Celebrate the holidays with festive events on the Hammock Coast®

Celebrate the holidays with festive events on the Hammock Coast®

From parades and home tours to light displays and live music performances, it’s going to be a great time to celebrate the holidays on the Hammock Coast!

With myriad events to make the season bright on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, we offer a run down of the many special times to be enjoyed throughout Georgetown County. These holiday events start in November and continue through Christmas and New Year’s Eve!

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

“Children of all ages will be able to find activities and events on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® 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:

‘The Nutcracker’ at Winyah Auditorium
Friday, Nov. 21, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Winyah Auditorium, a performing arts venue in historic Georgetown at 1200 Highmarket St., will present “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m.

Described as as “brand-new reimagining of this holiday dance classic,” tickets are $15 and $25. For more information, visit the Winyah Auditorium website, or call (843) 461-1342.

MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights in Murrells Inlet
Open from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31

The MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights walk-through Christmas light experience is returning to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk this season. Bring the family, a friend, or that special someone and stroll the holiday lights on the MarshWalk. Relax and enjoy the salt air breeze while getting into the holiday spirit- and have a Merry MarshWalk Christmas.

It 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. The 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 and bottom of the hour from 5 to 11 p.m. daily from Nov. 27 until Dec. 31.

A 20-foot LED Christmas tree will be featured at the end of Veteran’s Pier and will make the perfect backdrop for holiday photos. There will also be festive photo opportunities spread throughout the MarshWalk, including a candy cane arch, a gingerbread house, Santa, and a giant Christmas ornament.

Santa’s Village, open Friday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, will feature children’s activities, a petting zoo, barrel cart rides, visits with Santa, princesses and Christmas characters, and so much more. Children’s activities are located in between Wahoo’s and Drunken Jack’s and in the Wicked Tuna parking lot.

Santa can be found at the front of Drunken Jack’s in his sleigh and ready for visits Fridays through Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 27 to Dec. 20. Vendors will also be available on Saturday nights where people can enjoy Christmas shopping.

Located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet, the MarshWalk is a boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary. Admission is free to the MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights walk-through experience. For more information, call (843) 497-3450 or visit the MarshWalk’s website.

Lighting of the Park on Pawleys Island
Friday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m.

Come join the Lighting of the Park celebration on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. on Pawleys Island. The festivities will be at Pawleys Island Nature Park near town hall at the intersection of the North Causeway to the island and Myrtle Avenue. This 6th annual holiday event sponsored by the Town of Pawleys Island is open to all and includes hot chocolate and holiday tunes performed by Tony Starlight & Chorus. A visit by Santa Claus is also on the agenda. Mayor Brian Henry will be the master of ceremonies for this free event. For more information, call Town Hall at (843) 237-1698.

Nights of a Thousand Candles
Friday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Jan. 3, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Nothing says holidays on the Hammock Coast more than Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens.

As the annual lights display goes into full swing beginning Friday, Nov. 27, Brookgreen Gardens will come 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. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2026.

Walk the garden pathways with a warm cup of cider, cocoa, or wine. Experience the sounds of holiday music, carolers singing, and celebrate the season with family and friends!

Admission for Nights of a Thousand Candles is $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-12 (members) and $40 for adults and $20 for children ages 4-12 (non-members). Due to strict capacity limits, tickets must be pre-purchased. No drive-ups are allowed. Also available for pre-purchase again 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. 

The only legitimate places to purchase tickets to Nights of a Thousand Candles are Brookgreen’s website or the ticketing company. Only purchase tickets from the official sources. If tickets are bought elsewhere, Brookgreen cannot guarantee their validity or whether you will receive them at all. For ticket information, call 844-271-3410, or visit the website at www.brookgreen.org.

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.

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 Sunday, Nov. 22, from 5-7:30 p.m. This event is free. RSVP here.

The holiday guided Candlelight Tour will be on Saturday, Dec. 12, Thursday, Dec. 17, Saturday, Dec. 19, and Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased by clicking here. Step back in time and experience the beauty of the Kaminski House illuminated by candlelight. Wander through rooms decorated with holiday cheer and immerse yourself in the warmth and charm of the holiday season. There will be live music on the lawn for this Candlelight Tour.

On Saturday, Dec. 19, there will be a Family Fun Night from 5:30-8 p.m. at the museum. Enjoy a festive evening featuring a scavenger hunt for kids & a magical visit to the Kossove Terrace. Warm up with hot chocolate and gather on the porch. Tickets are $15 for adults and $2 for children. Get advance tickets here.

The Kaminski House Museum is located at 1003 Front St. in Georgetown. Contact the museum at 843-546-7706 or visit KaminskiMuseum.org for more details.

Holiday events along Front Street in Georgetown
Friday, Dec. 4, through Saturday, Dec. 12

The Georgetown Business Association is hosting three events for the holiday season along historic Front Street in Georgetown, bringing the holidays on the Hammock Coast to the historic waterfront city.

On Friday, Dec. 4, there will be a traditional Christmas tree-lighting ceremony from 6-7:30 p.m. at Francis Marion Park. On Saturday, Dec. 5, there will be a Christmas parade starting at 11 a.m. And on Saturday, Dec. 12, there will be an ice-skating rink set up at Maritime Park on Front Street from noon-8 p.m. For more information, visit discovergeorgetownsc.com.

Atalaya Holiday Craft Market in Huntington Beach State Park
Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Friends of Huntington Beach State Park will hold its annual Atalaya Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5, with free park admission.

There will be craft vendors, baked goods, and entertainment throughout the day. Atalaya will be decorated for the holidays. All proceeds will go toward Friends projects for the park. The Pawleys Island Concert Band will perform. Huntington Beach State Park is located at 16148 Ocean Highway in Murrells Inlet. For information, visit the park website, or call the park at (843) 237-4440.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m.

This is another family-friendly event all centered around the lighting of the official Murrells Inlet Christmas tree on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4-6 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy hot cocoa, music, and a chance for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The tree-lighting ceremony, sponsored by Murrells Inlet 2020, will be held at Morse Landing Park, toward the south end of the Inlet. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

Kringle Krawl in Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 9 p.m.

This year’s Kringle Krawl in historic Georgetown will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at 4 p.m. It starts at Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn, and it will end at Gator Grill.

There will also be a special bartender competition, too. Holiday costumes are optional. Having fun is required. Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn, a bed and breakfast with a twist, as it’s really a bed-and-brew, where guests enjoy partaking anytime of the year of the owners’ craft beer. It is located at 824 Prince St. For information, call (843) 997-4812.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade
Sunday, Dec. 6, from 3 to 6 p.m.

One day after the Christmas tree is lit in Murrells Inlet, the public is invited to the community’s annual Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 3-6 p.m. to kickoff another holiday season. The parade is organized by Murrells Inlet 2020, a community organization.

It’s just one of many events during the holidays on the Hammock Coast in Murrells Inlet.

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 the intersection of Highway 17 Business and Wilcox Avenue. It will run through the MarshWalk business district and end at the intersection of Wachesaw Road. For more information, click here, or call (843) 357-2007.

Santa Crawl on the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet
Thursday, Dec. 10, 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Whether you are naughty or nice come feel the holiday cheer at the MarshWalk’s 11th Annual Santa Crawl on Thursday, Dec. 10. Starting at 5 p.m., 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 6-9 p.m. Be a Scrooge, Grinch, Santa, or perhaps an elf, whatever gets you in the Christmas spirit, show us at the MarshWalk Santa Crawl. Contestants must register at the registration table located between Wahoo’s and Drunken Jack’s. Please note: You must register from 5-7 p.m. to be eligible to win prizes.

Winners will be announced promptly at 9:30 p.m. in between Wahoo’s and Drunken Jack’s. You must be present to win. For more information, visit the MarshWalk’s website.

Yuletide Home Tour
Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Georgetown Library’s 24th annual Yuletide Home Tour will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1-5 pm. Visit beautiful holiday-decorated homes, churches, and museums in and around Georgetown’s historic district. It’s a fun day for a good cause: supporting the Georgetown County Library system.

This annual event is one of the most popular to celebrate during the holidays on the Hammock Coast.

Tickets for the Yuletide Home Tour are $35 per person/$30 for members of Friends groups of any of the ​Georgetown County libraries. Tickets may be pre-purchased online at the Friends of the Georgetown Library website. This year’s tour features 12 stops, including three homes that have never before been part of the event. Among this year’s most exciting additions is Bethel AME Church, which was last on the tour a decade ago. The historic church, which dates back to 1863, has deep roots in Georgetown’s story. It was once a stop on local history tours and holds a special connection as the home church of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s grandparents.

Or you may purchase them at any of the county library branches: the Georgetown Library at 405 Cleland St.; the Andrews Library, 105 N. Morgan St.; the Carvers Bay Library, 13048 Choppee Road; the Southern Georgetown County Library, 4187 Powell Road; and the Waccamaw Library, 41 St. Paul Place.

And then tickets and tour information are to be picked up on Dec. 12 any time after 10 a.m. at the Georgetown Library at 405 Cleland St.. In the event you have registered and you are unable to attend, the ticket price will become a fully tax-deductible donation to the Friends of the Georgetown Library.

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Christmas Concert with the Pawleys Island Concert Band
Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Pawleys Island Concert Band will present a Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at Waccamaw High School. Admission is free and open to the public. Waccamaw High School is located at 2412 Kings River Road in Pawleys Island. For more information, visit the Pawleys Island Concert Band Facebook page.

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

Ring in 2026 on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk on Thursday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Each of the seven participating MarshWalk restaurants will feature festive drink and dinner specials, as well as live music. For more information, visit the MarshWalk’s website.

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Local in Pawleys Island
Thursday, Dec. 31, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Celebrate the New Year on Thursday, Dec. 31, from 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at Local Eat Drink Celebrate, one of two restaurants located in the historic Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island. With the theme “Back to the ’80s,” the event will feature a top-shelf

open bar, peace-inspired cocktails and heavy hors d’ouevres. For more information, follow Local Eat Drink Celebrate on Facebook or visit the restaurant’s website.

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Enjoy the holidays on the Hammock Coast and feel the spirit of the season!

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