Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing

The Alabama Theatre is the north end's flagship stage and, with The Carolina Opry, one of the two big variety houses that give the Grand Strand its show-town reputation. It sits at Barefoot Landing on US-17 in North Myrtle Beach (4750 Highway 17 South), right beside the shops and waterside restaurants, and it takes its name from the country band ALABAMA, whose connection gave the theater its identity in its early years. The house style is a large-cast, high-production revue: singers, dancers, a live band, comedy and specialty acts moving briskly through country, pop, gospel and Broadway material. For most of the year the resident production is ICONIC, which replaced the long-running ONE: The Show when it debuted in 2023. From early November it becomes the home of The South's Grandest Christmas Show, the theater's award-winning holiday production (voted the top Christmas show in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach in 2023), which mixes traditional carols with contemporary holiday hits, toy soldiers that come to life, a comedy specialty act and a finale with Santa flying in over the stage. The 2026 holiday run is listed from November 2, 2026, to January 2, 2027, with 7 p.m. evening shows and select 1:30 p.m. matinees. The theater also books touring concerts and comedians through the year. The link goes to the Visit Myrtle Beach listing for the Christmas show, which carries the phone number and links to the theater's own box office.

Who it suits: families and multi-generation groups who want a wholesome, big-hearted show with real production values, and anyone staying at the north end who would rather not drive to central Myrtle Beach for a night out. The Christmas show is the theater's signature and leans fully into the season, sentimental and funny by turns, with a sincere faith segment that many families come back for year after year. ICONIC, the year-round production, is staged with the same large cast and live band; check the theater's calendar for what is playing on your dates.

Booking strategy: the holiday run is the busiest period, and Saturday evenings and the weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas sell first, while weekday matinees are the easiest seats to find and suit travelers with young children or a long drive back. Tour groups book blocks of seats in November and December, so decide on dates early. Arrive in time to eat at Barefoot Landing first; the waterside restaurants are a short walk from the lobby, and the holiday lights make the walk part of the evening.

Make it a north-end night: shops and dinner on the Intracoastal Waterway at Barefoot Landing, then the show, or a daytime visit to Alligator Adventure next door followed by an early dinner and a matinee. If you are comparing the big three holiday shows, the Alabama Theatre is the best choice for a North Myrtle Beach base, The Carolina Opry for the north end of Myrtle Beach, and Pirates Voyage for families with younger children who want a dinner show.