In a world that moves at lightning speed, Charleston Day School is a place where children can love learning and grow into the best versions of themselves. With a focus on strong academics and character development, Charleston Day makes time – time be curious and time to build relationships. We invite you to contact our Office of Admissions to learn more about our K-8 program in downtown Charleston.
Where to See Santa in Charleston
No holiday season is complete without a visit to the man in red! Below is a list of places you’ll be able to find Santa in Charleston this holiday season!
Looking for some other family-friendly holiday fun? Check out our other holiday guide!
Did we miss an event? Email us at [email protected] to let us know!
*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 that we can correct them.
Charleston’s Holiday Market
Dates: November 15-17, 2024 (check the website for times)
Location: North Charleston Coliseum
Details: You’ll find foods and fashions, gifts that glitter, music and magic – everything to make your holidays bright. This exciting Christmas extravaganza features specialty gift stores, fashion jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, holiday decorations and ideas, home accessories and décor, food and wine sampling, and of course, Santa!
Northwoods Mall Visit With Santa
Dates: Santa arrives on November 21, 2024 (reserve your spot here)
Location: Northwoods Mall, 2150 Northwoods Blvd., North Charleston, 29406
Details: Experience the magic of the season by visiting Santa’s Workshop. Create lifelong holiday memories! Reservations for Santa are encouraged, however, not required.
Citadel Mall Photos With Santa
Dates: Santa arrives on November 21 – December 24, 2024 (reserve your spot here)
Location: Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
Details: Let’s plan ahead for the holiday season! Book your reservation with Santa to receive a special discount on your photo package! Santa Claus is coming to town! Click here to make your reservation today!
Bee City Zoo’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights
Dates: November 22, 20024 – January 5, 2025 (see all the times and days here). Days alternate between Santa and the Grinch (or both!).
Location: Bee City Zoo, 1066 Holly Ridge Ln Cottageville, SC 29435
Details: The zoo will be open during the day and with normal admission rates. Come early, enjoy the zoo, and stay to watch the zoo transform into a wonderland of lights. Enjoy all of our Christmas activities and don’t forget to see Santa and get your photos taken with one of our furry little babies!
Photos With Santa Claus at Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre
Dates: November 29 – December 24, 2024 (see exact times here)
Location: Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre, The North Pole is located at 1744 Towne Centre Way {former Bed Bath & Beyond}.
Details: Embrace the spirit of the holiday season with a professional photo of your loved ones and pets* with Santa Claus at The North Pole. Guests can now make reservations for photos. JUST CLICK HERE! *Pet photos every Monday. Pets must be on a leash or crated.
Credit One Stadium Tree Lighting
Dates: November 29, 2024, 5 pm – 9 pm
Location: 161 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC, 29492
Details: Enjoy the magic as a 22-foot Christmas tree lights up the night at 6 pm. The event will be packed with family-friendly activities including a Snow Show, face painting, sparkle tattoos, caricature art by Archer Entertainment, and festive fairy hair from The Sparkle Bar. Meet Santa, the Snow Queen, and an Elf from the North Pole while Shane Griffin Entertainment fills the air with holiday music. The Tree Lighting Ceremony and event are FREE to attend.
Holiday Festival at Wild Dunes Resort
Dates: November 29, 2024, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: Wild Dunes Resort, Osprey Terrace & Ballroom at the Sweetgrass Inn, 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Details: Watch Santa Claus light the Christmas tree at sundown, officially marking the start of the Christmas season at Wild Dunes Resort. Enjoy a festive oyster roast with delicious food, and let the kids decorate their own pre-baked gingerbread houses at our decorating station.
Santa Sleigh Ride Tour
Dates: Starting November 30, 2024, see full calendar and book here
Location: Old South Carriage Company, 14 Anson Street, Charleston, SC 20401
Details: This festive 30-minute Christmas experience includes a caroling “sleigh” ride through downtown Charleston and is sure to make you merry! The last stop is Santa’s stable (just behind our barn), where you’ll join Old St. Nick and his elves for hot cocoa and cookies.
Santa Sundays at the South Carolina Aquarium
Dates: December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2024, 10 am – 2 pm
Location: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
Details: Forget the days of yore where we queued in a mall, and reserve your time to meet Santa in our Great Hall! This year, Santa is spending his weekends at the Aquarium, and he’s excited to meet everyone on the Nice List. Guests will have the opportunity to talk to Santa and pose for a keepsake photo.
Old Time Summerville Christmas Celebration
Dates: December 3, 2024, 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Hutchinson Square, 102 S Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483
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!
Winter Wonderland 2024
Dates: December 6, 2024, 12 pm – 7 pm
Location: Wonder Works, 624 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Details: Join us & The Belle Hall Shopping Center for our annual Winter Wonderland event! Get into the spirit of the season with us while you enjoy treats, crafts, & MORE! Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus. The event will benefit local children’s charities.
Breakfast With Santa at Citadel Mall
Dates: December 7, 2024, 9 am – 11 am
Location: Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
Details: Includes treats for the children, giveaways and visits with Santa. Children who bring toys to donate to Toys for Tots will receive a free Chick-fil-A breakfast. Call (843) 766-8321 to RSVP.
City of North Charleston Christmas Festival & Parade
Dates: December 7, 2024, 4 pm – 8 pm
Location: Felix C. Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Cirle, North Charleston, SC 29405
Details: Families, friends, and neighbors share the joys of the season through music, children’s activities, festive food and decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, visits with Santa, and a parade. The green space surrounding the Park Circle traffic circle, and major thoroughfares are lined with lighted snowflakes, Christmas trees, and magical holiday scenes. Christmas Parade begins at 5 pm! Walking, biking, and ridesharing are encouraged. Don’t forget to bring your chairs – no seating provided.
PJ’s With Santa
Dates: December 7, 2024, 6 pm – 9 pm
Location: Summerville, SC
Details: Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for hot cocoa and treats! Brought to you by the Junior Service League of Summerville! All money raised goes to support the DD2 and DD4 school supply fun! Make sure to rock those cute jammies!
Crosswind Country Christmas – Santa and Grinch, Christmas Animals and More!
Dates: December 8, 2024, 2 pm – 5 pm
Location: Crosswinds Farm, 799 Target Rd, Holly Hill, SC 29059
Details: We have photos with Santa and the Grinch (you take your own child’s photo) photos on the handcrafted wooden sleigh, decorations, dressed up animals in holiday outfits, $5 horse rides, petting zoo, train rides, Christmas music, hot cocoa, food, decorate – a- cookie kits, marshmallow roasting, snow flake machines, and SO much more.
Lights & Love
Dates: December 8, 2024, 4 pm – 6 pm
Location: Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre
Details: Please join us for Lights & Love, a very special holiday celebration for families with children on the spectrum. Enjoy performances by the Lucy Beckham High School Jazz Ensemble and Derek Street, who shares the hope, peace, joy, and love that the holiday season brings through music, movement, and laughter to all attendees. Plus, a visit from the one and only Santa Claus! Delicious bites available for purchase from Crazy Chris’s Concessions, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Holy City Popcorn and beer & wine from our friends at Burtons Grill & Bar.
Santa Shack and Santa Meet and Greet at Folly River Park
Dates: December 13, 2024, evening
Location: Folly River Park, Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Breakfast With Santa
Dates: December 14, 2024, 9 am – 11 am
Location: Rollins Edwards Community Center, 301 N. Hickory Street, Summerville, SC 29483
Details: If you are looking for a calm and stress-free visit with Santa, this is the event for you! Families are required to preregister as spots are limited. Light snacks, crafts, and holiday inspired games are offered while you wait for your visit with Santa.
Breakfast With Santa at The Tides Hotel
Dates: December 14, 2024, 9 am – 11 am
Location: The Tides Hotel, 1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Details: Bring your little ones to meet Santa and snap some memorable photos. We’re setting up craft tables with ornament-making stations, perfect for collecting cherished keepsakes year after year. While you’re here, savor a delightful hot and cold buffet featuring Belgian waffles, cheesy breakfast potato casserole, assorted muffins & danishes, and more. Parents, make sure to bring your cameras!
Breakfast With Santa
Dates: December 14 & 15, 2024, 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Location: Wild Dunes Resort, Osprey Ballroom, 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Details: Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast while Santa himself makes a special appearance. Capture the magic of the season with professional photos taken, ensuring you leave with beautiful memories of this festive morning. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious food, meet Santa, and create lasting memories with your family. Adults are welcome to enjoy our mimosa and bloody Mary bar. Join us for a heartwarming event that promises joy, laughter, and holiday spirit!
Holly Jolly Adventure Day
Dates: December 14, 2024, 1 pm – 3 pm
Location: Charleston Adventure Forest, 1152 Guerins Bridge Road
Details: This Holly Jolly Adventure Day will feature hot chocolate, ziplines, family fun, lights, and SANTA!
Santa will be at the forest for pictures (bring your own camera) from 1 pm to 3 pm on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Use promo code SantaExperience any time during the month of December to visit with Santa for free during The Holly Jolly Adventure Day from 1 pm-3 pm. Kids Zip times on this day will be 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. Come early or stay late to zipline while you wait for your picture with Santa (advanced online booking highly recommended)! Other activities available include rock climbing and animal encounters which are available all day. The Santa Experience will cost $20 per family without the purchase of an activity during the month of December.
Jingle Blokes Bash at Two Blokes
Dates: December 14, 2024, 4 pm – 9 pm
Location: Two Blokes, 547 Long Point Rd., Suite 101, Mt. Pleasant
Details: Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14th, and join us for a holly jolly good time at Two Blokes! Come dressed in your coziest, most festive holiday sweaters ready for a fun night! Here are the holiday happenings:
Dinner at 4 PM with Sticky Fingers BBQ Truck. Holiday Music Chewbacky 5:30 PM, Christmas cookies, and beer pairing! A special visit from the one and only SANTA CLAUS! It’s going to be a Ho Ho Hoppin’ time!
Cookie Exchange, Santa Appearance, Horse Rides, Snow Fall, Petting Zoo Animals, and MORE!
Dates: December 20, 2024, 11 am – 3 pm
Location: Crosswinds Farm, 799 Target Rd, Holly Hill, SC 29059
Details: Christmas is such a magical time of the year! Why not spend it on the farm. We also have cute animals in festive outfits, we’ll have a time to play in fluffy snow, visits with Santa and the Grinch, letters to Santa, a cookie exchange, Christmas music, and MORE!
Christmas Stories With Santa
Dates: December 21, 2024, 5 pm – 6 pm
Location: Sweetgrass Inn Plaza, 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Details: Gather around as Santa Claus reads classic Christmas tales, bringing holiday magic to life. This free event offers first-come, first-served seating, so arrive early to secure your spot. Enjoy a festive moment filled with wonder and imagination as Santa shares his favorite stories.