Dear Santa: I’m Dreaming of a Myrtle Beach Christmas!

As December approaches and the holiday season gets underway, it’s natural to find yourself slipping into daydreams of a white Christmas. You probably imagine camping out on cool white sands to take in the gently crashing tide. Maybe you think of gleaming white sidewalks gloriously empty of other people in the off-season. Perhaps you picture strong white sunlight staving off the wintry blues with mild temperatures. No? Is that not what comes to mind when you hear the words, “white Christmas”?

In Myrtle Beach, Christmas looks a little different from what you’re used to seeing in Hallmark movies and hearing in the classic holiday songs. Yet, that doesn’t stop Santa from donning a pair of red and green swim trunks to hit the beach, so neither should it stop you! With so many Myrtle Beach Christmas events to check out, you can make the most of the season’s offerings without tolerating the arctic temperatures of your hometown. Myrtle Beach adds its unique beachy flair to the holiday cheer at these Christmas-themed festivals, lighting displays, and theatrical shows.

Myrtle Beach Christmas Events

From long walks on the beach at sunset to shopping for holiday gifts and letting loose among the area’s bars and attractions, there is so much to do in Myrtle Beach — no matter the season! However, when visiting for the holidays, you can’t miss out on these extraordinary Myrtle Beach Christmas events.

Festival of Trees at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

November 5, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Ripley’s Aquarium decks their halls with ornaments, lights, and holiday cheer once again for their annual Festival of Trees. A total of 55 Christmas trees are lit up and adorned in festive decorations representing each state and territory of the U.S. For instance, the Louisiana tree is covered in Mardi Gras beads and colorful masks, while the Nevada tree sports various Las Vegas-style feathered headdresses. The South Carolina tree is, of course, the most spectacular of all, featuring seashells, magnolias and special décor from Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, and USC. The event is included in the cost of admission to Ripley’s Aquarium, so make sure to enjoy their marine exhibits amid the Christmas cheer, too!

Night of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens

November 26, 2021 – January 2, 2022 | 4:00 – 9:00 pm

Brookgreen Gardens is one of the best places to go in Myrtle Beach for one-of-a-kind holiday experiences. During the Night of a Thousand Candles, the main sculpture garden and arboretum light up in the warm glow of over 2,800 candles. The native plant life and American sculpture art take on an especially magical quality in the soft candlelight and cheerful holiday music from live carolers. Take a relaxing stroll with hot cocoa, cider or wine in hand, and stick around until 6:30 pm for the Lighting of the Trees at the Leonard Pavilion. 

Treasured Holiday Memories at Brookgreen Gardens

November 20, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Brookgreen Gardens also lends a unique sense of historic nostalgia to your holiday adventures. The Rosen Galleries don’t just display ordinary Christmas trees and decorations but an eccentric collection of vintage toys and period ornaments harking from the Victorian era through the 1980s. Miniature lighted houses, complete train sets representing The Polar Express, and miniature models with themes like “Hogwarts” and “Toy Story” inspire as much magical wonder as their historical and cultural significance. Keep your peeled during the Night of a Thousand Candles to see all the trains running!

North Myrtle Beach Christmas Lights & Events

The North Myrtle Beach Christmas lights and events boast some of the best displays in the coastal region. Make a point to spend some quality time with your family this holiday season at these three magical events in North Myrtle Beach.

The Great Christmas Light Show

November 22, 2021 – December 30, 2021

The North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex lights up in 2 miles of colorful wonderland. Over two million lights make up 500 holiday-themed displays and animated characters. The Great Christmas Light Show isn’t just about the lights either. At the end of the driving tour, make sure to stop by Santa’s Village for a visit with Santa, hot refreshments, and a chance to ride the Santa Express Train Ride to see the lights again up-close. Plus, the kids in your group will love befriending Santa’s reindeer at the petting zoo.

North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade

December 4, 2021 | 5:30 pm

Catch the magnificent showcase of Christmas floats, lighting displays, and musical talent at the North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade. Camp out with friends and family anywhere from Main Street to Ocean Boulevard to witness the show. Keep an eye out for floats and groups representing your favorite local organizations — and, of course, for the big red man himself!

Myrtle Beach Christmas Shows

Don’t just get your dose of holiday cheer from lights, parades and events. There is an impressive amount of theatrical and musical talent to behold at the local holiday performances. These Myrtle Beach Christmas shows are guaranteed to sweep you off your feet into the spirit of the season!

Alabama Theater

Throughout November and December, the Alabama Theater presents “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show,” the number one award-winning Myrtle Beach Christmas show. This holiday musical evokes the authentic spirit of Christmas through classic and contemporary tunes, show-stopping talent dressed in glittering holiday costumes, and top-of-the-line production quality. Plus, new to the stage this year is Slim Chance, a comedic juggler whose antics will have you crying in laughter. 

The Carolina Opry

The Carolina Opry brings back its own Christmas special, “The Christmas Show of the South,” for the 36th season. While the show is dedicated to its traditional roots, it also comes back fresher than ever this year, staging new performance artists alongside long-time favorites. Expect to see nationally recognized talent like Moses Braxton, Delvin Choice from The Voice, the clogging group All That! featured on America’s Got Talent, among many others. The Carolina Opry combines 35 nationally renowned musical artists, the Calvin Gilmore orchestra, professional dancers, an impressive set of winter wonderland decorations, and 25,000 lights into one heart-warming Christmas spectacle. Get your tickets before this wondrous performance ends for the season on January 2nd.

GTS Theater

The GTS Theater takes a soulful approach to their Myrtle Beach Christmas show. “Motor City Musical” is a Christmas-themed tribute to the rich musical history of Motown, the genre that broke down social barriers and lent its eclectic jazz and R&B roots to the music of the ’60s and ’70s. Featuring top hits from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, and the Jackson 5, this 2-hour Motown Christmas tribute performs to tell the story of a man who followed his dreams that turned into everyone’s music.

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Every year, you look forward to the satisfying sensation of warmth spreading from your mug of hot cocoa into your frozen fingertips on a frosty winter night. You can’t wait to breathe deeply of spiced gingerbread baking in the oven or to explore the city streets decked out in colorful lights like a magical wonderland. These familiar sights and nostalgic sensations stand out in strangely beautiful contrast to the white sandy beaches and lapping Atlantic ocean tide. However, after discovering the rich diversity of things to do in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach for Christmas, the South Carolina coastline may just become the only way you’ll ever dream of a white Christmas ever again!

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