Summer never really ends on the Grand Strand, and this September proves it. The Beach Boys roll into North Myrtle Beach with their “Sounds of Summer” tour, and Mike Love himself takes the stage.
If you’ve spent any beach trip singing along to “Kokomo” with the windows down, this show belongs on your calendar. Here’s everything you need to know before showtime.
Where and When Is the Show?
Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Two shows run that day, one at 3 pm and another at 8 pm, so afternoon and evening crowds both get their shot.
Interestingly, this date wasn’t the original plan. The show initially landed on the calendar for January 24, 2026, then shifted to September. Weather and scheduling often reshuffle winter tour dates along the coast, so this kind of move isn’t unusual for Myrtle Beach‘s entertainment calendar.
Insider detail:
The Alabama Theatre sits at 4750 Highway 17 South, right inside the Barefoot Landing complex. Arrive early, and you can grab dinner at one of Barefoot Landing’s waterfront restaurants before the show, then stroll along the boardwalk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
Tickets for the September 27 shows range from $84.95 to $129.95, depending on seat location. That’s a fairly standard range for a legacy touring act at this venue, and prices tend to climb as the date approaches.
Here’s a nice bonus for fans: every ticket includes a digital download of Mike Love’s solo album, “Mike Love Not War.” That’s a solid extra for anyone building out their Beach Boys collection.
What most visitors don’t know:
The Alabama Theatre frequently books legacy acts and tribute shows throughout the year, so if this particular date doesn’t work, similar classic-rock programming rotates through regularly. Worth checking their calendar even outside Beach Boys season.
Are Any Original Beach Boys Still Touring?
Here’s where things get genuinely interesting, and a little bittersweet for longtime fans. Mike Love remains the only classic-era member still touring under the Beach Boys name. He’s held a license to tour as “The Beach Boys” since 1998 through the band’s corporation, Brother Records Inc.
Bruce Johnston, who joined back in 1965, stepped away from touring in March 2026 after roughly 61 years on the road. He’s not gone entirely, though. Johnston plans occasional guest appearances, including a Hollywood Bowl performance around the Fourth of July. Vocalist Chris Cron has stepped into his spot in the touring lineup.
Meanwhile, founding member Al Jardine continues performing, just not with Love’s group. Jardine tours separately with his own band, sometimes called the Pet Sounds Band, playing music from the Beach Boys’ catalog under a different banner entirely.
Local’s take:
Don’t expect a full reunion vibe at this show. What you’re getting is Mike Love’s licensed touring band, backed by longtime musicians like keyboardist Tim Bonhomme and guitarist Christian Love, delivering the hits with genuine energy. It’s a different experience than the band’s classic lineup, but the songbook remains unmistakably Beach Boys.
How Many Beach Boys Are Still Alive?
This question comes up often, and the honest answer has shifted recently. Brian Wilson, the band’s creative core, passed away on June 11, 2025. Dennis Wilson died back in 1983, and Carl Wilson passed in 1998.
That leaves a small circle of surviving members and close affiliates: Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, plus early-era guitarist David Marks and touring member Blondie Chaplin. Among these, Love and Johnston shared the touring stage together for decades, right up until Johnston’s March 2026 departure.
Insider detail:
Brian Wilson’s passing marked a genuine turning point for the band’s legacy. Several music writers have described 2026 as the effective closing chapter for the Beach Boys as a functioning touring entity, even as Mike Love’s version continues playing shows across the country.
Why North Myrtle Beach Makes Sense for This Tour
North Myrtle Beach has built a reputation for landing exactly this kind of legacy act. The Alabama Theatre has hosted everything from Beach Music tribute nights to full-scale tribute productions honoring Fleetwood Mac and ABBA.
Beyond the theater itself, North Myrtle Beach connects seamlessly to the rest of the Grand Strand’s beach towns. Myrtle Beach proper sits just south, alongside Surfside Beach and Garden City Beach further down the coast. Head south a bit further, and you’ll hit Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, and Litchfield Beach, each with its own distinct personality.
That regional density matters for trip planning. Catch the Beach Boys on Sunday evening, then spend the following days exploring Myrtle Beach’s boardwalk or the quieter shores of Pawleys Island. Few stretches of coast pack this much variety into such a short drive.
What most visitors don’t know:
North Myrtle Beach itself is actually a collection of smaller historic communities, including Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, and Windy Hill. Each has its own beach access points and a slightly different feel, despite sitting minutes apart.
Planning Your Trip Around the Show
September offers a genuine sweet spot for Grand Strand visits. Crowds thin out after Labor Day, hotel rates drop, and the ocean often stays warm enough for swimming well into fall.
Since two shows run that Sunday, consider building a full weekend around it. Arrive Friday, spend Saturday on the beach, catch the matinee or evening show Sunday, then head home Monday. That schedule gives you real beach time without rushing the concert experience.
Insider detail:
Barefoot Landing itself is worth arriving early for, regardless of showtime. The shopping and dining complex sits directly on the water, and its floating boardwalk makes for a relaxed pre-show stroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Beach Boys play North Myrtle Beach in 2026?
Sunday, September 27, 2026, with two shows scheduled at 3 pm and 8 pm at the Alabama Theatre.
How much are tickets?
Prices range from $84.95 to $129.95, and every ticket includes a digital download of Mike Love’s solo album.
Is Brian Wilson performing with the band?
No. Brian Wilson passed away on June 11, 2025, and was not part of Mike Love’s touring lineup before that.
Are any founding Beach Boys members still touring together?
No. Mike Love tours with his own licensed lineup, while Al Jardine performs separately with a different backing band.
What other beaches are near North Myrtle Beach worth visiting?
Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, and Litchfield Beach all sit within a short drive along the Grand Strand.
The music might be decades old, but the Carolina coast keeps proving there’s always a good reason to show up.
For more travel guides, beach recommendations, and coastal travel inspiration, keep exploring explorecarolinabeaches.com
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