The holidays are the most wonderful time of year to visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for theater and live music-lovers, with a wide variety of Christmas-themed shows and concerts on the calendar throughout November and December. Guests at Bay View on the Boardwalk are close to some of the most entertaining venues on the Grand Strand and their annual holiday showcases.
With so many great shows on the Grand Strand for the holiday season, you could catch a different one every night and never see the same one twice during your Myrtle Beach retreat. But for those on a tight schedule or budget, deciding which shows are best for your family, friends and loved ones can be a chore. Here’s a sneak preview of this holiday season’s lineup:
* Alabama Theatre: Founded with the help of the country music supergroup by the same name (Alabama got its start as the house band at The Bowery, which is only a few blocks away from Bay View on the Boardwalk), this Barefoot Landing venue knows how to put on a down-home holiday celebration. An annual favorite that is updated each year, “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show” brings fans back time after time for its family-friendly entertainment, which includes singing and dancing to traditional songs, as well as some holiday humor by local yokel Ricky Mokel. Be sure to stick around for the big finish, which includes a grand entrance by Santa and photos with the jolly ol’ elf and the cast after the show., which runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.
* Legends in Concert: Folks who love the classics might have to do a double-take at this Broadway at the Beach theater, where tribute artists perform their best impersonations of big-name stars from the past half-century of stage and silver screen. Based in Las Vegas and rotating tribute artists throughout its 10-plus-theater circuit, Legends in Concert is famed for featuring some of the best in the business – and for staging amazing holiday-themed performances in Myrtle Beach by artists paying tribute to icons like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Nat King Cole and more. Enjoy a nice date night or family evening with dinner at one of the surrounding Broadway restaurants followed by a show that is a real blast from the past. The show runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.
* Pirates Voyage: “Ho! Ho! Arrgh!” That’s the kind of line you can expect from Captain Scrooge and the cast and crew of the Christmas dinner show at Pirates Voyage. Owned and operated by Dolly Parton, who has a history of providing family-friendly entertainment on the Grand Strand, this pirate-themed theater alters the script for the holidays with a high-seas version of the timeless “Christmas Carol” tale by Charles Dickens. The Christmas show also features some of the same highlights from the regular show, like acrobatics, diving, singing and swashbuckling. The Pirates Voyage Christmas Show runs Nov. 9 through Dec. 31.
* The Carolina Opry: Now gearing up for its 32nd season, “The Christmas Show of the South” returns to put locals and visitors in the holiday spirit with a holiday showcase of talented singers and dancers. Classic Christmas songs and high-tech special effects come together for a spectacular performance that attracts patrons year after year. The decorated lobby itself is worth a visit to see the 25,000 lights, 35 Christmas trees and real snow, but it’s the Christmas cheer delivered from the stage that will have even the biggest grinch in your party feeling the holiday spirit. The show runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 1.
After an inspirational evening at a local show, head back to your comfy oceanfront nest at Bay View on the Boardwalk for a good night’s sleep. After all, you have a full day of the beach, Boardwalk, pools, shopping, dining and maybe even another holiday show to do and see the next day during your Myrtle Beach getaway.
