Conway’s City of Halloween 2026: Coffin Races, Ghost Walks and a River Town Gone Spooky

Drive west from the ocean in October, past the pines and the blackwater bends of the Waccamaw River, and you reach a little river town that has decided, with complete seriousness, to become Halloween. In Conway, skeletons wave from second-story windows, orange pumpkin buckets hang by the thousands, and the oaks along the Riverwalk drip Spanish moss that suddenly looks like it was planted there for the occasion.

Conway calls itself the City of Halloween each October, and the name has stuck. What began as a modest decorating effort has grown into a monthlong celebration with more than 200 themed events, from ghost walks through the old residential streets to coffin races down Laurel Street. The Horry County seat sits less than an hour inland from North Myrtle Beach, close enough for an afternoon visit and a dinner downtown before heading back to the sound of the surf.

Here is how to experience Conway’s City of Halloween in 2026, with the dates worth circling, the free sights that need no ticket and a few good places to eat along the way.

From Pumpkin Buckets to the City of Halloween

The story starts small. In 2019, downtown Conway hung a few hundred plastic pumpkin buckets to brighten the season, according to Grand Strand Magazine. Each year the town added more, and by 2026 the count has grown to roughly 5,000 pumpkin buckets, joined by elaborate displays with names like the Tunnel of Bones, the Witch’s Garden and the Skeleton Disco.

The crowds followed. City officials estimated that about 250,000 people visited Conway during October 2024, MyHorryNews reported in 2025, and local leaders have pointed to the season as a real boost for downtown restaurants, shops and hotels. Conway Downtown Alive and the Conway Chamber of Commerce now organize much of the calendar, with businesses, volunteers and residents all taking part.

Walking Downtown After Dark

The best part of the City of Halloween costs nothing. Decorations fill the historic downtown and line the Riverwalk all month, and no ticket is needed to wander among them. Go in the late afternoon, walk the shops on Main Street and Third Avenue while the light lasts, and stay until dusk, when the lights come on and the displays take on a different character entirely.

The Conway Riverwalk follows the Waccamaw River through moss-draped oaks and makes an atmospheric stroll in the cooler evenings of fall. The Town Green on Laurel Street is the heart of many events, and the side streets around it reward slow walking, since some of the most creative displays sit on porches and in storefronts rather than in the main squares.

The 2026 City of Halloween Calendar

With more than 200 events, no visitor will see them all. These are the dates that stand out for a beach-based visitor in 2026.

Schedules, times and ticketing can change, so confirm each event with Conway Downtown Alive, the Conway Chamber of Commerce or the host venue before you make the drive.

The Graveyard Grand Prix Coffin Races

If you can make only one event, make it this one. The Graveyard Grand Prix returns for its second year on Saturday, Oct. 17, when teams push homemade, human-powered coffins down Laurel Street. Last year’s first race sold out its team spots and drew thousands of spectators, according to Grand Strand Magazine, and the day comes with live music, food trucks, vendors, children’s activities and costume contests.

Registration through the Conway Chamber of Commerce lists a 9 a.m. start at the Town Green, 206 Laurel St., with a $75 fee per team and separate competitive and spirit divisions. Awards go to the fastest teams as well as the most creative coffins and the crowd favorites. Spectators should arrive early to claim a spot along the course, since the curbs fill quickly.

Ghost Walks, Witches and Wine

Conway is one of the oldest towns in this corner of South Carolina, and its old homes and river landings come with stories to match. The Conway Ghost Walk runs Oct. 14 through 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., leading guests through downtown and the historic residential district while storytellers share local ghost tales. It is the most atmospheric way to see the town once the sun goes down.

For adults, Witches, Wizards & Wine on Oct. 8 turns a downtown stroll into a costumed wine walk from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It is one of the season’s most popular events and sells out early, so check availability well ahead. Families looking for something gentler can head to the Horry County Museum for The Witching Hour on Oct. 21, a free program with sessions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Where to Eat Downtown

Downtown Conway’s restaurants make it easy to stay through the evening. Rivertown Bistro at 1111 Third Ave. is a longtime favorite for a sit-down dinner, and Crooked Oak Tavern at 316 Laurel St. sits right by the Town Green. For something casual, Bonfire, A Smokin’ Taqueria, at 951 Second Ave. and Chanti’s Pizza at 104 Laurel St. are good choices with kids. The Trestle Bakery and Café at 308 Main St. works for an afternoon pastry, and Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream at 1101 Fourth Ave. is the natural last stop before the drive back to the beach. Expect waits on big event days, and check hours before you go.

Planning the Trip From North Myrtle Beach

Conway sits inland along the Waccamaw River, and from North Myrtle Beach the drive usually takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic and where you are staying. Guests in Windy Hill and Crescent Beach are a little closer to the main routes inland, while those in Ocean Drive and Cherry Grove should add a few minutes. Parking fills fast on event nights, so arrive before dark and plan to walk.

A good October week can mix both sides of the Grand Strand’s Halloween season. Spend one evening in Conway and another on the water at Little River WaterFright Nights, where giant air sculptures tower over the waterfront restaurants just north of North Myrtle Beach. For daytime ideas, our guide to things to do in Myrtle Beach covers the rest of the coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: Grand Strand Magazine, City of Halloween (October 2026); Conway Downtown Alive event listings and dining directory; Graveyard Grand Prix Coffin Races registration (RunSignup); The Coastal Insider (Sept. 25, 2026); MyHorryNews (September 2025); Visit Myrtle Beach. Dates, times, prices and hours are subject to change; confirm with Conway Downtown Alive, the Conway Chamber of Commerce or each venue before you go.