Christmas Lights in Myrtle Beach

There’s holiday cheer around every corner of the Grand Strand, including a variety of Myrtle Beach Christmas lights perfect for perusing this winter. From nearby seasonal concerts and shows, to Santa sightings, to a variety of impressive Christmas light shows, the coast is an excellent place to get into the holiday spirit while enjoying many winter activities. We’ve rounded up this list of Myrtle Beach Christmas light shows, displays, and parades to make your vacation merry and bright. 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: November 25 – December 30, 2024

Santa’s Village Dates: Open Thursday – Sunday November 25th through December 15, and then nightly through December 30th.

Price: $20 when Santa’s Village is closed (1–15 passengers), $25 when Santa’s Village is open (1–15 passengers)

The North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex presents The Great Christmas Light Show. This two-mile, drive-through light show near Myrtle Beach boasts more than two million lights and more than 500 displays, some up to 55 feet tall. After marveling at the light show, park the car and head over to Santa’s Village for entertainment, including a petting zoo, fireside hot chocolate and s’mores, and a visit with Santa. The attraction will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

2| BROADWAY AT THE BEACH TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Date: November 16, 2024

Price: FREE

Head to Broadway at the Beach for the festive tree lighting celebration in Myrtle Beach. This event promises great live performances, special guests, and fireworks. The fun begins at 6 p.m. at The Hangout restaurant stage located in The Hangout Courtyard. Live performances from the entertainers of the Hot Jersey Nights Christmas Special and Legends in Concert, plus acts from the Carolina Dance District and Myrtle Beach Youth Choir get everyone in a jolly spirit. Finish your evening with the Fireworks Extravaganza at 8:00 p.m.

Want to celebrate earlier in the day? There are free children’s activities in the courtyard at The Hangout from 2 to 4 pm on November 16, including face painting, character meet and greets, a letters to Santa station, balloon-tying stilt walkers, Out of the Ark animal encounters, and more!

3| INTRACOASTAL CHRISTMAS REGATTA

Date: November 30, 2024

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 the Christmas lights twinkling across the waterway. There are plenty of viewing locations along the route, which flows from Little River Inlet beginning at 5 p.m. and concludes at Dock Holiday’s Marina around 7 p.m. There’s no fee to watch, but toys, pet supplies, monetary donations, and more are being collected at various donation locations around Myrtle Beach. These donations help ensure that the Christmas Regatta can meet their goal of making sure no child goes without presents on Christmas. 

4| WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE BEACH

Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 4, 2025

Price: Ticket prices vary by activity – light display is free!

For beach-themed Christmas lights in Myrtle Beach, visit the Winter Wonderland Festival. You’ll be treated to a variety of light shows through Toyland, Peppermint Valley, and the North Pole as you stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk. There’s more than 100,000 lights in this area, plus local businesses are adorned with their own twinkling decorations that add to the festive glow. For a nominal fee, kids can enjoy holiday-themed inflatables, s’mores, and other entertainment. The festival also features oceanfront photos with Santa and evening concerts on the Plyler Park stage, Thursday through Sunday. All of this holiday fun is just a 20-minute walk from Dayton House Resort.

5| CALABASH CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & PARADE

Date: December 6, 2024

Price: FREE

Travel a short 30 minutes from Dayton House Resort to the town of Calabash for their annual Calabash Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Callahan’s of Calabash in downtown, and feature many kid-friendly offerings including hot cocoa, caroling, a letters to Santa station, and a visit from Santa Claus! Watch this colorful parade that runs from Beach Drive to River Road, then join the community for the Christmas 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: November 23, 2024

Price: FREE

This family-friendly tree lighting event at Market Common will make your holidays in Myrtle Beach extra merry! The schedule begins at 6 p.m. with Santa’s arrival, followed by festive fun like holiday performances, photos with Santa, and vendors with holiday treats to enjoy on the spot or take home. Vendors will be serving holiday treats along Deville and Reed Streets.

8| NIGHTS OF A THOUSAND CANDLES

Dates: Select Evenings November 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025

Price: Tickets start at $35 for adults and $17 for kids 

One of the most famous Myrtle Beach Christmas light shows is at Brookgreen Gardens. This fantastic annual Nights of a Thousand Candles light show features over 2,700 hand-lit candles and thousands of twinkling lights. Walk the illuminated sculpture gardens and grounds sipping hot cider, taking in all the festive Christmas decorations, and enjoy listening to the featured band or vocalists of the evening.

Want to make your trip to the most popular Christmas light event in Myrtle Beach even more spectacular? Opt for their Sparkle & Fun package, an add-on that includes a glass of wine or cider and a set of holographic glasses that make the lights at Brookgreen come alive with festive shapes!

9| COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONIES NEAR MYRTLE BEACH

Christmas in Myrtle Beach offers several chances to join in tree lighting ceremonies put on by many communities along the coast and inland. These events feature holiday treats, shopping, and entertainment to make an evening of the occasion. 

North Myrtle Beach: Christmas Tree Lighting is on December 3, 2024 at 6 p.m. in McLean Park and includes stage performances, Christmas music, caroling, activities, and refreshments.

Conway: The Rivertown Christmas Celebration begins with a city tree lighting ceremony on December 5, 2024 at 6 p.m. and is followed by visits with Santa and candlelight shopping. After the tree lighting, this festive event occurs two more Thursdays in December: December 12 and December 19. Each event will vary, with living window displays, candlelight shopping, gingerbread house displays, holiday character photos, and more.

Surfside Beach: Visit Memorial Park in nearby Surfside Beach on December 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. for the annual tree lighting and enjoy festivities like arts and crafts vendors, live performances, face painting, a live nativity scene, giveaways, a snow machine, and more until 8 p.m.

Murrells Inlet: Head to Morse Park in nearby Murrells Inlet to attend this tree lighting on December 7, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature Christmas crafts, holiday treats, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Happy Holidays Message Handwritten with Tree in Smooth Sand

Join us at Dayton House Resort this holiday season for a Myrtle Beach Christmas you won’t forget. We deck the halls every December to make our comfortable oceanfront accommodations extra merry. Enjoy comfortable amenities, including pools, hot tubs, and dining for relaxation and entertainment between events. Catch all of the area’s holiday fun from our convenient location—there are concerts, Christmas lights, and celebrations to entertain all ages.

Close the Booking Widget