While Myrtle Beach is known as a sun and fun summertime destination, there is also great holiday fun to be found here as well! It may be a little quieter in the winter months, and that’s not a bad thing, but during the holiday season, there is much to see and do. Coming to the beach this holiday season? We have a few things to get you into the holiday spirit and help you create some new holiday memories and traditions this year!
Tree Lightings
There is just something magical about lighting the tree for the first time in the season, especially when it’s a large, magnificent tree! Many of the area shopping districts hold annual tree lightings as well as area towns and municipalities. Here are a few you may want to check out:
- Friday, Nov. 22 | Broadway at the Beach, 6 p.m. (Fireworks at 8)
- Saturday, Nov. 23 | Market Common, 6-8 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 23 | Lighting of the Landing (Barefoot Landing), 2-8 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 29 | Boardwalk Christmas Tree Lighting, 12-8 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1 | Murrells Inlet (Morse Landing), 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 5 | Surfside Beach (Surfside Beach Town Hall), 6 p.m.
Christmas Parades
Who doesn’t love a parade? Myrtle Beach area towns do a great job of putting on festive Christmas parades each year. With so many options, you’re sure to catch at least one:
- Saturday, Dec. 7 | A Very Broadway Christmas Parade, Broadway at the Beach, 11 a.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 7 | North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade, Main Street, 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 | Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade, MarshWalk, 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14 | Surfside Beach Christmas Parade, Ocean Boulevard, 2 p.m.
Holiday Shows
The Grand Strand is well known for its music theaters, and during the holidays all of the area theaters put on sell-out Christmas shows. The Carolina Opry, Alabama Theater, and Pirate’s Voyage are consistent holiday favorites, and new for 2019, is a Christmas on Ice show. Coastal Youth Ballet Theater also puts on several performances of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, at nearby Coastal Carolina University.
Holiday Lights
There’s nothing like a great light show to get you in the holiday mood, and the Grand Strand is the home to the mother of all light shows, Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles. Held at the 9,127-acre sculpture gardens in Murrells Inlet, this holiday spectacular features 4,500 hand-lit candles and numerous twinkling lights of various types and colors. Guests can stroll through the gardens taking in the sights and sounds of the season.
Nights of a Thousand Candles runs every Thursday through Sunday night in December, but you must purchase tickets in advance. Perhaps you’d rather take in a drive-by light show. In that case, head up to North Myrtle Beach for the Great Christmas Light Show at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex. This 1.5-mile drive-through show features 2 million twinkling lights within 20 animated displays. End your ride at Santa’s Village for s’mores and hot chocolate! The Great Christmas Light Show runs November 25 through December 30.
Shopping
The Myrtle Beach area is a shopper’s paradise with everything from indoor shopping malls to outlet malls and smaller, local boutiques. A little retail therapy is fun any time of year, but there’s just something special about shopping during the holidays. All of the area shopping spots are decked out in full holiday regalia this time of year, with Christmas music piped in to set the mood, and there are always special events going on at the shopping destinations during the season. Don’t forget about the biggest shopping event of the year, Black Friday!
Many area shopping centers will open early and stay open late offering great opportunities for deals and savings on all of your holiday shopping needs. The Grand Strand also offers specialty stores that cater specifically to Christmas decor! Maybe start a new tradition by picking up an ornament or holiday decor piece each year on your holiday trip to the beach.
Whether it’s coming to the beach for a holiday shopping trip, catching one of the Christmas shows, or checking out a dazzling light display, there are plenty of fun ways to spend the holidays in Myrtle Beach. Of course, when you stay with Brittain Resorts, you can also take advantage of the many onsite amenities. Swim in the indoor pools, relax on an indoor lazy river, or maybe sip something warm by one of the resort fire pits while watching the ocean waves. No matter how you spend your time, we know you’ll enjoy a happy holiday season at the beach!