Things to do in the Myrtle Beach area on Dec. 24
Free admission to state parks
Both local state parks are open every day of the year – also with free park admission statewide this Thursday-Friday, to close S.C. State Parks’ “12 Days of Deals” (southcarolinaparks.com):
▪ Myrtle Beach State Park, on U.S. 17 Business, one mile south of Farrow Parkway/South Ocean Boulevard, across from Seagate Village. Winter hours 6 a.m.-8 p.m. through February. 843-238-5325 or www.myrtlebeachsp.com.
▪ Huntington Beach State Park, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, across from Brookgreen Gardens, with winter hours 6 a.m.-6 p.m. through March 1. 843-237-4440 or www.huntingtonbeachsp.com. (Reach the Friends of Huntington Beach State Park at 843-650-6666 or www.friendshbsp.com.)
Two special outings at mall
Take part in two special events for free for some Christmas Eve fun at Myrtle Beach Mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres:
▪ “Santa’s Wonderland” in final day with Santa photos 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and crafts 3-5 p.m., at Bass Pro Shops. 843-361-4800 or www.basspro.com/santa.
▪ Grand Strand Model Railroad Club, with several working model trains the public is welcome to enjoy, open noon-4 p.m. (also 4-7 p.m. Mondays, noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m Saturdays), three doors from Bass Pro Shops. 843-293-4386 or www.gsmrrc.org.
Make special crafts at museum
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for Christmas Eve, including “Make-and-Take Holiday Crafts,” 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free with admission. Details at 910-579-1016 or www.museumplanetarium.org.
Details: At museum, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach. $9 for ages 13-62, $8 ages 62 and older, $7 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger.
‘Festival of Trees’ fills aquarium
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.
‘Wonderland’ festival open nightly
The “Christmas Wonderland” lights and festival are open nightly through Dec. 31. Details at 843-281-3803 or www.nmbwonderland.com.
Details: 5:30-10:30 p.m. at North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, at S.C. 90 and Robert Edge Parkway. Free admission; activity wristbands $20 ages 13 and older, $10 ages 5-12, and free standard wristband for ages 4 and younger, with adult purchase; and $8 paintball challenge.
Fall Art Show at Collectors Cafe
The Fall Art Show, with more than 100 new works, continues through Jan. 18. Details at 843-449-9370 or www.collectorscafeandgallery.com.
Details: Noon-11 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays at Collectors Cafe & Art Gallery, 7740 N. Kings HIghway, Myrtle Beach.
This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Things to do in the Myrtle Beach area on Dec. 24."