Tis the season to visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in December. There is mild weather, and smaller crowds and you get to experience all the wonderful winter-themed holiday celebrations at the beach. Myrtle Beach transforms into a coastal extravaganza with plenty of dashing and jolly things to do during the month of December 2025. Myrtle Beach has everything from festive parades to spectacular light displays to shopping holiday outlet deals to fun football games. Be merry and bright, and visit Myrtle Beach this December!

Winter Wonderland at the Beach

• Where: Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place by the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
• What: A free walk-through light show of over 10,000 lights plus a variety of special events throughout the season.
• When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026

The annual light show will kick off on Black Friday and run through the season. 

Plus, a variety of additional family-friendly events will occur during the season, including:
– First Friday Art Walk will take place on December 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
–Get ready to glow!  The Twinkling Two-Miler Run returns on December 9 at 6 p.m. Bring the whole family for a cheerful walk or run through sparkling holiday lights. Every participant gets a glow item — and don’t forget your festive costumes!
–New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show will take place on December 31 at 9 p.m. at the Boardwalk.
-And so much more!

View more details and the full schedule of events at the Winter Wonderland website.

Christmas Parades

Join us for some holiday parades in Myrtle Beach! Nearby towns and shopping/entertainment districts, including Broadway at the Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, and more, will be having holiday parades this December.

Get the full list of Myrtle Beach Christmas parades here.

Christmas Tree Lightings

Set your sights upon a dazzling display of lights at one of these local Christmas tree lightings. Popular entertainment destinations such as The Market Common and Barefoot Landing each have their own annual tree-lighting event with kids’ activities, live entertainment, fireworks during select tree lightings, and more. Local towns also hold their very own tree-lighting ceremonies, including Surfside Beach, Conway, and North Myrtle Beach.

Get the full list of Myrtle Beach Christmas tree lightings here.

Holiday Shopping Deals

Find a holiday gift for everyone on your list, with savings on well-loved brands from Myrtle Beach’s shopping outlets. Shop ‘til you drop at the Grand Strand’s largest indoor shopping center, Coastal Grand Mall, where you’ll find popular retailers like Belk, J.C. Penney, H&M, Old Navy, and Dillard’s.

Some of the area’s best shopping deals are at Tanger Outlets. With two convenient locations in Myrtle Beach, visitors will find name-brand clothing at exceptional prices, including Nike, The North Face, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Adidas.

Other shopping destinations in the area include Myrtle Beach Mall near Barefoot Landing, The Market Common, and the Hammock Shops in Pawleys Island.

Holiday Shows in Myrtle Beach

Sit back and enjoy the show! Select and purchase a ticket from over a dozen live holiday performances, like The South’s Grandest Christmas Show and The Christmas Show of the South. Bring the children and see kid-friendly shows like Christmas at Pirates Voyage and Le Grande Cirque: Winter in the Air. Each show includes spectacular performances, dazzling production, and enough cheer to leave you smiling for the holiday season! Shows run through the month of December with many evening performances and selectively scheduled matinees.

Get the full list of holiday shows here.

Nights of a Thousand Candles

• Where: Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet
• What: Walk through a soft, glowing sculpture and wildlife preserve, with several themed botanical gardens with over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights at Nights of a Thousand Candles. Enjoy live music entertainment, refreshments, and holiday-themed exhibits. Tickets for non-members are $40 for adults and $20 for children ages 4-12; tickets must be pre-purchased, and space is limited.
• When: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on select dates, November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026

The Great Christmas Light Show

• Where: North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex
• What: Drive through a light show with 2 million lights festively displayed, with over 500 displays (select displays new for 2025!) and Santa’s village to enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, ride the Santa Express Train, and, of course, meet Santa!
• When: November 24 – December 30 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm (Closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and Christmas Day, December 25) | Santa’s Village is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ONLY from November 28 through December 7. Open Nightly December 11 through 30 (Closed on Christmas Day).
• Price: $20 Standard Vehicles (Non-Village Nights), $25 Standard Vehicles (Village Nights), $50 Oversized Vehicles (All-Nights), $100 Charter Buses (Admitted Mon-Thurs only). 

*Note: Tickets are not available online or in advance. All tickets can be purchased at the entrance upon arrival.

The Myrtle Beach Bowl Game

• When: December 19, 2025 | Kickoff at 12 p.m.
• Where: Brooks Stadium, located on the campus of Coastal Carolina at 965 One Landon Loop, Conway, SC
• Tickets: Prices vary. Parking is additional.

Ready. Set. Hut! Get your football game day excitement together and get your ticket to the ultimate Myrtle Beach Bowl Game of 2025! The Myrtle Beach Bowl returns for its fifth year on Friday, December 19 at 12 p.m.! While the matchup hasn’t been revealed just yet, you can count on an exciting game day experience right here in Myrtle Beach.

The Myrtle Beach Bowl will be held at Brooks Stadium on the campus of Coastal Carolina University. Tickets aren’t available just yet, but are expected to go on sale in early December.

Check out all the Myrtle Beach Parades and Tree Lighting Ceremonies happening this holiday season and be sure to book your resort reservation before your dates sell out!