Looking for one of America’s best Christmas lights displays? You don’t have to go far.
Brookgreen Gardens’ annual Night of a Thousand Candles has been named one of America’s top seasonal light displays by U.S. News and World Report.
“It’s not something we’ve seen in other markets, and it’s just really unique to this event. It really stood out to us,” Rachael Hood, a U.S. News and World Report senior editor for travel, told The Sun News Nov. 29.
The magazine included Brookgreen Gardens’ visual display among its 23 best Christmas light displays in the country.
Hood said the ability for visitors to have a complete holiday experience through the event’s combination of live music, beverage stations, food trucks and nearby restaurants vaulted Night of a Thousand Candles near the top of its list.
Located in Murrells Inlet about 20 miles outside of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens dots its 550-acre grounds with thousands hand-lit candles each year.
Tickets are between $14 and $35 and can be purchased in person or online. All nights are sold out except for Jan. 1, according to an online booking system.
Brookgreen Gardens’ inclusion on the list put it next to other southeastern venues including Pigeon Forge Winterfest in Tennessee, the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights and Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
“It’s interesting, all of the unique players even in places you don’t traditionally think of as Christmas destinations, per se,” Hood said. “We are looking to show our readers assortment and variety.”
Night of a Thousand Candles has previously been named South Carolina’s best Christmas lights display by Travel + Leisure in 2018.
Travel to the region is projected to stay robust over the next several months as well.
Lodging data monitored by the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau shows occupancy bookings through early 2023 running 11.2 points ahead of 2019.
Major upcoming Christmas events in the area include Winter Wonderland at The Beach, which runs Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 23 and a Christmas light show Dec. 30 at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex.
This story was originally published November 30, 2022 at 9:51 AM.