When is Black Bike Week 2023 happening near Myrtle Beach? Dates, what you need to know

Eleanor Nash
·2 min read
1

Bikers won’t start rolling in to the Myrtle Beach area for the 2023 Atlantic Beach Bike Week for a few months, but now is the perfect time to plan your visit.

While some locals dread the increased traffic and large crowds, thousands of visitors flock to Atlantic Beach during Memorial Day weekend to show off their motorcycles and enjoy the South Carolina coast.

Here are the answers to five frequently asked questions about this year’s Bike Fest.

When is it?

The Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival will take place Memorial Day weekend: May 26 through 29. The event, also known as Black Bike Week or Atlantic Beach Bike Fest, has been held since 1980.

“Bikers and non-bikers are welcome,” said Atlantic Beach town manager, Benjamin Quattlebaum. He encouraged visitors in 2023 to “come out and patronize the event, they’ll find it very enjoyable.”

Atlantic Beach Bikefest’s return to the Myrtle Beach area combined with the holiday weekend tourists resulted in a packed Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend 2022.May 28, 2022.
Atlantic Beach Bikefest’s return to the Myrtle Beach area combined with the holiday weekend tourists resulted in a packed Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend 2022.May 28, 2022.

What’s new in 2023?

Quattlebaum also hopes to see more bikers from outside of the area, thanks to an increased marketing budget from a Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and Horry County grant.

Quattlebaum was encouraged by the increase in interest from retail and food vendors this year. He hopes to entice motorcycle companies to sell their items at the festival.

What events can I go to?

Live music schedules and vendor plans will be released in the coming weeks. Keep in the loop by checking the Town of Atlantic Beach website.

Atlantic Beach Bikefest’s return to the Myrtle Beach area combined with the holiday weekend tourists resulted in a packed Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend 2022.May 28, 2022.
Atlantic Beach Bikefest’s return to the Myrtle Beach area combined with the holiday weekend tourists resulted in a packed Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend 2022.May 28, 2022.

How can I get more information?

Stay up to date on Atlantic Beach Bike Week plans by following the Black Bike Week Facebook page and checking out the resources on the Black Bike Week website.

What other bike rallies are held in the Myrtle Beach area?

Horry County hosts three large motorcycle events each year. The Myrtle Beach Spring Rally will take place May 12 to 21. The 2023 Fall Rally will take place from Oct. 2 to 8.