Celebrating the holidays in Myrtle Beach can mean different things to different people. Residents and tourists alike have their pick from an array of Christmas-themed events. From ice-skating displays to pictures with Kris Kringle himself, you and your family are sure to make your own holiday memories in Myrtle Beach.
The Palace Theatre is a happening place all year round. Located at the Broadway at the Beach Entertainment Complex, the Palace puts on a couple different events each December. Rounding out the year's Broadway series is a contemporary holiday show. In 2010, "The Nunsense Christmas Musical" presented the story of the first television special starring an all-nun cast. The satirical show included parody songs of some favorite Christmas carols. Examples were "Santa Ain't Comin' to Our House," "Twelve Days Prior to Christmas" and "We Three Kings of Orient Are Us."
Those who enjoy a more traditional Christmas show can still attend a performance. In 2010. the Palace also presented its first "Christmas on Ice," a two-hour holiday treat featuring championship ice skaters and premiere dancers who perform routines to traditional Christmas songs. The show was created by the same company that puts on "Spirit of the Dance." Songs on the set list include "Winter Wonderland," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Away in a Manger," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Let It Snow" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," among others.
Each year since 2001, the Ripley's Aquarium hosts the Festival of Trees. More than 50 trees are set up throughout the aquarium, and all of them are adorned with various ornaments and other decorations. Each tree represents a state and displays the various diversity aspects of American culture. In the outside plaza will be a 20-foot tree decorated in red, white and blue. The trees are on display until the end of December
Along with the tree display, Ripley's Aquarium also presents a holiday-themed scavenger hunt and Christmas tree trivia game.
Those looking for some lap time with Santa should head down to the Inlet Square Mall. The mall begins snapping pictures with St. Nick in mid-November and continues until Dec. 20. Four-legged friends can also get the chance to tell him what they want for Christmas, too. The mall opens its clientele to pets on Monday nights only.
Other holiday events in Myrtle Beach include Christmas for the Homeless, a new toy and gift drive to help those less fortunate, and 12 Improv Games of Christmas, a sketch comedy show where actors take cues from audience members to perform holiday-themed hilarity.
