From oyster roasts and Renaissance fun to Thanksgiving races, Christmas lights and holiday traditions, November brings plenty to do across the Grand Strand.
November is one of those months when you get a little bit of everything along the Grand Strand. Fall is still hanging on, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and by the second half of the month, Christmas lights and holiday celebrations begin popping up from Murrells Inlet to North Myrtle Beach.
Whether you’re looking for good food, live music, local art, family fun or an early dose of Christmas spirit, here are some of the biggest events happening around the Grand Strand this November.
22nd Annual Murrells Inlet Oyster Roast
November 7 | Wicked Tuna, Murrells Inlet
Come hungry for one of Murrells Inlet’s favorite fall traditions. The annual Oyster Roast returns to the Wicked Tuna parking lot from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all-you-can-eat oysters, live music, local craft vendors and waterfront views.
Tickets include oysters, an oyster bucket and event koozie, with additional food and drinks available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Murrells Inlet 29576 and its work supporting the local community and environment.
Mythical & Medieval Fest
November 7–8 & 14–15 | RH Acres, Socastee
Knights, Vikings, fairies and fire performers take over RH Acres for two weekends during Myrtle Beach’s only Renaissance festival.
The family-friendly event includes medieval combat, a fairy forest, artisan vendors, live music, Viking games, demonstrations and plenty of costumes. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day and benefits Caleb’s Dragonfly Dreams, a local nonprofit serving children in shelters and group homes.
Dickens Christmas Show & Festivals
November 12–15 | Myrtle Beach Convention Center
The holiday season gets an early start when the Myrtle Beach Convention Center transforms into a Victorian Christmas marketplace.
The Dickens Christmas Show brings together hundreds of costumed vendors offering gifts, crafts, holiday décor, specialty foods and more, along with entertainment, festive displays and visits with Santa. If you like to start Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving, this is one of the Grand Strand’s biggest holiday traditions.
Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival
November 13–14 | Downtown Myrtle Beach
New to the November calendar, the inaugural Myrtle Beach Songwriters Festival brings more than 50 singer-songwriters, musicians and poets to venues throughout downtown Myrtle Beach.
The free festival focuses on original music and the stories behind the songs, with performances happening at local restaurants, breweries and gathering spaces throughout downtown.
Art in the Park
November 14–15 | Valor Park at The Market Common
Spend the weekend browsing original artwork during Art in the Park, a longtime Grand Strand tradition hosted by the Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild.
More than 70 artist tents are expected at Valor Park, with works ranging from painting and photography to pottery, jewelry, woodworking and glass. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and admission is free.
Broadway at the Beach Tree Lighting
November 14 | 6–8 p.m.
Christmas arrives at Broadway at the Beach with an evening of live performances, Santa and the lighting of its 46-foot Christmas tree.
The celebration begins at 6 p.m. at The Hangout stage and wraps up with fireworks over Lake Broadway at 8 p.m.
24th Annual Lip Rippin’ Chilympics
November 15 | Wicked Tuna, Murrells Inlet
If oysters aren’t enough, head back to Murrells Inlet for another food-centered fall tradition.
The Chilympics runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with chili teams competing for bragging rights and visitors sampling their way through the entries. Live music, local vendors, craft beverages and a KidsZone round out the day, with proceeds supporting the Sea Beyond Foundation.
Holiday Tree Lightings Around the Grand Strand
November 21 | The Market Common & Barefoot Landing
Two major Grand Strand destinations officially flip the switch on Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving.
At The Market Common, the Annual Tree Lighting & Holiday Market runs from 6 to 8 p.m. with Santa’s arrival, live performances, holiday vendors, treats and carriage rides.
At Barefoot Landing, Lighting of the Landing also begins at 6 p.m. with holiday performances, Santa, the tree lighting and a fireworks show over the water.
The Great Christmas Light Show
November 23–December 30 | North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex
More than two million lights and over 500 displays illuminate a two-mile drive through the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex.
The Great Christmas Light Show opens November 23 and runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with Santa’s Village opening on select nights beginning November 27. The show is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trots
November 26 | Across the Grand Strand
Before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner, plenty of locals will be starting the morning with a 5K.
Turkey Trots are scheduled at The Market Common, Barefoot Landing and Surfside Beach, all beginning at 8 a.m. Each also offers a free Gobbler Kids’ Dash for younger runners. The Surfside race starts near the pier and takes participants along Ocean Boulevard, making for a particularly scenic Thanksgiving morning.
Nights of a Thousand Candles
November 27–29 | Brookgreen Gardens
One of the area’s most recognizable holiday traditions returns Thanksgiving weekend.
Brookgreen Gardens comes alive with more than 2,700 hand-lit candles, millions of sparkling lights, holiday music and seasonal refreshments. The first three evenings of the 2026 season run from 4 to 9 p.m. November 27–29, with additional dates throughout December and into early January.
Springmaid Craft Show
November 27–28 | DoubleTree Resort / The Ellie Beach Resort
After nearly a decade away, the Springmaid Craft Show returns to Myrtle Beach for Thanksgiving weekend.
Three floors of vendors will offer handmade holiday décor, artwork, coastal gifts, specialty foods and other finds from regional artisans. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with free admission and parking plus appearances from Santa.
Intracoastal Christmas Regatta
November 28 | Little River to North Myrtle Beach
Holiday lights take to the water during one of the Grand Strand’s favorite Thanksgiving weekend traditions, the Intracoastal Christmas Regatta.
Decorated boats begin at Little River Inlet around 5 p.m. and travel south along the Intracoastal Waterway toward Dock Holidays Marina. The floating parade is free to watch, and spectators are encouraged to bring toy or supply donations benefiting local children.
From Fall Favorites to Holiday Traditions
November may begin with oysters, chili and fall festivals, but it doesn’t take long for the Grand Strand to shift into full holiday mode.
By Thanksgiving weekend, you can run a Turkey Trot in the morning, shop for local gifts in the afternoon and spend the evening surrounded by Christmas lights—whether you’re strolling through Brookgreen Gardens, driving through North Myrtle Beach or walking beside the ocean in downtown Myrtle Beach.
However you choose to spend it, November offers plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the Grand Strand before the holiday season really gets underway.
Event dates, schedules, admission prices and other details may change. Check directly with event organizers before attending.
