43 years in, this waterfront celebration is still all about good food, live music, and a little local charm
Every May, the sleepy fishing village of Little River, just north of Myrtle Beach, throws one of the biggest festivals in the Southeast—and somehow still keeps it feeling like a neighborhood hangout. The Blue Crab Festival is back for its 43rd year on May 17–18, 2025, turning the historic waterfront into a two-day celebration of food, music, and local culture. Think seafood shacks, art vendors, beach bands, and enough crab legs to keep things cracking all day.
Come Hungry, Leave Stuffed
Let’s not tiptoe around it, this is a seafood festival, and the blue crab is the undisputed star of the show. Whether you’re into steamed claws with butter or crave a deep-fried crab cake situation, there’s something here that’ll make you abandon all napkin etiquette. Local favorites like Crab Catchers and Hurricane Juel’s will be dishing out plates with that just-off-the-boat freshness. And if crab’s not your thing (you’re forgiven, barely), the festival’s vendor lineup has options from shrimp to funnel cakes.
Sounds Like Summer
This isn’t the kind of event where a playlist on shuffle sets the mood. Live music is constant throughout the weekend, with beach bands and local acts performing right along the waterfront. The soundtrack leans heavy on feel-good Carolina vibes, just the right backdrop for walking the vendor rows, balancing a plate in one hand and a local beer in the other. There’s even a dedicated kids’ zone for younger festivalgoers, so you can browse a little longer while the little ones burn off some energy.
Shop the Dock
With more than 250 vendors, you’re just as likely to leave the Blue Crab Festival with a handcrafted cutting board or a spicy artisan jam as you are with seafood breath. The lineup includes artists, makers, small-batch food producers, and enough “I didn’t know I needed this” booths to keep you browsing for hours. The mix of local goods and quirky finds is half the fun—and a solid excuse to take multiple laps.
Know Before You Go
Tickets are $10 for anyone 13 and up, and kids 12 and under get in free. You can grab them online or at the gate, but don’t wait too long—this event draws a crowd. There’s satellite parking and shuttle service to help with the traffic, and a few ground rules to note: no pets (service animals only), no weapons, and maybe don’t wear your favorite white jeans. This is a hands-on eating situation.
Why You’ll Come Back
What makes the Blue Crab Festival special isn’t just the food or the music—it’s the easy, unpolished charm of it all. It feels like the kind of weekend you’d plan your trip around, or that locals look forward to all year. If you’re anywhere near the Grand Strand this May, carve out a day. You’ll leave full, a little sun-kissed, and probably wondering why you haven’t done this sooner.
