Seasonal celebrations, charming downtowns and winter travel deals invite visitors to discover The Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The holidays take on a coastal twist in the Myrtle Beach area, where a day spent exploring the beach can end with a tree lighting, a festive show or dinner by the water. Across 14 communities and 60 miles of shoreline, each area celebrates in its own way, from the oceanfront Boardwalk to the riverfront in historic Conway. Seasonal lodging offers and more than 50 nonstop destinations, with schedules varying by season, give visitors options for planning a holiday getaway.

“Holidays at The Beach are about discovering the unique traditions each community brings to the season,” said Stuart Butler, President, Visit Myrtle Beach. “Festive events are just a short drive apart, so you can experience several in one trip, then slow down and enjoy a beautiful ocean view. It’s the perfect balance of holiday magic and a relaxing beach getaway.”

Oceanfront to Riverside Festivities

Myrtle Beach: Winter Wonderland at The Beach illuminates a mile of the oceanfront Boardwalk from the SkyWheel to 2nd Avenue Pier, with free walk-through displays from Nov. 25, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027. New this year, an America 250 tribute adds patriotic lights, while the pink-hued Holly Dolly Christmas corridor features butterflies and a photo opportunity honoring Dolly Parton. Santa and snow flurries join the Nov. 28 tree lighting at Plyler Park, and the new Merry Myrtle Festival, Dec. 11–12, brings Santa photos, carolers, street performers, a hot cocoa crawl, sleigh races and live music from Julio and the Saltines.

For a bird’s-eye view of the oceanfront glow, take a ride on SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, then settle in for special performances at  The Carolina Opry Christmas Special or Pirates Voyage’s Christmas Show. Browse the decorated shops of Broadway at the Beach and The Market Common, which counts down to midnight with A Southern Times Square on Dec. 31.

Conway: Known as the “Holiday Capital of South Carolina,” this historic river town transforms into a Christmas village, with city-built holiday displays and a glowing Riverwalk. During the Rivertown Christmas Celebration on Dec. 10 and 17, from 6–8 p.m., shops stay open late along the live-oak-lined streets. The city welcomed 270,000 visitors for its December 2025 holiday celebration and was named one of the 25 finalists in Hallmark Channel’s 2026 Merriest Christmas Towns contest.

North Myrtle Beach: Barefoot Landing kicks off the season with Lighting of the Landing, complete with fireworks and Santa on Nov. 21, followed by waterfront shopping and dining throughout the holidays. Catch the Alabama Theatre’s Christmas Show, or drive through more than two million lights and 500-plus displays at The Great Christmas Light Show, Nov. 23–Dec. 30, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See the Christmas Parade return to Main Street on Dec. 5 and cap off the evening with a visit to the historic shag clubs on Main Street, such as Fat Harold’s Beach Club, where traditional dancing and local flavor take center stage.

Murrells Inlet: The “Seafood Capital of South Carolina” celebrates along the water’s edge. The MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights, Nov. 27–Dec. 31, offers a waterfront stroll to pair with a festive seafood dinner overlooking the marsh. Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles features more than 2,700 hand-lit candles on select evenings from Nov. 27, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027.

Surfside Beach: Holiday traditions come with an ocean view in Surfside Beach. Visitors can pair a stroll on the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier with charcuterie and wine at The Whistling Duck overlooking the ocean. The town’s Christmas Tree Lighting in Memorial Park on Dec. 3 features music, food trucks, crafts and Santa. The Christmas parade follows Ocean Boulevard and Surfside drive on Dec. 12, while the free Trolley of Lights on Dec. 17 offers a ride past holiday displays, with cocoa and family activities in the park.

Little River: At the northern end of the destination, the Little River waterfront gets into the spirit with Waterfront Winterland on Nov. 27, a free community celebration at Crab Catchers and Little River Landing. The following evening, the Intracoastal Christmas Regatta brings a parade of decorated boats along the waterway from the Little River Inlet to Dock Holidays Marina on Nov. 28.

Room to Roam Between the Lights

The best holiday days at The Beach leave plenty of room to breathe. Start with a morning stroll along the 1.2-mile Boardwalk & Promenade or a quiet stretch of sand, where cooler days invite fresh-air walks and time to take in the coastal scenery. Spend midday on the maritime forest trails at Myrtle Beach State Park, or follow three miles of trails and boardwalks through marshland at the 115-acre Vereen Memorial Gardens in Little River. Golfers can tee off on one of more than 80 courses, many with off-season rates. Head inland for a riverside walk at Waccamaw River Park in Conway, and enjoy dinner with a view in Murrells Inlet.

Easy to Reach, Easy on the Budget

Nearly half of the U.S. population lives within a day’s drive, and Myrtle Beach International Airport sits just over a mile from the shoreline with nonstop service to more than 50 destinations. Breeze Airways just announced 12 new nonstop routes, which will make it the airport’s largest carrier with 25 nonstop destinations. Holiday and winter lodging offers, from package deals to multi-bedroom suites with kitchens, make a longer stay easier to afford.

For more information on everything Myrtle Beach has to offer this winter and beyond, visit VisitMyrtleBeach.com.

About Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Myrtle Beach isn’t just a beach. It’s The Beach. Popularly known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is one destination made up of 14 unique communities that stretch 60 miles along the northeast coast of South Carolina. Families, couples and those in search of a warm welcome will find more than just a day at The Beach when they come together to connect and enjoy vibrant entertainment and family attractions, including world-class golf, shopping and fresh coastal Carolina cuisine. From the moment you arrive, you’ll find you belong at The Beach – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For additional information on tourism offerings in the Myrtle Beach area, visit VisitMyrtleBeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.

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SOURCE Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce