South Carolina Little River ShrimpFest Returns With Seafood Music and Waterfront Travel Buzz

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Little River in South Carolina is preparing for one of its biggest autumn weekends. The 20th Annual Little River ShrimpFest will take place on 10 and 11 October 2026. The festival will run from 9am to 5pm on both days. It will fill the Historic Little River Waterfront with seafood, music, crafts and family activities. For travellers, it offers a lively way to see the quieter side of the Myrtle Beach area after the summer rush.

A coastal festival built for the slower travel season

Little River ShrimpFest began in 2004. The Little River Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center created it to bring visitors to the town after the busy summer season. This was a smart local tourism move. Summer beach crowds fall away in autumn. A waterfront festival gives people a new reason to stay, eat and explore.
The event was first called the Little River Shrimp and Jazz Festival. In 2012, it changed its name to ShrimpFest. The new name allowed the programme to include more kinds of music. It also made the event wider and more welcoming for families, food lovers and day visitors.
Little River has deep ties to shrimping and fishing. The Intracoastal Waterway runs through the town and shapes its identity. Fishing boats, marinas and waterfront restaurants are part of daily life here. ShrimpFest uses this setting as its main attraction. Visitors do not only attend a food event. They step into a working coastal community.

Shrimp and local seafood take centre stage

Shrimp is the star of the weekend. Local waterfront restaurants and food vendors will prepare shrimp and other fresh seafood dishes. Visitors will also find classic festival food and non-seafood options. This matters for groups and families because not everyone wants the same meal.
The event does not sell meal tickets. The US$10 entry ticket only gives access to the festival grounds. Food is bought separately from restaurants and vendors. This model helps local businesses gain direct spending from visitors.
Mako’s, Hurricane Juel’s, Seabrisa’s and Crab Catchers are among the waterfront restaurants listed for the event. Their participation turns the festival into a strong showcase for Little River’s food scene. A traveller can eat at a vendor stall, then return later for a meal by the water. This creates longer stays and more spending in the town.

More than 200 vendors create a lively waterfront walk

The festival will feature more than 200 vendors. These include artists, craft sellers, local businesses and community organisations. This wide mix makes ShrimpFest more than a seafood event. It becomes an open-air market and a local meeting place.
Mineola Avenue and Waterfront Avenue will close to normal traffic during the festival. The streets will become walkable spaces where visitors can move between stalls, music areas and restaurants. Moss-draped live oaks, waterfront patios and boats create a setting that feels very different from a standard city festival.
This is also why the festival works well for travellers looking beyond the main beach strip. Little River sits near the North Carolina border and offers a more relaxed coastal setting. ShrimpFest gives visitors a reason to travel north from Myrtle Beach and discover another part of the Grand Strand.

Two stages bring music throughout the weekend

Live music will run on two stages. The programme mixes local-style entertainment with rock, country, pop and tribute music. This helps the event appeal to different age groups.
On Saturday, If Birds Could Fly will open the main programme at 11am. Band On Fire will perform from 1pm, followed by Painted Man from 3.15pm. Brian Ernst will perform on Stage 2 during the day.
Sunday will begin with Prettier Than Matt at 11am. Trae Pierce and The T-Stones will perform from 1pm. The festival will end with On The Border, an Eagles tribute act, from 3.15pm to 5pm. Brian Ernst will again appear on Stage 2.
Stilt walkers and balloon artists will add colour and movement to the waterfront. These attractions make the festival easy for children to enjoy. They also give families a full-day plan without needing to travel far between activities.

Travel planning is part of the experience

Little River ShrimpFest has organised several arrival choices. Festival parking areas will have shuttle buses running to and from the gates from about 9am to 4.45pm. This is important because the waterfront streets will be busy and road access will be restricted.
An accessible shuttle service will operate from the United Bank parking lot at 1180 Highway 17. It will run from 8.45am to 3pm for visitors who use wheelchairs, walkers or need extra mobility support. The service is free.
Travellers can also arrive by water. A water taxi will run from Grande Harbour Marina. It costs US$25 for adults and US$15 for children aged 12 and under. The ticket includes return boat travel, parking and entry to the festival. It gives visitors a scenic way to reach the waterfront and avoids some road congestion.

What visitors need to know before arriving

Entry costs US$10 per person each day. Children aged 12 and under enter free. The event will take place rain or shine. Visitors should follow festival social media channels for any weather updates.
Outside food, drinks and coolers are not allowed. Pets are not allowed either, except for ADA-compliant service animals. Visitors may bring a compact chair. Many vendors will accept cards, but carrying some cash is sensible. ATMs will also be available inside the festival.
The 2026 Little River ShrimpFest shows how a small South Carolina waterfront can create major autumn travel interest. It links food, music, local shops and coastal heritage in one weekend. For visitors, it offers shrimp by the water, live music in the streets and a chance to see Little River at its most energetic.