So many wonderful holiday festivals and celebrations are happening around the Lowcountry this year! Parades, tree lightings, and festivals…we’ve got you covered!
And don’t forget to check out our Weekend Events for Kids Guide for all the up-to-date happenings around Charleston!
*Please note – While we make every effort to crosscheck current links and event details on our guides, we always encourage you to do the same before making final plans. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know so we can correct them.
Holiday Festival of Lights
Dates: November 15 – December 31
Location: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston
Details: Featuring over 700 displays and 2 million lights, the Holiday Festival of Lights is a cherished holiday tradition for many families throughout Charleston and beyond.
Mt Pleasant Towne Centre Lights Up
Dates: November 23, 6 pm – 8 pm
Location: Mt Pleasant Towne Centre, 1218 Belk Dr, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Details: Get ready to witness the twinkling lights, feel the warmth of the season, and make unforgettable memories with us. Don’t miss the spectacular laser light show and the lighting of our 44′ Christmas tree. Live performances by the East Cooper Baptist Church Choir & Orchestra and 40 Years Too Late. A visit from jolly old St. Nicholas himself. Delicious treats + drinks will be available, plus face painting, balloon animals, and fairy hair.
Tree Lighting at The Charleston Place
Dates: November 29, 5 pm
Location: The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Details: With snow falling and the Equinox Holiday Brass Krewe playing, watch the holiday magic come to life with this special Tree Lighting Ceremony in Market Street Circle. Enjoy a performance by the Palmetto Youth Choir along with complimentary cookies and cocoa plus festive adult beverages (21+) for purchase. PLEASE NOTE: They are currently at capacity. Click here to join the waitlist.
Let It Snow
Dates: December 1 – December 30
Location: The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Details: Witness the rare occurrence of snow in the Holy City and watch as snow magically falls on Market Street Circle blanketing the holiday trees in a lovely sheet of winter white. Enjoy cocoa and sweet treats available for purchase from the Gingerbread House, as well as a cash bar with seasonal cocktails like Spiked Cocoa and Cider, and a Candy Cane Martini. Snow queue starts at 5 pm, 6 pm, and 7 pm, at the entrance to the Market Street Circle. Gates open 15 minutes in advance of the snowfall. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Reservations are required. PLEASE NOTE: They are currently at capacity. A limited number of tickets will be released in the coming weeks, and we’ll also welcome walk-ins when space allows. Stay tuned to our socials for the latest updates
Folly Beach Tree Lighting
Dates: December 1
Location: Folly River Park
Old Time Summerville Christmas Celebration
Dates: December 3, 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Hutchinson Square, Summerville
Details: Join the Town of Summerville for our annual Town of Summerville Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Summerville. This celebration includes pictures with Santa, the countdown and lighting ceremony, letters to Santa, live window displays, and more Holiday fun!
Christmas in the Creek Holiday Tree Lighting
Dates: December 6, 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Location: Goose Creek Municipal Center
Details: Kick off the holiday season in Goose Creek as the City’s Christmas tree is lit for everyone to see! Christmas in the Creek will feature holiday hayrides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, photos with Santa, and LOTS more! The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. The Lakeside Light Display will be up throughout the month of December.
Hanahan Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Vendor Market
Dates: December 6, Vendor Market, 5 pm – 8:30 pm and tree lighting at 6 pm. The rain date is December 13.
Location: Hanahan Amphitheater, 3100 Mabeline Rd, Hanahan
Details: Meet Santa Claus, shop our local vendor market, enjoy some of the best food trucks in the Lowcountry, and enjoy performances by our local school chorus groups and bands, and local dance studios!
IOP Holiday Street Festival
Dates: December 7, 2 pm – 7 pm
Location: Front Beach on the Isle of Palms
Details: Arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s activities, live entertainment, and Santa Claus!
City of Charleston Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Dates: December 7, 3 pm
Location: Marion Square
Details: Come join the City of Charleston for this fun, high-energy parade which will commence on Broad Street at Rutledge, travel North on Meeting Street, and conclude on Calhoun Street at Meeting Street. Participants include musical ensembles, clubs, and organizations. Tree Lighting to Follow in Marion Square.
Summerville Christmas Parade
Dates: December 8, 2 pm
Location: Downtown Summerville
Details: The Summerville Christmas Parade is designed to promote positivity throughout the Town of Summerville while capturing the “spirit of the Christmas holiday.” The parade is a family-friendly, non-political event that aims to bring the community together to celebrate the season while representing the local traditions and Summerville hospitality.
Christmas in the Creek Holiday Parade
Dates: December 14, 9:30 am – 11 am
Location: Saint James Avenue, Goose Creek
Details: The parade will take place on St. James Avenue in Goose Creek, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The mile-long parade begins on St. James Avenue and continues to Marilyn Street. Road closures will begin at 7:00 a.m.
Folly Beach Parade
Dates: December 14
Location: Folly Beach
Details: Join us on December 14th in Santa’s favorite beach town for The Annual City of Folly Beach Christmas Parade! Line up along Center Street as floats, marching bands, and community associations show their holiday spirit. Visitors and locals are all welcome! Join Santa at Folly River Park to receive goodies after the parade!
Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
Dates: December 14, 6 pm
Location: Charleston Harbor
Details: Join another Lowcountry tradition at the Holiday Parade of Boats. This display of lighted and festive boats proceeds from the Cooper River, through the Charleston Harbor, and into the Ashley River. This is a family-friendly event is sure to become a holiday tradition for everyone. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront decorate your own boat and join the parade (advance registration required).
Annual Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Dates: December 15, 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Location: West Coleman Blvd.
Details: Brilliantly lit floats and community groups will march up West Coleman Boulevard as the Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade sets sail to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a spectacular Pyrotecnico fireworks show, immediately followed by the start of the parade at Live Oak Dr. traveling south and ending at the intersection of W. Coleman Blvd. and Patriots Point Rd.
Chanukah in the Square
Dates: Tentative date is December 29, 4 pm
Location: Marion Square
Details: An initiative of the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of Charleston and the Lowcountry, Chanukah in the Square is a festive celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts, and traditional seasonal food, culminating with the lighting of a menorah at dusk.
Don’t forget santee cooper one in moncks corner they do drive thru lights every year for 5 dollars
KOTA Christmas at Growing Minds education farm Sunday December 4th 10-12 or 1-3
Do you have a link to this event so we can add it to the calendar?
The CHRISTkindlemarkt Charleston is a great event out in Awendaw! 11/25, 11/26, 12/2, and 12/3! Tickets on Eventbrite!
What about the the fake snow downtown? What’s that called and when do they start?
Just added it to the calendar! It’s called Let It Snow and it starts on November 25th.
CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston is a magical atmosphere for families at their Day Market 2-5 pm (shuttles begin at 1 pm for food and drink opening) on 11/25, 11/26, 12/2, 12/3 with shopping, food trucks, and room to roam.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christkindlmarkt-charleston-tickets-217038807917
Don’t forget about Wonderland of Temuco Lane. We’re partnered with Lowcountry Food Bank this year, to raise donations for them. Turning the lights on, Dec 1st and ending January 1st. Tune your radio to 88.1 FM.
We’ll make sure to include this in our Where to See Holiday Lights Guide!
North Charleston Tree Lighting and Festival tonight and tomorrow night