How to Celebrate Christmas in Myrtle Beach: Your Guide to Holiday Magic, Meals & More!
Forget the snow globes and hot chocolate. In Myrtle Beach, the holidays come wrapped in sunshine, sea breeze, and 60 miles of coastal magic.
The lights are brighter, the smiles are bigger, and the spirit of the season stretches from the Boardwalk to Brookgreen Gardens and beyond.
It’s everything you love about Christmas, only with more twinkle and a little salt in the air.
Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a couples escape, or a spontaneous winter adventure, consider this your go-to guide for celebrating the holidays at The Beach — where every day feels like a gift.
Holiday Food & Drink
When it comes to holiday food and drinks, Myrtle Beach knows how to serve up the season on a plate. From upscale dinners to family-friendly feasts to festive libations, the options are as warm and inviting as the ocean breeze.
One of the area's most unique holiday experiences is the Miracle Christmas Pop-Up at JEM Social. Known for it's creative cocktails and small plates, JEM Social, goes all out at the holidays transforming into a Christmas paradise filled with lights, and holiday themed drinks. You'll also find festive fun at Big Chill Island House, which turns its top floor into a pop-up holiday experience with views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
21 Main at North Beach and Greg Norman Australian Grille in North Myrtle Beach set the stage for elegant Christmas Eve or Day meals, while Gulfstream Café in Garden City serves holiday favorites with unbeatable marsh views.
Classic favorites like Carolina Roadhouse, California Dreaming, and Preston’s Seafood & Country Buffet keep the family tradition alive with hearty portions and holiday cheer.
Looking for something extra special? The Brentwood Restaurant in Little River offers a cozy, candlelit three-course celebration menu with optional wine pairings, while Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Thoroughbreds Chophouse bring festive luxury to your table.
For breakfast, Croissants Bistro & Bakery and Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery are a must. Their seasonal menus feature treats like red velvet waffles, peppermint mochas, and fresh-baked pastries that taste like Christmas morning.
Families can also check out local Breakfast with Santa events at spots like Travinia Italian Kitchen and Hard Rock Cafe for pancakes, pictures, and plenty of smiles.
Where to Stay for The Holidays
From oceanfront resorts with tree lightings and Santa sightings to cozy rentals and festive campgrounds, there’s a perfect holiday home base for everyone at The Beach.
Kingston Resorts and Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes both host family-friendly holiday programming — think tree lightings, gingerbread decorating, and photos with Santa — while The Breakers and Dunes Village Resort shine with family fun, heated pools, and easy access to the Boardwalk lights.
For travelers who prefer more space, vacation rentals from Elliott Beach Rentals, Thomas Beach Vacations, and North Beach Vacations make it easy to stay close to parades, light shows, and shopping. Many homes even come decked out with trees and twinkle lights for that full “Christmas House” vibe.
If camping’s more your style, Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Lakewood Camping Resort, and PirateLand Family Camping Resort all add festive cheer with lights, contests, and plenty of family fun — perfect for those who like their Christmas with a side of campfire.
Holiday Shopping in Myrtle Beach
If gift-giving is your love language, Myrtle Beach is your holiday shopping paradise. Stroll through Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach, or Coastal Grand Mall, all decked out in holiday lights and filled with shops where you can find everything from handcrafted ornaments to coastal-inspired home decor.
Pop into The Christmas Mouse for treasures that capture the beachy spirit of the season, or swing by The Market Common for chic boutiques, unique gifts, and festive photo ops under twinkling lights.
For bargain hunters, Tanger Outlets offers endless deals on top brands — perfect for checking everyone off your list.
Looking for something truly local? Village Surf Shoppe in Garden City has an unbeatable collection of beachwear and surf gear, while Sugar Life combines candy-coated fun with unique Myrtle Beach souvenirs that’ll sweeten anyone’s stocking.
Holiday Shows
Myrtle Beach doesn’t just do Christmas shows — it owns them.
The magic starts at The Carolina Opry Christmas Special, known as "The Christmas Show of the South". Expect jaw-dropping performances, sparkling costumes, and a sleigh that actually glides across the stage. Over at the Alabama Theatre, "The South’s Grandest Christmas Show" delivers high-energy music, comedy, and heartfelt holiday moments that leave audiences beaming.
If you love dinner with a side of adventure, Pirates Voyage transforms Scrooge’s classic tale into a swashbuckling holiday feast complete with acrobatics, mermaids, and live animals.
Legends in Concert brings celebrity tribute artists to the stage for festive renditions of holiday classics, while GTS Theatre offers a soulful Christmas Motown tribute that’ll have you clapping along before the first chorus.
These performances are more than just shows — they’re Myrtle Beach traditions that capture the heart of the season.
Holiday Lights Displays
When the sun sets, the Grand Strand shines.
One of the most breathtaking sights in South Carolina is Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles. Here, magic fills the air as more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and countless twinkling lights illuminate the gardens.
Sip cocoa, listen to carolers, and wander through one of the most enchanting displays in the Southeast. (Pro Tip: Tickets sell out early — grab yours before they’re gone!)
For something more relaxed but equally beautiful, head to The MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights in Murrells Inlet, where glowing reflections dance on the water and live music drifts through the night air.
If you prefer a cozy car ride through the glow, don’t miss the Conway Celebration of Lights or The Great Christmas Light Show in North Myrtle Beach, where holiday joy shines as bright as the stars above.
Holiday Festivals & Events
The Grand Strand comes alive during the holidays, with events that make every night feel merry and bright.
Downtown Myrtle Beach transforms into a winter wonderland with the Winter Wonderland at The Beach, running November 29 through January 4. The Boardwalk glows with themed displays, festive music, and the First Snow and Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 30 — a can’t-miss kickoff to the season.
Up in North Myrtle Beach, The Great Christmas Light Show fills the Park and Sports Complex with millions of dazzling bulbs and a magical Santa’s Village complete with train rides, s’mores, and photos with the big guy himself.
Conway brings small-town charm to life during its Rivertown Christmas Celebration on December 11 and 18, featuring living window displays, snowfalls, and shops open late for holiday shopping.
And throughout December, coastal parades in Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach bring the community spirit to life with floats, bands, and beach-town cheer.