Here are 5 festive reasons to visit Murrells Inlet’s MarshWalk

Here are 5 festive reasons to visit Murrells Inlet’s MarshWalk

People visiting Murrells Inlet this holiday season will be in for a special treat as they stroll along the MarshWalk on the waterfront.

The new MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights walk-through experience on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast will feature a festive holiday display along the half-mile boardwalk that anchors eight popular restaurants and the Murrells Inlet Veteran’s Pier. This holiday wonderland is sponsored by the MarshWalk Group.

Here are five reasons to visit the MarshWalk this holiday season:

— Stunning arches at the entrances of the MarshWalk restaurants with thousands of lights themed to Christmas songs

— A 40-foot LED-lit Christmas tree at the Veteran’s Pier

— Festive photo opportunities spread throughout the area where visitors can stop and pose for a photo along the way, including a candy cane arch, a gingerbread house, Santa, and a giant Christmas ornament

— A Santa’s Village and Vendor’s Market open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with children’s activities, and visits with Santa and other Christmas characters.

— A Santa Crawl for adults with costume prizes, set for Dec. 10, from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

“We have invested in top-of-the-line LED arches, an amazing 40-foot tree for the Veteran’s Pier, and four huge photo ops that will be spread throughout the MarshWalk for our guests to enjoy this holiday season,” said Christina Burzler, spokesperson for the MarshWalk Group. “Each of our eight participating restaurants’ rooflines will also be lit up and colorful along the way.”

The Wonderland of Lights will be open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, except for Dec. 10 during the Santa Crawl. Starting at 5 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 and 7 p.m. to be eligible to win prizes. Winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m. and must be present to win.

Burzler said the MarshWalk restaurants teams are excited for the return of the MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights. She added that anyone who has visited the MarshWalk during the holidays will be impressed with the improvements this year.

“We have had Christmas lights on our MarshWalk sporadically several years in the past, although this year’s new Christmas light and sound production is of no comparison,” Burzler said. “We have invested in this new event because year after year, we have guests who reach out wanting us to light up the MarshWalk during the holidays.”

Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast, said he looks forward to seeing the MarshWalk area lit up for the holidays.

“The MarshWalk area is one of the most popular places along the Hammock Coast for visitors and residents to gather and participate in fun activities,” he said. “It is perfect that the MarshWalk Group is making it even more special this year and providing holiday fun for the whole family. Add the new lights spectacular at the MarshWalk with Brookgreen Gardens‘ award-winning Nights of a Thousand Candles also just down the road, it is clear that Murrells Inlet is the place for the holidays on the coast this year.”

A host of other holiday-inspired events are happening around the Hammock Coast this holiday season. For a look at those events — everything from parades and a night at an ice rink — click here.

For more information about the MarshWalk, visit www.marshwalk.com, like its Facebook page (@TheMarshWalkofMurrellsInlet) or call the MarshWalk answering service at 843-497-3450.