Celebrate the holiday season with 22 festive events near Pawleys Island

Parades, home tours, light displays, visits with Santa and live music performances will be some of the festive holiday events near Pawleys Island starting in November and continuing through Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, said there is something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.

“Children of all ages will be able to find activities and events near Pawleys Island this holiday season,” Stevens said. “We hope everyone will be inspired to share the magic of the holidays with others.”

Following is a listing of these family-fun holiday events, presented in chronological order:

Pawleys Christmas Festival at Downtown Pawleys (formerly the Island Shops)
Saturday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The public is invited to the Downtown Pawleys shopping area for the Pawleys Christmas Festival on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas cookie decorating, ornament crafting, letters to Santa, local youth entertainment and more. This is a family-friendly community event. Follow Downtown Pawleys on Facebook and Instagram for all event details.

Hammock Shops Village Holiday Events
Friday. Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 8

The Hammock Shops Village in the heart of the Pawleys Island community will host a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 29, from 1:30-5:30 p.m., with “Sit With Santa” events and rides on the Holiday Express Train thoughout the village on weekends from Saturday, Nov. 30, to Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12 to 3 p.m. Kick off the season with a Christmas Tree Lighting on Black Friday, where you’ll enjoy face painting, Christmas carolers, a festive Christmas train ride, and of course, Santa Claus! Then, come back each weekend through December 8th for a cozy sit-down with Santa and more magical Christmas train rides, making memories all season long. For more information, click here.

MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights Walkthrough Christmas Light Display
Nov. 29 to Dec. 22

This spectacular Christmas light walk-through experience will feature the eight MarshWalk restaurants’ buildings along the half-mile boardwalk outlined in an array of Christmas lights paired with stunning arches synced with festive Christmas music in front of each restaurant. Our display includes thousands of lights themed with the best Christmas songs that will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit! The light show starts at the top of the hour from 5 to 11 p.m. nightly. A huge 20′ LED Christmas tree will be featured at the end of Veteran’s pier and will make the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos. It is also visible from any restaurant along the MarshWalk. There will be many festive photo opportunities spread throughout the MarshWalk for you to stop and pose with along the way including a Candy Cane Arch, a Gingerbread House, Santa, and a giant Christmas Ornament. A Santa’s Village will feature children’s activities, a petting zoo, barrel cart rides, visits with Santa, Christmas Characters, and so much more! Our Santa’s Village will be available Fridays-Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 29-Dec. 22.

Treasured Holiday Memories exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens
Friday, Nov. 29, to Sunday, Jan. 5

The theme of this traditional holiday exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens in the Rosen Galleries is traditional – trains and treasured memories of past holiday seasons. Trains by Lionel and American Flyer chug through landscapes designed and built by department staff. New this year is a vintage American Flyer layout from the early 1960s in the Mize Gallery. Returning this year are the “Amusement Park and Pavilion,” evoking the views and sounds of the historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion, and 1950s vintage trains from a private collector. These historic vignettes wrap the old and the new in holiday warmth inside the Rosen Galleries. Outdoors, you will find a G-scale train display on the lawn in front of the pool in the Jewell Plaza.

The exhibit will also be open on the days the Gardens are open for general daytime admission, but the trains will only run during Nights of a Thousand Candles. This exhibit is free with garden admission. For more information, click here.

Nights of a Thousand Candles Preview Benefit
Friday, Nov. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Brookgreen Gardens will hold its annual Nights of a Thousand Candles Preview Benefit on Friday, Nov. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. Each year Brookgreen Gardens reaches hundreds of students and families with educational programming focused on history, the environment, and the arts. Its school programming is correlated to state and national standards and receives outstanding reviews from teachers who support the efficacy of the hands-on activities in support of their curriculum goals. The Nights of a Thousand Candles Preview Benefit ticket enables Brookgreen to grow its educational initiatives and encourage lifelong learning. There will be a limited number of tickets, costing $150 each. The ticket price includes wine, beer and other beverages, and heavy hors d’oeuvres, which will be stationed throughout the gardens. For tickets and more information, click here.

Nights of a Thousand Candles
Saturday, Nov. 30, to Sunday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 9 p.m.

The Nights of a Thousand Candles goes into full swing beginning Saturday, Nov. 30, as Brookgreen Gardens comes to life amid the soft glow of more than 2,800 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights in the evenings, from 4 to 9 p.m. on select dates Nov. 30 to Jan. 5. Walk the garden pathways with a warm cup of cider, cocoa, or wine. Experience the sounds of holiday music, carolers singing, a nightly tree lighting at dusk, and celebrate the season with family and friends.

Nights of a Thousand Candles has been named “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina” by Travel+Leisure Magazine and was the winner of the 2018 Charles A. Bundy award for excellence in tourism from South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism. USA Today/10 Best has placed it in the running to be named Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in America for six years in a row. It is competing against 19 other events for the designation. The contest is decided by public vote. To vote for Nights of a Thousand Candles, click here.

Admission for Nights of a Thousand Candles is $30 for adults and $14 for children (members) and $35 for adults and $17 for children (non-members). Due to strict capacity limits, tickets must be pre-purchased. No drive-ups please. Also available for pre-purchase this year is The Sparkle and Fun Package add-on. For $10 more, this package includes a glass of sparkling wine or cider, and holographic glasses to make the lights even more festive. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more arriving together. For tickets and more information, click here.

Holiday Events at the Kaminski House Museum in Georgetown
Friday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 30

The Kaminski House Museum in historic Georgetown will host several holiday events, starting with Light Up the Lawn on Friday, Nov. 29, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Candlelight tours will open Saturday, Dec. 6, and run through Thursday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. Step back in time and experience the beauty of the Kaminski House illuminated by candlelight. Wander through rooms decorated with cultural flair by local community members and immerse yourself in the warmth and charm of the holiday season. A Holiday Market with baked goods and holiday gifts will be held on the Kaminski House lawn on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will also be a Family Fun Night on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the lawn. Enjoy a festive evening featuring a scavenger hunt for kids, a trolley ride through downtown to see the Christmas lights, and a magical visit to Frozenland. Warm up with hot chocolate and gather on the porch. The Kaminski House Museum is located at 1003 Front Street in Georgetown. Contact the Museum at 843-546-7706 or visit KaminskiMuseum.org for more details.

Georgetown Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Francis Marion Park

Enjoy the splendor of the season as the City of Georgetown lights it’s beautiful Christmas Tree on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Francis Marion Park. There will be caroling, dancers, music and Santa. For more information, call Al Joseph at 843-545-4013.

Christmas with Friends of Atalaya in Huntington Beach State Park
Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Friends of Huntington Beach State Park will hold its annual Atalaya Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5, plus park admission.

There will be craft vendors, baked goods, and entertainment throughout the day. Atalaya Castle, once home to Archer and Anna Huntington, the founders of Brookgreen Gardens and the benefactors of what is now the state park, will be decorated for the holidays. All proceeds will go toward Friends projects for the park. The Pawleys Island Concert Band will perform at 11 a.m., and the group’s jazz band will perform at 1:30 p.m. Huntington Beach State Park is located at 16148 Ocean Highway, just south of Murrells Inlet. For information, click here, or call the park at 843-237-4440.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m.

This is another family-friendly event all centered around the lighting of the official Murrells Inlet Christmas tree on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy hot cocoa, music, kids crafts, face painting and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The tree-lighting ceremony, sponsored by Murrells Inlet 2020, will be held at Morse Park, toward the south end of the Inlet. Admission is free.

Pirates Kringle Krawl in Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Arrrrrr, you ready for the Pirates Kringle Krawl? Dress up in your favorite costume and join countless others for another year of Georgetown’s best bar crawl, set for Saturday, Dec. 7.

Costume Judging will be at Soco Pizza for a Costume Contest. Not interested in dressing up? No problem as long as you can drink like a Pirate! This event showcases the best that Georgetown has to offer. The night ends with a DJ at Gator Grill and door prizes, up to and including a free night at the Inn. Registration starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn, a bed and breakfast, is located at 824 Prince St. For information, call (843) 997-4812.

Holiday Swing and Musical Things with the Georgetown Theater Orchestra
Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.

This free holiday concert at Winyah Auditorium will feature the music of Aaron Copeland, Benny Goodman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, F.J. Hayden, and Victor Herbert. Soloists include Charles Mayhew, Jo Sample, Andy Friedman, Silky Joe Keirnan, and Stan Walczyk. For more information, click here.

Historic Georgetown Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Featuring floats and entries from local nonprofit groups, school bands and sports teams, community businesses and more, the Georgetown Christmas Parade is set to travel along Front Street in historic Georgetown from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Helping spread holiday cheer and getting everyone in the spirit of giving, the Christmas parade is an annual tradition in Georgetown. For information and to register to be part of the parade, click here. For more information, call Al Joseph at 843-545-4013.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade
Sunday, Dec. 8, from 3 to 5 p.m.

One day after the Christmas tree is lit in Murrells Inlet, the public is invited to the community’s annual Christmas parade and kickoff another holiday season.

The parade is organized by Murrells Inlet 2020, a community organization. With local high school bands, community groups and businesses participating, this event promises lots of holiday spirit and a fun time. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, at the intersection of Highway 17 Business and Wilcox Avenue. It will run through the Marsh Walk business district and end at the intersection of Wachesaw Road. Make sure to stay for the Grand Finale with Santa and Mrs. Claus. For information and registration, visit murrellsinletsc.com or call (843) 357-2007.

Santa Crawl on the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet
Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Another event for adults will be the MarshWalk’s annual Santa Crawl, set for Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Starting at 5:30 p.m., participants can enjoy the delightful spirits with drinks from each restaurant on the MarshWalk while feasting on the unforgettable festive flavors with amazing dinner specials.

Secret Santas will be strolling the MarshWalk looking for the best Christmas attire from 6 to 9 p.m. Be a Scrooge, Grinch, Santa, or perhaps an elf. Register between 5 to 7 p.m. to be eligible to win prizes. Winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m. and must be present to win. Located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, the MarshWalk is a half mile-long boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary.

The MarshWalk Group includes the following restaurants: Bovine’s, Wahoo’s Fish House, Drunken Jacks, Creek Ratz, Dead Dog Saloon, The Claw House, The Wicked Tuna, and Neptune’s Bistro. For more information visit www.marshwalk.com or call the MarshWalk answering service at (843) 497-3450.

Christmas on Broadway at Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Friday, Dec. 13, to Sunday, Dec. 15

The winners of the 8th annual Carolina Master Chorale/Coastal Carolina University Student Vocal Competition along with the Carolina Youth Chorale join the CMC for a Broadway holiday extravaganza! Dive into the festive spirit with music for Christmas (and Chanukah!) by Irving Berlin, Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn. Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown, from iconic shows, including “Mame!,” “White Christmas,” “She Loves Me,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” and many more. Ring in the festive spirit with “Christmas on Broadway!” Shows are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and $ p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, click here.

Ice Skating in Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 14, from Noon to 8 p.m.

Ice skating has returned to Georgetown! Come out and skate on a synthetic ice rink at Maritime Park in downtown Georgetown. Enjoy live music, holiday lights, hot chocolate and more! There will even be snow! For more information, call Al Joseph at 843-545-4013.

Yuletide Home Tour
Saturday, Dec. 14, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Friends of the Georgetown Library will present the Yuletide Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be 10 homes decorated for the holidays, two places of worship and two museums throughout historic Georgetown that will be open to the public for this special annual tour. Tickets, which are $20 per person for Friends members and $25 per person for non-members, are available at all branches of the Georgetown County Library System. For more information, visit the Friends of the Georgetown County Library Facebook page.

Tuba Christmas with the Pawleys Island Concert Band
Saturday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m.

The Pawleys Island Concert Band will present a Tuba Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Pawleys Island Community Church. Admission is free. Pawleys Island Community Church is located at 10304 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island. For more information, click here.

The Annual Christmas Jam with Urban Jazz Guitarist Terrance Young at Winyah Auditorium
Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m.

The Winyah Auditorium, a premier performing arts venue in downtown Georgetown, will present The Annual Christmas Jam with Urban Jazz Guitarist Terence Young at Winyah Auditorium on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. For information, click here, or call the Winyah Auditorium at (843) 461-1342.

New Year’s Eve on the MarshWalk
Sunday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Ring in 2024 on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Each of the eight participating MarshWalk restaurants will feature festive drink and dinner specials and live music. The MarshWalk group consists of the following restaurants: Bovine’s, Wahoo’s, Drunken Jack’s, Creek Ratz, Dead Dog Saloon, The Claw House, The Wicked Tuna, and Neptune Bistro and Raw Bar. For more information visit www.marshwalk.com or call the MarshWalk answering service at (843) 497-3450.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade at Local in Pawleys Island
Sunday, Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Celebrate the New Year with a Masquerade event on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Local Eat Drink Celebrate in Pawleys Island. For more information, click here. Local Eat Drink Celebrate is located at 10880 Ocean Highway, unit 21, in the Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island. For reservations, call (843) 314-0474.

Compiled by Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®