Discover Myrtle Beach's Holiday Wonderland: Festive Events, Lights & Family Fun
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Elevate your holidays with a Myrtle Beach vacation on the Grand Strand, where Southern hospitality meets festive cheer. Enjoy holiday-themed live shows, shopping, family attractions, 60 miles of pristine beaches, and ample winter sunshine. Whether escaping snow or creating new traditions, Myrtle Beach delivers joy for all. Note: Featured events reference 2017 dates; many are annual traditions—verify current schedules on official sites for the latest details.
Explore these spectacular holiday highlights across the Grand Strand:
14th Annual Christmas Towne
Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, balloon art, face painting, and sweet treats usher in the season at the 14th Annual Christmas Towne, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 N. Oak Street.
Ripley's Aquarium Festival of Trees
Ripley's Aquarium spreads holiday magic with its annual Festival of Trees, showcasing nearly 125 decorated Christmas trees—including one per state, like an 18-foot South Carolina tree with seashells, magnolias, golf balls, Clemson, and USC nods. Enjoy a free scavenger hunt. Visit www.RipleyAquariums.com/MyrtleBeach for details.
Brookgreen Gardens Nights of a Thousand Candles
A beloved tradition, Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens features over 5,500 hand-lit candles and sparkling lights. Stroll illuminated paths with warm cider, handbells, carolers, and an 85-foot fir aglow with 100,000 lights (lit at 5:45 p.m. nightly). Dates: November 30, December 1-2, 7-9, 14-17, 2017. More at www.Brookgreen.org.
The Kaminski House Museum's A Very Fashionable Christmas
In historic Georgetown, SC, The Kaminski House Museum hosts A Very Fashionable Christmas (Nov. 10–Dec. 29), blending traditional decor with glamorous seasonal flair. Details at www.KaminskiMuseum.org.
The Great Christmas Light Show in North Myrtle Beach
The Great Christmas Light Show returns to North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex (Nov. 24–Dec. 31, 2017). Drive through 1.5 miles of 2 million lights in 400+ displays (up to 70 feet tall). Visit Santa's Village for s'mores, hot chocolate, train rides, and ice skating. Info at Parks.NMB.us.
The Carolina Opry Christmas Special
At Calvin Gilmore Theater, The Carolina Opry Christmas Special delivers dazzling holiday music, earning Calvin Gilmore the nickname "Father Christmas." A must-see celebration. Visit www.TheCarolinaOpry.com.
Alabama Theatre's The South's Grandest Christmas Show
Alabama Theatre's award-winning The South's Grandest Christmas Show combines classics, favorites, talent, scenery, and effects—plus comedian Ricky Mokel. A family tradition. Details at Alabama-Theatre.com.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show Christmas Carol
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show reimagines A Christmas Carol with pirates (Nov. 9–Dec. 31). Captain Scrooge's adventures include acrobatic toys, a live Nativity with camels, an angel, and a sea lion sidekick—paired with a feast. Visit PiratesVoyage.com.
GTS Theatre's Motown Christmas Tribute & Crazy Country Christmas
For fun twists, catch Motown Christmas Tribute & Crazy Country Christmas at intimate GTS Theatre—cabaret-style with talented performers and audience interaction. Smiles guaranteed. Info at GTSTheatre.com.
Other Events Include:
11/1 - 12/31 – Legends in Concert Holiday Show, Legends in Concert Theater, LegendsinConcert.com
11/1 - 1/1 – Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Holiday Show, Medieval Times Castle, MedievalTimes.com
11/18 – Lighting of the Landing & Santa’s Arrival, Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach, Bflanding.com
11/24-31 (excluding 12/25) – The Great Christmas Light Show, North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, Parks.NMB.us
11/24 – Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Tree Lighting, 4-8 p.m., Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place
11/25 – A Merry MarshWalk Christmas, Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, MurrellsInletSC.com
11/25 – Annual Intracoastal Christmas Regatta Boat Parade, Little River to NMB, christmasregatta.com
11/30, Dec. 7, 14 – Rivertown Christmas Celebrations, Downtown Conway, SC
11/30 – Conway Tree Lighting, Downtown Conway
11/30 – Surfside Beach Christmas Tree Lighting, Surfside Beach Town Hall, SurfsideBeach.org
12/2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Holidays on the Boardwalk, 12-4 p.m., Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place
12/1 – Murrells Inlet Christmas Tree Lighting, MurrellsInletSC.com
12/1 – Loris Christmas Celebration & Parade, Courtyard on Main, Loris, SC, Lorischamber.com
12/2 – 3rd Annual A Very Broadway Christmas, Broadway at The Beach, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/2 – North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade, Main Street, Parks.NMB.us
12/2 – Christmas at The Farm, L.W. Paul Living History Farm, HorryCountyMuseum.org
12/2 – A Very Broadway Christmas, Broadway at The Beach, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/2 – Rivertown Holiday Market, Conway Recreation Center, Conwayparksandrecreation.com
12/2 & 3 – Christmas Cantata, Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, Parks.NMB.us
12/3 – Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade, Wilcox Avenue & U.S. Bus. 17, MurrellsInletSC.com
12/5 – North Myrtle Beach Christmas Tree Lighting, NMB Park & Sports Complex, Parks.NMB.us
12/6-17 – Scrooge The Musical, Theatre of the Republic in Conway, TheatreOfTheRepublic.com
12/7 – Living Window Display, Downtown Conway
12/7 – Rivertown Christmas Celebration, Downtown Conway
12/8, 9, 10 – Christmas and All That Jazz, Trinity United Methodist Church, CarolinaMasterChorale.com
12/9 – Surfside Beach Christmas Parade, Ocean Blvd/Surfside Drive, SurfsideBeach.org
12/9 – Conway Chamber Christmas Parade, Downtown Conway
12/9 – Breakfast with Santa, Hard Rock Cafe, HardRock.com, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/9 – A Starduster’s Afternoon of Holiday Tunes at La Belle Amie Vineyard, LaBelleAmie.com
12/10 – 13th Annual Christmas Towne, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, VisitMyrtleBeach.com
12/14 – Rivertown Christmas Celebration, Downtown Conway
12/16 – Breakfast with Santa at the Hard Rock Cafe, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/16 – Breakfast with Santa at the Golden Egg Restaurant, Surfside Beach, surfsidebeach.org
12/18 – Annual Tree Lighting, The Market Common, MarketCommonMB.com
12/23 – Breakfast with Santa at the Hard Rock Cafe, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/23 – Yuletide Music & Bonfire, La Belle Amie Vineyard, LaBelleAmie.com
12/30 – New Year Bonfire, La Belle Amie Vineyard, LaBelleAmie.com
12/31 – New Year’s Eve Garden by Candlelight Pre-Party, Brookgreen Gardens, Brookgreen.org
12/31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration & Fireworks, Broadway at the Beach, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/31 – Rock-In the New Year, Hard Rock Cafe, HardRock.com, BroadwayAtTheBeach.com
12/31 – Noon Year’s Eve Party, Children’s Museum of S.C., Myrtle Beach, CMSCKids.org
12/31 – A Southern Times Square, The Market Common, MarketCommonMB.com
So much more awaits! From tree lightings to Santa visits, Myrtle Beach overflows with cheer. Check our Season of Celebration section for full listings.
