North Myrtle Beach, S.C. · October 21, 2026 · By Thomas Beach Vacations
Barefoot Landing has released the full BooFest schedule for Saturday, October 24, 2026: children’s costume contests in three age groups, a pet costume contest, balloon twisting, stilt walkers and character appearances from noon to 4 p.m., with contest registration opening at 11 a.m. Trick-or-treating follows on Halloween night.
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Barefoot Landing has filled in the details for BooFest, its annual Halloween afternoon on the waterway, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday, October 24. The headline events are the costume contests. Children compete in three divisions, ages 3 and under, 4 to 7 and 8 to 12, and a separate pet costume contest gives the dogs of North Myrtle Beach their turn on stage. Prizes go to first, second and third place in every contest, and registration opens at 11 a.m., an hour before the festival begins.
Around the contests, the afternoon fills with balloon twisting, stilt walkers roaming the boardwalk, costumed character appearances and a pumpkin house display, pictured on this year’s flyer, that makes a natural family photo stop. The event is centered on the Pepsi Stage and Dockside Village along the Intracoastal Waterway, with shops and restaurants open throughout. Barefoot Landing’s calendar also lists a BooFest pet photo opportunity and sidewalk sale at Crooked Hammock Brewery during the same hours.
Trick-or-Treating Returns on Halloween Night
BooFest is the first of two Halloween dates at Barefoot Landing. On Saturday, October 31, participating merchants will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters from 5 to 7 p.m., and the evening continues with a DJ at Taco Mundo and live music at Crooked Hammock Brewery, LandShark Bar & Grill and Dick’s Last Resort, according to the center’s events calendar. Families who want both can plan a full week on the north end, with BooFest on one Saturday and trick-or-treating on the next.
BooFest 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | BooFest at Barefoot Landing |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Saturday, October 24, 2026, noon to 4 p.m. |
| Contest registration | Begins at 11 a.m. |
| Children’s costume contests | Ages 3 and under, 4 to 7, and 8 to 12 |
| Pet costume contest | Yes; prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each contest |
| Entertainment | Balloon twisting, stilt walkers, character appearances |
| Location | Barefoot Landing, 4898 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach |
| Trick-or-treat | Saturday, October 31, 5 to 7 p.m. at participating merchants |
A Full Saturday in North Myrtle Beach
October 24 is shaping up as the busiest day of the fall on the north end. The city’s Halloween BOOnanza follows BooFest from 5 to 8 p.m. at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, as reported in our earlier story on the BOOnanza and BooFest sharing the date, the Sea Haven Duck Derby releases its rubber ducks at Captain Archie’s the same day, and the Grand Strand Kite Festival fills the sky over The Point in Cherry Grove that weekend. Barefoot Landing sits in the Windy Hill section of town, a short drive from rentals in Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive and Cherry Grove. Guests in our oceanfront home rentals and oceanfront condos can find more in our guide to things to do in Myrtle Beach and follow the season on our local news page.
Bringing the costumes to the beach this Halloween? Thomas Beach Vacations has been a family-owned part of North Myrtle Beach since 1962, and our oceanfront homes and condos are minutes from Barefoot Landing. Explore rentals at www.northmyrtlebeachvacations.com or call our local team at (843) 273-3001.
Sources: Barefoot Landing BooFest 2026 event flyer and events calendar (bflanding.com); City of North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation. Schedules are subject to change; confirm with Barefoot Landing before attending.