Summertime and the Mixing’s Easy: Dance the night away at a Moonlight Mixer

Folly Beach is magical any time of day, but there’s something truly special about an evening spent dancing under the stars with the sound of the ocean in the background. Each summer, locals and visitors gather on the Folly Beach Pier for the beloved Moonlight Mixer series — a tradition that celebrates beach music, dancing, and coastal community spirit.

A Carolina Coastal Tradition

The Moonlight Mixers are hosted by the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission and held several times throughout the warmer months, typically from May through September. The events invite dancers of all ages and skill levels to sway, spin, and shag the night away on the pier’s spacious dance floor as the sun sets over the Atlantic.

For those new to the scene, the Carolina shag is a smooth, partner-style dance that originated along the beaches of the Carolinas in the 1940s and became synonymous with “beach music.” The mixers keep that classic energy alive, with DJs spinning timeless favorites that make it impossible not to move your feet.

The Perfect Summer Night

As the evening begins, the setting sun paints the sky in pinks and golds before giving way to twinkling stars. Cool ocean breezes drift through as beach tunes fill the air and couples dance to hits from the Drifters, the Tams, the Chairmen of the Board, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned shag dancer or just love great music, you’ll find yourself caught up in the rhythm of the night.