When & where is this year’s Atlantic Beach bike festival? Here’s what to expect

As the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally roars out of town, the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival is almost here.

The festival – often referred to as simply Black bike fest or Black bike week – has a storied history over more than 40 years. With locals preparing and visitors arriving for this year’s festivities, here’s what to know.

When is the Atlantic Beach bike festival?

As the name suggests, the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival is an annual affair held every Memorial Day weekend. This year it will run from Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25.

But that doesn’t mean bikers and spectators are only in town for the long weekend. Like all bike rallies in the Grand Strand, visitors often arrive earlier in the week and linger after Memorial Day.

Where is the Atlantic Beach bike festival?

While the festival is centralized in Atlantic Beach, every year festivities extend far beyond the small town limits. Across the Grand Strand, there are a few major hot spots to know.

The actual Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival is held on Atlantic Street from roughly Highway 17 South to South Ocean Boulevard.

In the nearby Crescent Beach section of North Myrtle Beach, motorcycles typically roll through Highway 17 South and Ocean Boulevard, with spectators lining up to watch. The area is also prime real estate for house parties throughout the weekend.

Farther south, bikers congregate at the Myrtle Beach Mall near Barefoot Landing. The Hooters located at the mall is especially popular.

What to expect at the Atlantic Beach bike festival

Throughout the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, rallygoers can find a variety of events, some more structured than others.

In Atlantic Beach, the festival offers live music stage performances, photo opportunities and a host of vendors. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks, shop clothes and bike gear and, last year, there were even virtual reality rides.

Less official entertainment usually centers around old groups and new friends. No bike rally in the Myrtle Beach area would be complete without scenic rides along the Grand Strand, but even attendees who don’t ride look forward to reunions and house parties through Memorial Day weekend.