You've heard the old carol “The 12 Days of Christmas,” and probably even sang it a time or two when you have an hour to spare. But you may not know that Myrtle Beach offers at least 50 days of Christmas fun this holiday season without having to repeat the same verses over and over.
You can do something to get in the holiday spirit everyday during your stay at Bay View Resort on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront. While we don't have the time, space or breath to sing the praises of the Grand Strand's Christmas scene, we can list 12 things to put on your holiday wish list of things to do this season:
1) Bay View guests are in the heart of all the excitement this Christmas season with the Holidays at the Boardwalk festivities. Guests can stroll to Plyler Park for free light shows, live entertainment, camel rides, hot chocolate and more.
2) The unofficial start of the holiday season begins in November with the unveiling of the annual Christmas shows at local theaters. Featuring traditional Christmas music performed with brilliant displays of singing, dancing and even ice skating. The holiday spirit fills the air at the Palace Theatre, Pirates Voyage, Alabama Theatre and Carolina Opry.
3) There's something fishy this holiday season at Ripley's Aquarium, like the appearance of trees. The Festival of Trees runs through Christmas and features 50 trees decorated to represent each state in the union. Oh yeah, there are lots of sharks looking for a holiday feast, too.
4) The classic holiday tale “A Christmas Story” comes alive at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center with unique displays, children's activities and a village market where guests can shop for gifts and holiday decor.
5) Market Common is especially beautiful at Christmas time. See the lights come alive and illuminate the urban shopping village at dusk.
6) “Five Shopping Malls!” Visit Coastal Grand Mall, Inlet Square Mall, Myrtle Beach Mall and two separate Tanger Outlet Stores. That list doesn't even include all the shops at Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing and Market Common.
7) Santa strolls through the Grand Strand at many annual street parades. Floats decorated red and green will line up in Conway (Dec. 12, 10 a.m.) and Surfside Beach (Dec. 12, 2 p.m.). Find a good spot and wave to Santa as he comes to town.
8) One of the most spectacular Christmas displays on the East Coast comes to Murrells Inlet for Brookgreen Garden's “Nights of a Thousand Candles” festival. On Thursdays through Saturdays, Dec. 3-19, the 9,000-acre botanical garden is illuminated by more than 5,000 candles. Visitors enjoy live entertainment, refreshments and awe-inspiring views.
9) The main Myrtle Beach Christmas tree lighting is Dec. 12 at the Myrtle Beach Convention center as part of the annual Christmas Towne celebration. After an indoor festival featuring arts and crafts and children's activities, the excitement spills outside to the plaza where Santa will flip the switch on the city's official tree.
10) The most important meal of the day is especially critical to Santa, who has to fuel up before traveling around the world with only cookies and milk to snack on. Santa is carbo-loading in Myrtle Beach before he flies the friendly skies, and you can join him at any of these “Breakfast With Santa” events: Hard Rock Cafe in Myrtle Beach, the North Myrtle Beach Community Center on Dec. 12 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Market Common on Dec. 5, 12 and 19 (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.), Surfside Beach at the Golden Egg on Dec. 19 (9 to 10:30 a.m.), and the Childrens Museum of South Carolina on Dec. 23.
11) The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is converted into Christmas Towne on Sunday, Dec. 6, with lots of holiday activities, entertainment, children's games and play area and the City of Myrtle Beach's official tree lighting ceremony at dusk.
12) Experience the holidays in the small Southern town of Conway, about 15 miles inland from Bay View Resort, for the Rivertown Christmas Celebration on Dec. 17. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic downtown, watch a holiday pet costume contest and visit with Santa.
OK, so we don't have any turtle doves, but our 12 Days of Christmas list blows away the original version. Book your Christmas plans to stay at Bay View Resort and get ready for a fun-filled holiday season.
