Holiday season offers family-fun events on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®

Holiday season offers family-fun events on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®

From parades and home tours to light displays and live music performances, South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® offers a variety of events during the holiday season.
Holiday events start in November and continue through Christmas and New Years Eve. Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s 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:

Treasured Holiday Memories exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens
Saturday, Nov. 20 – Jan. 2

The theme of this traditional holiday exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens in the Rosen Galleries 2 and 3, is trains, trees, toys, and treasured memories of holiday seasons past. Christmas trees, period ornaments, and vintage toys present the Victorian era through the 1980s. Lionel, American Flyer, and Bachmann trains chug through landscapes designed and built by department staff. A miniature amusement park evokes the views and sounds of landmarks from the past. Miniature lighted houses present magical displays from Dickens Village to Snow Village, to other Department 56 themes. These historic vignettes wrap the old and the new in holiday warmth. This exhibit is free with garden admission. For more information, visit www.brookgreen.org.

Nights of a Thousand Candles
Special event, Saturday, Nov. 20, 6 to 8 p.m.

Brookgreen Gardens will hold its annual Nights of a Thousand Candles Preview Benefit on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 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 $125 each. The ticket price includes wine, beer and other beverages, and heavy hors d’oeuvres, which will be stationed throughout the gardens. For more information, visit www.brookgreen.org.

Nights of a Thousand Candles
Nov. 26 – Jan. 2, from 4 to 8:45 p.m.

The Nights of a Thousand Candles goes into full swing beginning Nov. 26 as Brookgreen Gardens 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. 26 to Jan. 2. 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! Dates for the event in 2021 are: Nov. 26-29, Dec. 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 29-31, and Jan. 1-2. Nights of a Thousand Candles has been named “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina” by Travel+Leisure Magazine and is the winner of the 2018 Charles A. Bundy award for excellence in tourism from South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism.

This year, USA Today/10 Best has placed it in the running to be named Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in America. 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 $25 for adults and $12 for children (members) and $30 for adults and $15 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 isThe Sparkle and Fun Package add on. For $10, add-on this package that 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 more information, call Brookgreen at (843) 235-6000, or visit the website at www.brookgreen.org.

Pawleys Christmas Festival at Island Shops
Saturday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The public is invited to the Island Shops in Pawleys Island for the Pawleys Christmas Festival on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 2 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 Island Shops on Facebook and Instagram for all event deta,ils @islandshopspi.

Christmas at the Opera at Winyah Auditorium
Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.

Georgetown Theater Orchestra will perform “Christmas at the Opera” on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Winyah Auditorium. This concert of holiday music and more will feature the music of Victor Hubert, George F. Handel, Irving Berlin and Andrew L. Webber. Tickets are $25 per person. For information, click here or call the Winyah Auditorium at (843) 461-1342.

Charlestones Christmas Show at Winyah Auditorium
Friday, Dec. 3, 7 to 10 p.m.

The Winyah Auditorium, a premier performing arts venue in downtown Georgetown, will present the Charlestones Christmas Show from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. .

The Charlestones is an a cappella quartet consisting of Todd Monsell (bass), Brink Norton (tenor), William Purcell (lead), and Stephen Spaulding (baritone). The group made a name for itself with members’ trademark and flawless intonation, rocksteady camaraderie, and wide variety of vocal styles. Tickets are $25 per person. For information, click here or call the Winyah Auditorium at (843) 461-1342.

Historic Georgetown Candy Land Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m

Featuring floats and entries from local nonprofit groups, school bands and sports teams, community businesses and more, the Georgetown Candy Land Christmas Parade is set to begin along Front Street in historic Georgetown at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. Designed to spread holiday cheer and get everyone in the spirit of giving, the Christmas parade is annual tradition in Georgetown. For information and to register to be part of the parade, visit discovergeorgetownsc.com.

Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec.4, 7 p.m.

The Georgetown Business Association will host a Christmas Lighted Boat Parade at 7 p.m. along the waterfront of Georgetown Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Enjoy a spectacular display of holiday lights from the Georgetown Harborwalk. All boats in the parade at lit up and many will be playing festive holiday music as they cruise by spectators. Prizes are awarded for Best Crew and Best In Show. Following the Lighted Boat Parade, participants can witness the lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree at Francis Marion Park.

Candy Land Christmas Kringle Krawl
Saturday, Dec. 4, 4 to 9 p.m.

Adults can join the fun on the Candyland Christmas Kringle Krawl from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. The party starts at Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn and then participants will “Krawl to different brs and rhestaurants on historic Front Street in Georgetown. There will be drawings for prizes and giveaways along the way. Come dressed in costume or just join in a fun night exploring Georgetown. Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn, a bed and breakfast, is located at 824 Prince St. For information, call (843) 997-4812.

Christmas at Atalaya in Huntington Beach State Park
Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Friends of Huntington Beach State Park will hold will its annual Atalaya Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 4,. 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 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 https://southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach, or call the park at (843) 237-4440.

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

This is another family-friendly event all centered around the lighting of the official Murrells Inlet Christmas tree. Attendees will be able to enjoy hot cocoa, music, and a chance for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The tree-lighting ceremony will be held at Morse Park, toward the south end of the Inlet. Admission is free.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade
Sunday, Dec. 5, 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, 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. 5, 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. For information and registration, visit murrellsinletsc.com or call (843) 357-2007.

Shine Bright Tree-Lighting Ceremony at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church
Sunday, Dec. 5, 6 to 7 p.m.

Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church will present a Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting on the church campus. Organizers recommend participants bring chairs. The Pawleys Island Concert Band will perform a variety of favorite Christmas songs. Admission is free. Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church is located at 9967 Ocean Highway. For information, call the church at (843) 237-4581.

Holiday Magic at the Kaminski House Museum
Friday, Dec. 10, 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The public is invited to enjoy events over a special two-day holiday celebration at the Kaminski House Museum in historic Georgetown.

“Holiday Magic at the Kaminski House Museum” will include a Holiday Market, the annual Light Up the Lawn” event on Friday, Dec. 10, and on Saturday, Dec. 11, and the first time ever, rides on a carousel, which will be set up in the parking lot behind Buzz’s Roost in downtown Georgetown. Rides for families and children are scheduled on Friday, Dec. 10 from 3 to6. p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m.–1 to  p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. A licensed operator will oversee the carousel rides. Carousel rides are free to the community, made possible by generous community sponsorships.

The museum’s annual “Light Up the Lawn” event is scheduled on Friday, Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m. The museum’s Holiday Market is scheduled on the lawn of the Kaminski House Museum on Friday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. The market will feature local vendors and artisans and homemade foods and handcrafted items.

There will also be a concert featuring the Pawleys Island Concert Band on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Georgetown Business Association and is free to the community.

For more information visit the museum’s Facebook page by clicking here or call the museum office at 843-546-7706

Located at 1003 Front St.., the Kaminski House Museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are given at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Admission for adults is $12, seniors 65 and over $10, children 6–17 is $6.00. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge. For more information, visit the museum’s website here.

Yuletide Home Tour
Saturday, Dec. 11, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Friends of the Georgetown Library will present the Yuletide Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tour-decorated homes and churches throughout historic Georgetown will be open to the public for this special annual tour. Tickets, which are $20 per person for Friends members an $25 per person for non-members, are available at all branches of the Georgetown County Library System. For more information, contact Bob Wiley at rwiley1019@gmail.com.

Christmas on Front Street Concert
Saturday, Dec. 11, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Pawleys Island Concert Band will perform Christmas songs on Front Street in downtown Georgetown from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Santa Crawl on the Marsh Walk in Murrells Inlet
Saturday, Dec. 11, 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Another event for adults will be the Marsh Walk’s 7th Annual Santa Crawl, set for Dec. 11, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., participants can enjoy the delightful spirits with drinks from each restaurant on the Marsh Walk while feasting on the unforgettable festive flavors with amazing dinner specials. Secret Santas will be strolling the Marsh Walk looking for the best Christmas attire from 6 to 9 p.m. Be a Scrooge, Grinch, Santa, or perhaps an elf. 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 Marsh Walk is a half-mile-long boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary. The Marsh Walk 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 Mojo’s.
For more information visit www.marshwalk.com or call the MarshWalk answering service at (843) 497-3450.

Andrews Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 12, 3 p.m.

The Town of Andrews will hold its annual old-fashioned holiday celebration on Sunday, Dec. 12, starting at 3 p.m. The event includes a Christmas parade, vendors, merchant open houses, visits with Santa and a Christmas tree lighting. Andrews is a small rural agrarian South Carolina town whose main focus is on family, friends and church. Line-up for the parade will begin at 2 p.m. behind the Exxon gas station and Food Lion parking lot located at 430 E. Main St, Andrews. The parade will begin promptly at 3 p.m. and it will end at the National Guard Armory (401 W. Main St.). Deadline for entries is Wednesday, Dec. 8. For information, visit townofandrews.org, or call Town Hall at 843-264-8666.

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

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