46. Intracoastal Christmas Regatta
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 280-6354
Description: On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, dozens of vessels get decked out for the holidays. Beginning at 5 p.m., boats launch from Little River Inlet and travel down the waterway for an estimated 7 p.m. arrival at Dock Holiday’s Marina at 13th Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach. Viewing sites encompass the restaurants along the Little River waterfront, the Riverboat Restaurant at North Myrtle Beach Marina, the Blue Marlin Yacht and Fishing Club at Anchor Marina, and Marker 350 at Harbourgate Marina. (See the Boating chapter for extensive information on each of these marinas.)The regatta benefits local children’s charities and spurs an annual toy collection for needy kids. Participating boaters pay a $40 entry fee or donate new, unwrapped toys. The event offers a $1,200 grand prize.
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
50. Cammy Awards
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 342-2262, (843) 272-1111
Description: The celebration of the Cammy Awards (Carolina’s Magic Music Years) began in 1995 as an exciting party for performers and fans of Carolina Beach Music. Fourteen bands entertained at the first awards show held in Salisbury, North Carolina. In 1998 the Cammys moved to North Myrtle Beach, and the Cammy Weekend was born. During this fun-filled weekend in Nov, entertainers perform at various beach clubs on Friday and Saturday nights. A Band Fair is held prior to the awards show on Sunday afternoon, and a VIP party, held after the awards event, has become a beloved tradition. The show honors winners in various categories and honors the memory of the pioneers who originated this music and helped make it great.
51. “Merrily Myrtle,” A Holiday Celebration
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 626-7444
Description: Enjoy Merrily Myrtle by the sea in the Myrtle Beach area from Nov through Dec. The holiday season shines as the entire beach comes to life with beautiful, holiday decorations. The inviting sights and sounds of the Myrtle Beach area ensure a warm welcome to visitors. All sorts of special events make up the celebration, from Thanksgiving and Christmas services to concerts, parades, children’s events, arts and crafts exhibits, festivals, sporting activities, and a slew of New Year’s Eve extravaganzas. There is something on the agenda to dazzle both young and old.
52. The Jack Monroe Beach Ride
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 282-2903
Description: Hundreds of horses trot along the Grand Strand shoreline for this annual event that raises money to fight heart disease and stroke. Nearly 1,300 riders raise in excess of $300,000 in this unique event. The name was changed from simply “Ride-a-Thon” to the “Jack Monroe Beach Ride” to honor a longtime supporter. Registration fee for adults is $150. Group rates are available for 15 riders or more. After the 20-mile hike on horseback, entrants are treated to a barbecue lunch, awards ceremony, and a raffle. The horses are led along the beach by a police escort, and the public is invited to watch from the sidelines.
53. Christmas Tour Of Homes
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 249-6449
Description: Like its Georgetown cousin, this Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by the North Myrtle Beach Women’s Club, gives one the chance to see stately homes dressed up for the Yuletide season. Six abodes are opened to the public for one afternoon in Dec. Proceeds from the event help a mix of charities, such as Children’s Hospice, the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad, the North Myrtle Beach Animal Shelter, and various scholarship funds.
54. Beach Ball Classic
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 213-0032
Description: Sponsored by an impressive variety of local businesses since its inception in 1980, the Beach Ball Classic in late Dec is always an exciting showcase of this country’s best high-school basketball talent. Teams are rated and selected to play in this tournament before standing-room-only crowds of cheering fans, basketball enthusiasts, and college scouts. To give you an idea of the kind of talent to expect at the classic, check out this impressive list of former Beach Ball stars that wound up in the NBA: Kenny Anderson, Grant Hill, Jimmy Jackson, Don MacLean, Jerrod Mustaf, Billy Owens, Cherokee Parks, Rasheed Wallace, and Dontonio Wingfield. Games start each day at 3:30 p.m. and culminate around 10 p.m. An admission fee is announced close to tournament time.
55. Scada (North-South All-Star Football Game)
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (864) 573-7627
Description: As the name implies, this mid-Dec game showcases the best young players from the northern and southern portions of South Carolina. The teams battle it out on the field, while college scouts get a good look at potential recruits. In the past, head coaches and representatives from Clemson University, the University of North Carolina, and Wake Forest University were on hand to assess the skills of 88 hopeful high schoolers. Tickets for the event cost $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.
56. Springmaid Beach Craft Show
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 315-7162
Address: 3200 South Ocean Blvd.
Description: This early-December event includes more than 300 booths, representing craftspeople and artists alike. Some 20,000 showgoers are treated to an incredible array of quilts, jewelry, clothing, woodcrafts, baskets, stained-glass dollhouses, and collectibles, plus wreaths and decorations for the holiday season. The Springmaid Beach Craft Show is open to the public, with booths found both indoors and outdoors. Admission is free.
57. Georgetown County Festival Of Trees
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 546-3410
Description: Delight in the true spirit of Christmas by attending the Hospice of Georgetown County’s Festival of Trees. Breakfast with Santa kicks off festivities on a Saturday morning in early December, and attractions include a breathtaking display of uniquely decorated Fraser firs and a variety of music and entertainment. The Christmas Shop, Country Kitchen, and Santa’s Shop offer lots of opportunities for shortening your shopping list, too. Call for a complete schedule.
58. Nights Of A Thousand Candles
City: Myrtle Beach, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 235-6025, (843) 235-6016
Description: Come enjoy three weekends of wonder and beauty as these beautiful gardens are decorated for the holidays in a natural style, complemented by luminaria along the paths and twinkle lights throughout. There are special dramatic and musical performances, a Lowcountry oyster roast, and more, all guaranteed to put you in a festive spirit. The cost is $15 for ages 13 and older, $6 for children 6 to 12. The event has been so successful that sellout crowds are always anticipated, so do take time to call in advance or visit the Web site to reserve tickets for you and your family.