If you’re visiting Sunset Beach, NC this summer and love music, you should try to plan your trip around a time when music will be happening. Luckily, you have lots and lots of options because there are musical and cultural events happening all the time at Sunset Beach and nearby Ocean Isle Beach.

One of the biggest events of the summer is the Brunswick County NC Oyster Festival. Even if you’ve never eaten an oyster or think you hate them, this is a festival you don’t want to miss. Sure, it focuses on yummy oysters cooked in a variety of traditional and funky ways, but it also has lots of activities and fun to offer the entire family.

At the festival, there will be oyster cook-offs, which those who do like these delicious sea creatures on their plates will love. Also, there’s tons of live music, happening just about two or three times a day and featuring a wide variety of groups. The musical styles represented at the festival range from bluegrass and country to rock, so there’s really something for everyone.

Besides this, there are lots of activities for the kids, road races, and a hysterical shag dancing contest. If you’re in town on the right days, you can take shag dancing lessons for free at The Winds Resort in town. The NC Oyster Festival is a great activity to hit up if you don’t want to feel like a tourist. Because it’s usually hosted in the fall months, Sunset Beach isn’t quite as crowded with visitors as it is during the summer. This gives you a chance to mingle and have fun with the locals of the area.

Even if you can’t get to the NC coast for the Oyster Festival, though, you can still enjoy music during the summer months. The Winds Resort hosts live music concerts by locals and national artists throughout the summer, which are free! Also, you can find lots of Sunset Beach music concerts and Ocean Isle Beach concerts that take place throughout the summer.

These concerts often feature internationally recognized artists who are on tour. You can find tickets for these concerts online. They’re an excellent way to spend a warm summer evening, especially if you’re going to be in an outdoor concert arena. There are so many concerts going on in the area over the summer that there’s sure to be something interesting happening while you’re in town.