Your guide to the best, most dazzling Christmas light shows in Myrtle Beach and the SC coast
It’s the holliest, jolliest time of year in the Grand Strand and for locals and tourists alike, it’s time to get in the holiday spirit. While South Carolina isn’t known for snowy landscapes, the Grand Strand offers plenty of twinkling lights and dazzling displays to spread festive cheer.
If you’re ready for the holidays, here are nine of the best light shows to check out this December around Horry and Georgetown County.
Days: Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 24 and 25
Hours: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Ashpond Road and Marina Drive
If you enjoyed Conway’s spooky decorations as The City of Halloween in October, you can see how the downtown area transforms into a cheerful holiday destination for December at the Celebration of Lights. Entry to the drive-through light display costs $2 per person in your vehicle.
Date: Dec. 20
Hours: 5-8 p.m.
Location: 400 Surfside Drive, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
For one night only, you can tour Christmas lights and holiday displays on free trolley rides around Surfside Beach. Visitors can enjoy free cocoa, treats, a holiday DJ, crafts and more while waiting for one of the trolleys at Memorial Park. Kids can also check out face painting, balloon art, and Christmas characters at the festive event.
GiGi Martin Christmas Lighting Display
Days: Nightly
Hours: 5:30-10:00 or 10:30 p.m.
Location: 1215 Cedar Drive N., Surfside Beach, SC 29575
A Surfside holiday tradition since 1982, the GiGi Martin Christmas Light Display is beloved by the Grand Strand community. The light show is free to all but will be accepting donations for the Champion Autism Network and gifts for Toys for Tots. If you visit on Tuesday, Dec. 10 or Dec. 17, be sure to say hi to Santa Claus, who will be stopping by around 5:45 p.m.
Grand Strand Christmas Light Show
Days: Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 19-24 and 26-29
Hours: 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.
Location: 311 Bonnie Bay Road, Loris, SC 29569
Bonnie Bay Blueberry Farm’s Grand Strand Christmas Light Show will feature a half-mile walking tour with Christmas light displays, children’s activities, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, food, gifts and more. Advanced tickets can be purchased online, but limited tickets will also be available on site. Online prices list general admission for $15, VIP admission for $27 and children under three years of age enter for free.
The Great Christmas Light Show
Days: Nightly, closed Christmas Day
Hours: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: 150 Citizens Circle, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
With more than 2 million lights along the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex’s 2-mile drive, holiday fans won’t want to miss the Great Christmas Light Show. In addition to more than 500 festive light displays, the light show will have a Santa’s Village with Santa Claus, a petting zoo, treats, fire pits and more.
Santa’s Village will be open Thursday through Sunday now through Dec. 15 and every night from Dec. 19 through Dec. 30, excluding Christmas. Tickets are purchased on site and cost $20 per standard vehicle on regular nights, $25 per standard vehicle on Santa’s Village nights, $50 for oversized vehicles every night and $100 for charter buses, which are only admitted Monday through Thursday.
Days: Dec. 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 31 and Jan. 1-5
Hours: 4-9 p.m.
Location: 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Despite the name, Brookgreen Gardens’ Night of a Thousand Candles actually features more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions more lights. In addition to an enchanting walk, guests can enjoy live musical performances and a variety of food trucks.
For members, tickets are $30 for adults and $14 for kids ages four through 12 years. Non-members pay $35 for adult tickets and $17 for children 4 through 12 years old. Traffic getting into the gardens can be heavy, so Brookgreen recommends getting there early and carpooling if you can.
Ugly Sweater Light up the Night Holiday Ride
Date: Dec. 12
Hours: Starts at 6 p.m.
Location: 3421 Knoles St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
This 8-to-10-mile festive bike ride presented by Pee Dee Bicycle of Myrtle Beach will tour holiday lights around The Market Common area, starting at Tidal Creek Brewhouse. While the family-friendly event doesn’t require an ugly Christmas sweater, if you have one it’s a great time to break it out.
MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights
Days: Nightly
Hours: 5-11 p.m.
Location: 4025 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk comes alive every evening in December with a dazzling array of lights. You can snap a festive photo with the 20-foot Christmas tree, candy cane arch, gingerbread house, giant ornament and more. There’s no entry fee to walk the half-mile boardwalk, but visitors can eat, drink and shop at restaurants and vendors along the MarshWalk.
The Wonderland of Lights will also offer a Santa’s Village on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 22. Santa’s Village will include visits with Santa Claus, a petting zoo, barrel cart rides and more, though not all activities are free.
Winter Wonderland at the Beach
Days: Nightly
Hours: 5-9 p.m.
Location: 2nd Avenue North to 10 Avenue North
The free mile-long light show around the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has a nightly display of twinkling lights for Winter Wonderland at the Beach. The festive displays adorn downtown from Second Avenue North, by the Second Avenue Pier, to 10th Avenue North, by Pyler Park. Depending on when you go, your visit may coincide with Winter Wonderland events like a holiday drone show, caroling, live DJ performances and more, so be sure to check the full festival event schedule.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 6:00 AM.