Organize your perfect holiday in Charleston with our guide. We’ve listed all the top events and activities for you. From Charleston regulars to first-time tourists, this guide highlights the season's top events.
Popular Events: The Holiday Festival of Lights transforms the local park into a dazzling display of twinkling lights and festive decorations, attracting families eager to celebrate the season. Further adding to the charm, Illumination Charleston features spectacular light installations that create a magical evening stroll for visitors of all ages. And the Aquarium Aglow is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it showcases an enchanting underwater light display celebrating marine life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Charleston
- Holiday Festival of Lights (James Island)
- Illumination Charleston
- Aquarium Aglow
- Skate the Stadium
- Old Village Holiday Street Fest (Mount Pleasant)
- Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
- The Sound of Charleston
- Holiday Movie Night at the American Theater
See these and even more events listed below!
Charleston Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and festive activities.
Description:
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park features over 750 dazzling light displays, including the newly refurbished Cooper River Bridge display. Visitors can enjoy festive treats, ride the Festival Train, and visit Santa's Sweet Shoppe. The event also includes a climbing wall, holiday sand sculpture, and shopping opportunities.
Where: James Island | More Info: Holiday Festival of Lights
Aquarium Aglow
What to Expect:
Immersive light display with Scuba Claus in the Great Ocean Tank.
Description:
The South Carolina Aquarium presents Aquarium Aglow, a dazzling light spectacular featuring tens of thousands of lights, festive photo opportunities, and a unique Santa encounter. Enjoy specialty refreshments and interactive exhibits amidst the holiday magic.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Aquarium Aglow
Charleston Holiday Markets and Shopping
Illumination Charleston
What to Expect:
Holiday market with local vendors and design demonstrations.
Description:
Illumination Charleston is a holiday event in Charleston, South Carolina, featuring a curated holiday market with local and regional vendors, full-day demonstrations on cooking, decorating, and holiday entertaining, and a tour of the 2024 Southern Living Idea House decorated for the holidays. Book signings with notable Southerner authors and meet-and-greets with Southern Living editors and contributors are also part of the event.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Illumination Charleston
Old Village Holiday Street Fest
What to Expect:
Local shopping and live entertainment in a historic setting.
Description:
The Old Village Holiday Street Fest is a holiday market held on Pitt Street, featuring local vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Where: Mount Pleasant | More Info: Old Village Holiday Street Fest
Charleston Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Movie Night at the American Theater
What to Expect:
Classic holiday movie screening in a vintage Art Deco cinema.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with a classic movie night at the historic American Theater, featuring a fully equipped cinema with stadium seating and state-of-the-art A/V equipment.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Holiday Movie Night at the American Theater
The Sound of Charleston
What to Expect:
Live music performance in a historic church setting.
Description:
The Sound of Charleston is a 75-minute live concert featuring a diverse mix of gospel, Gershwin, Civil War songs, jazz, and light classics performed by professional musicians at historic Circular Congregational Church.
Where: Charleston | More Info: The Sound of Charleston
Charleston Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
What to Expect:
Parade and ice skating activities in downtown square.
Description:
Christmas in the Heart of Charleston is a fun and free event featuring a parade, ice skating rink, games, carriage rides, food, ice carving, Santa, and music in Charleston's Historic Downtown Square.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
Skate the Stadium
What to Expect:
Ice skating with holiday treats and firepits.
Description:
Skate the Stadium at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, SC, features ice skating, cozy firepits, and seasonal concessions like s'mores kits and cinnamon sugar pretzels.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Skate the Stadium
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Terre Haute (41 miles)
- Urbana (42 miles)