of yourself wearing festival apparel!

The grand prize is a reserved tent space, four festival tickets, and four t-shirts for you and your scavenger crew!

Official Kick-Off Party at OD Arcade

No band extravaganza would be complete if it didn’t have a rockin’ kickoff party! The tradition continues with the festivities beginning Friday evening at the OD Arcade.

Come down and enjoy an amazing night of live music to start off the weekend! Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot will be serving up tunes to get the party started.

Where to Stay For OD Beach Music Fest

The best place to stay for your trip to the Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival is one of the many stunning vacation home rentals in North Myrtle Beach. They can comfortably accommodate bigger groups and have amenities like private swimming and golf cart parking!

Grand Strand Resorts have welcomed beach-seekers and families looking for a beachside escape since 1987. All of our condos and vacation rentals are within just a few minutes drive to the OD Beach Music Fest, and some are even within walking distance!

2023 Ocean Beach Music Festival Line Up

When

This year’s festival is on May 6th, 2023, with the annual kickoff party at the OD Arcade on Friday, May 5th. The gates open for the festival at 10:00 AM on Saturday, and getting there early will give you the best opportunity to get a good spot near the stage.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased for the music concerts ahead of time on the official event website. They are $25 for the whole festival.

The Music

This year’s festival is emceed and hosted by Chad Sain and 94.9 The Surf’s DJ Team and headlined by some amazing artists who spin out all the best laid-back beach tunes and country ballads.

No matter your jam, you’ll fall in love with the local sounds of North Myrtle Beach! Here is the musical lineup for 2023.

Rivermist

Photo Credit: rivermistband

Rivermist has been pumping out classic hits and pumped-up party songs for more than nine years. And if you haven’t heard of them yet, you will soon!

They’ve been cleaning up the Carolina music scene for the last few years, earning awards like Fayetteville’s Best Band (for the past seven years!) and Vocal Group of the Year by the Carolina Country Music Association.

Their newest beat, “Pucker Up,” has hit the charts and will make the crowd go wild when they open this May!

Band of Oz

Photo Credit: Band Of Oz

You’ll immediately recognize Band of Oz by their matching, classical attire.

Bringing a laid-back Carolina beach vibe, this group of 8 men will harmonize their way into your heart and soul as they croon through the microphone.

Band of Oz has been playing beach fests up and down the Southeast Coast for over 50 years and continues to wow guests yearly at the OD Beach Music Festival!

T. Graham Brown

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

T. Graham Brown, a country and gospel name since the 80s, joins the lineup for the Beach Musical Festival this year!

With more than just a few Top-40 hits and albums, T. Graham Brown is well-known for his single “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.” Other popular hits include “Hell and High Water,” “I Tell it Like It Used to Be,” and “Darlene.” They will undoubtedly bring the energy to Ocean Drive this year as well!

Jim Quick & Coastline

Photo Credit: seawitchtikibar

Don’t be shocked if Jim Quick feels like your new best friend when you see him on stage at Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival.

His wit, humor, and stage presence are one-of-a-kind, inviting concert-goers to experience his “Carolina Swamp Soul” music in a whole new way.

With 11 albums, plenty of country music radio hits, and more than 20 years of musical experience, Jim Quick knows how to work a room (or parking lot stage!)

We’ll See You on Ocean Drive

There you have it, all the details for one of the most anticipated music festivals in North Myrtle Beach!

From a kick-off party to a lineup of amazing performers, the Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival is not one to miss. Be sure to book your beachside vacqation rental in advance to be within walking distance of this rocking good time!

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