It’s Christmastime, which means time for checking out Christmas lights, eating Christmas treats, and the hunt for Santa is on. You can find all of these Christmas Things To Do in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Myrtle Beach is actually a great town in the offseason. It’s filled with tourists during the warmer months because they all want to escape to the beach.
When it gets chilly, the town opens up for locals and for tourists who want to swap sand for snow. Mostly fake snow, though.
If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach in the offseason and you want to enjoy Christmas there, we’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach at Christmastime.
Christmas Things To Do In Myrtle Beach, SC
We wanted to make sure that you could use this list at any time during your winter trip to Myrtle Beach. So, some of these events are happening on a specific day and some are things you can do and see at any time.
Visit Winter Wonderland at The Beach
You can see the lights and sounds of Christmas at Winter Wonderland at The Beach (812 N Ocean Blvd).
The downtown Myrtle Beach event features a walking tour of the light displays, an real ice rink (where you can actually rent skates and go ice skating), photo opps and more.
Winter Wonderland at The Beach is open from Friday, November 26, 2021 until Sunday, January 2, 2022 from 3 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and noon to 10 pm on weekends.
Tickets must be purchased on site and are $7 for adults, $5 for kids, and kids under 3 are free. There’s an addition fee for ice skating ($15 if you bring your own skates, $20 if you need to rent skates).
View The Christmas Fireworks Extravaganza
The one-night only The Christmas Fireworks Extravaganza event takes place on December 4 at 6 pm.
You can bring a blanket and hang out on the field (no chairs permitted). While you’re waiting for the fireworks to start at 8 pm, there will be photos with Santa, Christmas videos on the video board, arts and crafts, & more.
Tickets are $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for kids 12 and under, and kids 2 and under are free.
Check out one of the many Christmas Tree Lightings
McClean Park
Santa and his friends will be at the Christmas Tree Lighting at McLean Park (93 Oak Drive) to help light the town’s Christmas tree.
There will be stage performances, singing, caroling, and refreshments.
It’s at 6 pm on November 30 and is free to everyone.
Garden of Hope
On Sunday, December 6 at 4:30 pm, there will be the annual tree lighting by the City of Myrtle Beach’s Neighborhood Services Department. It’ll be at the Garden of Hope (1395 Carver Street).
There will be live music, hot chocolate and cookies, and a socially-spaced photo opportunity with Santa. Masks are required when social distancing cannot be observed, so be sure to pack one for this free event.
Celebrate at The Annual Christmas Parade
Every town has its own Christmas parade and Myrtle Beach is no exception.
The annual parade takes place on Main Street (from Bilo to Ocean Blvd.) on December 4 beginning at 5:30 pm.
There will be lighted floats, groups walking together, and potentially a visit from Santa himself.
Check out the Christmas show at Pirates Voyage
Pirates Voyage is a year round dinner theater show in Myrtle Beach. Pirates swashbuckle as you dine with your hands. It’s basically Medieval Times with pirates.
During the Christmas season, there’s a Christmas version of the show — complete with Santa Claus almost being forced to walk the plank.
The Christmas version runs until January 1, 2022.
The show runs almost daily, with blackout dates on December 6, 7, 13, 14, and 25. There’s a show at 6 pm daily and an additional show at 8:30 pm each Saturday.
Tickets are $29.99 for kids and $59.99 for adults and include a four course feast of Voyager Creamy Vegetable Soup, bread, chicken, pork, corn on the cob, potatoes, and apple pie. Unlimited soda, tea, or coffee is also included.
This is actually one of our top dinner shows in Myrtle Beach.
Ride The Polar Bus Express
All aboard the Polar Bus Express in The Market Common. Pickup and drop-off is in front of Grand 14 cinema (4002 Deville St).
The one hour bus ride on a red double-decker bus features music from The Polar Express soundtrack. Passengers take the bus to the “North Pole” in The Market Common — then get a chance at a surprise visit from Santa.
Passengers receive a golden ticket, a “Believe” sleigh bell, cookie, water, and hot chocolate.
The Polar Bus Express schedule is as follows:
December 3, 11, 18, and 22: 5 pm and 7 pm
December 4 and 17: 7 pm
Tickets are $34.95 and can be purchased here. Children 1 and under are free.
If you’d rather something a little older, the bus also offers Kruizin “Kristmas” Karaoke. The bus will take you down Ocean Boulevard and show you the sights as you and other passengers belt out tunes.
The bus departs from The Market Common in front of Coldstone Creamery (4008 Deville St Ste R1A-100).
The Kruizin “Kristmas” Karaoke schedule is as follows:
December 10: 5 pm and 7 pm
December 11 and 18: noon
Tickets are $24.95 for adults 13+ and $24.95 for kids 3 to 13. Kids 2 and under are free.
Watch The Polar Express Drive In Movie
Ripley’s Aquarium is hosting a Drive In movie theater showing The Polar Express on a 40-foot screen outside of the aquarium.
Train rides and concessions will be available for purchase at the movie.
The event is happening on December 18. Doors open at 5 pm and the movie starts at 7 pm (or sundown). Tickets are $16.35 plus tax per vehicle.
See the tree at Broadway At The Beach
A few years ago, we went to see the tree lighting at Broadway At The Beach. It happens on my birthday weekend every year, which is definitely a lot earlier than most cities start their Christmas celebrations.
This year, the official tree lighting was on November 13, so you missed it unfortunately.
But you can see it lit daily.
While you’re there, you can get some shopping done, check out comedy shows, and more. Fill your itinerary with our Family-Friendly Things To Do At Broadway At The Beach.
See the The Carolina Opry Christmas Special
The Carolina Opry (8901 N Kings Hwy) is a Myrtle Beach staple.
The variety show changes with the years and seasons. This year, the Christmas Special will feature All That! clogging group, which was seen on NBC’s Americas Got Talent, singer Delvin Choice who was a contestant and made it to the finale on NBC’s The Voice, and more.
In addition to the show, there are five Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, countless tree ornaments, that Christmas “snow” we talked about above — plus a 30-foot tree with more than 25,000 lights.
There’s a matinee at 1 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and an evening show at 7 pm daily. Sunday is a blackout day.
Tickets start at $39.95 for value tickets for adults and $26 for value tickets for children ages 3 to 16 and students. Kids under 3 are free.
Drive Through The Great Christmas Light Show
The Great Christmas Light Show is a drive through Christmas lights extravaganza. There are 2 million lights displayed along two miles, with over 500 displays.
After you drive through, you’re able to park at Santa’s Village for some hot chocolate and s’mores. Plus you can get check out the Santa Express Train Ride and meet Santa.
Tickets are $15 per carload (up to 15 guests) for when Santa’s Village is closed and $20 when it is open. For up to 30 guests, tickets are $30 per carload. For 31+ guests, tickets are $60 per vehicle.
Tickets must be purchased at the gate and cannot be purchased in advance.
The Great Christmas Light Show is open on the following schedule:
November 22 through December 30 daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Santa’s Village is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 26 through December 12, then open nightly December 16 through 30 (except on Christmas).
See Santa in Myrtle Beach, SC:
Santa is making a bunch of appearances in Myrtle Beach, SC this season.
I tried to put these in chronological order by the date they’re happening. If the event is spread over multiple days, it’s placed at the earliest date.
Drugstore Divas has no association with these events, or with Santa, so double check the dates and times before you go.
Santa at Santee Cooper Credit Union
Santa and some refreshments will be at Santee Cooper Credit Union in The Market Common (1232 Farrow Pkwy) on December 3 from 3 pm to 5 pm.
You will be able to take a photo with the big guy.
Visit Santa and friends from The Nutcracker
Santa and his friends from The Nutcracker will be hanging out at Coastal Dance Center (3070 Deville St) on December 4 from 10 am to 11:30 am. Santa, the Sugarplum Fairy, Clara, the Mouse King, and more will be there.
Plus, if you take a photo with Santa, you get entered to win tickets to see The Nutcracker at the Coastal Carolina University’s Wheelwright Auditorium on December 11, 12, 18 or 19.
Breakfast with Santa at Tupelo Honey Café
Santa will be enjoying his breakfast at Tupelo Honey Café in The Market Common (3042 Howard Ave) on December 11 from 9 am to 10:30 am.
Breakfast with Santa is $10 and includes scrambled eggs, pancakes and bacon, coffee, a soft drink, or orange juice. Children 3 and under are free. The regular menu will also be available.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 843-315-3780 or reserving online here.
Tacos With Santa at Nacho Hippo
Santa will be at Nacho Hippo in The Market Common (1160 Farrow Pkwy) on December 12 from noon to 2 pm.
He’ll be there eating tacos and taking photos.
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at Southern Living
The Southern Living store in The Market Common (3064 Howard Ave) will host Santa on December 18 from 2 pm to 4 pm.
You’ll be able to decorate cookies with Santa and drink some hot cocoa. Cookies and cocoa will be provided by the store.
More Christmas in the South:
Myrtle Beach is close to a few other Southern towns that have a lot going on for Christmas.
Christmas Things To Do In Wilmington, NC
Wilmington, NC is filled with fun Christmas activities, like Enchanted Airlie — where the botanical garden is filled with Christmas lights, a Christmas carriage ride with Santa and “reindeer,” Christmas parades, and more.
Find all the best Christmas things to do in Wilmington, NC.
Christmas Things To Do In Fayetteville, NC
Fayetteville, NC is home to a ton of really great Christmas activities, like the German Christmas Festival at Dirtbag Ales, Christmas drinks at the local breweries, a Christmas parade, and more.
Find all the best Christmas things to do in Fayetteville, NC.
Christmas Things To Do In Charleston, SC
From holiday markets to tree lightings to carriage rides to see the downtown area decorated for Christmas, there are a lot of holiday things to do in Charleston, SC.
Find them all in our Christmas things to do in Charleston, SC post.
Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens
Nights of a Thousand Candles is Brookgreen Gardens’ annual holiday tradition.
Over 2,800 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights adorn the gardens. There’s holiday music, carolers singing, refreshments for purchase, and more.
Read our full Nights of a Thousand Candles review for details.
Which of these Christmas Things To Do In Myrtle Beach, SC is your favorite?