Guide to the Carolina Country Music Fest

Carolina Country Music Fest is the music festival you always knew you needed. It’s a three-day summer kickoff just beyond the beach where you’ll hear sizzling hits from country music’s hottest stars and most noteworthy up-and-coming artists, where you can dance all day in the summer sun and cool your heels under the stars. Though CCMF is a newer festival—its inaugural concert weekend was in 2015—it’s already become a can’t-miss summer tradition and one of the best country music festivals on the East Coast. The sea, the sun, the sound of a steel guitar—it’s a combination that signals summer to thousands of country music fans.

Things You Need to Know

Where is Carolina Country Music Fest?

Carolina Country Music Fest is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the famous summer vacation destination. CCMF is held at the Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place and covers an 18-acre strip between the boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard.

When does Carolina Country Music Fest take place?

Carolina Country Music Fest is held in June every year over three full days (Friday-Sunday), with a special kickoff concert the night before. In 2020, the festival kicks off on Thursday, June 4, and the festival goes through Sunday, June 7.

How much are Country Music Fest tickets?

All tiers of admission to CCMF—General Admission, Main Stage VIP, and Super VIP—get you into all four days of the Fest. Unlike some music festivals, which offer single-day ticket options for weekend-long events, Carolina Country Music Fest only sells wristbands that cover the entire long weekend. That means you have more days to rock out and fewer confusing choices. Plus, every admission tier allows for re-entry, so you can take a break to explore Myrtle Beach and come back for more great music later.

A General Admission wristband, which allows access to four concert stages, free activities, and the Kick-Off Concert, is $169. The Main Stage VIP wristband, which is $359, allows you access to the private viewing area in front of the Main Stage, an exclusive VIP festival entrance, a private cash bar, and private bathrooms. For $1,199, the Super VIP wristband provides a luxury experience with an air-conditioned catering tent and complimentary food and beverages, a three-level viewing platform with a full bar, posh private bathrooms, and access to the Main Stage private viewing area, among other perks.

All admission tiers can be purchased with installment payment plans.

Who is performing at the Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach?

The full roster of country icons and new favorites has not yet been released for the 2020 Fest, but Luke Combs has already been confirmed. Additional performers will be announced as the festival draws nearer, and over 30 country acts are expected to be on the bill. Artists who have performed in previous years include Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Marshall Tucker Band, and Deana Carter, among many others.

 How many people attend CCMF?

In 2015, Carolina Country Music Fest’s first year, daily attendance topped 20,000 people, and it has only grown since then. In recent years, festival participants have numbered at least 30,000, with just as many expected in 2020.

What’s the weather like, and what should I wear?

You might not think “cool and breezy” when you think of Southern summers, but the Carolina Country Music Fest is a Myrtle Beach music festival. That means it’s close to the ocean—in fact, it sits right beside the beach boardwalk. Temperatures in early June are hot but not roasting, usually reaching the mid 80s during the day and dropping to the upper 60s or low 70s at night. While you might feel some humidity, it’s tempered by ocean breezes, and there’s a very low chance of rain or storms putting a damper on the party.

Is there food at Carolina Country Music Fest?

Yes! CCMF is more than just music—there are plenty of food and beverage vendors selling classic Southern fare, festival comfort food, cold beer, refreshing soft drinks, and a whole host of other tasty treats. The festival map published each year shows the location of food vendors within concert grounds.

Anything else I need to know?

Keeping in mind a few handy facts will help you navigate CCMF with more fun and less stress:

• Your admission wristband is more than just a ticket—it’s a cashless payment method that’s accepted by all onsite food, beer, and merchandise vendors. Once you receive your wristband, you can register it online and use it for easy transactions within festival grounds. If you’d prefer to make purchases the old-fashioned way, that’s also okay. Vendors accept card and cash, too.
• Any bags brought into the festival must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and under 12” x 6” x 12”. Small clutch bags about the size of a hand are also allowed. This means that backpacks, fanny packs, coolers, briefcases, purses, and computer bags are all prohibited from festival grounds. However, any medically necessary bags are permitted after undergoing inspection.
• Though pets aren’t invited to the Carolina Country Music Fest, service animals are welcome.

Closest Airport & Transportation

Flights to Myrtle Beach arrive at Myrtle Beach International Airport, so that’s where you’ll land for the Carolina Country Music Fest. The Burroughs and Chapin location of the festival grounds is under six miles away from the airport, and the drive usually takes less than 20 minutes. Since the festival grounds are centrally located in the heart of Myrtle Beach’s action, it’s easy to get to CCMF, no matter where in town you’re staying.

• Driving: If you drive to CCMF, a $24.99 parking pass covers you for a full day, including shuttle service from your lot to the Fest. For $64.99, you’re covered from Thursday through Sunday.
• Walking: If you’ve booked a hotel in Myrtle Beach, there’s a good chance you’re close enough to walk to the festival. This option lets you save money and stress by avoiding traffic jams.
• Public Transportation: The Coast RTA operates a Myrtle Beach bus line that helps visitors navigate the town quickly and easily. Please note that CCMF may come with road closures, so check the Coast RTA Ride Tracker to figure out the best route for you.

Where to Stay

Myrtle Beach is a vacation town, and hotels in Myrtle Beach combine the best of relaxed seaside life and Southern charm. After the adrenaline of Carolina Country Music Fest, give yourself some time to unwind and explore by choosing a hotel in one of these quaint Myrtle Beach neighborhoods:

• The Dunes area of Myrtle Beach is tranquil and picturesque, full of lush yards and elegant homes. Tree-shaded walks or drives through this peaceful area will give you a welcome respite from the excitement of the boardwalk.
• Yaupon Circle is your ideal district if you want to be within walking distance of Myrtle Beach’s main attractions. Just a block from Ocean Boulevard and within a stone’s throw of many restaurants, shops, and amusement centers, a stay in Yaupon Circle will save you both stress and transportation costs.

Other Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

Carolina Country Music Fest is reason enough to visit Myrtle Beach, but it’s far from the only fun summertime draw in the famed resort town. There are enough amusements in Myrtle Beach to keep the party going after the music stops. Make the most of your beach trip with some of these attractions:

• Broadway at the Beach: Perhaps the most popular Myrtle Beach destination is Broadway at the Beach, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex rolled into one. There are stores and boutiques, a variety of restaurants, carnival rides including a giant Ferris wheel, a movie theater, live shows, bars and nightclubs, mini golf, even a zipline. In other words, Broadway at the Beach has something to suit every age and every taste, no matter what you find fun. While individual activities might cost money, there’s no admission for to Broadway at the Beach, and parking is plentiful.
• Myrtle Beach State Park: Make time to get down to the waves and kick back at Myrtle Beach State Park. Not only will you find a gentle stretch of sandy beach in the park, but also a nature trail, pier, campground, and opportunities for surf fishing. Pack a picnic and spend a restful day on the shore. Admission is just $5 for adults.
• Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach: Get to know more about the Atlantic coast’s marine ecosystems at Ripley’s Aquarium. Exhibit areas such as Planet Jellies, Dangerous Reef, and Ray Bay highlight different aspects of the incredible world beneath the waves. Optional interactive experiences such as the Glass Bottom Boat Adventure, Stingray Experience, and live shows give you the chance to get even closer to some of the ocean’s amazing creatures.

A seaside town full of Southern hospitality, ocean breezes that carry the sweet sounds of fiddle and guitar, cold beer, hot sun, and 30,000 fans congregating to share their love of country music—can you think of a better way to spend the summer? Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach is the right way to kick off the season.