Things to do in the Myrtle Beach area on Dec. 8

Ripley’s Aquarium’s annual “Festival of Trees,” including this tree for the state of Washington, and celebrating every U.S. state and territory with its own tree of decorations, continues through Dec. 31. The site opens 9 a.m. daily, at Broadway at the Beach, off 29th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach. Steve Jessmore The Sun News file photo

Gather for ‘Blue Christmas’ services

▪ “A Blue Christmas Service of Healing and Hope,” noon Tuesday at Trinity Church, 3000 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, with “Christmas Favorite Finger Food” reception afterward. Details from Ashley Sosis at 843-448-8426, or email music.trinity.church@gmail.com.

▪ “Blue Christmas Serivice,” 6 p.m. Tuesday at Celebration Presbyterian Church, 2300 Carolina Forest Blvd., Carolina Forest. 843-903-0308 or www.celebrationpresbyterianchurch.org.

Waccamaw Art Center gallery reopens

The Waccamaw Art Center gallery has reopened after a pause for repairs. Details at 843-236-4692 or www.cbtgifts.com/art-gallery.

Details: Noon-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, at 2999 Waccamaw Blvd., just west of Myrtle Beach, off George Bishop Parkway and U.S> 501, across from Clarion Hotel on Intracoastal Waterway, in former Waccamaw Pottery complex.

Join menorah lighting in city park

Join a community lighting of a giant menorah, on this third night of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, with Rabbi David Weissman from Temple Shalom, a Reform congregation based at 4023 Belle Terre Boulevard, off U.S. 501, near Forestbrook community. Details at 843-903-6634.

Details: 6 p.m. in Myrtle Beach’s Valor Memorial Garden, on Farrow Parkway, near The Market Common.

Connect with Santa at HTC stores

Families with children eager to meet Santa Claus have a weekly option 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the next three Tuesdays at these HTC stores, and everyone who brings nonperishable food items to help local needy will receive a free 4-by-6-inch photo taken with Kris Kringle. No appointments necessary. Details at 843-365- 2154 or www.htcinc.net/about-htc/photos-with-santa:

▪ Dec. 8 at 2201 U.S. 501, Conway, across from Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

▪ Dec. 15 at 1768 Pine Island Road, Myrtle Beach, across from Coastal Grand mall.

Four exhibits fill museum’s fall

Experience three exhibits, each showcasing major facets in S.C. history: “Rice: Paintings by Jonathan Green,” “Indigo: Works in Denim by Jim Arendt” and “Remnants of the Rice Culture: Photographs by David Shriver Soliday,” all through Jan. 7, and “Contemporary Conversations II,” with about 40 works by S.C. artists, through Dec. 27. Details at 843-238-2510or www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays, at Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, 3100 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, across from Midway Par 3 Golf and Springmaid Beach Resort. Free.

Aquarium celebrates ‘Festival of Trees’

Ripley’s Aquarium’s “Festival of Trees” continues through Dec. 31, celebrating every U.S. state and territory with its own tree of decorations. Details at 843-916-0888 or www.ripleysaquarium.com.

Details: Open 9 a.m. daily at Broadway at the Beach, off 29th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach; free with admission: $24.99 ages 12 and older (or save $2 advance online from this adult rate), $15.99 ages 6-11, and $7.99 ages 2-5, and free ages 1 and younger.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Things to do in the Myrtle Beach area on Dec. 8."