Make this season merry and memorable with Charleston’s best family holiday events.
Charleston sparkles a little brighter during the holidays — and it’s not just the twinkle lights. From festive markets to boat parades and cozy nights sipping cocoa, the Holy City knows how to do the season right for families.
Whether you want to walk through glowing lights, catch a parade, or meet Santa himself, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Charleston, SC 2026 Holiday Hub:
Charleston, SC 2026 Christmas & Holiday Events
Lace up for a festive fun run or walk through the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park.
The Holiday Festival of Lights kicks off at James Island County Park. The display runs nightly from 5:30 to 10 PM, November 13 through December 31.
Try dragon boating and see some of the Holiday Festival of Lights displays from the water. Paddlers enjoy an on-the-water intro to the sport, hot chocolate afterward, and free admission to the Holiday Festival of Lights that evening. Advance registration is required and a paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under.
🎟️ Cost: $30.00.
📍 Location: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412
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Come learn how to make this tasty side dish with sweet potatoes for the upcoming holiday season! Weekly teen program for grades 6-12 featuring different activities centered around a variety of topics.
Learn how to make candied yams, a tasty sweet potato side dish for the holiday season, at this weekly teen program with the Charlie Cart. For grades 6-12.
📍 Location: St. Paul’s/Hollywood Library, 5906 Highway 165, Hollywood, SC 29449
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🧒 Ages: Teens, grades 6-12
Pick out the perfect tree and soak up the holiday spirit! Families can make Christmas crafts and decorations, snap photos in the photo booth, enjoy live music, and visit Santa (12–6 pm). Fresh-baked cookies and holiday treats are available for purchase.
🎟️ Cost: Free admission – no ticket required
📍 Location: Boone Hall Farms, 2434 N Hwy 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
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Take an evening run, walk, dash or prance through a two-mile course at Old Santee Canal Park for a sneaker preview of the holiday lights. Enjoy a post-race party with Santa, food and DJ music, and wear a costume if you like. The course is casual with no official start time. Food proceeds benefit local non-profits.
🎟️ Cost: $20 per person; children under 6 free
📍 Location: Old Santee Canal Park, 900 Stony Landing Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
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Kick off the holiday season with the official lighting of the towering Christmas tree, live music, Santa’s grand arrival, treats, and kids’ activities.
📍 Location: Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, 1200 Belk Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
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Pick out the perfect tree and soak up the holiday spirit! Families can make Christmas crafts and decorations, snap photos in the photo booth, enjoy live music, and visit Santa (12–6 pm). Fresh-baked cookies and holiday treats are available for purchase.
🎟️ Cost: Free admission – no ticket required
📍 Location: Boone Hall Farms, 2434 N Hwy 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
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Kick off the holiday season at Wild Dunes! Join Santa as he leads the countdown to the Christmas tree lighting at 5:30 PM, then enjoy a festive oyster roast and holiday fare, gingerbread house and ornament decorating, and a letters-to-Santa station. Santa makes special appearances throughout dinner. Cash bar available.
🎟️ Cost: Adults (13+) $78; Kids (4–12) $40; Ages 3 & under free (plus 25% service charge and 11% tax)
📍 Location: Osprey Terrace & Ballroom at the Sweetgrass Inn, Wild Dunes Resort, 5757 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
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Get into the holiday spirit at Summerville’s annual Old Time Christmas Celebration! Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony (right at 6 PM), food trucks and vendors, a chance to mail letters to Santa and meet him, and the Live Window Display Competition among local businesses. Expect street closures on Doty, Richardson, and Main Street starting at 2 PM.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Hutchinson Square, 102 S Main St, Summerville, SC 29483
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Make art at Art Club for Homeschoolers! This month the spotlight is on Norman Rockwell. Learn about the iconic artist and create a holiday-themed painting. For grades 6-12; registration required.
📍 Location: West Ashley Library, 45 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
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🧒 Ages: Grades 6-12
Wear your best holiday apparel or pajamas for a festive night at the iconic American Theater featuring A Christmas Story! Doors open at 6 pm and the movie starts at 6:30. Grab cookies from local bakers and hot cocoa in the lobby before the show.
🎟️ Cost: $17.85
📍 Location: The American Theater, 446 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
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A festive inclusive-recreation holiday dance in North Charleston for ages 4 and up (chaperones required).
🎟️ Cost: Advance tickets are $4 per person in advance, $5 at the door
📍 Location: 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC 29405
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Kick off the holiday season with an evening under the twinkling stars on Gabrielle Plaza! Enjoy caroling from the Charleston Caroling Company, festive giveaways, and a surprise visit from Santa himself. No tickets or reservations required.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Gabrielle Plaza at Hotel Bennett, 404 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
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The 33rd annual Christmas Made in the South brings hundreds of artists and craftsmen together for three days of handcrafted gifts, gourmet food and entertainment. Hours are Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., with free parking.
🎟️ Cost: Adults $10 at the door; children 12 & under free.
📍 Location: The Exchange Park Fairgrounds, 9850 US-78, Ladson, SC 29456
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Bundle up, grab a hot cocoa and wander downtown Summerville’s sparkling wonderland of Christmas trees decorated by the Junior Service League. Every tree is bursting with holiday cheer and a little friendly competition. Runs Dec. 5–19, 2026.
📍 Location: Hutchinson Square, 102 S. Main St., Summerville, SC 29483
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Start a new holiday tradition aboard the Spirit of Carolina! Enjoy views of Charleston Harbor, a breakfast buffet, a personal visit with Santa, a keepsake photo and a special holiday gift for each child. Boarding begins at 9 am.
🎟️ Cost: $70.35 per adult, $45.35 per child (ages 4–11), infants 3 & under free
📍 Location: Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
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The 33rd annual Christmas Made in the South brings hundreds of artists and craftsmen together for three days of handcrafted gifts, gourmet food and entertainment. Hours are Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., with free parking. 🎟️ Cost: Adults $10 at the door; children 12 & under free.
📍 Location: The Exchange Park Fairgrounds, 9850 US-78, Ladson, SC 29456
👉 Read more
Meet Santa and soak up the holiday cheer at James Island County Park.
🎟️ Cost: $85 for a group up to 5.
📍 Location: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412
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“While you’re chatting with jolly old St. Nick, our professional photographer will take photos of your group of up to 5 people with Santa. If your group has more than 5 people, please book multiple spots. You’ll receive the full digital package with all images of your visit. No personal photography will be allowed. A maximum of 6 families will be able to register for each 1-hour time slot, and each visit with Santa will be on a first-come, first-served basis during that time slot.
Charleston Holiday Events Happening All Season
Holiday Festival of Lights — Kicks off November 13, 2026 (nightly through December 31) at James Island County Park
Drive or stroll through millions of dazzling lights, themed displays, and holiday fun. This is a Charleston family favorite for good reason!
Here’s our full review of Holiday Festival of Lights
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Drive Through Decorated Neighborhoods — Evenings in November & December
Local families go all out! Some top areas: South of Broad and Hidden Cove off Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant. Bring cocoa and cozy up for a festive ride.
Christmas in Charleston Walking Tour — Daily tours in November & December
Explore the historic district on foot with a festive lens. Holiday décor, old Charleston stories, and twinkling streets. There are lots of options, including:
- Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour – Bulldog Tours
A 2-hour stroll through the historic district with festive décor, stories, and classic Charleston charm. Great for school-aged kids and older. - Christmas in Charleston – Exclusively Charleston
A private, guided 3-hour tour exploring beautifully decorated homes and historic holiday traditions. Best for families with older kids or teens. - Holiday Festival of Lights Tour – Old Town Trolley Tours
Includes transport to the James Island lights display plus walking time through the glowing exhibits. Great for families with little ones who love lights!
Giant Gingerbread House & Santa Fun at The Bennett Hotel — Opens November 21, 2026
Walk through the life-sized gingerbread house, write letters to Santa, sip cocoa, or enjoy tea at Camellias. Bonus: Carolers and Santa visits! It’s FREE to visit the Giant Gingerbread House all season long.
Holidays at The Charleston Place Hotel — November 26–December 31, 2026
Nutcracker Tea on weekends, Visits with Santa on Saturdays, Letters to Santa (Nov. 26–Dec. 24), a Tree Lighting Ceremony (Nov. 27), Cookies at the Cooper holiday decorating on Saturdays, and a cocoa cart (Nov. 27–Dec. 31). Also check the calendar for the Walk and Talk Holiday Tour, the Four Seasons Quintet performance (Dec. 12), Santa Tuck-In and so much more! Many events are open to guests of the hotel only, and others can be reserved by the public. Get more information on Holidays at The Charleston Place Hotel.
“A Christmas Carol” at Dock Street Theatre – Various dates November 29–December 20, 2026
The classic Dickens story live on stage — older kids especially will love it (and younger ones may too with parents!).
Christmas Carol, Dock Street Theatre
Aquarium Aglow at the SC Aquarium — Opens November 20, 2026 (select nights through December)
See marine life alongside holiday lights and glowing displays. Fun mix of festive and educational.
Aquarium Aglow at the SC Aquarium
Skate the Stadium: Holiday Skating on Daniel Island — 2026 dates not yet announced
Skate at Credit One Stadium, roast marshmallows at the fire pits, and win prizes for themed outfits. A hit for tweens, teens, and parents too! Check the stadium site for current pricing.
Get the details: Skate the Stadium
Family Tips for a Fun Holiday Season
- Check event websites for ticket times and availability — some sell out fast.
- Layer up! Evenings can get chilly, especially near the water.
- Arrive early for parades, boat events, and Santa visits.
- Mix it up — do one outdoor event, one indoor cozy treat (like tea with Santa or a show).
- Bring snacks & water for little ones — lines can be long.
- Support local makers — holiday markets are great for gifts and local charm.
From glowing boats on the harbor to snowflakes at your favorite hotel, Charleston is bursting with holiday fun for families. Mark your calendar, grab your Santa hats, and get ready for a season full of joy, lights, and magical memories.
Looking for more family fun in Charleston? Stay tuned — our local winter break ideas are coming soon!
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