Five Events that make a Hammock Coast Christmas special

Vacationers in search of a destination with an abundance of holiday spirit will be flocking to South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® this December.

Long renowned for its casual charm, the Hammock Coast goes all out for the Christmas season.

The area’s natural beauty, congenial nature, and small-town charm have made it a favorite of holiday travelers. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway to celebrate the season, here’s a sampling of the Hammock Coast events that are worth the trip.

Nights of a Thousand Candles – Brookgreen Gardens
Nov. 25 – Dec. 31

This is a bucket-list experience. Brookgreen comes to life under the glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and countless lights, as people flock to one of the most popular holiday events in the Southeast. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and stroll the grounds at Brookgreen with holiday music playing in the background. Travel + Leisure named Nights of a Thousand Candles the “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina,” and it won’t take you long to realize why. Keep in mind, you must purchase tickets in advance.

Georgetown Christmas Parade
Dec. 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

There are few things more charming than a Christmas parade in a small town that embraces the event, and Georgetown, a working waterfront community, delivers. The parade travels along historic Front Street, allowing attendees to take in the area’s natural beauty, food, and shopping after the final float passes. Enjoy the holiday festivities in one of America’s most charming small towns, so declared by both Southern Living and USA Today, no less!

Yuletide Tour of Homes – Georgetown
Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Eight homes in Georgetown’s famed historic district will be shining even more brightly this year, with twinkling lights, mantles festooned with fragrant boughs, heirloom holiday ornaments hung with care, and the smell of cinnamon in the air. In addition, two venerable houses of worship will open their doors to tour goers. Tickets for the tour are $25 and proceeds benefit the Georgetown County Public Library.

Atalaya Holiday Craft Market at Huntington Beach State Park
Dec. 2 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Artisans from across the area descend on Huntington Beach State Park to display their wares at beautiful Atalaya Castle. In addition to the craft show, the event will feature vendors, food and gifts, appealing to the entire family. Admission is just $5, and attendees will also have the opportunity to experience everything Huntington Beach State Park has to offer — a pristine beach, nature trails and abundant wildlife.

Treasured Holiday Memories exhibit at Brookgreen Gardens
Nov. 24 – Jan. 1, 2024

The theme of this always-popular exhibit is trains and treasured memories of holidays past, with a special emphasis on paintings of Angela Trotta Thomas this year. Located in Rosen Galleries, Lionel and American Flyer trains will travel landscapes built by the Brookgreen staff with views inspired by Jurassic Park, Hogwarts, Toy Story, and The Polar Express. The Treasured Holiday Memories exhibit is independent of Nights of a Thousand Candles and is open to daytime visitors to Brookgreen, as well.

There are numerous other holiday activities along the Hammock Coast you will want to check out, but these five should be near the top of your list.

For more information on everything happening along the Hammock Coast during the holiday season, visit www.HammockCoastSC.com.

About South Carolina’s Hammock Coast

Georgetown County’s casual charm and Southern hospitality earned it the nickname Hammock Coast. Adventure and relaxation blend together in perfect harmony, like the flowing and ebbing of waves on the county’s famed beaches. With six communities – Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Georgetown and Andrews – comprising the pristine coastal area between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, visitors can experience South Carolina’s Hammock Coast like never before.