Myrtle Beach Holiday Season 2026: Thanksgiving to New Year’s

The Grand Strand is quieter in late fall than in summer, and a few holiday events run on set nights. Two of them are Brookgreen Gardens’ candlelight evenings in Murrells Inlet and North Myrtle Beach’s drive-through light show. Every date and price below comes from the organizer’s own page, read on October 30, 2026. Shortlist condos and beach houses on Myrtle Beach rentals, then book on the property site. See also things to do and the winter packing guide.

Quick answer

Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles runs on select nights from November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027, 4–9 p.m., with dated tickets. North Myrtle Beach’s Great Christmas Light Show runs November 23 to December 30, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 5, at 5:30 p.m. We do not guess at sell-outs or crowd levels.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2026.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Thursday, December 31, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.

Many rentals set their own minimum stay for these nights, and it can differ from the rest of the season. Read the minimum for your exact dates on the booking site, not the general winter rule.

Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet)

From Brookgreen Gardens’ event page and know-before-you-go page:

2026–27 nights: November 27–29; December 3–6, 10–13, 17–20 and 29–31; January 1–3, 2027. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the gardens close at 9 p.m.
Tickets: $40 for adults and $20 for children 4–12 (members $35 and $15). Brookgreen says to buy only on its own site or through its ticketing partner, Leap Events. It cannot guarantee tickets bought anywhere else.
On the night: parking is free. The event goes ahead in rain unless Brookgreen posts a weather closure. Pets are not allowed, other than trained service animals. Bring your own wheelchair or scooter, because the gardens do not lend them.

Brookgreen is in Murrells Inlet, at the south end of the area. A rental in Murrells Inlet or Surfside Beach is the shorter drive on candle nights.

North Myrtle Beach: the light show, Santa’s Village and the parade

From North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation’s Christmas in North Myrtle Beach page:

The Great Christmas Light Show: a drive-through at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, open November 23 to December 30, 2026. It is closed Thanksgiving Day (November 26) and Christmas Day (December 25). Gates are open 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Admission: $25 per standard vehicle on Santa’s Village nights, and $20 on select non-Village nights through December 9. Tickets are sold only at the gate, with no online or advance sales. Golf carts and anything towed are not allowed.
Santa’s Village: Thursday to Sunday only from November 27 to December 6, then nightly December 10–30, except Christmas Day.
Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street, per the city’s parade page.

What to confirm before you pay

The minimum stay and cancellation terms for your holiday nights.
Whether an indoor or heated pool is actually open in December, if the kids are counting on it. See rentals with pool access.
Which town the pin is in, since drive times to Brookgreen and to North Myrtle Beach differ. See the neighborhood guide.
Typical December weather: Myrtle Beach weather by month.

If one feature matters for a holiday stay, start with these Myrtle Beach pages; each lists only rentals whose own listing title or website mentions that feature: Myrtle Beach rentals with a pool (28), Oceanfront rentals in Myrtle Beach (40), Myrtle Beach condo rentals (34), Myrtle Beach rentals with a hot tub (11). Confirm the feature and the holiday minimum stay with the owner or manager in writing before you pay.

FAQ

When is Nights of a Thousand Candles in 2026?

November 27–29; December 3–6, 10–13, 17–20 and 29–31; and January 1–3, 2027. Hours are 4–9 p.m. Buy tickets only through Brookgreen or Leap Events.

Is the North Myrtle Beach light show open on Christmas Day?

No. It is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and it ends December 30.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then finish on the site linked from the listing.

Start browsing stays

Sources

Brookgreen Gardens — Nights of a Thousand Candles (read October 30, 2026)
Brookgreen Gardens — Know Before You Go (read October 30, 2026)
North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation — Christmas in North Myrtle Beach (read October 30, 2026)
City of North Myrtle Beach — Christmas Parade (read October 30, 2026)

Things to do · Winter packing · Weather by month · Rental tips · Christmas week beach and mountain rentals