There’s holiday cheer around every corner of the Grand Strand. For fans of festive illumination, Myrtle Beach offers Christmas lights in a variety of coastal settings, from the oceanfront to parks and sculpture gardens. The area is also home to numerous seasonal concerts and shows, Santa sightings, and winter activities.
We’ve created this list of Myrtle Beach Christmas events, holiday displays, and joyful parades to help make your vacation merry and bright. You can see Myrtle Beach Christmas lights at The Great Christmas Light Show, Winter Wonderland at the Beach, Lighting of the Landing, and other festive events.
Start planning your stay at Dayton House Resort — at the center of it all — and make your winter wishes come true.
1| The Great Christmas Light Show
Light Show Dates: Nov. 24–Dec. 30, 2025 (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Santa’s Village Dates: Open Thursdays through Sundays Nov. 28–Dec. 7, 2025; nightly Dec. 11–30, 2025 (closed on Christmas)
Price for Standard Vehicles: $20 when Santa’s Village is closed; $25 when Santa’s Village is open
One of the best places to see Christmas lights is at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, home to The Great Christmas Light Show. This event’s two-mile, drive-through route boasts more than two million lights and 500-plus displays, some up to 55 feet tall. After marveling at these Christmas lights near Myrtle Beach, park your car and head to Santa’s Village. Entertainment here includes a petting zoo, fireside hot cocoa and s’mores, and visits with Santa.
2| Broadway at the Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony
Date: Nov. 15, 2025
Price: Free
Broadway at the Beach kicks off the holiday season with a cheerful Myrtle Beach tree lighting celebration featuring live performances, special guests, and fireworks. The fun begins at 6 p.m., and the Fireworks Extravaganza closes out the evening starting at 8 p.m.
3| Intracoastal Christmas Regatta
Date: Nov. 29, 2025
Price: Free
This floating light show in North Myrtle Beach has been a Grand Strand mainstay since 1985. The Annual Intracoastal Christmas Regatta brings spectators from all over to watch decked-out boats cruise along the waterway. The parade runs from Little River Inlet beginning at 5 p.m. and concludes at Dock Holidays Marina around 7 p.m., with plenty of viewing locations along the route. The event is free to watch, but toys, pet supplies, and monetary donations are collected at various area locations as a way to spread seasonal cheer.
4| Winter Wonderland at the Beach
Dates: Nov. 28, 2025–Jan. 3, 2026
Price: Free
To enjoy oceanfront Christmas lights in Myrtle Beach, visit Winter Wonderland at the Beach. Stroll along the beachfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk through Toyland, Peppermint Valley, and the North Pole. More than 100,000 lights brighten the area, and local businesses add their own twinkling decorations. The holiday fun is just a 20-minute walk from Dayton House Resort.
5| Calabash Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade
Date: Dec. 5, 2025
Price: Free
Travel about 30 minutes from Dayton House Resort to the town of Calabash for its annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade. The family-friendly festivities begin at 6 p.m. downtown and include hot cocoa, caroling, a letters-to-Santa station, and a visit from Mr. Claus. Watch a colorful parade that runs from Beach Drive to River Road, then join the community for the tree lighting immediately afterward on the main stage.
6| THE LIGHTING OF THE LANDING
Date: November 23, 2024
Price: FREE
Usher in Christmas in Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Landing’s Lighting of the Landing show. The entertainment begins at 6 p.m. in Dockside Village. This family-friendly event offers performances from Alabama Theater entertainers, local dance groups, and more. At the end of the live show, watch in awe as Barefoot Landing’s spectacular tree lights up for the first time. The tree lighting is followed by fireworks until 8 p.m.
7| Market Common Tree Lighting
Date: Nov. 22, 2025
Price: Free
This family-friendly tree lighting at Market Common will make your time in Myrtle Beach extra merry. The event begins at 6 p.m. with Santa’s arrival, followed by holiday performances, photos with Saint Nick, and vendors serving seasonal treats.
8| Nights of a Thousand Candles
Dates: Select evenings Nov. 28, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
Price: Tickets start at $35 for adults and $15 for kids
Some of the best Christmas lights in the Myrtle Beach area are found in Murrells Inlet at Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles. More than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of twinkling lights illuminate the sculpture gardens and grounds. Sip hot cider, take in the holiday decorations, and listen to the evening’s featured musical act.
Want to make your trip to the most popular Myrtle Beach Christmas lights event even more spectacular? Opt for the Sparkle & Fun package. This add-on includes a glass of wine or cider and a set of holographic glasses that make the Brookgreen lights come alive with dazzling shapes!
9| Community Tree Lighting Ceremonies Near Myrtle Beach
Spending Christmas in Myrtle Beach offers several chances to join tree lighting ceremonies in nearby communities. These events feature holiday treats, shopping, and entertainment.
North Myrtle Beach Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: Dec. 2, 2025
North Myrtle Beach’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Dec. 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. in McLean Park. The event includes stage performances, Christmas music, caroling, activities, and refreshments.
Rivertown Christmas Celebration in Conway
Dates: Dec. 4, 11, and 18, 2025
Conway’s Rivertown Christmas Celebration begins with a city tree lighting ceremony on December 4, at 6 p.m., followed by candlelight shopping. This extended celebration includes two more Thursday-evening events on December 11 and December 18. Offerings vary at each gathering, with highlights including entertainment, living window displays, gingerbread houses, and holiday character photos.
Surfside Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
Date: Dec. 4, 2025
Visit Memorial Park in Surfside Beach on December 4, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. for the annual Surfside Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. This event will feature live music from The Entertainers Band, arts and crafts vendors, face painting, a live nativity scene, giveaways, a snow machine, and food trucks.
Myrtle Beach is an excellent destination for Christmas, with plenty of fun and festive things to see and do. Join us at Dayton House Resort this holiday season for a Grand Strand getaway you won’t forget. We deck the halls every December to make our comfortable oceanfront accommodations extra merry. Guests also enjoy comfortable amenities, including indoor pools, hot tubs, and on-site dining. To catch all of the seasonal fun on the Grand Strand from our convenient oceanfront location, book your Dayton House stay today!