North Myrtle Beach Announces Holiday Event Lineup and Great Christmas Light Show Dates

North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation has detailed its upcoming holiday event lineup, featuring the annual Great Christmas Light Show alongside seasonal parades, tree lightings, and family workshops. The festivities will begin in late November and run through the end of December.

The marquee event, The Great Christmas Light Show, will run from November 23 through December 30 at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, though it will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 26) and Christmas Day (December 25). Gates will open each evening from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., guiding visitors through a two-mile drive illuminated by more than two million lights. Santa's Village will open on select nights beginning November 27, expanding to nightly operations from December 10 through December 30.

Admission for the light show depends on vehicle size and whether Santa's Village is open. Standard vehicles are $20 on select non-village nights through December 9, and $25 on village nights. Oversized vehicles under 30 feet pay $50 on all nights, while charter buses 30 feet and over are $100 and are only admitted Monday through Thursday. Tickets must be purchased at the entrance gate upon arrival, as there are no advance or online sales. Golf carts, attached pull-behind trailers, boats, and flatbeds are strictly prohibited in the drive-through show.

The city is also hosting several companion events across local venues. Early visitors can participate in "Dashing Through the Glow," a two-mile non-competitive walk and run through the light display that finishes at Santa's Village with hot chocolate and costume prizes. Main Street will host the annual nighttime Christmas Parade featuring lighted floats, while McLean Park will serve as the site for the City Christmas Tree Lighting, complete with caroling, stage performances, and visits from Santa.

Pet owners can bring leashed, well-behaved dogs to the Large Dog Park at the NMB Park & Sports Complex for Pet Photos with Santa. Additionally, residents can register for a Wreath Making Workshop, where city staff will provide greenery and instruction; attendees need to bring their own wreath form, preferably made of straw.

These seasonal events offer local families, visitors, and area businesses a variety of ways to celebrate the holidays while supporting community gatherings across North Myrtle Beach parks and commercial districts. Attendees should plan ahead for traffic near event sites and prepare to pay admission at the gate for the drive-through display.