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!
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A Charleston Tradition, the 46th Annual Turkey Day Run is the longest running 5K in Charleston. The 5K run and Gobble Wobble “trot” will be held on Nov. 23rd 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. 10 to Dec 31. 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. Don’t have transportation? No problem, tours can be arranged through Adventure Sightseeing Tours with hotel pickup available. www.ccprc.com 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 on Dec 21st – 23rd. A celebration for audiences of all ages and from all backgrounds. Enjoy your favorite new holiday tunes, traditional carols, audience sing-alongs, and more. There is something for everyone – including grand vocal works, visits from Santa and the Grinch, beloved pipers, and special guest dancing guests. 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. 14-23 at the Charleston Music Hall in the heart of downtown Charleston. Info: bradandjennifermoranz.com
The Charleston Farmers Holiday Market is open select Saturdays and Sundays throughout December from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16). Head to Marion Square in downtown Charleston for locally made arts and crafts while enjoying special entertainment, music and food. Info: charlestonfarmersmarket.com
Join Charleston Stage for its musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” On stage at the historic Dock Street Theatre in downtown Charleston from Nov. 29 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.) Parades
Holiday Parades: City of Charleston parade is 3 p.m. Dec. 3rd along Broad, King and Calhoun streets, ending with Santa’s arrival at Marion Square where the tree of lights in the center of the park will come to life after dark. More than 3,000 participate in the Summerville Christmas parade through the historic downtown at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10th. 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. The Town of Mount Pleasant features more than 100 floats parading down Coleman Boulevard in its parade, which ends with a tree lighting and fireworks at 5:30-8pm on Dec. 10th.
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 Dec. 9th 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. 18, 19 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 25th through the January 2nd, The Charleston Place will transform into European holiday bazaar. More than 70 decorated trees will adorn the hallways and courtyards, along with a 40-foot tree of lights in Market Street Circle. 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 carolers, Santa and nightly snowfall, there’s snow place like The Charleston Place during the holiday season.
Experience the enchantment of the holiday season at this captivating light extravaganza, featuring tens of thousands of lights illuminating a range of installations. 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. Delight in live entertainment every night and explore a diverse array of food and refreshments available for purchase. Aquarium Aglow runs on select nights from November 18th to January 2nd. Discover more at South Carolina Aquarium.
14.) Holiday "Sleigh" Ride with Old South Carriage Company
Harness some holiday fun and 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 https://oldsouthcarriage.com/ for more information.
15.) Polar Bear Plunge on Folly & Sullivans
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.
