CCMF's milestone year brought big acts, bigger storms, and a weekend Myrtle Beach won’t soon forget
Ten years strong, and the Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach still knows how to throw a party—even when Mother Nature doesn’t exactly RSVP with sunshine. From June 5–8, 2025, over 30,000 fans a day packed the oceanfront Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion site, boots deep in mud but spirits high. The milestone anniversary brought four days of headliners, homegrown talent, flash floods, and a drone show that TikTok is still raving about. Here’s how it all went down.
Thursday: Kicking Off With Thunder (Literally)
Day one’s energy was palpable—even if the sky had other plans. Just as Rascal Flatts and Tyler Hubbard were warming up, lightning lit up the Grand Strand. Evacuations followed, with fans rerouted to garages and local restaurants until the all-clear was given. Still, the show must go on, and it did—with Rascal Flatts delivering a nostalgia-packed set once the rain let up.
The McDonald’s Kick-Off Night also featured Colt Ford, Warrick McZeke, and more, setting the tone for a weekend that would be as unpredictable as it was unforgettable.
Friday: Coastal Cowgirl Day + Lainey Wilson Heats Things Up
By Friday, the weather had cleared and the boots were back on the ground—mud be damned. Fans came dressed to impress for Coastal Cowgirl Day, and Lainey Wilson took the stage like she owned the sand. Chris Young and Dylan Gossett followed, while acts like Kaitlin Butts and Jackson Dean kept the afternoon humming along.
Crowds stretched stage-to-stage, sunscreen replaced ponchos, and the only thing stormy was the drink line. The day ended with a clear sky and a warm breeze off the Atlantic—maybe the most traditional festival-feeling moment of the entire weekend.
Saturday: Camo Night, Chase Rice, and Jelly Roll Ignites It All
This was peak CCMF energy. Themed Camo Night turned into a sea of camouflage, cowboy hats, and flag bandanas. Jelly Roll closed the night with a massive, high-energy set (after a surprise escort from Horry County deputies) and a heartfelt salute to first responders.
Earlier that afternoon, Chase Rice showed up for a surprise pop-up set on the Coors Banquet Stage. Fans had barely recovered from dancing in the mud when this one hit—a total crowd-pleaser and a social media moment in the making.
Local stars like Mariah Faith and King Tide gave Myrtle Beach something to cheer extra hard for. Their sets lit up smaller stages and proved the fest isn’t just about the big names—it’s about spotlighting the scene too.
Sunday: USA Day Delays, John Stamos, and the Kid Rock Finale
USA Day started with another weather delay, forcing gates to stay closed until after 3 p.m. Fans hunkered down in parking decks and, in true Myrtle fashion, turned the downtime into impromptu pre-parties. The Bowery was buzzing. Energy stayed high.
Once inside, attendees caught Brantley Gilbert, Priscilla Block, and a surprise appearance by none other than John Stamos with The Beach Boys. That patriotic vibe carried all the way to Kid Rock’s thunderous finale, which packed every inch of sand with flag-waving fans.
Safety, Spirit, and Southern Hospitality
Local first responders were everywhere—and not just behind the scenes. On Saturday, Myrtle Beach firefighters were invited on stage in a tribute moment that had fans cheering between songs. Coordinated evacuation procedures and storm alerts (down to an 8-mile lightning tracker) proved this wasn’t their first rodeo.
And despite the chaos, it was a violence-free weekend—one of the first for Myrtle Beach since early spring. That’s not just a stat. That’s a testament to the people who came ready to celebrate safely.
Final Take
Was it muddy? Yes. Delayed? Repeatedly. But ask anyone who stood singing under storm clouds or caught a drone show from the sand: CCMF 2025 was worth it.
This wasn’t just another festival. It was Myrtle Beach showing its heart—ten years in, still growing, still glowing, still country to the core.
