Introduction
The Great Christmas Light Show
You drive into the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex and follow a marked route through a park wide light display. The Great Christmas Light Show turns the complex into a seasonal drive through with more than two million lights spread along a two mile path. The city builds over five hundred custom displays, some as tall as fifty five feet. You roll your windows down, hear the reactions in your car, and watch animated scenes that change as you move. The route ends at Santa’s Village where you park, walk a lighted boardwalk, and grab hot chocolate. The setup is clear, festive, and easy to navigate in your own vehicle. ([parks.nmb.us](https://www.parks.nmb.us/433/The-Great-Christmas-Light-Show))
The show runs on set dates from late November through December with evening hours. You buy admission at the gate. Standard vehicles pay one price and larger vehicles pay a higher rate. The city posts exact dates, hours, and prices each season on its website. Santa’s Village opens on select nights at the start of the run, then opens nightly later in December. You get a short train ride, a slide for kids, a few small paid activities, and a large tree that cycles through a simple light show. Santa meets families in a covered area, and photo spots line the village. Volunteers keep lines moving. The village is flat and easy to walk. ([parks.nmb.us](https://www.parks.nmb.us/433/The-Great-Christmas-Light-Show))
Plan your visit with timing in mind. Weeknights move faster than weekends. Rain clears crowds. Lines form at the entrance thirty to sixty minutes before opening on peak nights. Bring snacks and music for the car. Follow posted signs for the vehicle type you drive. The route does not allow golf carts or trailers. Staff direct traffic around the loop and keep the line steady. If you only want the drive, you can exit at the end of the loop. If you want to walk the village, park as directed and give yourself thirty to forty five minutes to explore. The on site concessions sell simple seasonal items so you can warm up and keep moving. ([parks.nmb.us](https://www.parks.nmb.us/433/The-Great-Christmas-Light-Show))
Finding the entrance is simple. The park’s main address is 150 Citizens Circle in North Myrtle Beach. From US 17, take Robert Edge Parkway west toward SC 31 and follow signs into the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex. Staff and lighted message boards guide you to the entry gate. The complex has multiple entrances, so watch for cones and the illuminated sign for the show. The entire route stays inside the park, which keeps traffic off neighborhood streets and makes exit directions clear when you finish. ([parks.nmb.us](https://www.parks.nmb.us/433/The-Great-Christmas-Light-Show))
