Surfside Beach BBQ Festival: An Annual Must-Do
If there’s one thing the South does well, it’s BBQ — and the annual Surfside Beach BBQ Festival is proof that our little corner of the Grand Strand knows how to throw a proper BBQ party!
Living right on the edge of Surfside Beach, we’ve made this festival a family tradition, and today I’m sharing everything you need to know about this finger-licking event so you can enjoy it as much as we do!
What is the Surfside Beach BBQ Festival?
The Surfside Beach BBQ Festival is a multi-day celebration that brings together some of the best pitmasters from around the region. The event features live music, vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to BBQ sauces, fun activities for kids, and of course, mountains of delicious BBQ!
The BBQ Fest typically takes place in early spring, usually in April, making it a perfect way to kick off the warmer season in Surfside Beach. In recent years, the festival has reserved Friday evening for “Anything but BBQ” where the participating competitors cook up signature meals that don’t feature BBQ!
Then, on Saturday, from mid-morning to late afternoon, you can return to try the real star of the show — all the BBQ dishes. Plus, you can browse the craft vendors and enjoy the entertainment.
Our Family’s BBQ Festival Experience
The first year we attended, we made the rookie mistake of arriving around noon — when the food lines were at their longest Last year, we wised up and got there right when the gates opened. We headed straight for the BBQ vendors, filled our plates with pulled pork, brisket, nachos, and mac and cheese, and found a perfect spot to sit near the main stage before the crowds arrived.
We shared our variety of dishes, passing plates back and forth, until we were full and the food was all gone!
After we’d satisfied our initial BBQ cravings, we wandered around the vendor booths, picking up a couple bottles of homemade sauce to enjoy at home. And the three youngest kids all got their faces painted at the kids’ zone (conveniently right by the playground).
Tips for First-Timers at the Surfside Beach BBQ Festival
If you’re planning to check out the BBQ Fest for yourself, here are some tips from our family to yours:
- Arrive early! This is my number one tip. Get there when the festival opens to avoid the longest lines.
- Get your food first. Trust me on this one — grab your BBQ before doing anything else. The food lines get crazy around lunchtime.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy. BBQ is delicious but not always the neatest eating experience.
- Check the weather. Spring in Surfside Beach has the potential to be chilly or warm! And if it rains, the festival plans for a backup date.
Must-Try Foods at the BBQ Festival
While the participating vendors change somewhat each year, there are a few BBQ specialties that have become our family favorites:
- Slow-smoked brisket – Daniel’s absolute favorite, tender and flavorful
- Carolina pulled pork – A regional classic with that vinegar tang
- Baby back ribs – Melody and Harrison’s top pick
- Loaded nachos – This year we had a version that used kettle chips as the base, and they were great!
- Mac and cheese – Because what’s BBQ without this perfect side? I like mine with pulled pork right on top!
Don’t forget to try a few different sauces! From sweet and tangy to spicy, every pitmaster has their own special recipe.
Beyond the BBQ
Once you’ve had your fill of smoky goodness, there’s still plenty to enjoy at the festival:
Live Music
Local bands provide the perfect soundtrack to your BBQ feast. The music typically starts around mid-morning and continues throughout the day. The live music always creates the best atmosphere, and you can even get up and dance if you want!
Kids’ Activities
The festival organizers do a great job making sure there’s fun for all ages. Face painting, bounce houses, and games keep the younger crowd entertained while the adults can focus on important things (like deciding between seconds of ribs or trying that brisket everyone’s talking about).
Vendor Shopping
From handcrafted items to BBQ-related merchandise, the vendor area is worth browsing. Since it’s always around Easter, you can find cute spring and Easter home decor items (I almost went for the giant lighted egg, but I resisted…this year anyway!)
Sweet Treats
After all that savory food, be sure to save room for dessert! Several vendors offer treats like ice cream, funnel cake, and (my favorite) deep fried Oreos.
Our Family’s BBQ Fest Strategy
After two years of attendance, we’ve developed a pretty solid game plan:
- Arrive when gates open
- Head straight for the BBQ vendors and get food
- Enjoy early live music while eating
- Browse vendor booths on our way to the kids’ zone
- Let the kids enjoy activities while we relax in the shade
- Grab dessert before heading home
This approach has worked wonderfully for us, allowing us to enjoy everything the festival has to offer without too much waiting.
The Surfside Beach BBQ Festival has quickly become one of our favorite local events. There’s something special about our small beach town coming together to celebrate good food and good company. If you’re visiting the Grand Strand in spring, it’s definitely worth checking out!
For more spring activities in the Grand Strand, check out these posts:
🌴Things to do in Myrtle Beach in spring
🌴Our Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Minor League, Major Charm
🌴Mini Golf on the South Strand: Our Complete Guide
