Fun in Horry County for Fall and Winter

Discover Horry County: Fall Festivals, Holiday Traditions & Things to Do — October through December 2026

When many people think about Horry County, South Carolina, their first thought is naturally Myrtle Beach and our beautiful coastline. But once summer winds down, our communities offer an entirely different reason to enjoy the area.

From Halloween celebrations and small-town festivals to Christmas parades, millions of twinkling lights and longtime holiday traditions, October, November and December are wonderful months to explore Horry County.

October: Fall, Festivals & the City of Halloween

October brings one of the most unusual transformations in the area when Downtown Conway becomes the City of Halloween from October 1 through October 31.

Giant skeletons and elaborate decorations take over downtown, while special activities fill the calendar. The Halloween Hustle on October 3 gives runners and walkers a chance to experience the decorated city, while the Conway Ghost Walk, October 14–16, combines historic downtown Conway with Lowcountry storytelling.

Elsewhere in Horry County, fall festival season is in full swing.

The Little River ShrimpFest, October 10–11, brings live music, vendors, family activities and plenty of seafood to the historic Little River waterfront.

Then head inland on October 17 for the Loris Bog-Off Festival. What began as a chicken bog cooking competition has become a much-loved community celebration featuring food, entertainment, crafts and activities.

Myrtle Beach has its own October lineup, including the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon on October 10 and the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival October 16–18.

And don't forget that October is simply a beautiful time to enjoy the beach, Boardwalk, SkyWheel and many outdoor attractions with cooler fall temperatures.

November: Horry County Gets Ready for the Holidays

November begins the transition from fall festivals to holiday celebrations.

Downtown Conway holds its Holiday Open House on November 8, giving visitors an opportunity to explore local shops and restaurants and get an early start on Christmas shopping.

In Myrtle Beach, the Dickens Christmas Show & Festivals, November 12–15, transforms the Myrtle Beach Convention Center into a Victorian-inspired holiday marketplace.

It's also the season when our area's popular Christmas productions return, including the Carolina Opry Christmas Special.

North Myrtle Beach begins lighting up in November as well. Dashing Through the Glow, November 20–21, lets participants walk or run through the holiday lights before the Great Christmas Light Show opens November 23 at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex.

The drive-through experience features more than two million lights and hundreds of displays, with Santa's Village available on select evenings.

December: Christmas Across Horry County

By December, you'll find Christmas celebrations throughout the county.

Conway's Christmas Tree Lighting is December 3, followed by the Rivertown Christmas Celebration and Living Windows on December 10 and the Conway Christmas Parade on December 12.

In North Myrtle Beach, the Christmas Parade on December 5 fills Main Street with lighted floats and vehicles, while the Great Christmas Light Show continues through December 30.

Surfside Beach joins the festivities with its Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on December 3 and Christmas Parade on December 12.

Meanwhile, Myrtle Beach's attractions, theaters, shopping areas and entertainment venues are dressed for the season, making December a great time to rediscover some of the places we sometimes take for granted as locals.

More Than Just the Beach

What makes Horry County special isn't one attraction or one community.

Myrtle Beach brings entertainment and our famous coastline. North Myrtle Beach has its Main Street traditions and beach-music heritage. Little River offers waterfront charm and fishing history. Conway combines historic character with a vibrant downtown. Surfside Beach embraces its family-beach atmosphere, while communities such as Aynor and Loris preserve the small-town traditions and Southern hospitality that remain such an important part of Horry County.

You can spend an October evening surrounded by giant skeletons in Conway, enjoy fresh seafood along the Little River waterfront, celebrate chicken bog in Loris, and return a few weeks later to drive through millions of Christmas lights.

That's Horry County—and there's a whole lot more here than just the beach.

I'm Beth Ross, Broker/Owner of Carolina Pines Realty, Inc. I enjoy sharing information about the communities we serve as much as I enjoy helping people with their real estate needs.

Whether you already call Horry County home, are considering relocating to our area, or are simply coming for a visit, I hope you'll take some time this fall and holiday season to discover the communities, people and traditions that make our part of South Carolina special.

Carolina Pines Realty, Inc.
Your Northeast South Carolina Experts
Beth Ross, Broker/Owner
843-333-6113 | 843-353-0393