Christmas Time is Here in Pawleys Island, SC!
Are you looking for a holiday getaway? Christmas in Pawleys Island, SC, is the perfect winter travel destination for you and your family! Hit the links, see a show, and enjoy tons of family fun on the Hammock Coast! Browse some of our favorite holiday traditions and can’t-miss things to do on your trip.
Now that you have your main attractions planned, start building the rest of your itinerary! Our FREE Vacation Guide gives you access to our favorite restaurants, shopping, golf courses, and more. It’s the ultimate planning tool for the perfect Pawleys Island getaway.
‘Tis the Season for Holiday Events
The Dickens Christmas Show and Festival
If you’re looking to get a jump start on holiday family fun, you’ll want to check out the Dickens Christmas Show and Festival. Literary fans and lovers of A Christmas Carol will cherish this festival experience! Located at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, it boasts 300 plus period-clad vendors and a variety of holiday fun. We recommend adding Victorian high tea or holiday-themed bus and historical walking tours like Lowcountry Holiday Traditions (Georgetown) or “Holiday of Yore” (Charleston). These tours will bus you to and from these historic locations, so they’re perfect for a day trip!
Night of a Thousand Candles
Awarded the “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina,” the Night of a Thousand Candles is our favorite holiday tradition on the Hammock Coast! Experience spectacular sights and sounds of Christmas at this must-see attraction. This event runs from late November through New Year’s, so there’s plenty of opportunities to attend!
Local Tip: Be sure to plan ahead and get your tickets in advance online!
The Carolina Opry Christmas Special
Stars from NBC’s The Voice and America’s Got Talent dazzle the stage in this Christmas variety show. Named the “Top Attraction in Myrtle Beach” by CNBC for 35 years, The Carolina Opry Christmas Special offers fun for the whole family. One reviewer recounted:
Ripley’s Festival of Trees
While you’re in the Myrtle Beach Area, explore a winter wonderland at Ripley’s Festival of Trees! This event “proudly celebrates the heritage and diversity of these Great United States,” with 55 trees each representing each of the US states and territories.
Local Tip: Try your hand at the scavenger hunt during this event. It’s fun and educational!
Embrace the Best of Family-Friendly Holiday Fun on Pawleys Island
If you happen to be heading to Pawleys Island this Christmas with the entire family in tow, you’re going to want to be sure to make time for a stop at the Hammock Shops. During the holidays, the Hammock Shops puts on a great Christmas Village experience that’s open to the public every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of December. The Christmas Village is the perfect place to grab those photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be visiting all the way from the North Pole. Afterward, the kids can take a ride on the Christmas train and enjoy some yummy treats! The event typically runs from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm and is well worth enjoying while you’re in the area this time of year.
Explore the MarshWalk and Participate in the Santa Crawl
The annual Santa Crawl on the MarshWalk in nearby Murrells Inlet is a must if you’re looking to elevate the holiday cheer factor this Christmas. This popular event showcases savory spirits and fantastic fare from a collection of restaurants that are featured on the MarshWalk. Participants are invited to dress in their holiday best and make their way from restaurant to restaurant enjoying the specials that are here for the holidays. Along the way, Secret Santas will stop in to judge who has the best Christmas costume on. Whether you win for your take on a Santa, elf, grinch, or Scrooge costume, the prizes are exciting! Winners are announced at The Claw House, and you’ve got to be there to pick up your prize. This is a fun, flavorful, and whimsical holiday event well worth adding to your Pawleys Island Christmas itinerary.
Enjoy the Wonderland of Lights
The MarshWalk is also the destination where Pawleys Island travelers can enjoy the Wonderland of Lights event over Christmas. This event invites guests to wander along the boardwalk and admire a spectacular display of holiday lights designed to inspire each year. There’s also a 40-foot Christmas tree situated on the pier providing a perfect backdrop for a holiday photo or two.
Browse the Holiday Designer’s Showcase
Year-round, a stop at the Kaminski House and museum is a great way to spend time in nearby Georgetown when you head to Pawleys Island in the name of vacation fun. During Christmas, it becomes the location of the annual Holiday Designer’s Showcase, giving visitors even more to look forward to. This event typically runs from November through the end of December and features set ups put together by incredibly talented interior designers and home decorators alike. Come enjoy the glitz and glamour that awaits as you take part in a museum guided tour filled with holiday flair. The Kaminski House Museum also hosts candlelight tours during the holidays which are both fun and magical. Tours are followed up with holiday treats and entertainment to look forward to as well. It’s an experience the entire family will be sure to love that just might bring you back a time or two during your holiday stay.
Book Your Stay in Pawleys Island
Start planning your vacation by booking a Dunes Beach Vacation Rental. Our rentals check all of the boxes with features like proximity to the beach, WiFi, pet-friendly rentals, and more! Our spacious family homes can accommodate everyone comfortably with plenty of room to celebrate.
