Things to do in January in Myrtle Beach
It’s a new year, the sun is shining, the air is brisk, and the streets are looking for people to fill them. Even throughout the winter, The Beach hosts year-round events to attract tourists, celebrate the holidays, and keep the good times rolling. Although some seasonal summer activities may be closed down, you can still find numerous attractions, shows, shopping centers, and restaurants that are open and ready to serve.
We have collected all upcoming events in one place so you know what to plan your trip around this January.
Holiday Events
If you couldn’t make it to the beach before the holidays hit, don’t worry. The events are sticking around for a few more dates in January, so everyone can load up on the fun.
Until January 4
From 5 to 9 p.m. daily, visit the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk for some end-of-season holiday fun. Walk through string lights, admire decor, and see numerous themed installations. Everything will be lit up downtown until January 4th.
Until January 4
If it’s too cold to leave your vehicle, stay inside it. North Myrtle Beach’s drive-through light show will stay active the first few days of the month. Stare in awe at over two million lights, displaying various figures and scenes. It’s $20 per vehicle with up to six people.
Until January 4
If you didn’t get everything off your Christmas list, you can do some last-minute winter shopping at the holiday market at Brookgreen. Find books, culinary items, local crafts, decor, and more to bring home or give to others. The market will be open each day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Until January 4
Visit the aquarium at Broadway at the Beach to see an extended holiday display of Christmas trees, showcasing all 46 of South Carolina’s counties. It’s the perfect activity to get out of the cold and take some photos, all while admiring the sharks and stingrays.
Events
January 8-18
If you are a food lover, there truly is no better time to visit South Carolina than in January. From the 8th to the 18th, visit participating casual and fine dining restaurants as they provide special dishes and multi-course meals to celebrate Restaurant Week. Each location will have a fixed-priced menu, allowing you to explore the region’s culinary expertise. Local favorites such as Hook and Barrel and Crooked Hammock will be just some of the participating establishments. The goal of the event is to position South Carolina as a top food destination across the U.S., so beat the crowds and discover what we have to offer now before people start flocking! Reservations are strongly encouraged, as restaurants will fill up quickly.
January 9-11
Calling all boat and water lovers! At the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, the Boat and Sportsman Expo, you cannot only explore a variety of beautiful boats but also participate in several seminars. The three-day event will hold different talks by captains and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to discuss topics such as Kayak Fishing in the Low Country, Techniques for King Mackerel, Intro to Boating Safety, Inshore Fishing ‘Carolina Style’, Tarpon Fishing Techniques, and many more. Anyone can attend with a ticket of just $10 at the door. The expo will be on Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Check the website for seminar times.
January 15-18
January is the month of shag at The Beach. Join the Society of Standers (SOS) annual shag dancing event at various beach clubs and hotels across North Myrtle Beach for a laid-back atmosphere full of groovy music and new dance moves. The society comes together three times a year, which is when the clubs and participating lounges switch over completely to beach and shag music. All membership cardholders will be able to attend the dance event and participate in the society’s winter workshop with dance lessons, competitions, and social dancing.
January 17-20
Celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Grand Strand’s Freedom Week, which commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Participate in events every day of the week, such as a celebration kickoff, community youth fair, commUnity ecumenical service, food drive, and more. The week-long celebration will take place at different locations across the city, so check out this page to learn more and RSVP to events. Freedom Week will be hosted by the Carolina African American Heritage Foundation, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Myrtle Beach.
January 1-25
Ongoing from December, this exhibition takes place at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. The display features over 60 artists from 22 states who display works that honor African American ancestors. Each piece uses textiles and fiber art to showcase the traditions and culture of the African diaspora. With general admission to the gardens, tickets are included with general admission tickets to the gardens and are free for members of Brookgreen.
January 30 and 31
The longest-running shag dance contest in the U.S. is The National Shag Dance Championships (NSDC), which holds its qualifying rounds at the end of January every year in Myrtle Beach. For dancers and dance lovers alike, the competition will have you on your toes. The event will start on Friday at 7 pm, where you can shag with local celebrities until the competition commences at 8 pm. Following on Saturday will be a blast to the past with former champions of the NSDC. Tickets can be purchased online or bought at the door. If you’re invested enough, return to The Beach again on March 12-14, 2026, for the NSDC finals.
Athletics
January 1-4
At the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, support pro, amateur, high school, and other categories of competitors as they compete in a major cornhole tournament. Broadcast on ESPN, this tournament will have over $15,000 in prizes as the competitors try to outdo one another. Entry is free for spectators, and interested players can register/pay online.
January 16-19
A youth volleyball event with over 350 teams will be coming to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The teams will be competing in various divisions and participating in coaching clinics. Interested in watching? Spectator passes are $15 per day or $40 for the weekend.
January 24 and 25
A yearly highlight for local and regional golfers, this amateur golf tournament brings top players from around the state to compete with each other. Open to various skill levels, it’s a great opportunity to gain experience playing on a championship course in Murrells Inlet. Spectator entry fees are free, and willing participants can register online.
Shows
January 29-31
Greg Rowles is rolling out shows throughout the second half of January. After all the holiday celebrations have died down, classic rock and roll is coming back to the stage with a North Myrtle Beach Elvis Festival. The four-day event is going to have six different shows that feature different eras of Presley’s career. This includes “Elvis in Vegas”, his smooth sounds in “Elvis Love Me Tender”, and duets with “Elvis Double Trouble”. Famous tribute artists such as Cote Deonath, Michael Cullipher, Austin Irby, and more will be covering the songs.
Hosting tribute bands and comedy shows in January, book your trip with a weekend in mind so you can make it to one of these performances! All shows will start at 7 pm., excluding The Beach Boys, who will have showings at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
January 10: The Bronx Wonderers Direct from Las Vegas
January 16: An Evening with Larry the Cable Guy - an award-winning artist who has been a Grammy nominee, starred in several movies, including Disney/Pixar’s “Cars”, and is known by his classic tagline of “Git-R-Done”.
January 17: Let’s Hang On Frankie Valli Tribute.
January 24: The Beach Boys (3 and 8 p.m.)
January 31: Sweet Dreams Mandy Barnett Sings Patsy Cline
The second half of January is filled with various tribute bands that will have you singing the night away! All performances will start at 7 pm.
January 17: IN THE AIR TONIGHT - Celebrating the music of Phil Collins and Genesis
January 18: Piano Men - A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel
January 24: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
January 25: Toby Keith Tribute - Should’ve Been a Cowboy featuring Charlie Floyd
January 31: Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago
