Celebrate the Holidays – Charleston Style

It’s not too early to start making your holiday plans for Charleston. The season is packed with festivals, tree lightings, family activities and shopping. Here are a few of our favorites and be sure to visit our calendar for a full listing.

The 24^th annual Holiday Festival of Lights is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Located at James Island County Park, the festival boasts more than 2 million lights in 750 displays. Drive 3 miles through the park to take in the light displays then stop off at the winter wonderland for hot chocolate, shopping and Santa. The festival runs Nov. 8 through Dec. 31.

Middleton Place hosts several holiday events, including a Holiday Market Nov. 29-30 with live musicians performing carols, complimentary hot cider and treats and local artisan displays. Then on Dec. 14, the plantation hosts a holiday event for all ages – the Family Yuletide in the Stableyards. Enjoy storytelling around the fire, caroling and craftspeople working in their shops by candlelight as they prepare for Christmas at Middleton Place.

During the Grand Illumination at Middleton Place Dec. 19-20, visitors can stroll through the gardens illuminated by torchlight, candlelight and starlight and hear costumed interpreters along the way tell stories of the joyous holiday season when the British evacuated Charleston at the end of the Revolutionary War. See the house seasonally decorated and glowing in candlelight, and on the Greensward, enjoy a warm fire, live music and refreshments. The event concludes with a Southern Buffet dinner.

Photo/Middleton Place Grand Illumination at Middleton Place — Photo/Middleton Place
Grand Illumination at Middleton Place

Here’s a sampling of even more holiday fun in Charleston:

Nov. 30 – Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Gather in Marion Square at dusk as the tree of lights comes to life for the holiday season. charlestonarts.org | 843-724-7305
Dec. 1 Chanukah in the Square – 4-6 p.m. in Marion Square. charlestonarts.org | 843-724-7305
Dec. 3 Summerville Christmas Tree Lighting – Downtown Summerville. summervilledream.org
Dec. 6, 13 Christmas 1860 at the Edmondston-Alston House – The historic house will be decorated for the holidays much as it would have been in 1860. Living historians in period clothing tell the story of Charleston’s last opulent Christmas before the start of the Civil War and Christmas traditions of the day. Located at 21 East Battery in Charleston. edmondstonalston.com | 843-722-7171
Dec. 6-10, 12-15, 19-22 The Charleston Christmas Special – Family friendly variety show with holiday songs, dancing and skits at the Charleston Music Hall. bradandjennifermoranz.com | 843-416-8453
Dec. 7 Reindeer Run — Get into the holiday spirit with this family and pet-friendly 5K through downtown Charleston. The event concludes with an after-party. Proceeds benefit the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital and the Charitable Society of Charleston. reindeerrun.org
Dec. 7 Holiday Market & Craft Show – This annual event at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion showcases locally grown produce, baked goods and homemade preserves along with crafts from local artisans. comeonovermp.com | 843-884-8517
Dec. 7 Holiday Parade of Boats – Boats decorated in their holiday finest will make their way down the Cooper River, starting on the Mount Pleasant side and ending in the Ashley River. charlestonarts.org
Dec. 7, 8 Spirituals Concert – Drayton Hall presents African-American spiritual music with two concerts by Ann Caldwell and The Magnolia Singers. These concerts are a rare opportunity to gather in the atmospheric-raised English basement of Drayton Hall to hear music that could have been heard centuries ago in the surrounding fields and praise houses. draytonhall.org | 843-769-2600
Dec. 8 Christmas Light Parade & Tree Lighting – More than 100 floats will march down Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant followed by a tree lighting and fireworks display at Moultrie Middle School. comeonovermp.com | 843-884-8517
Dec. 8 Summerville Christmas Parade – Downtown Summerville. summervilledream.org
Dec. 13-14 Holiday Pops: A Very Merry Sing-A-Long — The Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents holiday favorites at the Sottile Theatre in downtown Charleston. charlestonsymphony.com | 843-723-7528
Dec. 22 Classical Kids Concert: The Night Before Christmas – Sing along to favorite holiday songs and listen as well loved stories come to life with classical music at Sottile Theatre in Charleston. chambermusiccharleston.org | 843-763-4941
Dec. 26 Lighting of the Kwanzaa Kinari – Marion Square in downtown Charleston. charlestonarts.org | 843-724-7305

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Charleston FAQ's

Best Places to Stay and Hotels in Charleston?

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

What Beach in Charleston is Best?

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

What are some historical things to do in Charleston?

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

What to do with the family and kids in Charleston?

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

Are you a Charleston First Time Visitor? Checkout the guide

There’s so many things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Charleston things to do in the Spring season?

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Charleston things to do in the Summer season?

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info:

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Charleston things to do in the Fall season?

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

What should I not miss in Charleston?

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

How many days do I need in Charleston?

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions:

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Is Charleston a walkable city? Do I need a car?

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well:

Getting Around Charleston, SC

Is Savannah or Charleston better?

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion:

Both cities are historic and beautiful.
Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston.
Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options.
Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
Both cities have equally good tours.
Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance.
Savannah is more affordable.
TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com