The Myrtle Beach boardwalk area is lined with lights and displays and is hosting a “Winter Wonderland at the Beach” with light displays, a Family Fun Zone and live entertainment. Towns around the Myrtle Beach area have begun decorating for the holidays with many festivities scheduled throughout Horry County, S.C. this season. November 25, 2022.
JASON LEE
JASON LEE
Load up the kids in the car and pack the thermos of hot chocolate, it’s time to see the Christmas lights. These displays are more than decorations. They host visits from Santa, concerts, craft fairs and even artificial snow. Here are five holiday light displays in Horry County.
Winter Wonderland at the Beach
The Myrtle Beach boardwalk area is lined with lights and displays and is hosting a “Winter Wonderland at the Beach” with light displays, a Family Fun Zone and live entertainment. Towns around the Myrtle Beach area have begun decorating for the holidays with many festivities scheduled throughout Horry County, S.C. this season. November 25, 2022. JASON LEE JASON LEE
Location: Downtown Myrtle Beach
Hours: Nightly: 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 23. Festival and family fun zone: Thursday through Sunday.
Price: Free, activities for kids: $1-5
If the white Christmas of your dreams is white sandy beaches, check out Winter Wonderland at the Beach. Decorations illuminate the boardwalk from the Second Avenue Pier to the SkyWheel (Plyler Park).
Check out the a Family Fun Zone between 8th and 9th Avenues North and the Holiday Park (with performances and a craft market), next to the Skywheel. Get whisked away by the Holly Trolley to different holiday attractions every 15 minutes.
Gigi Martin Christmas Light Display
Location: 1215 Cedar Drive North, Surfside Beach
Hours: Nightly through Jan. 1: 5:15-10 p.m.
Price: Free
The Gigi Martin Christmas Light Display has been a Surfside Beach tradition since 1982. The front yard is decked out with walk-through lights, including a 10 foot tall Christmas gift pile. Co-owner Forrest Clark builds some of the light pieces himself: “Every year I keep adding different props to the display.” Santa will make appearances on Fridays Dec. 9 and 16 from 6-8 p.m.
The Great Christmas Light Show
North Myrtle Beach celebrates Christmas with the Great Christmas Light Show at the Park and Sports Complex. Visitors enjoy Christmas themed light display along a 1.5-mile drive. They also get to participate in activities like Visit with Santa, petting animals, making s’mores, and ice skating at the Santa’s Village. Aria Hangyu Chen / ahchen@mcclatchy.com / Twitter: @aria_chy
Location: North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, North Myrtle Beach
Hours: Nightly through Dec. 30 (except Christmas Day): 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Price: $15-20 per vehicle (up to 15 passengers) | $30 per vehicle (16 to 30 guests) | $60 per vehicle (31 or more guests)
With 2,000 million lights, the Great Christmas Light Show draws car loads of attendees. You might want to plan ahead — entrance is first-come, first-serve, with long lines on weekends and closer to Christmas.
On select nights, visit Santa’s Village with a petting zoo and visits with Santa. And the fun doesn’t stop after Christmas, when the Grinch takes over Santa’s chair.
Conway Celebration of Lights
Conway S.C. held the annual “Living Window” displays amid holiday festivities that included camel and horse drawn carriage rides, and live entertainment Thursday night. The historic river town has become a holiday destination for locals and visitors. Dec. 9, 2021. Jason Lee jlee@thesunnews.com
Location: Ash Pond Road and Marina Drive, Conway
Hours: Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 24: 5:30-10 p.m.
Price: $1 per person
Keep your eyes out for local landmarks at the Conway Celebration of Lights. This drive-through show features Conway-themed lights.
MarshWalk’s Wonderland of Lights
Location: US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet
Hours: Nightly through Jan. 1: 5-9:30 p.m. Festival activities: Friday through Sunday.
Price: Free
See lights twinkling off the estuary at the MarshWalk’s Wonderland of Lights. Visitors walk through an oversize gingerbread house and a candy cane arch. On weekends, kids can jump in bouncy houses and take a $2 barrel ride.
Eleanor Nash is the Service Journalism Reporter at The Sun News. She answers the burning questions of Grand Strand residents. Send your Myrtle Beach mysteries to enash@thesunnews.com.
