This South Carolina Halloween Festival Turns A Quiet Woodland Into A Spooky Wonderland After Dark

Thousands of lights glow along a woodland trail at a plant nursery, and after 8 PM, the same woods turn into a haunted path. A garden center that sells shrubs by day hosts a Halloween festival by night.

The early hours belong to little ones, with a not-so-scary trail, pumpkins, and barnyard animals. Later, a separate haunted trail waits in the dark for anyone brave enough to enter.

I like how one property in South Carolina can handle both cozy and creepy without missing a beat. I believe that split makes it a smart pick for families with kids of very different ages and nerves.

Fire pits, s’mores kits, pumpkin carving, and photo spots round out a long autumn evening that runs until 10:30 PM. So which side of the night are you choosing?

Thousands Of Lights Turn The Woods Into A Friendly Glow

Lights come first at the Southland Fall Festival at Southland Nursery, and there are thousands of them. They line a not-so-scary Halloween trail built with younger visitors in mind.

Fun lighted displays pop up along the path as you stroll. Think cheerful Halloween magic rather than jump scares, which is great news for tiny trick-or-treaters.

The glowing light trail stays open until 10:00 PM each festival night. That gives families plenty of time to wander at their own pace after dinner.

Kids who startle easily get a real win here. They can enjoy the spooky season without anyone hiding behind a tree waiting to yell boo.

Parents get a win, too. A calm walk under glowing displays beats a bedtime full of nervous questions about monsters in the closet.

The not-so-spooky trail runs until 8:00 PM, so aim to arrive early if you have little ones. Opening time is 5:00 PM, which lets you catch the lights as the sky darkens.

Bring comfortable shoes and maybe a light jacket for October evenings. Your phone camera will stay busy, so charge it before you leave home.

After 8 PM, The Woods Stop Being Polite

Sunset is only the warm-up act. Once the clock hits 8:00 PM, the Southern Roots Haunted Trail opens and the woods come alive.

Organizers describe this trail as one for those brave enough to enter. That wording alone should tell you it isn’t meant for toddlers clutching juice boxes.

The haunted trail runs from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM on scheduled nights, offering a completely different mood from the gentle glow earlier in the evening. It offers a completely different mood from the gentle glow happening earlier in the evening.

Family fun gives way to fear, and that contrast is the whole point. Teens and grown-ups who love a good scare finally get their turn.

Plan your budget before you go, because the haunted trail requires a separate ticket. Your family festival admission won’t automatically cover it.

A smart move is splitting the night into two parts. Enjoy the lights and pumpkins first, then let the braver crew tackle the haunted path afterward.

Got a mixed group with different scare limits? Someone can relax by a fire pit while the thrill-seekers find out what lurks in the trees.

Either way, nobody goes home bored. Some just go home a little jumpier than they arrived.

Mark Your Calendar Before October Slips Away

The festival doesn’t run every night, so checking the calendar before heading out is a smart move.

For 2026, the Southland Fall Festival runs from October 2 through October 31, opening on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select Tuesdays and Thursdays. With extra dates sprinkled into the schedule, families have more chances to join the Halloween fun.

Family-friendly hours last from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM. That window covers the lights, pumpkins, animals, and fire pits.

Timing matters if you have small kids in tow. The not-so-spooky trail wraps up at 8:00 PM, while the glowing light trail lasts until 10:00 PM.

Thrill-seekers should circle 8:00 PM in red marker. That’s when the haunted trail opens, with scares scheduled to continue until 11:00 PM.

Here’s a handy tip for busy families. Friday nights might work great as a kickoff to the weekend, while Sundays offer a cozy wind-down before school.

Halloween itself lands on a Saturday in 2026. Closing the festival on the big night itself feels like a fitting finale.

Don’t wait until the last weekend to decide. October has a sneaky habit of disappearing faster than candy in a pillowcase.

Your Jack-O’-Lantern Gets A Head Start Here

Orange is the color of the season, and pumpkins are everywhere at this festival. Visitors can pick their own right on site.

Choosing the perfect pumpkin is serious business for kids. Some want the biggest one in sight, while others fall for a lumpy little oddball.

Once you’ve made your pick, head to the pumpkin carving station. It’s a fun way to turn a plain gourd into a grinning masterpiece.

Carving at home often means a kitchen covered in seeds and goo. Letting the festival host the mess sounds like a gift to every parent.

Kids can design silly faces, spooky faces, or something totally original. There’s no wrong answer when it comes to jack-o’-lantern art.

Fun fact for curious kids: the jack-o’-lantern tradition started with carved turnips in Ireland. Pumpkins took over later because they were bigger and easier to carve.

Bring a bag or a box for the ride home. A freshly carved pumpkin deserves a safe trip to its spot on your porch.

Snap a photo of each creation, too. Those pictures make fun memories to compare year after year.

Barnyard Buddies Steal The Show

Goats have fans, and those fans are usually under four feet tall. The festival includes barnyard buddies that visitors can meet up close.

A petting zoo adds a sweet, hands-on moment to the evening. Kids who aren’t thrilled about Halloween displays often light up around animals.

It’s a nice break between trails and treats. Little legs can rest while little hands get busy saying hello.

Remind kids to move slowly and use gentle touches. Animals feel calmer when visitors stay relaxed and quiet around them.

Keep hand sanitizer or wipes in your bag. Clean hands matter, especially before you grab snacks or roast marshmallows.

Younger children may want to stay for a long time. Build in a few extra minutes so nobody feels rushed away from a new furry friend.

This stop also works well for grandparents who’d rather skip the haunted trail. Watching grandkids giggle at a goat is a pretty great show.

Animals bring a farm-style charm that fits the nursery setting. It reminds everyone that fall fun doesn’t always need a scare to feel special.

Claim A Fire Pit And Get Sticky

S’mores make everything better, and the festival knows it. Visitors can buy s’mores kits along with time at the fire pits.

Gathering around a fire pit turns a busy night into a cozy one. Everyone slows down, chats, and watches marshmallows puff up.

Some people like their marshmallows lightly golden. Others set them ablaze on purpose and call it flavor.

A fire pit makes a perfect home base for mixed groups. Little ones can toast treats while older siblings brave the haunted trail.

Bring napkins or wet wipes, because chocolate and marshmallow get everywhere. Fingers, faces, and sleeves are all fair game.

Keep a close eye on small kids near the flames. A quick talk about fire safety before you start helps everyone relax and enjoy.

October evenings in the Grand Strand can turn cool after dark. A warm fire feels great once the sun dips behind the trees.

Consider saving the fire pit for the end of your visit. Wrapping up with s’mores sends everyone home happy, sticky, and ready for bed.

Snacks, Sips, And Photos Worth Framing

Hungry walkers, rejoice. Snacks and fun drinks are available at the festival, so nobody has to tough it out on an empty stomach.

Having treats on site keeps the night moving. You won’t need to pack a cooler or leave early because someone got cranky.

Pace yourselves, though. Between snacks and s’mores, sugar levels can climb fast.

Now, about those photos. The festival offers card-worthy photo opportunities scattered around the grounds.

Card-worthy is a big promise, and it’s handy timing. Holiday card season sneaks up quickly once Halloween ends.

Glowing lights and pumpkins make natural backdrops for family pictures. Try shooting right around dusk for softer light and fewer shadows.

Coordinate outfits if you want to go the extra mile. Flannel, sweaters, or even costumes can add fun personality to your shots.

Remember to put the phone down now and then. The best moments often happen between the posed pictures, when someone laughs at the wrong time.

A few silly outtakes might end up as your favorites anyway.

A Family Nursery With Deep Roots Throws The Party

Since 1972, Southland Nursery has been a locally owned family business. That’s more than five decades of helping folks grow things in South Carolina.

By day, the nursery deals in trees, shrubs, and plants. By night in October, it trades garden advice for glowing trails and pumpkins.

The festival is billed as a new October tradition for families. It serves the Conway, Myrtle Beach, and wider Grand Strand area.

Watching a longtime local business start a fresh tradition feels exciting. It’s a chance to be part of something from its early years.

You’ll find everything at 4296 SC-905, Conway, SC 29526. The road is also known locally as Hwy 905.

Plug the address into your map app before leaving. Rural roads get darker at night, and a little prep saves stress.

The Southland team also hosts a Christmas event through Southland Festivals. If October goes well, December might deserve a spot on your calendar.

Supporting local businesses keeps communities lively. Here, that support comes with lights, goats, and marshmallows, which seems like a fair deal.

Plan It Right And Everyone Gets Their Perfect Night

Two festivals in one place can sound like a puzzle. With a simple game plan, though, it fits together nicely.

Start right at 5:00 PM if you have young kids. Hit the not-so-spooky trail, pick pumpkins, and visit the barnyard buddies first.

Next, grab snacks and settle around a fire pit. S’mores make a great middle chapter while the sky turns dark.

Older kids and adults can then decide on the haunted trail. Remember it opens at 8:00 PM and needs its own ticket.

Families with mixed ages could split up for a bit. One group enjoys the glowing light trail while the other faces the Southern Roots woods.

Dress for cooler evening temperatures and uneven outdoor ground. Sneakers beat sandals on any nighttime trail.

Check the Southland Fall Festival’s official channels before heading out. Weather in South Carolina can shift quickly in the fall.

However you plan it, the evening offers something for every nerve level. Brave souls, cautious kids, and marshmallow experts all leave with a story to tell.