Festive events planned for holiday season near Pawleys Island

From parades and home tours to light displays and live music performances, the Pawleys Island area offers a variety of events during the holiday season.
Holiday events start in November and continue through Christmas and the new year.

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 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:

Pawleys Christmas Festival at Island Shops
Saturday, Nov. 19, 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. 19, 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 details @islandshopspi.

MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights in Murrells Inlet
Nov. 25 to Dec. 30

Visitors of Murrells Inlet this holiday season will be in for a special treat as they stroll along the Murrells Inlet waterfront. The new MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights walk-through experience will be open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, except for Dec. 10 when there will be a special event called the Santa Crawl. There will also be a Santa’s Village and Vendor’s Market open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the same time, with children’s activities, and visits with Santa and other Christmas characters.

The Wonderland of Lights will feature stunning arches with thousands of lights themed to Christmas songs, a lit-up 40-foot LED-lit Christmas tree on or near 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.

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 Mojo’s Marina Bar and Grille.

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

Treasured Holiday Memories exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens
Saturday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Jan. 2

The theme of this traditional holiday exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens in the Rosen Galleries 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.

New this year are views inspired by “Jurassic Park,” along with favorites inspired by “Thomas and Friends,” “The Polar Express,” “Hogwarts,” and “Toy Story.”  Also returning are “Amusement Park and Pavilion,” evoking the views and sounds of the historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion, and 1950s vintage trains from a private collector.

Outdoors, during Nights of a Thousand Candles, you will find a G-scale train display on the lawn in front of the pool in the Jewell Plaza. The “Station and Roundhouse,” “Old West Town,” and the “700 Block of Front Street, Georgetown, SC” will return in an expanded layout. Beautiful holiday lights will illuminate the sculpture, Egrets, by Babette Bloch in the center of the G-scale train display. Trains will run only during Nights of a Thousand Candles.

This exhibit is free with garden admission. For more information, visit www.brookgreen.org.

Nights of a Thousand Candles Preview Benefit
Friday, Nov. 25, from 6 to 9 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 $150 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
Saturday, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 9 p.m.

The Nights of a Thousand Candles goes into full swing beginning Saturday, Nov. 26, 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. 26 to Jan. 1. 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. 26-27, Dec. 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 28-31, and Jan. 1. 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.
This year, USA Today/10 Best has placed it in the running to be named Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in America for the third year 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, 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 ticket information, call 844-271-3410, or visit the website at www.brookgreen.org.

Georgetown Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Boat Parade
Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Enjoy live entertainment and Georgetown’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting followed by a lighted Boat Parade hosted by the SC Maritime Museum. Entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and the tree lighting will start at 7:15 p.m., followed by the boat parade.  

The Christmas Lighted Boat Parade will offer a display of holiday lights in the Georgetown Harbor along the Harborwalk. All boats in the parade are lit up and many will play holiday music as they cruise by spectators. Prizes will be awarded for Best Crew and Best in Show.

Shine Bright Tree-Lighting Ceremony at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church
Friday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m.

Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church will present a Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting on the church campus on Friday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. 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.

Historic Georgetown Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 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 begin along Front Street in historic Georgetown from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Designed to spread holiday cheer and get 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.

Holiday Magic at the Kaminski House Museum in Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 3 through Friday, Dec. 23, from 11 to 3 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 events will include several events on Saturday, Dec. 3: A Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Holiday Wreath Auction from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and Light Up the Lawn at 5:30 p.m., Candlelight Tours, and Family Night. Guided tours are Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are adults $12, seniors 65 and over $10, and children 6-17, $6. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge. There will also be special Candlelight Tours on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each for members, $15 for non-members. 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.

Christmas with Friends of Atalaya in Huntington Beach State Park
Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Friends of Huntington Beach State Park will hold its annual Atalaya Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 3, 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, visit https://southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach, or call the park at (843) 237-4440.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, Dec. 3, 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. 3, from 4 to 7 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 Park, toward the south end of the Inlet. Admission is free.

Toys, Trains and Candy Canes Kringle Krawl in Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 3, 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. 3. The party starts at Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn and then participants will “Krawl” to different bars and restaurants 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.

The Sounds of Christmas with the Paul Grimshaw Band at Winyah Auditorium
Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.

The Winyah Auditorium, a premier performing arts venue in downtown Georgetown, will present The Sounds of Christmas with the Paul Grimshaw Band at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec .3. For information, visit winyahauditorium.org or call the Winyah Auditorium at (843) 461-1342.

A One-Man Christmas Carol by Bill Oberst Jr. at Winyah Auditorium
Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m.

Georgetown native Bill Oberst Jr. will perform his one-man show of Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at the Winyah Auditorium. Oberst takes his Christmas Carol seriously. The actor’s recitation of the classic tale is as true to Dickens as is possible…with only one guy in the cast. Oberst’s solo performance, A One-Man Christmas Carol, is a frantic one-act in what the actor jokingly calls “slightly abridged” form, with a run time of just under an hour. Tickets are $20 per person. For information, visit winyahauditorium.org or call the Winyah Auditorium at (843) 461-1342.

Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade
Sunday, Dec. 4, 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.

A Christmas Contata: Voices of Community at Winyah Auditorium
Saturday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m.

The Winyah Auditorium, a premier performing arts venue in downtown Georgetown, will present The Sounds of Christmas with a Christmas Contata: Voices of Community on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m. For information, visit winyahauditorium.org or call the Winyah Auditorium at (843) 461-1342.

Yuletide Home Tour
Saturday, Dec. 10, 1 to 5 p.m.

The Friends of the Georgetown Library will present the Yuletide Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 10, 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 and $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.

Ice Skating in Georgetown
Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Ice skating has come 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! This event is sponsored by the Georgetown Business Association.

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

Another event for adults will be the MarshWalk’s annual Santa Crawl, set for Dec. 10, 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 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 5pm-7pm 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 Mojo’s.
For more information visit www.marshwalk.com or call the MarshWalk answering service at (843) 497-3450.

Andrews Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 11, at 3 p.m.

The Town of Andrews will hold its annual old-fashioned holiday celebration on Sunday, Dec. 11, 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. 7. There is no entry fee. For information, visit the Town of Andrews Facebook page, or call Town Hall at 843-264-8666.

Sounds of Christmas with Craig Sorrells Project and Tru Sol Band at Winyah Auditorium
Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.

The Winyah Auditorium, a premier performing arts venue in downtown Georgetown, will present Sounds of Christmas with Craig Sorrells Project and Tru Sol Band on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. For information, visit winyahauditorium.org or call the Winyah Auditorium at 843-461-1342.

Compiled by Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce