Discover Myrtle Beach's festive holiday wonders

Myrtle Beach thrives during the Christmas season with its festive attractions and events. Articles often highlight the region's holiday spirit, including its popular light shows, festive retreats, and charming local experiences. North Myrtle Beach's "Great Christmas Light Show" sees tens of thousands of visitors and features expanded displays due to park construction. Meanwhile, Myrtle Beach airport anticipates high traffic with 2,992 new parking spots added to accommodate travelers during the holidays.

Myrtle Beach also gains recognition for holiday-themed films set in the area, adding to its Yuletide charm. A national magazine lists Myrtle Beach among top Christmas cities, emphasizing its oceanfront lights display and seasonal activities.

Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet is now about to start it’s 25th year and is one of the south’s most celebrated holiday destination. A national travel magazine just named the Myrtle Beach area as one of the 28 best holiday cities in the U.S. for 2024.

NO. 1: NATIONAL MAGAZINE SHARES BEST CHRISTMAS SPOTS. WHAT MYRTLE BEACH, SC AREAS MADE THE LIST?

A magazine dedicated to luxury international and domestic travel wrote about their top U.S. destinations for Christmas. Which South Carolina cities made the cut? | Published November 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Elizabeth Brewer

A fir Christmas tree is on display for sale at Snowflake Village, located at 12201 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. By DIAMOND VENCES

NO. 2: LOOKING TO DECORATE A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE? WHERE TO FIND ONE IN THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA

From tree farms to chain stores, here’s where to find a real Christmas tree in the Myrtle Beach, SC area that you can put in your home. | Published December 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

Mary-Louise Parker and Andy Garcia star in “Christmas in Conway,” a 2013 holiday film that is set in the city of Conway, SC.

NO. 3: GRAB A CUP OF COCOA AND SNUGGLE IN TO WATCH THESE CHRISTMAS FILMS SET IN MYRTLE BEACH AREA

The Myrtle Beach area has been the location for several Christmas films. Here’s how to watch them and what local scenes you will spot. | Published December 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

Passengers pass through the Myrtle Beach International Airport. The facility is undergoing renovations that will add more gates, concessions and other improvements. Oct. 22, 2024. By JASON LEE

NO. 4: PICKING PEOPLE UP OR FLYING FOR CHRISTMAS? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MYRTLE BEACH AIRPORT PARKING

With Christmas fast approaching, many Myrtle Beach locals will fly out of Myrtle Beach International Airport. Here’s what to know about finding parking. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Morse

Final preparations are being made for North Myrtle Beach’s largest light show. In its tenth year, the Great Christmas Light Show has been expanded to include phase two of the NMB Sports Complex adding more than a million lights and extended the drive to just under two miles. The event opens November 24, 2025. By JASON LEE

NO. 5: BEHIND THE SCENES OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH’S CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW. HERE’S WHAT’S NEW

Three days a week, 52 weeks a year, Rob Salvador’s weathered hands carefully stretch tubes of lights onto metal frames. | Published November 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Lee

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. By JASON LEE

NO. 6: THIS HORRY COUNTY SMALL TOWN RANKED AMONG TOP SC SPOTS FOR CHRISTMAS CHARM, CHEER

With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to focus on Christmas – although we know that many of you decked your halls and started shopping before that turkey was in the oven. | Published November 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.