Experience the charm of Aiken during the holidays with our guide. For hometown residents and visiting guests, this guide is your ticket to Aiken's holiday fun.
Popular events abound, starting with the Holiday Festival of Lights, where enchanting displays illuminate the area, creating a magical atmosphere for all ages. Featuring local artisans and unique handmade gifts, the Aiken Christmas Craft Show showcases the creativity of the region. And the Charleston Holiday Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful shopping experience filled with festive cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Aiken
- Holiday Festival of Lights (Charleston)
- Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles (Georgetown)
- Ice On Main (Greenville)
- Holiday Fair & Kringle Village (Greenville)
- Charleston Holiday Market (North Charleston)
- Aiken Christmas Craft Show
- Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade (Greenville)
- Greenville Holiday Market and Craft Fair (Greenville)
- Anderson Christmas Lights (Anderson)
- Holly Jolly Holiday Fair (Anderson)
See these and even more events listed below!
Aiken Holiday Light Displays
Anderson Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Dog-friendly holiday light drive-through with new displays annually.
Description:
Anderson Christmas Lights is a 2.5-mile drive-through holiday light show in Anderson, SC, featuring over 3.5 million lights and 292 displays. The event is dog-friendly and offers a family-friendly atmosphere with new displays added each year.
Where: Anderson | More Info: Anderson Christmas Lights
Christmas Park Lighted displays
What to Expect:
Spectacular 2.5-mile drive-through light display.
Description:
Anderson Christmas Lights features a 2.5-mile drive-through display of over 3.5 million lights, including trees, bushes, and buildings, making it a beloved holiday tradition in the Upstate.
Where: Anderson | More Info: Christmas Park Lighted displays
Holiday Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays with a variety of themed areas.
Description:
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park features over 750 dazzling light displays, including a refurbished Cooper River Bridge display. Visitors can enjoy a driving tour, explore family attractions, and participate in activities like marshmallow roasting and festival train rides.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Holiday Festival of Lights
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
What to Expect:
Unique candlelit holiday display with festive atmosphere.
Description:
Brookgreen Gardens transforms into a spectacular holiday display with over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. Visitors can walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, enjoy the sounds of holiday music, and celebrate the season with family and friends.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
Fantasy of Lights
What to Expect:
Over one million lights in a drive-through display.
Description:
South Carolina's largest free Christmas light display at Swan Lake Iris Gardens features over one million twinkling lights, a floating Christmas tree, and Santa's Village with holiday music and treats.
Where: Sumter | More Info: Fantasy of Lights
Harbour Town Lights
What to Expect:
Towering Christmas tree with live entertainment.
Description:
Harbour Town Lights is a festive holiday event featuring illuminated seasonal figures, including a towering Christmas tree, and live entertainment. The official tree lighting ceremony takes place just prior to the Gregg Russell Concert, and the lights remain on throughout the holiday season. Visitors can also support the Deep Well Project by dropping off canned goods or new, unwrapped toys.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Harbour Town Lights
Aiken Holiday Markets and Shopping
Aiken Christmas Craft Show
What to Expect:
Indoor-outdoor showcase of Southeastern artisans and crafters.
Description:
The Aiken Christmas Craft Show is an annual event featuring handmade items from artisans, bakers, and crafters from the Southeast. It takes place at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center in Aiken, SC, showcasing a variety of unique, locally made goods.
Where: Aiken | More Info: Aiken Christmas Craft Show
Holly Jolly Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with live entertainment and DIY activities.
Description:
The Holly Jolly Holiday Fair is a sweeping celebration of all things holiday, featuring 200 handcrafted and vintage booths with local food and drink trucks. Enjoy live entertainment, DIY classes, and activities for all ages, including a big red guy himself.
Where: Anderson | More Info: Holly Jolly Holiday Fair
Charleston Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Extensive selection of local artisans and gourmet food vendors.
Description:
The Charleston Holiday Market is a comprehensive holiday shopping experience featuring a variety of vendors selling handmade crafts, gourmet foods, and unique gifts. The event includes visits with Santa and offers free parking. It takes place at the North Charleston Coliseum Convention Center from November 15 to 17, 2024, with show hours on Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Where: North Charleston | More Info: Charleston Holiday Market
Greenville Holiday Market and Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans, festive activities, and European-inspired entertainment.
Description:
The Greenville Convention Center transforms into a vibrant holiday destination featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, an European Bier Garden, and various festive activities like the North Pole children's play area, Santa's Workshop, Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, Family Movie Night, and snowball fights. Local artisans and crafters offer a wide range of gifts and seasonal items.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Greenville Holiday Market and Craft Fair
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans, European-inspired festivities, and family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Greenville Convention Center transforms into a vibrant holiday event featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, the North Pole children’s play area, Santa’s Workshop, the Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, Family Movie Night, snowball fights, main stage entertainment, the Grand Carousel, and visits with Santa.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
Holiday Market Shopping
What to Expect:
Exclusive shopping experience with live music and private shopping opportunities.
Description:
The Holiday Market Shopping event at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds features over 160 merchants offering unique gifts, a Ladies Night Out event, a festive Holiday Ball, and Sundaes with Santa. Shoppers can enjoy live music, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres while supporting the Junior League of Columbia's mission to strengthen the health and well-being of children and families in the Midlands.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Holiday Market Shopping
Midlands Clay Arts Society Holiday Sales
What to Expect:
Unique ceramics by local artists.
Description:
The Midlands Clay Arts Society Holiday Sale features a diverse collection of handcrafted ceramics by local artists, showcasing their sculptural, functional, and whimsical creations.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Midlands Clay Arts Society Holiday Sales
Fort Mill Winter Holiday Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Live music and holiday photo station with local vendors.
Description:
The Fort Mill Winter Holiday Artisan Market at Anne Springs Close Greenway features 50 local vendors selling handmade goods, including home decor, candles, and holiday gifts. Enjoy live music, a holiday photo station, and s'mores kits from the Gateway Canteen. A gift-wrapping station and firepits add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Fort Mill | More Info: Fort Mill Winter Holiday Artisan Market
Jamil Craft Show
What to Expect:
Live Christmas music and local artisans selling handmade goods.
Description:
The Jamil Craft Show is a one-day event showcasing handmade retail items from local artisans and hobbyists. It features live Christmas music, home-made baked goods, and hot food from food trucks. The event is held at the Jamil Shrine Temple in Columbia, South Carolina.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Jamil Craft Show
West Columbia Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans selling unique handmade creations.
Description:
The Meeting Street Artisan Market in West Columbia, SC, offers a boutique shopping experience with local artisans selling handmade crafts, stunning artwork, baked goods, and beautiful jewelry. The market is held every Thursday from 4 PM to 8 PM in the Interactive Art Park at 425 Meeting Street, near Savage Craft Ale Works and D’s Wings.
Where: West Columbia | More Info: West Columbia Artisan Market
Aiken Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Greer Christmas Tree Lighting Event
What to Expect:
Live performances and Santa's grand entrance.
Description:
Join us at Greer City Park for a holiday celebration featuring live performances, free holiday craft stations, free train rides, roaming carolers, and more. Enjoy ice sculpture demonstrations, Greer Relief Smores, and hot chocolate. Santa will make a grand entrance at 7:10 PM.
Where: Greer | More Info: Greer Christmas Tree Lighting Event
Dickens of a Christmas
What to Expect:
Victorian-era holiday celebration with live performances and festive activities.
Description:
Downtown Spartanburg transforms into a Victorian-era holiday playland with live performances, food vendors, and a Christmas market.
Where: Spartanburg | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas
Aiken Other Holiday Activities
Fall Steeplechase Village of Shops
What to Expect:
Live music and festive contests in a lively village setting.
Description:
The Fall Steeplechase Village of Shops offers a lively atmosphere with live music, a Bloody Mary Bar, and various contests like the Hat Contest and Crazy Pants Contest. The event features a range of activities, including children's stick horse races and a pony club presentation, all set against the backdrop of the Aiken Steeplechase.
Where: Aiken | More Info: Fall Steeplechase Village of Shops
Christmas Tour of Homes
What to Expect:
Tour of elaborately decorated homes showcasing local holiday traditions.
Description:
The North Augusta Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by Beta Sigma Phi, offers a unique opportunity to explore beautifully decorated homes in the North Augusta area. Each home showcases the holiday spirit with unique decorations and traditions, providing a glimpse into the community's festive atmosphere.
Where: Aiken | More Info: Christmas Tour of Homes
Ice On Main
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in downtown Greenville.
Description:
United Community Ice on Main is an open outdoor ice skating rink located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. It offers a fun winter activity for all ages, with regular operating hours and special holiday hours. The rink is situated at Village Green near the Courtyard Marriott, providing a festive atmosphere for skaters.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Ice On Main
Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community recognition awards and festive floats.
Description:
The Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade is a long-standing holiday tradition in downtown Greenville, featuring festive floats, holiday activities, and community recognition awards. Thousands of visitors gather to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
Columbia Fall Gun and Knife Show
What to Expect:
Unique collection of modern and antique firearms and knives.
Description:
The Columbia Fall Gun and Knife Show is a premier event featuring a diverse array of modern and antique guns, knives, and ammunition. Attendees can explore various vendors and exhibits while enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Columbia Fall Gun and Knife Show
Downtown Christmas Magic
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with free activities and photo ops.
Description:
Downtown Christmas Magic in Florence features decorated storefronts, hot cocoa, marshmallow roasting, an ugly sweater competition, a Jingle and Mingle kids area, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.
Where: Florence | More Info: Downtown Christmas Magic
Christmas in the Creek Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with floats and marching bands.
Description:
The Christmas in the Creek Holiday Parade is a festive event in Goose Creek, featuring a mile-long procession along St. James Avenue and continuing to Marilyn Street. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and showcases community spirit with floats, marching bands, and local participants.
Where: Goose Creek | More Info: Christmas in the Creek Holiday Parade
Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed running event with festive costumes and awards.
Description:
The Hilton Head Island Jingle Jingle Bridge Run is a festive holiday event featuring 5K and 10K runs that start and finish at Crossings Park, taking participants over scenic Broad Creek on the Cross Island Expressway. The event includes standard race divisions, limited 5K divisions, and encourages participants to wear holiday costumes. All participants receive colorful Long Sleeve Jingle Jingle Bridge Run T-shirts and Jingle Bells. An award ceremony with refreshments, music, and door prizes follows the race.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
Cold Winter's Day 5K
What to Expect:
Unique charity event with cash prizes and finisher medals.
Description:
The Cold Winter's Day 5K is a festive winter event in Columbia, SC, featuring a 5K run and walk, a snowflake youth fun run, and a charity program supporting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants will receive finisher medals, and there are cash prizes for top finishers.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Cold Winter's Day 5K
Historic Yorkville Holiday Home Tour
What to Expect:
Whimsical holiday village with festive holiday decorations and activities inspired by Vernon Grant.
Description:
Explore Old Town Rock Hill during ChristmasVille 2024, featuring over 70 events including horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, strolling Dickens carolers, art, theater, dance, music, and a gingerbread house contest. Enjoy scrumptious treats and multiple Santa-filled adventures amidst twinkling lights and festive cheer.
Where: Rock Hill | More Info: Historic Yorkville Holiday Home Tour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- North Augusta (15 miles)
- Augusta (16 miles)
- Martinez (21 miles)
- Evans (24 miles)
- Lexington (40 miles)