Get ready to revel in the holiday spirit in the Holy City! Charleston is gearing up for a festive season filled with plays, concerts, and enchanting light displays. To make your holiday planning even more delightful, we’ve curated a list of 15 standout events that capture the essence of the season. And for those seeking even more festive options, don’t forget to explore our online calendar for a comprehensive guide to additional holiday happenings. Let the merriment begin!
A Charleston Tradition, the 47th Annual Turkey Day Run is the longest running 5K in Charleston. The 5K run and Gobble Wobble “trot” will be held on Nov. 28th starting at 9 a.m. The race starts and ends at Marion Square in historic downtown Charleston and winds down King Street and Meeting Street and loops around the historic Charleston Battery. There are a number of viewing spots along the route and many participants wear Thanksgiving-inspired costumes. www.turkeydayrun.com
2.) Holiday Festival of Lights
Journey through 3 miles of 2 million shimmering lights at James Island County Park. The annual Holiday Festival of Lights is a Lowcountry tradition as holiday scenes and local landmarks come to life in the hundreds of displays lining the park. The Holiday Festival of Lights is open every evening, rain or shine, from Nov. 15th to Jan 5th. Drive through the light displays and then explore the grounds at Santa’s Village and Winter Wonderland with marshmallow roasting, train rides, old-fashioned carousel, gift shops and entertainment on select evenings. www.ccprc.com
Don’t have transportation? No problem, tours can be arranged through Adventure Sightseeing Tours with hotel pickup available. www.adventuresightseeing.com
The Sound of Charleston Holiday Shows – Come hear the music of Charleston’s rich history interspersed with music of the Holiday Season. Gospel spirituals, music of George Gershwin, Civil War Camp Songs, jazz, and light classics are performed by Charleston’s finest professional artists in the festively decorated Circular Congregational Church. For more info and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.soundofcharleston.com/
Unwrap the joy with the Charleston Symphony this season for one of Charleston’s favorite winter traditions, Holiday Pops! on Dec 19th – 21st. A celebration for audiences of all ages and from all backgrounds. Enjoy your favorite new holiday tunes, traditional carols, audience sing-alongs, and more. Featuring special guests, including Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., who first burst onto the national conscience as the Sinatra-and-Soul singing season six winner of NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent” with his incredible voice, undeniable charisma, and unparalleled showmanship. https://charlestonsymphony.org/
Enjoy the holiday spirit and seasonal decorations on the two-hour Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour of the historic district. Tour where carriages and motorcoaches are not allowed, while listening to stories and learning traditions that reveal Charleston’s rich history and colorful past. Visit the Four Corners of Law and The Battery while also seeing private neighborhoods dressed in their holiday finery. Throughout December, the Charleston Strolls Holiday Tour includes an abbreviated tour of the Edmondston-Alston House – the only Charleston house museum with a magnificent view of Charleston Harbor. https://bulldogtours.com
If you love the sounds of the season mixed with dancing, comedy sketches and more talent than one stage can hold, the Charleston Christmas Special is for you. Seasoned producers Brad and Jennifer Moranz have created a brand-new show sure to delight all ages. Performances are Dec. 12-22 at the Charleston Music Hall in the heart of downtown Charleston. Info: bradandjennifermoranz.com
The Charleston Farmers Holiday Market is open during the first three weekends in December: 12/7, 8, 14, 15 & 21 (9am-3pm). Whether you are a local who frequents the Charleston Farmers Market or a tourist visiting for the weekend, the market has something for everyone to enjoy. Head to Marion Square in downtown Charleston for locally made arts and crafts while enjoying special entertainment, music and food. ** Their website is currently down, but you can visit their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonFarmersMarket
Experience the enchantment of the holiday season with a dazzling original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on stage at the historic Dock Street Theatre in downtown Charleston. Performing from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22, this show is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Celebrate with Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future in Charleston Stage’s original and imaginative take on Dickens’ immortal classic. Info: charlestonstage.com
8.) Holiday Parades
City of Charleston
The annual Charleston Holiday Parade is a fun, energetic and very family friendly event. The parade is on Saturday December 7th at 3:00 p.m. and starts at the corner of Colonial Lake, where Broad and Rutledge meet. It will travel along Broad Street, turn and head north up Meeting Street, then finish on the corner of Calhoun and Meeting at Marion Square. Enjoy the holiday music, floats, special performers and marching bands. Head to Marion Square after the parade for Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the tree! https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1510/Holiday-Parade
Mount Pleasant
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. https://experiencemountpleasant.com/events/christmas-light-parade/
North Charleston
The North Charleston Christmas parade and festival is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2nd around Park Circle and includes children’s activities, craft and food vendors and live musical performances. https://www.northcharleston.org
Summerville
More than 3,000 participate in the Summerville Christmas parade through the historic downtown at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8th in Hutchinson Square. The 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. https://summervilledream.org/events/christmas-parade/
9.) Holiday Parade of Boats
Get on board with a Lowcountry holiday tradition as this display of lighted and festive boats proceeds from the Cooper River, through the Charleston Harbor and into the Ashley River, culminating in a brilliant fireworks display over the harbor.. Thousands of spectators line the shores along the Charleston peninsula, Patriot’s Point and other great viewing locations. The Parade of Boats begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14th on the Mount Pleasant side of the Cooper River and ends on the Ashley River about 8p.m.
Plan a visit to King Street. It’s the perfect place to spend a day shopping and grab lunch or coffee while watching the holiday hustle and bustle. Don’t miss 2nd Sunday on King from 1-5 p.m. the second Sunday of each month. King Street is closed to vehicular traffic from Queen Street North to Calhoun Street.
The holidays will come to life at Boone Hall Farms Christmas Tree Festival with cheerful holiday tunes, a Ferris Wheel, holiday cookie decorating, crafts, letters to Saint Nick, bow and wreath-making demonstrations, marshmallow roasting and more. Kick off the Christmas season with this two day festival, held on Nov. 23rd and 24th and snag a one-of-a-kind handmade wreath. Additionally, tour the festively-decorated plantation home during the Christmas holidays. www.boonehallplantation.com.
12.) Charleston Place Holiday Headquarters
From November 29th through the December 31st, The Charleston Place will transform into a magical holiday wonderland. Guests and locals can enjoy experiences like a Nutcracker Tea featuring ballerinas from The Dance Conservatory of Charleston, as well as pop-up performances from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The holiday train, one of the hotel’s most memorable traditions, will return this year with new enhancements, traversing the grand lobby along 300 feet of track. Coupled with visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Festival of Trees, holiday storytime for kids, and the nightly snowfall in the hotel’s Market Street Circle, there’s “snow” place like The Charleston Place during the holiday season. https://charlestonplace.com
Experience the enchantment of the holiday season at this dazzling light extravaganza, complete with larger-than-life installations, festive photo ops and the most unique Santa encounter in Charleston! The spectacle of lights at Aquarium Aglow promises to immerse you in the joy and magic of the holidays. The event unfolds between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., offering a heightened Aquarium experience for you, your friends, and loved ones. Your holiday cheer goes even further at Aquarium Aglow, with every ticket supporting animal care, education, conservation and sea turtle rehabilitation! Aquarium Aglow runs on select nights from November 21st to December 30th. Discover more at South Carolina Aquarium.
14.) Holiday "Sleigh" Ride with Old South Carriage Company
Harness some holiday fun with a Holiday “Sleigh” Ride! Climb aboard a specially decorated carriage, driven by one of Santa’s caroling elves. After a festive 20-minute caroling ride, stop by Santa’s workshop for cookies and cocoa – and a photo op with jolly old Saint Nick. Available on select nights throughout December. Visit Old South Carriage for more information.
15.) Polar Bear Plunge on Sullivan's Island & Folly Beach
Start the new year off in a way only a beach town can provide when hundreds of brave revelers “plunge” into the freezing Atlantic Ocean for the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 1 on Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach. Many afterparties at bars and restaurants follow the “plunge” event.
