Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC

The Nights of a Thousand Candles, Brookgreen Garden's annual holiday event that lasts for several nights. The massive oak trees, lined with Spanish moss, are alive with thousands of twinkling lights draws thousands of visitors each year. The Brookgreen Gardens are now in the same location as the plantation that belonged to the daughter and son-in-law of Aaron Burr in the early 1800s. During the Nights of a Thousand Candles festival, the plantation kitchen that dates back to the plantation times serves treats such as hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee, beer and wine, and an assortment of baked goods.

Each year the event is an unforgettable experience. You will see musicians and carolers singing Christmas carols as they stroll through the lighted pathways. The Nights of a Thousand Candles has been an annual event since 1998. Various Murrells Inlet restaurants cater the dinners in a large tent located in one of the gardens. There is no heat; therefore, everyone must dress for the winter temperatures.

Each night there are different events. There are different groups of people that sing carols; last year Rocky Fretts, a genius at the piano entertained. The Nights of a Thousand Candles is an almost spiritual event that touches you in the core of your being. It isn't an amusement park, and it isn't like any other attraction in the Myrtle Beach area; it's joyous and tranquil at the same time.

Brookgreen Gardens are open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the Nights of a Thousand Candles festival. For more information about the Nights of a Thousand Candles festival please visit www.brookgree.org or call 843-235-6000.