Myrtle Beach Weekend Guide: July 11–13, 2026

Friday Night, July 11 — Ease In

The week's been long. Friday night is about landing, not overplanning.

Pelicans Baseball — Christmas in July (7:05 PM, Pelicans Ballpark, 1251 21st Ave N)

The Pelicans host Fredericksburg for the last homestand before the All-Star break. Tonight is Christmas in July — Santa appearance, post-game fireworks. $8.43 locals tickets on select seats. Grab a hot dog, watch the fireworks, done. This is the easiest $20 Friday night in Myrtle Beach.

Dinner before the game: Hit Croissants Bistro or one of the Market Common spots for an early dinner around 5:30, then head to the ballpark. Parking is free and plentiful.

If you're skipping baseball: Hot Summer Nights on the Boardwalk runs 5–9 PM at Plyler Park — free entertainment, street performers, the whole summer scene. Pair it with dinner at one of the oceanfront spots on Ocean Blvd.

Late option: Sexyy Red at House of Blues (8 PM, Barefoot Landing). Biggest touring act on the Strand this week. Tickets were running $100+ last check. HOB tip: eat at their restaurant first — $25/person gets you Fast Lane entry.

Saturday, July 12 — The Full Day

Saturday is the busiest day of the week and the best day to be here.

Morning

Sleep in a little — the beach is most crowded 10 AM to 2 PM. If you want a good spot, get there by 9. Otherwise, grab breakfast at Croissants Bistro (brunch crowd peaks around 10, so go early or go late) or the Market Common area.

Afternoon

Caribbean Jerk Cuisine Grand Opening (10:30 AM–9 PM, 3401 N. Kings Hwy)

Chef Kamal Fraser — the Cooking Channel's Chef Swap winner who started with a food truck in 2020 — is opening his second location this weekend. Everything's from scratch. The oxtail is the move. They sell the jerk rubs and sauces to take home. Locals have been driving to Conway for this for years. Now you don't have to.

This is the lunch stop Saturday. Get there before noon if you want to beat the opening weekend crowd.

Beach time: 2–5 PM is the sweet spot — crowds thin slightly after the lunch rush, and the afternoon light is good. Myrtle Beach State Park (south end) is quieter than the main strip if you want a calmer stretch.

Evening

Eaglemania at the Carolina Opry (7 PM, 8901-A N Kings Hwy)

Eagles tribute. Good show, reliable venue, air conditioning. Tickets available at the door.

Brookgreen Summer Light: Art By Night (evening hours, 1931 Brookgreen Dr, Murrells Inlet)

Light installations through the sculpture gardens after dark, live music, pop-up gallery. This is the most underrated summer thing south of the beach. It's a 25-minute drive from the Boardwalk — worth it. Go after dinner, stay for an hour, drive back along 17 with the windows down.

Late night: The Bowery on Ocean Blvd for live music and cold beer. No cover, no pretense. One of the oldest bars in Myrtle Beach and still one of the best.

Sunday, July 13 — The Good One

Sunday is underrated. Crowds thin slightly, restaurants have shorter waits, and the best show of the week is tonight.

Morning

Sunrise on the beach. Seriously — the SkyWheel does a discounted sunrise flight (20% off) if you want the aerial view. Otherwise just walk down to the water. The beach at 7 AM in July is a different place.

Brunch: Tupelo Honey at Market Common does $3 mimosas Saturday and Sunday. Get there before 11 or expect a wait.

Afternoon

Pelicans Baseball — Final Game Before the Break (6:35 PM, Pelicans Ballpark)

The Pelicans close out the homestand Sunday evening before the All-Star break wipes out July 13–16. Post-game fireworks again. $8.43 locals tickets. This is your last shot at the ballpark for a bit.

If you're skipping baseball:

The Marshall Tucker Band at the Carolina Opry (7 PM, 8901-A N Kings Hwy)

Not a tribute. The actual Spartanburg-born southern rock legends, five decades in. Playing "Can't You See" twenty minutes from the beach. If you only buy one ticket this weekend, this is it. The Carolina Opry is a proper venue — good sightlines, good sound, no bad seats.

You can't do both the Pelicans and Marshall Tucker on Sunday — they overlap. Pick one. The baseball is the better value; the concert is the better experience.

Evening wind-down

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk for a final sunset drink. Half the restaurants have happy hour pricing Sunday evenings. Drunken Jack's has the best waterfront view. Walk the boardwalk, watch the boats come in, head home.

Quick Reference

Free things this weekend:

• Hot Summer Nights on the Boardwalk — every evening, 5–9 PM
• Post-game fireworks at Pelicans — Friday and Sunday
• Beach access everywhere

Worth paying for:

• Pelicans baseball ($8.43 locals deal)
• Marshall Tucker Band at the Carolina Opry (Sunday 7 PM)
• Brookgreen Summer Light (Saturday evening)

Food picks this weekend:

• Caribbean Jerk Cuisine grand opening (Saturday lunch)
• Tupelo Honey brunch (Sunday, $3 mimosas)
• Drunken Jack's for Sunday sunset drinks

Parking tip: Skip the oceanfront meters on Ocean Blvd. Park a few blocks back off Kings Highway and walk in. Free or $5 max vs. $20+ on the strip.