September is a month that blends the hot fun of summertime with the swift breezes that autumn will bring. For many of us, September screams one thing – back to school! But for those looking for a little more summer, look no further than North Myrtle Beach. Between the many Labor Day Weekend festivities and the events happening throughout the month, we've rounded up some end-of-summer staples for both the young and the young at heart.
Barefoot Landing
Summer stretches long into September at Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach’s premier shopping and dining destination. Live entertainment takes the stage at the Pepsi Stage on Saturday afternoons. Enjoy a cool beverage on a warm evening as you browse the 40 different storefronts, dining options, and family attractions. Barefoot Landing has something in store for everyone.
Shop till you drop with many of its unique and boutique clothing and gift options. Whether you’re looking to get the latest fashion trends or gifts for the friends back home, Barefoot Landing is the reason to leave room in your suitcase. For the pros looking for a new board, or if you just need a new pair of sandals, you can get yourself sand-and-surf-ready with the apparel and gear of Ron Jon Surf Shop. Prepare for the always looming holiday season with a trip to the Christmas Mouse to find a piece of summer to put on your tree. Pick up coastal fashions at Breezin’ Up, or enjoy all things and everything purple at the Purpleologist.
If all the shopping is making you hungry, Barefoot Landing offers a wide variety of dining options that will please everyone's palates. Enjoy the Intracoastal Waterway views at Flying Fish, Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, or Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina. Kick back with some craft beer at Crooked Hammock Brewery, and a cheeseburger in paradise will have any parrothead waving their fins at Jimmy Buffett’s Landshark Bar and Grill. After all, it’s five o’clock somewhere. If you want some more activity with your meal hop over to his sister Lucy Buffett’s Lulu's. Along with the restaurant, Lulu’s features its own sandpit, beach volleyball court, arcade, aerial obstacle course, and gift shop.
At the end of your day, head up for the Labor Day Weekend show with a fireworks spectacular, setting off at 10 pm Saturday, September 2nd. There’s no better way to send off summer than with a bang! Later in the month, check out their SeptemberFest! which features live music, photo ops, and a Grape Stomp event from Duplin Winery.
SOS Fall Migration
If there could only be one cultural phenomenon that represents the historical preservation of North Myrtle Beach, then it must be the Shag. Shag dancing gained popularity along Ocean Drive and the coastlines of the Carolinas in the 1940s and is today known as the state dance of South Carolina. Dances, like many other aspects of culture, ebb and flow in accordance with the time, yet the Shag is still alive on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
Each year, the Society of Stranders, SOS, hosts three separate events in North Myrtle Beach, all in celebration of the shag. This year's Fall Migration will take place September 14th through September 24th. Between these dates, you'll find a number of gatherings, events, lessons, competitions, and all-around celebrations of this piece of Carolinian history with the hopes of passing such gifts on to younger generations. Sit in on the action or get out on the dance floor at places along Main Street like Fat Harold’s Beach Club, OD Pavilion, or Ducks.
Regardless of when you visit, you'll find free Shag lessons at Fat Harold's every Tuesday night at 7pm.
Irish-Italian International Festival
Taking place annually during the last Saturday in September, the City of North Myrtle Beach's Irish Italian International Festival celebrates and honors the culture of our European brethren and ancestors. An all-day rain or shine event, the festival takes place along Main Street. You’ll find dozens of food vendors supplying classic and contemporary takes on Irish and Italian cuisine and delicacies as well as artisans and craftsmen vendors. At either end of the street are event stages that feature music, dancing, and entertainment that pay homage to the traditions of these wonderful cultures.
If you’ve got some room left, you can sign up for the spaghetti-eating competition. Whoever can clean their plate the fastest is declared the winner and receives their own plaque alongside eternal bragging rights. There’s only one catch; no hands and no utensils allowed! Dig in and see if you have what it takes!
The festival is free for all ages and will take place between 10 am and 4 pm Saturday, September 30th.
Beach Regulations Ease
As summer winds down, smaller crowds give beachgoers a few more liberties on the beach. Starting Labor Day and continuing until May 15th, pets are welcome on the beach any time of day. Just make sure your furry friends are on a leash that is no longer than 7 feet.
Also starting in September, North Myrtle Beach gives beachgoers more options to keep themselves shaded from the sun. Tents and various shading devices are allowed on the beach in the shoulder season as opposed to solely umbrellas allowed during the summer months. Pitch up a canopy and keep all your group and belongings covered so you can beat the heat.
For surfers, this is also the perfect time to catch a wave. While surfing is permitted in certain designated areas during the summer, the non-peak months give surfers most of the beach to hang ten. Surfing is still prohibited within 300 feet of any pier. Before hitting the water, be sure to check out our Tide Chart. For more information on beach rules and regulations, be sure to check out the City of North Myrtle Beach's website.
Wide beaches, warm days, and plenty of sunshine await you in North Myrtle Beach this September. Use our Trip Planner to start planning your perfect trip and stretch your summer into September!
