Experience the holiday season in Spartanburg with our guide. Discover all the essential festive events. From Spartanburg locals to international visitors, our guide showcases the best of the season.
One event set to light up the community is the Holiday Festival of Lights, a delightful experience featuring twinkling displays and seasonal cheer. Also noteworthy is Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles, where thousands of candles illuminate the gardens, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. And the Christmas at Biltmore is something you definitely don't want to miss for its stunning decorations and festive ambiance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Spartanburg
- Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville)
- Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles (Georgetown)
- Holiday Festival of Lights (Charleston)
- Winterfest (Pigeon Forge)
- Fireflies Holiday Lights (Columbia)
- Anderson Christmas Lights (Anderson)
- Dickens of a Christmas
- Enchanted Garden of Lights (Lookout Mountain)
- Hollywild Magic of Lights
- Harbour Town Lights (Hilton Head)
See these and even more events listed below!
Spartanburg Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park features over two million dazzling lights, a three-mile driving tour, and various family attractions including marshmallow roasting, festival train rides, and an old-fashioned carousel. Guests can also visit Santa's Village and explore festival shops for holiday gifts and decorations.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Holiday Festival of Lights
Anderson Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Dog-friendly event with a 2.5-mile drive-through light show.
Description:
Anderson Christmas Lights is a 2.5-mile drive-through light show featuring over 3.5 million lights and 292 displays, including trees, bushes, and buildings. This family-friendly event is a beloved holiday tradition in Anderson, South Carolina, with new displays added each year.
Where: Anderson | More Info: Anderson Christmas Lights
Harbour Town Lights
What to Expect:
Towering Christmas tree centerpiece with live entertainment.
Description:
Harbour Town Lights features illuminated seasonal figures, including a towering Christmas tree, with live entertainment and activities throughout the holiday season.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Harbour Town Lights
Fireflies Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with themed activities.
Description:
Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park features an extensive display of holiday lights, activities, and events including the Fireflies Express train, Santa visits, and a scavenger hunt. The event is open from November 15 to January 4, with special hours on December 31.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Fireflies Holiday Lights
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
What to Expect:
Hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights transform the gardens into a stunning display.
Description:
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles features over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights, creating a breathtakingly beautiful atmosphere. Visitors can stroll through the gardens with a warm cup of cider, enjoy holiday music, and celebrate the season with family and friends.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
Hollywild Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday lights and animal exhibits.
Description:
Hollywild Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday event featuring millions of twinkling lights, biblical displays, and a visit to Santa's Village. The event benefits hundreds of animals at Hollywild Animal Preserve, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Where: Spartanburg | More Info: Hollywild Magic of Lights
Fantasy of Lights
What to Expect:
South Carolina's largest free Christmas light display.
Description:
The Fantasy of Lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, SC, 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
Christmas at Biltmore
What to Expect:
Gently illuminated candles and crackling fireplaces create a childlike wonder.
Description:
Christmas at Biltmore features 67 hand-decorated trees, 45,000 lights, and 282 candles in Biltmore House, along with festive garlands and ornaments throughout the estate.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Christmas at Biltmore
Winterfest
What to Expect:
Elaborate light displays and nature-themed outdoor lights.
Description:
Pigeon Forge Winterfest transforms the Smoky Mountains into a radiant celebration of the holiday season with over five million twinkling lights, intricate animal displays, and festive light displays along the parkway and Riverwalk nature trail.
Where: Pigeon Forge | More Info: Winterfest
Enchanted Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with over a million lights and interactive Santa activities.
Description:
Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights is a nighttime holiday tradition featuring over a million sparkling lights, an all-new Santa experience, and unique photo opportunities. Guests can walk through a winter wonderland, visit Santa in his living room, and explore various realms of wonder.
Where: Lookout Mountain | More Info: Enchanted Garden of Lights
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
What to Expect:
Award-winning illusionists perform Scott's Holiday Magic Show.
Description:
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, GA, transforms into a spectacular holiday light show featuring Christmas music, arts and crafts, food, and entertainment. Enjoy photo opportunities and a visit with Santa Claus.
Where: Hiawassee | More Info: Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
Spartanburg Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Dickens of a Christmas
What to Expect:
Victorian-era holiday festivities with live performances and a Christmas market.
Description:
Dickens of a Christmas is a free Victorian holiday celebration in downtown Spartanburg, featuring live performances, festive foods, a Christmas market, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Where: Spartanburg | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas
Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse performances and floats.
Description:
The Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade in Columbia, SC, is a festive event featuring over 125 entries, celebrating the holiday season with a variety of performances, floats, and community participation.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
Greenwood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Recreating iconic Christmas movie scenes with festive floats and Santa Claus.
Description:
The Greenwood Christmas Parade is a vibrant holiday event featuring iconic Christmas movie scenes, festive floats, and Santa Claus. It's a community celebration filled with lights, music, and holiday cheer.
Where: Greenwood | More Info: Greenwood Christmas Parade
Spartanburg Other Holiday Activities
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 in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Located at Village Green near the Courtyard Marriott, it offers a fun winter activity for all ages. The rink is open seven days a week, excluding Christmas Day, and provides skate rentals, hot chocolate, and a festive atmosphere.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Ice On Main
Santa Run & Rudolph Youth Run
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday run with course monitors and water stops.
Description:
Join the 2024 Santa Run 5K and Rudolph Youth Fun Run in Columbia, SC, hosted by Strictly Running. This festive event features a 5K run and a youth fun run, with course monitors and water stops ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Santa Run & Rudolph Youth Run
Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
What to Expect:
Competitive 10K with festive costumes encouraged.
Description:
The Hilton Head Island Jingle Jingle Bridge Run is a holiday running event featuring 5K and 10K races that start and finish at Crossings Park. Participants will run over the scenic Broad Creek on the Cross Island Expressway. The event includes standard race divisions for the 10K and limited divisions for the 5K. All participants receive a colorful Long Sleeve Jingle Jingle Bridge Run T-shirt and Jingle Bells. An award ceremony with refreshments, music, and door prizes will be held following the race.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
Historic Yorkville Holiday Home Tour
What to Expect:
Whimsical holiday village with over 70 events and activities.
Description:
Explore the charming holiday village in Old Town Rock Hill, featuring historic tours, strolling Dickens carolers, art, theater, dance, music, and a gingerbread house contest.
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!
- Greer (17 miles)
- Taylors (21 miles)
- Wade Hampton (23 miles)
- Simpsonville (23 miles)
- Mauldin (24 miles)
- Greenville (27 miles)
- Shelby (33 miles)
- Easley (39 miles)