Festivals & Events
Guide to Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens
Nights of a Thousand Candles is perhaps the Grand Strand’s most anticipated annual event of the holiday season. This event, which takes place each December at Brookgreen Gardens, features thousands of lights and hand-lit candles illuminating the beautiful 
sculpture gardens. Travel + Leisure named Nights of 1000 Candles the “best Christmas lights in South Carolina!”
If you’ve never been to Nights of a Thousand Candles, we’ve put together this guide to enjoying this unforgettable event.
Nights of a Thousand Candles kicks off Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, and then will take place the following Saturday and Sunday and every Wednesday through Sunday up until Jan. 4 (also Tuesday, Dec. 30). The gardens will be open from from 4-9 p.m. each night, and the event is held rain or shine unless conditions are too dangerous for the venue’s staff and volunteers. Brookgreen Gardens is located in Murrells Inlet, about 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach.
Live Entertainment Schedule
Two musical acts will be performing each night at the Tidelands Health Entertainment Tent. There will also be a professional bagpiper strolling through the gardens during performances. You can find the entertainment lineup listed below.
| Friday, Nov 28 | Joshua Alan Solo | Channel Bluff |
| Saturday, Nov 29 | Three Day Weekend | Prettier Than Matt |
| Sunday, Nov 30 | Three Day Weekend | Prettier Than Matt |
| Wednesday, Dec 3 | Three Day Weekend | Gullah Christmas, Ron & Natalie Daise |
| Thursday, Dec 4 | Paul Grimshaw | Gullah Christmas, Ron & Natalie Daise |
| Friday, Dec 5 | Paul Grimshaw | Gullah Christmas, Ron & Natalie Daise |
| Saturday, Dec 6 | Paul Grimshaw | Gullah Christmas, Ron & Natalie Daise |
| Sunday, Dec 7 | Three Day Weekend | Gullah Christmas, Ron & Natalie Daise |
| Wednesday, Dec 10 | Three Day Weekend | Bill Oberst, Jr. |
| Thursday, Dec 11 | Joshua Alan | The Accelerators |
| Friday, Dec 12 | Joshua Alan | Painted Man |
| Saturday, Dec 13 | Joshua Alan | The Accelerators |
| Sunday, Dec 14 | Paul Grimshaw | Bill Oberst, Jr. |
| Wednesday, Dec 17 | Three Day Weekend | Bill Oberst, Jr. |
| Thursday, Dec 18 | Vocal Edition | Paul Grimshaw |
| Friday, Dec 19 | Vocal Edition | Paul Grimshaw |
| Saturday, Dec 20 | Vocal Edition | Paul Grimshaw |
| Sunday, Dec 21 | Paul Grimshaw | Channel Bluff |
| Tuesday, Dec 30 | Three Day Weekend | The Accelerators |
| Wednesday, Dec 31 | Three Day Weekend | The Accelerators |
| Thursday, Jan 1 | Paul Grimshaw | Trip Rogers: A Celtic New Year |
| Friday, Jan 2 | Paul Grimshaw | Trip Rogers: A Celtic New Year |
| Saturday, Jan 3 | Paul Grimshaw | Trip Rogers: A Celtic New Year |
| Sunday, Jan 4 | Paul Grimshaw | Trip Rogers: A Celtic New Year |
Dining
Harvest Restaurant will be open each night of Nights of a Thousand Candles. There will also be multiple food trucks from local vendors on site every night of the event.
By the Numbers
• 4,500 candles are lit each night (volunteers re-light candles if they blow out)
• 2 million additional lights throughout the gardens
• 130,000 lights on the Christmas tree
• 3 months to set up and 2 months to break down
• 150 staff and volunteers.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets must be purchased before the event and are non-refundable.
Prices:
• Members: $35 for adults and $15 for children.
• Non-Members: $40 for adults and $20 for children.
Location: 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 off of Highway 17 Bypass between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island.
(843) 235-6000
For tickets or more info, visit www.brookgreen.org
