Myrtle Beach, December 19, 2025

Myrtle Beach is enhancing its holiday season by introducing sensory-friendly events, particularly at Kingston Resorts’ Christmas Village. These initiatives focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere for families with sensory sensitivities, allowing everyone to enjoy holiday festivities without feeling overwhelmed. The series of Sensory Friendly Fridays showcases community efforts to embrace inclusivity, offering activities like crafts, cookie decorating, and relaxed visits with Santa, contributing to a supportive environment for all.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach Embraces Inclusivity with Sensory-Friendly Holiday Events

Kingston Resorts’ Christmas Village has demonstrated how private initiative can create a welcoming and relaxed environment, fostering community growth by ensuring holiday magic is accessible to all. This local endeavor highlights the positive impact of responsive leadership and community-focused efforts.

The holiday season in Myrtle Beach is a time for joy, celebration, and community engagement. As local organizers and businesses strive to enhance experiences for all residents and visitors, a notable trend of civic innovation and personal initiative has emerged. Nowhere is this more evident than in the growing number of sensory-friendly events, designed to ensure that the magic of the season can be enjoyed by everyone, including those with sensory sensitivities.

This commitment to inclusivity reflects a deeper understanding of community needs, demonstrating how private partnerships and local leadership can create tangible benefits. By taking the initiative to adapt popular events, businesses contribute to a more vibrant and cohesive local fabric, illustrating the positive outcomes when organizations respond directly to the diverse requirements of the public without extensive bureaucratic oversight.

A Calmer Christmas at Kingston Resorts

One prime example of this local initiative is the series of Sensory Friendly Fridays held at the Kingston Resorts Christmas Village in North Myrtle Beach. These special events, which took place on Fridays from December 5 to December 19, 2025, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM, were specifically crafted to offer a more serene and relaxed setting for families. The primary goal was to provide a comfortable environment with reduced crowds, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere without feeling overwhelmed.

The Christmas Village, located at 9800 Queensway Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC, offered a range of engaging activities. Visitors had the opportunity to participate in holiday crafts, decorate cookies, enjoy festive games like Snowball Toss and Cornhole, and even get whimsical holiday hairstyles at a dedicated station. One of the highlights included relaxed, sensory-friendly visits with Santa, available from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, ensuring a calmer experience for children wishing to share their holiday wishes.

Expanding Horizons: Inclusive Events Across Myrtle Beach

The spirit of sensory-friendly innovation extends beyond Kingston Resorts, reflecting a broader commitment within the Myrtle Beach community to create accessible experiences. Several local establishments have embraced this approach, demonstrating a commendable level of private sector responsiveness. For instance, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach hosts sensory-friendly events throughout the year, featuring welcoming lighting, a music-free environment, and a designated quiet room for guests needing a break. These events often include noise-canceling headphones available upon request and a selfie scavenger hunt guide.

WonderWorks Myrtle Beach also organizes “Sensory Days” where exhibits are modified to provide limited stimulation. During these special days, the music within the facility is lowered, loud exhibits are made inoperable, and the inversion tunnel is stopped, creating a safer and less overwhelming environment. Other local options include sensory-friendly mermaid shows, bowling at Myrtle Beach Bowl with reduced music, and opportunities to move freely during movies at the Grand 14 Cinema. Such diverse offerings highlight the proactive efforts by businesses to meet the varied needs of families in the area.

A Nationwide Trend Towards Inclusivity

Myrtle Beach’s efforts are part of a larger nationwide movement towards more inclusive community events. This trend is visible in various locations and types of events, showcasing a growing understanding of diverse sensory needs. For example, the Bayou Bend Christmas Village offers Sensory-Friendly Nights specifically adapted for a calmer experience. [cite: 7 in original prompt] Similarly, Thornton WinterFest provides Sensory-Friendly Santa Visits, and the Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights includes a Sensory-Friendly Night where blinking and moving lights are static or greatly slowed. [cite: 8, 9 in original prompt]

These initiatives, whether at zoos, museums, or holiday villages, illustrate a collective understanding that creating sensory-friendly environments enhances the overall event experience for everyone. Such spaces are not only vital for individuals with sensory sensitivities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorders, but also offer a respite for anyone seeking a moment of calm from the intensity of large gatherings.

The Benefits of Tailored Experiences

The advantages of sensory-friendly events extend far beyond immediate comfort. By providing a calm environment, these initiatives help in significantly reducing stress and anxiety that can arise from sensory overload. This, in turn, allows individuals to focus and engage with the event in a more meaningful way, fostering a sense of inclusion and promoting social interaction.

Furthermore, these tailored experiences can help children build sensory awareness and self-regulation skills, which are crucial for their development. For families, these events offer a supportive community that understands their needs, thereby reducing the isolation often felt when navigating neurodiversity. This commitment to accessibility not only benefits individuals and families directly but also enriches the entire community by creating a more understanding and welcoming environment for all.

Fostering Community Growth Through Private Partnerships

The success of initiatives like Sensory Friendly Fridays underscores the importance of private entities stepping forward to address community needs. In Myrtle Beach, the Economic Development Office actively strengthens partnerships with small businesses, private investors, and development sector professionals to foster revitalization and growth. Programs such as the Living Lab initiative, a public-private partnership, are designed to support emerging technology and encourage entrepreneurs to utilize Myrtle Beach as a hub for testing and development.

This collaborative approach, where local businesses and organizations innovate to serve specific segments of the population, exemplifies civic innovation in action. By enhancing the quality of life for all residents, these private initiatives contribute directly to the economic prosperity and overall well-being of the Grand Strand. The ability of the private sector to adapt and create inclusive solutions often thrives in an environment that values individual achievement and allows for agile responses to community feedback, promoting growth without excessive red tape.

The presence of events like Sensory Friendly Fridays at Kingston Resorts’ Christmas Village is a testament to Myrtle Beach’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment. These private sector-led initiatives not only enrich the holiday season but also lay a foundation for sustained community growth and well-being. By supporting businesses that prioritize accessibility and engagement, residents can help reinforce a culture of personal initiative and civic innovation that benefits everyone.

We encourage everyone to explore the diverse and inclusive offerings in our area and actively engage with local events. Your participation and support are vital in fostering a thriving Myrtle Beach community and ensuring that South Carolina continues to lead in creating welcoming South Carolina gatherings for all.

FAQ: Sensory Friendly Fridays at Kingston Christmas Village

What are Sensory Friendly Fridays at Kingston Resorts Christmas Village?

Sensory Friendly Fridays are special event days at the Kingston Resorts Christmas Village designed to offer a calmer, more relaxed setting for families, featuring reduced crowds and adaptations for individuals with sensory sensitivities.

When did Sensory Friendly Fridays take place in 2025?

In 2025, Sensory Friendly Fridays took place every Friday from December 5 to December 19, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

What activities are available during Sensory Friendly Fridays?

Activities include holiday crafts, cookie decorating, holiday movie screenings, Christmas games such as Snowball Toss and Cornhole, a whimsical hair station, and s’mores by the fire. Relaxed, sensory-friendly visits with Santa were also available from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Where is the Kingston Resorts Christmas Village located?

The Kingston Resorts Christmas Village is located at 9800 Queensway Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572.

Are there other sensory-friendly events in Myrtle Beach, SC?

Yes, other sensory-friendly options in Myrtle Beach, SC include events at Ripley’s Aquarium with welcoming lighting and quiet rooms, Sensory Days at WonderWorks with limited stimulation, and sensory-friendly movie screenings at the Grand 14 Cinema.

What are the benefits of sensory-friendly events?

The benefits include reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced focus and engagement for individuals with sensory sensitivities, promotion of social inclusion, and the development of sensory awareness and self-regulation skills in children. They also reduce isolation for families and contribute to the community morally and economically.

Key Features of Sensory Friendly Fridays at Kingston Christmas Village

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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH

The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.