You don’t want to miss the 41st annual World-Famous Blue Crab Festival in Little River, South Carolina! This delicious annual event will be held May 20-21, 2023. This is the largest and longest-running street festivals in the Southeast and one of the best annual events in the Grand Strand for the past 9+ years, according to The Sun News. Come enjoy food and entertainment from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day and make memories you will never forget!
Festival Tickets
If you purchase your ticket in advance online or the day of the event, you’ll pay $7. That’s a good reason to give yourself an extra days’ vacation. Children 12 and under are free so bring all your family and friends and be part of a popular tradition in South Carolina.
Featured Seafood
Fresh, local seafood is sold by the waterfront restaurants and within the festival as well. Some restaurants will even sell food outside to shorten wait times for those dining in. Make sure to visit Buzz’s Roost, Capt. Juel’s Hurricane Restaurant, Crab Catcher’s, Patio’s Tiki Bar & Grill, and Pilot House while you’re here. Also, be on the lookout for seafood vendor booths like Brentwood Wine Bistro and Snooky’s on the Water.
For Your Entertainment
Live Music – Saturday, May 20
- 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Preston Duffee Band
- 12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Diversity
- 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tokyo Joe
- 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Roaming Stiltwalkers
Live Music – Sunday, May 21
- 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. King Tide
- 12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. The Paul Grimshaw Band
- 2:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Jim Quick & Coastline
- 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Roaming Stiltwalkers
There are tons of vendor booths offering everything from food, souvenirs, hand-made items from Crafters (some are made right in front of you!), information from local businesses, opportunities to help non-profit organizations, photo boards for your festival #selfies and don’t forget to pick up your commemorative t-shirt to show off back home! You can view pictures of the past festivals here!
Kid’s Activities
Don’t leave the kids with a sitter, bring them along for a fun family weekend! The Kid Zone has plenty of activities for the little ones throughout the day! Children will enjoy face painting, balloon shapes, games and so much more. Even if your kids aren’t big fans of seafood, they’ll still have fun!
Parking Near the Festival
There are several parking areas available near the festival. Look at Hope Willard located at 701 Hwy 17, and at Southwest Brunswick Branch Library at 9400 Ocean Highway in Calabash, NC. Handicap parking is available in the grass lot behind Pizzeli’s Italian Oven located at 1698 US-17. Buses will be running patrons to and from the festival from these lots throughout the day.
However, you can make reservations at one of Condo World’s vacation rentals near the festival.
Nearby Resorts
The AshWorth
AshWorth Resort, located in the Ocean Drive Beach area, is perfect for families, couples, and groups of friends. Between the pools, lazy river, and hot tubs, everyone in your party will be able to relax after the festival is over for the day. You will also be within walking distance to summer concerts on Main Street Thursday and Friday night if you’re not ready to wind down just yet. Booking a 2, 3 or 4-bedroom condo at AshWorth Resort is a great idea if you want to be entertained throughout the whole weekend!
Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort, located in the Cherry Grove area, is a newer resort that is unparalleled to any other. Enjoy a martini at the poolside bar or a cup of coffee on your balcony between the festival, while you look at the ocean. Here, you also have golf course views that you can enjoy from your designer condo. If you want a resort to escape to throughout the weekend that has tons of amenities and scenic views, book at Tilghman today!
