It’s A Wonderful Season!
I have always loved the holiday season, even more since my college days. A lot of that has to do because I attended school in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Jimmy Stewart. His movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is (to me) the MUST-SEE Christmas movie. And… the streets of downtown Indiana had the same look as Bedford Falls.
Which is why working so closely to Conway, where Christmas comes alive each year, is so exciting! The streets are filled with the colors, sights and sounds of the season and remind me of holidays from long ago.
But Conway isn’t the only town with holiday spirit – the entire Grand Strand has so many great events, starting with the first week of November and going right through to the new year.
This list shows some of the more popular (and hidden gems) that will be offered throughout the season. Do you know of one that we’ve missed? Drop a comment and share with our community!
And remember, if you hear a bell ring, that’s an angel getting his wings…
Horry County:
| DATE | TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| Saturday, 11/7 | 5:30 PM | Enjoy a variety of performances, hot chocolate, giveaways and a visit from the North Pole at the Tree Lighting Spectacular. | Ripley’s Aquarium @ Broadway at the Beach MB |
| Saturday, 11/7 | 8:00 AM | A run through beautful downtown Conway, the Conway Stars & Strides 5k/1mile race is held in honor of the men and women who have served in the Armed Foces. All entrants have an opportunity to win $150 at Black Dog Outfitters/Black Dog Running, courtesy of HTC and Apex Promoz | Downtown Conway |
| 11/12 through 11/15 | Time varies by day | At the annual Dickens Christmas Show and Festival, hundreds of crafters and vendors, Christmas decoration silent auction and more! | MB Convention Center |
| Friday, November 13 | 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Come on out and spread a little holiday magic! The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony brings shopping, treats and Santa! | Tanger Outlet, Hwy 17 |
| Saturday, 11/14 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Get into the holiday spirit with an afternoon of dancing and crafting at Mr. Nigel’s Holiday Dance Party. | The Hangout, Broadway at the Beach |
| Sunday, 11/15 | 6:00 PM | It’s the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks. Stop by and start the holiday season with WPDE’s Ed Piotrowski & Jennifer Abney. Santa will join the festivities! | The Hangout, Broadway at the Beach |
| Saturday, 11/21 | 6:00 PM | Experience the Lighting of the Landing! Performances at the Pepsi Stage, followed by the tree lighting and a fireworks extravaganza. Not to be missed! | Barefoot Landing, NMB |
| Sunday, 11/22 | 4:00 PM | The holiday season official kick off with vendors, holiday treats and the arrival of Santa at the annual festival and Christmas tree lighting. | Market Common, MB |
| 11/23 through 12/30 | 5:30 – 9:30 PM | At the Great Christmas Light Show, you’ll enjoy a ride through a light display like no other! Stop into Santa’s Village for hot cocoa and crafts. | NMB Park & Sports Complex |
| 11/25 through 1/2/27 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Bundle up for a walk-through Winter Wonderland at Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. | Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion, MB |
| Friday, 11/27 | 8:00 AM | It’s Black Friday: Conway Edition! Shop small and skip the mall. Downtown Conway merchants open their doors at 8am with deals for all. The first 300 at City Hall will receive $15 gift cards to spend. | Town Hall, Conway |
| Saturday, 11/28 | 8:-00 AM – 10:00 PM | Join Santa’s brother, Billy Claus at LuLu’s for a morning of food and fun. | Lulu’s @ Barefoot Landing, NMB |
| Saturday, 11/28 | 5:00 PM | The Little River Christmas Regatta is a grand maritime holiday parade. Come on out and see the boats in their holiday splendor. | Intracoastal from Little River Inlet to Docks Holiday Marina |
| Saturday, 11/28 | 8:00 PM | Need a walk from all that turkey? Take a stroll and then grab a spot along Lake Broadway for a fireworks display. | Broadway at the Beach, MB |
| Thursdays in December | 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Visit Town Hall on Dec 3 for the Rivertown Christmas Celebration annual lighting of the Christmas tree, then come back on 12/10 and 12/17 for candlelight shopping and holiday entertainment. | Downtown Conway |
| Tuesday, 12/1 | 6:00 PM | Join Santa and his friends as they light up North Myrtle Beach’s Christmas tree. Enjoy holiday music, caroling, refreshments and more! | McLean Park, NMB |
| Thursday, 12/3 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | An evening of musical performances, craft and food vendors, kids activities, a live nativity and the lighting of the Christmas tree. | Memorial Park, Surfside Beach |
| Friday, 12/4 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Jingle Jam and shop ’til you drop! It’s a Christmas Tree Lighting, festive crafts, seasonal treats, a selfie booth and more! | Tanger Outlet, Hwy 501 |
| Friday, 12/4 | 6:00 PM | There’s nothing quite like a Christmas parade in a small town! Come out and enjoy a parade under the stars! | Main Street, Loris |
| Saturday, 12/5 | 5:30 PM | Lighted floats and displays will illuminate Main Street in this annual nighttime tradition. | Main Street, North Myrtle Beach |
| Saturday, 12/5 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Grab a spot along the Riverwalk for the 9th annual Rivertown Regatta. Benefits Oak Tree Farm | Conway Riverwalk |
| Sunday, 12/6 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Join Santa for brunch and a mini stocking craft for kids. | Crooked Hammock @ Barefoot Landing, NMB |
| Saturday, 12/12 | 10:00 AM | Cheer abounds in Horry County’s largest Christmas parade. | Main Street, Conway |
| Saturday, 12/12 | 11:00 PM | For the 33rd year, Longs is holding their hometown parade and celebration. | Freemont Rd, Longs |
| Sunday, 12/13 | 1:00 PM | Decorate your golf cart or bring a group to walk the parade route. $10 per entry with all proceeds going to the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach. | Barefoot Landing, NMB |
| Saturday, 12/19 | 8:00 AM | Come on out in your reindeer gear for the Rockin’ Around Broadway 5k. All entrants have an opportunity to win $150 at Black Dog Outfitters/Black Dog Running | Broadway at the Beach, MB |
| Sunday, 12/20 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Join the Grinch for brunch and grab a grinchy photo. Kids craft and face painting. | Crooked Hammock @ Barefoot Landing, NMB |
| Monday, 12/21 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Holiday crafts and photos with Santa – the perfect outing for your family! | EdVenture, MB |
| Thursday, 12/31 | 8:00 PM | The last hurrah of 2026 along Lake Broadway. Fireworks light up the night sky on the last evening of 2026. | Broadway at the Beach, MB |
| Thursday, 12/31 | 9:00 PM | Ring in 2027 at Southern Times Square! Food, live entertainment and a midnight drone show will make your new year sparkle! | Market Common, MB |
| Thursday, 12/31 | 10:30 PM | End 2026 with a Bang! Come early and tailgate with family and friends. Fireworks set off as the clock chimes midnight. | Festival Lawn, Conway |
Marion County:
| DATE | TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| Thursday, 11/5 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Get an early start on with a Late Night holiday Shopping spree. Shop small – shop local in downtown Marion, SC. | Historic District, Marion |
| Saturday, 11/21 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Tis the SEAson to celebrate at Breakfast with Pirate Santa! Enjoy a pancake breakfast, meet Cap’n Claus, go on a treasure hunt and more! Advance registration required. | McRae Family Farms, Mullins |
| Wednesday, 11/25 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | At this year’s Music FEASTival enjoy live music featuring Pepper Creek – fun for the whole family! | Main Street Commons, Marion |
| Saturday, 11/28 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Celebrate Small Business Saturday at the Holiday Market with a large outdoor craft fair. Supports the local Main Street businesses and vendors. | Main Street Commons, Marion |
| Thursdays in December | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Enjoy Late Night Shopping on Main Street with pop up markets. Take a carriage ride and enjoy the holiday lights. Every Thursday in December (12/3, 12/10, 12/17) leading up to Christmas | Main Street Commons, Marion |
| Saturday, 12/5 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Hometown Holidays Parade and Tree Lighting: Follow the parade to the end and celebrate the lighting of the Christmas Tree! | Downtown Mullins |
| Monday, 12/7 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | The Marion Chamber of Commerce holds their annual start of the holiday celebration with a parade, followed by the official tree lighting and then ends the evening with a fireworks display. | Main Street & Withlacoohee Park, Marion |
Georgetown County:
| DATE | TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| Saturday, 11/7 | Varies by Day | Did you know Santa loves oysters? Come on out to the MarshWalk for the Annual Oyster Roast! Enjoy live music, local vendors and great food! Pre-purchase is recommended. | Wicked Tuna, Murrells Inlet |
| 11/27 through 1/3/27 | 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM | Experience the splendor of Brookgreen as the gardens are illuminated in Night of a Thousand Candles. Pre-purchase tickets. | Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet |
| 11/27 through 12/31 | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | The Marshwalk Wonderland of Lights is a walk-through illuminated display with plenty of photo spots along the boardwalk. Santa’s village open through 12/20. | MarshWalk, Murrells Inlet |
| Friday, 12/4 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Family friendly activities and the official Lighting of the Christmas Tree officially launches the holiday season. | Francis Marion Park, Georgetown |
| Saturday, 12/5 | 6:30 PM | Everyone loves a Parade! Floats, Marching Bands and Santa – oh my! | Front Street, Georgetown |
| Saturday, 12/5 | 11:00 AM | Come on out and start the holiday season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Crafts, food and music | Morse Park, Murrells Inlet |
| Sunday, 12/6 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM | Everyone loves a parade. The Murrells Inlet parade starts at the Beaver Bar, travels along Hwy 17 and ends at Wachesaw Rd. | Murrells Inlet |
| Saturday, 12/12 | 3:00 PM | The weather may or may not be frightful, but ice skating in Georgetown is oh so delightful! | Maritime Park, Georgetown |