Welcome to Halloween, S.C.: Your Guide to Spooky Festivities & Events in Conway
Each October, the city of Conway legally changes its name to Halloween, S.C., and goes all in on spooky season. Just under 15 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, this quaint riverfront town drapes its live oaks in cobwebs, fills downtown with elaborate displays, and packs the calendar with parades, ghost walks, concerts, coffin races and more.
For 2026, each district is themed to a different movie, so the whole historic district plays like a Halloween film set. Here’s your guide to celebrating Halloween in Conway, from where to park and eat to the can’t-miss events and attractions.
The Quick Answer
What is there to do for Halloween in Conway, S.C.?
For all of October, Conway becomes Halloween, S.C., with 200-plus events and dozens of downtown displays like the Shiverwalk, the Skeleton Orphanage and Ghoulnies Harbor. Highlights include The Big BOO-ginning costume parade, Friday movie nights, the Conway Ghost Walk, the Graveyard Grand Prix Coffin Races, a candlelight concert, haunted attractions and a spooky riverfront market. Come hungry and plan ahead, because downtown restaurants stay packed all month.
Plan Your Visit to Halloween, S.C.
Decorations & Displays
The heart of Halloween, S.C. is the downtown decor, and it is elaborate. Wander the streets and the Waccamaw Riverwalk to find dozens of photo-worthy displays, from the Shiverwalk and Ghoulnies Harbor to the Great Pumpkin Oak, the Tunnel of Bones and pumpkin-strung live oaks. Don’t miss the Skeleton Orphanage inside City Hall, where you can “adopt” a skeleton baby complete with a birth certificate, plus the Department of Hocus Pocus and new scenes that pop up all month. Scan the city’s interactive map to track down every haunt.
Parking & Shuttles
On-street parking is available throughout downtown, with a 2-hour limit enforced Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For rideshare drop-off and pickup, use the parking area at 1301 2nd Avenue. In October, a free parking lot and shuttle run Thursday through Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m., from 1330 Marina Drive, which is reachable only from Ashpond Road since Marina Drive is closed; the last shuttle leaves at 10 p.m. The shuttles are not ADA accessible, so guests with mobility needs should use the designated ADA parking downtown.
Where to Eat in Conway
Downtown Conway’s food scene is half the fun, but it fills up fast during Halloween, S.C. Local favorites include Bonfire, Rivertown Bistro, Hop N’ Wich, Whitaker’s, Crooked Oak and the Crafty Rooster, and you’ll find food trucks and vendors around the bigger events. A word to the wise: on busy October weekends, restaurant waits can stretch to 45 minutes, an hour or more, so make a reservation, plan to eat early, or grab a bite from a vendor and keep exploring.
Halloween Events in Conway
The Big BOO-ginning & Costume Parade
Kick off the month at The Big BOO-ginning, Conway’s official costume march through downtown. Registration opens at 6 p.m. near the Fourth Avenue Riverwalk entrance, and the parade steps off at 7 p.m., winding to the Town Green for a live concert and costume-contest winners. It’s free, all ages and open to anyone in costume.
Friday Night Movie Nights
Every Friday night in October, Conway hosts free outdoor movie nights downtown, a laid-back way to settle in under the moss-draped oaks with the family. Out at Thompson Farm and Nursery, you’ll also find Friday drive-in movies as part of its fall season. Check the City of Halloween calendar for each week’s film and location.
Conway Ghost Walk
Come hear the tales of the ghosts and creatures that lurk around downtown Conway. Professional storytellers lead a roughly one-mile walking tour through the historic and residential district, sharing spooky (and sometimes funny) local legends each evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Reservations are required, and this popular tradition sells out fast.
Graveyard Grand Prix Coffin Races
Not for the faint of heart, the Graveyard Grand Prix is a friendly race of human-powered “coffins,” each with a rider (the “ghost”) and a team of costumed pushers. Teams are judged on speed, creativity and construction as they barrel down Laurel Street, with prizes at the finish. Expect a full day of live music, food trucks and family activities.
The Witching Hour Candlelight Concert
For a more haunting soundtrack, catch The Witching Hour at the Horry County Museum downtown. A Long Bay Symphony woodwind quintet performs seasonal and Halloween music by candlelight, with afternoon and evening shows. Admission is free and open to the public.
Under a Broadway Spell: A Halloween Revue
Conway’s Theatre of the Republic teams up with the City of Halloween for Under a Broadway Spell, a revue of magical, mysterious and downright spooky Broadway showstoppers. Performances run two weekends at the Main Street Theatre (331 Main St.). It’s a ticketed show, so grab seats in advance.
Murder Mystery on Elm
Put your sleuthing skills to the test at Murder Mystery on Elm, a Halloween whodunit staged in downtown Conway. Follow the clues and see if you can crack the case before the culprit strikes again. Check the event page for the venue and ticket details.
Scare in the Square Wrestling Show
Live wrestling comes to the Town Green for Scare in the Square, a high-energy, family-friendly show right in the heart of downtown. Pull up and watch the action under the lights. Confirm the date and time on the event page before you go.
Serial Killer Speakeasy
For grown-ups who like their Halloween with a dark twist, the Serial Killer Speakeasy is an immersive, theatrical experience running the final weekend of October. Expect an eerie, in-character atmosphere and plenty of suspense. Check the event page for the venue and tickets.
More Halloween Attractions
Pedal Pub Conway Halloween Tours
See the haunts on wheels aboard Pedal Pub’s group party bike. Through October, the Conway route gets a Halloween twist, rolling past the downtown displays and local watering holes with your crew powering the pedals. Gather a group and book your seats ahead.
Midnight Market
Conway’s market sheds turn spooky for the season with the Midnight Market at the Town Green. Thursday through Sunday evenings, browse handmade arts and crafts, Halloween decor, sweet treats and more from local vendors. It’s free to wander and a fun stop before or after you tour the downtown displays.
Fear Factory Haunted Attraction
For a genuine scare, Fear Factory packs three haunted attractions into one downtown location. Brave the intense, live-actor Elm Street Asylum, wind through the Kingston Hallow Spooky Maze, and take on the story-driven Conway Haunted Manor. Tickets are tiered by attraction, so you can pick your level of fright.
Children’s Pirate Ship Adventure
New to Halloween, S.C. in 2026, Crazy Sister Marina’s Children’s Pirate Ship Adventure turns little ones into costumed buccaneers for a roughly 30-minute cruise up the Waccamaw aboard the Sea Gypsy. Kids hunt for treasure, battle Pete the skeleton and sail past the Shiverwalk, with face painting and a friendly pirate crew along for the ride. It departs from the marina trailer next to Bonfire on the Riverwalk; tickets run $29 for ages 3 and up and $14 for toddlers.
Conway Farmers Market
Round out your visit with a Saturday-morning stroll through the Conway Farmers Market, where local growers and makers set up with fresh produce, baked goods and handmade finds. It’s an easy, low-key way to soak up small-town Conway. Hours are seasonal, so check ahead before you go.