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Things to Do in Myrtle Beach in December 2023

By Bri Thomas Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

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 2023. From festive parades to spectacular light displays to shopping holiday outlet deals, to fun football games, Myrtle Beach has it all. 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 walk-through light tour of over 10,000 lights, a family fun zone, and various vendors and entertainment.
When: November 24, 2023, to January 1, 2024 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

The Winter Wonderland at The Beach event will kick off on Black Friday and run through New Year's Day 2024. The Winter Wonderland lights display will be lit nightly from 6-9 p.m. and this year's Winter Wonderland Festival will take place Dec. 1-3 in Plyler Park, oceanfront near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel. The Beach Holiday Festival has activities for all ages including a tree lighting, a holiday market, entertainment, and holiday events!

Christmas Parades

Join us for some holiday parades in Myrtle Beach! Nearby towns and shopping/entertainment districts include Broadway at the Beach, Murrells Inlet, North Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach. Barefoot Landing and Surfside Beach will also host a unique golf cart parade this December.

Get the full list of Myrtle Beach Christmas parades.

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 kid’s activities, live entertainment, fireworks, 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.

Holiday Shopping Deals

Christmas presents on the beach

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 Dinner and Wonders of Christmas - A Holiday Magic Spectacular. In addition, there are some music artist tribute shows. 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 soft glowing sculpture gardens, with several themed botanical gardens with over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. Enjoy live music entertainment, refreshments, and holiday-themed exhibits. Tickets must be pre-purchased, and space is limited.
When: November 25 & 26, 27, & 30 December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 27-31, 2003 | 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Nights of a Thousand Candles

This magical, annual event showcases over 2,700 hand-lit candles scattered throughout the scenic gardens of 10,000 acres. It transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland for days in November and multiple weekends in December, not including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This event is heralded as the "Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina" by Travel + Leisure Magazine. In addition to the themed gardens, the event also includes live music, holiday-themed exhibits, carolers, and a hot cocoa and warm cider station. Space is limited and tickets must be pre-purchased for this popular event. Tickets for members: adults are $30 per person and $14 for children ages 4 - 12. Tickets for non-members: adults $35 per person and $17 for children ages 4 -12.

Call (843) 235-6000 for more information.

The Great Christmas Light Show

When: Drive Through Light Show is November 21 through December 30, 2023 (Closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, and Christmas Day, December 25) from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Santa’s Village is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ONLY from November 24 through December 10. Open Nightly December 14 through 30 (Closed on Christmas Day).
What: Drive through a light show with 2 million lights festively displayed, and Santa's village to enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, ride the Santa Express Train, and, of course, meet Santa!
Where: North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex

The Great Christmas Light Show is a park-wide lighted celebration that captures the season's spirit! This annual event is bigger and brighter every year! They feature new lights, new displays, and an overall new experience! So even if you visited in the past, you’ll still have a blast. The two-mile drive throughout the complex features over 2 million lights with displays ranging in size up to 55 feet tall. On select December dates, you can bring the children to visit Santa himself at Santa’s Village, while enjoying village treats of hot chocolate and s’mores! There is also a petting zoo, Santa’s Rockin’ Christmas Tree (show every 30 minutes), an up-close look at lights on the Santa's express train ride ($3 per person), Santa’s Elf hunt ($3 per person), and more. Tickets are $15 per vehicle when Santa's Village is closed (up to 15 Guests) and $20 per vehicle when Santa's Village is open (up to 15 Guests). There are no online ticket sales.

The Myrtle Beach Bowl Game

When: December 16, 2023 | Kickoff at 11 a.m.
Where: Brooks Stadium located on the campus of Coastal Carolina at 965 One Landon Loop, Conway, SC
Tickets: Prices vary, ranging from $25-$60+ fees and are subject to change

Ready. Set. Hut! Get your football game day excitement together and get your ticket to the ultimate Myrtle Beach Bowl Game of 2023! The Myrtle Beach Bowl returns for its third year on Saturday, December 16 at 11 a.m.! ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, added this bowl game to its roster. The game will feature matchups from two of three conferences: Conference USA, Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Sun Belt Conference. Each conference will participate up to four times between 2020 and 2025. The Myrtle Beach Bowl will be played at Brooks Stadium, located on the campus of Coastal Carolina, and will be nationally televised on ESPN networks.

Tickets go on sale beginning December 3 and can be purchased here.

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!