AB Beach Music Festival
- Dates
- Expected May 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- The Circle (Atlantic Beach boardwalk)
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Aug 23, 2026
AB Beach Music Festival comes to Atlantic Beach, NC, Expected May 2027. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
AB Beach Music Festival is a free, single-day beach music and shag-dancing event held each May on the boardwalk at The Circle in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Now in its second decade, it has grown into the town's largest annual gathering, pairing live sets from Carolina beach music acts with oceanfront views, dancing, and a food-truck lineup along the waterfront
What people love
Attendees describe the festival as a long-running tradition they return to year after year, praising the boardwalk atmosphere of dancing and camaraderie and calling it one of the best events of its kind they attend. Several also single out how well organized the day feels given the size of the crowd it draws
Last time around (2026)
The 12th annual edition was held on the boardwalk at the Circle on May 16, 2026, under sunny skies, with sets from Jim Quick & Coastline, The Band of Oz, Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot, The I-42 Band, and The Mighty Saints of Soul. Attendee and press coverage described the day as lively and well run despite the crowd size, though at least one attendee noted the heat was enough to prompt stepping away from the festival grounds for a while
Listen
Tap an artist to play them right here.
No official playlist linked yet. Find AB Beach Music Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
2027 lineup not yet announced. Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
Nearest airport EWN.
How do I get to AB Beach Music Festival?
By car
Most people drive to AB Beach Music Festival. The nearest major airport is EWN, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
Intercity coach service (both Greyhound and FlixBus) stops at the 'U Pick' curbside stop in New Bern, 2406 Neuse Blvd about 35 miles / 45+ minutes short of Atlantic Beach itself. There is no bus service running the remaining leg to the Circle; riders need a taxi/rideshare or rental car to finish the trip. Included because it is a real, bookable mode to the host region even though it doesn't reach the venue directly
Book / info →Taxi & rideshare
Several licensed local car/shuttle services also serve the airport curbside as taxi alternatives
Book / info →Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
Official festival page states 'Paid parking is available at the Circle, but spots are limited' no dollar amount, no named prepay platform (no ParkMobile/SpotHero equivalent found) appears in the fetched official page text
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at EWN
This is a free one-day event with only limited paid Circle parking plus a free in-town shuttle from satellite lots, so car hire isn't required for the festival itself but it's the practical option for fly-in attendees combining ABBMF with a broader Crystal Coast trip, or arriving/departing outside the 9:30am-6:30pm shuttle window. On-airport majors (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National) all operate directly at EWN per the airport's own ground-transportation page, so counter pickup right off the flight is straightforward
Search car hire →Live price search coming soon.
Where
Venue
The Circle (Atlantic Beach boardwalk)
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near AB Beach Music Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Hotels nearby 5
Airbnb & private camping
Atlantic Beach is an active vacation-rental market treat any surge as the general spring-beach-town demand pattern rather than a confirmed ABBMF-specific spike
Search Airbnb →Hipcamp lists private-land camping/glamping/RV options within driving range of Atlantic Beach in Carteret County (e.g. Down East RV Resort in Beaufort, waterfront sites near Cedar Island, Croatan National Forest-adjacent land near Swansboro) a private-land alternative to a hotel for attendees who prefer camping despite the festival itself offering none. Not evaluated for proximity/shuttle access to the Circle
Search Hipcamp →Pricing
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