The Grand Strand lights up from mid-November through New Year's. Here are the 2026 light displays, tree lightings, parades and Christmas shows from North Myrtle Beach down to Murrells Inlet, with dates and times taken from each event's official listing. Every one is on our free map, so you can pair it with a local place to eat. Last checked November 9, 2026.
Pirate battles, acrobatics and a four-course meal around a full-size lagoon. A Christmas show runs Nov 4, 2026–Jan 2, 2027. · Show times vary · see schedule · 📞 843-497-9700
Variety shows and concerts at Barefoot Landing. The South's Grandest Christmas Show runs Nov 2, 2026–Jan 2, 2027. · Show times vary · see schedule · 📞 843-272-1111
Live tribute artists perform as music legends. A Rockin' Memphis Christmas runs Nov 3, 2026–Jan 1, 2027 (adults $39.95–54.95, kids $15.95–29.95). · Show times vary · see schedule · 📞 800-960-7469
Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells Inlet · Holiday light display · $
More than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of lights across the gardens, with holiday music and a nightly tree lighting at 6 PM. Tickets $40 adults, $20 kids 4–12 ($35/$15 for members). · Select nights Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 · 4–9 PM · tickets required
A drive-through light show at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. $25 per standard vehicle on Village Nights, $20 on select other nights through Dec 9. · Nov 23–Dec 30, 2026 · gates 5:30–9:30 PM · closed Nov 26 & Dec 25
Holiday lights along the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach, free to walk, with events at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place. · Nov 25, 2026–Jan 2, 2027 · nightly 5–9 PM
Broadway at the Beach Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade
Myrtle Beach · Tree lighting & parade · Free
Tree lighting in The Hangout Courtyard with fireworks at 8 PM on Nov 14, then A Very Broadway Christmas Parade on Dec 5. · Tree lighting Sat Nov 14, 2026, 6–8 PM · parade Sat Dec 5, 11 AM
The annual tree lighting in front of the Grand 14 Cinema. On Dec 31, 2026, A Southern Times Square brings a midnight ball drop here too. · Sat Nov 21, 2026 · 6–8 PM · carriage rides 5:45–8:45 PM
A free town tree lighting, then a Christmas parade along Ocean Boulevard and Surfside Drive. · Tree lighting Thu Dec 3, 2026, 4–8 PM (lighting 6:30) · parade Sat Dec 12, 2 PM
A tree lighting at Morse Park Landing, then a parade along Business 17 to the landing the next day. · Tree lighting Sat Dec 5, 2026, 4–6 PM · parade Sun Dec 6, 3–6 PM
Decorated, lighted boats parade down the Intracoastal Waterway from Little River, ending at Dock Holidays Marina in North Myrtle Beach. · Sat Nov 28, 2026 · 5 PM
Where can you see Christmas lights in Myrtle Beach?
The three big light displays are Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens, The Great Christmas Light Show in North Myrtle Beach, and Winter Wonderland at The Beach on the Boardwalk. Each one is a different kind of night out.
Nights of a Thousand Candles is a walk through the gardens in Murrells Inlet on select nights from Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, 4–9 PM. Tickets are required. The Great Christmas Light Show is a drive-through at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, Nov 23–Dec 30, 2026, closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Winter Wonderland at The Beach is free to walk. The lights run along the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach nightly from 5 to 9 PM, Nov 25, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027.
Are there free Christmas events in Myrtle Beach?
Yes. The tree lightings and Christmas parades are free, and so is walking the Boardwalk lights. Broadway at the Beach lights its tree on Saturday, Nov 14, with fireworks at 8 PM, and Market Common follows on Saturday, Nov 21.
In December, North Myrtle Beach lights its tree on Dec 1, Surfside Beach on Dec 3 and Murrells Inlet on Dec 5. Parades run Dec 5 at Broadway at the Beach and in North Myrtle Beach, Dec 6 in Murrells Inlet, and Dec 12 in Conway and Surfside Beach.
For something different, the Intracoastal Christmas Regatta sends lighted boats down the waterway from Little River on Saturday, Nov 28 at 5 PM.
When do Christmas shows start in Myrtle Beach?
Christmas shows start the first week of November and run through New Year's. The Carolina Opry Christmas Special runs Nov 2–Dec 31, 2026, and The South's Grandest Christmas Show at the Alabama Theatre runs Nov 2, 2026–Jan 2, 2027.
Legends in Concert's A Rockin' Memphis Christmas runs Nov 3, 2026–Jan 1, 2027, and the Christmas show at Pirates Voyage runs Nov 4, 2026–Jan 2, 2027. All four are indoors, so they work on a cold or rainy night.
Local tips
Dates and times can change with the weather. Check the event's own website the day you go.
Nights of a Thousand Candles needs a ticket for a set night, and popular nights sell out. Buy ahead.
The Great Christmas Light Show charges by the vehicle, so fill the car.
Dress warm for the outdoor displays. It gets chilly by the water after dark.
Parades close roads along the route. Get there early to park.
Common questions
When do the Christmas lights go up in Myrtle Beach?
The first tree lighting is at Broadway at the Beach on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The big light displays open the week of Thanksgiving: The Great Christmas Light Show on Nov 23, Winter Wonderland at The Beach on Nov 25 and Nights of a Thousand Candles on Nov 27.
How much is Nights of a Thousand Candles?
Tickets for 2026 are $40 for adults and $20 for kids ages 4–12, or $35 and $15 for Brookgreen Gardens members. It runs select nights from Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, 4–9 PM.
Is there a drive-through Christmas light show in Myrtle Beach?
Yes. The Great Christmas Light Show at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex runs Nov 23–Dec 30, 2026, with gates open 5:30–9:30 PM. It costs $25 per standard vehicle on Village Nights and $20 on select other nights through Dec 9. It is closed Nov 26 and Dec 25.
Hours, prices and vibes change, and some listings are still being checked. Call ahead or check the attraction's website before you go. Know a local spot we're missing? Tell us on our Facebook page.