Get pumped for festive fun in Sumter! Our guide has everything you need for the holidays. From Sumter natives to holiday explorers, this guide ensures everyone enjoys the season's magic.
Popular Events: Experience the enchanting Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles, where thousands of flickering lights illuminate the gardens, creating a breathtaking holiday ambiance. Featuring local artisans and delicious treats, the Holiday Market offers a perfect spot to find unique gifts and festive foods. And the Holiday Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a dazzling array of light displays throughout the area. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sumter
- Holiday Festival of Lights (Charleston)
- Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles (Georgetown)
- Holiday Fair & Kringle Village (Greenville)
- Holiday Market (Columbia)
- Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade (Mount Pleasant)
- Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade (Columbia)
- Aquarium Aglow (Charleston)
- Summerville Christmas parade (Summerville)
- North Charleston Christmas parade and festival (North Charleston)
- Fireflies Holiday Lights (Columbia)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sumter Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Extensive light displays and family 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-friendly attractions including marshmallow roasting, festival train rides, and an old-fashioned carousel.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Holiday Festival of Lights
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
What to Expect:
Unique candlelit and lighted garden event.
Description:
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles features over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights transforming the gardens into a breathtakingly beautiful setting. Guests can walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear holiday music, and enjoy beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
Where: Georgetown | More Info: Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
What to Expect:
Brilliantly lit floats and community groups in a festive nighttime parade.
Description:
The Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade features beautifully lit floats and community groups marching along West Coleman Boulevard, culminating in a spectacular Pyrotecnico fireworks show. The parade travels south from Live Oak Drive to the intersection of W. Coleman Boulevard and Patriots Point Road.
Where: Mount Pleasant | More Info: Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Aquarium Aglow
What to Expect:
Immersive light spectacular with Scuba Claus.
Description:
Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium features tens of thousands of lights, larger-than-life installations, festive photo opportunities, and a unique Santa encounter. Enjoy specialty refreshments and immerse yourself in holiday magic.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Aquarium Aglow
Fireflies Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with themed activities and Santa appearances.
Description:
Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park features over one million LED lights, themed areas, holiday activities, and festive food and drinks. Santa is available nightly for photos and holiday wishes.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Fireflies Holiday Lights
Downtown Christmas Magic
What to Expect:
Synchronized holiday light and music display on South Dargan Street.
Description:
Downtown Christmas Magic in Florence features decorated storefronts, a Jingle and Mingle kids area, holiday crafts, games, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, all set to festive music and lights.
Where: Florence | More Info: Downtown Christmas Magic
Harbour Town Lights
What to Expect:
Towering Christmas tree and live entertainment.
Description:
Harbour Town Lights features illuminated seasonal figures, including a towering Christmas tree, and live entertainment. The event supports the Deep Well Project by encouraging donations of canned goods and new toys.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Harbour Town Lights
Anderson Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Dog-friendly drive-through light display with nightly entertainment.
Description:
Anderson Christmas Lights features a 2.5-mile drive-through display of over 3.5 million lights, including 292 displays, trees, bushes, and buildings. The event is dog-friendly and offers nightly entertainment in the Santa Village.
Where: Anderson | More Info: Anderson Christmas Lights
Fantasy of Lights
What to Expect:
South Carolina's largest free Christmas light display.
Description:
Swan Lake Iris Gardens transforms into a dazzling display of over one million twinkling lights, featuring a floating Christmas tree and Santa's Village, where kids can write letters and take photos with Santa.
Where: Sumter | More Info: Fantasy of Lights
Sumter Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Exclusive shopping event with live music, private shopping, and delectable eats.
Description:
The Holiday Market is a four-day shopping event featuring over 160 merchants at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. Attendees can enjoy general admission, the exclusive Holiday Ball, and Sundaes with Santa, 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
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
What to Expect:
Combining a traditional holiday market with European-inspired festivities.
Description:
The Holiday Fair & Kringle Village at the Greenville Convention Center features a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, and various family-friendly activities like the North Pole children's play area, Santa's Workshop, and the Little Miss Kringle Pageant.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
Mt Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and free admission.
Description:
The Mt Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show features locally grown produce, baked goods, hot food, homemade preserves, and handcrafted gifts created by local artisans. The event includes live entertainment, children's activities, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Mount Pleasant | More Info: Mt Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show
Sumter Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with diverse performances.
Description:
The Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade is a vibrant celebration in Columbia, SC, featuring over 125 entries, including marching bands, dance teams, and festive floats. It is a cherished tradition that brings the community together to kick-start the holiday season.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
Sumter Other Holiday Activities
North Charleston Christmas parade and festival
What to Expect:
Annual community event with festive activities and a parade.
Description:
The North Charleston Christmas parade and festival is an annual community event featuring colorful floats, lively marching bands, children’s activities, festive food and decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, visits with Santa, and a parade. The event transforms the city streets into a lively celebration with lighted snowflakes, Christmas trees, and holiday scenes.
Where: North Charleston | More Info: North Charleston Christmas parade and festival
Summerville Christmas parade
What to Expect:
Community celebration with decorated floats and vehicles.
Description:
The Summerville Christmas Parade is a family-friendly event designed to promote positivity and capture the spirit of the holiday season. It features decorated floats, walking groups, and vehicles, all celebrating local traditions and community unity.
Where: Summerville | More Info: Summerville Christmas parade
Reindeer Run
What to Expect:
Family-friendly 5k run/walk with a festive costume contest.
Description:
The 33rd Annual Reindeer Run/Walk is a family-oriented, pet-friendly 5k run/walk in downtown Charleston, SC. It supports the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and features a festive costume contest with various categories.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Reindeer Run
Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed running event with festive costumes encouraged.
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. Participants receive colorful Long Sleeve T-shirts and Jingle Bells, with an award ceremony featuring refreshments, music, and door prizes.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
Historic Yorkville Holiday Home Tour
What to Expect:
Historic home tour with unique holiday decorations.
Description:
Explore historic homes in Yorkville, each decorated with unique holiday themes and traditions, offering a glimpse into the past during the holiday season.
Where: Rock Hill | More Info: Historic Yorkville Holiday Home Tour
Santa on Main
What to Expect:
Santa's arrival with festive activities and carriage rides.
Description:
Santa on Main is an event where Santa arrives in Uptown Greenwood for pictures, cookies, milk, crafts, and a pajama party. It includes free carriage rides and the lighting of the Uptown Christmas Tree.
Where: Greenwood | More Info: Santa on Main
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Florence (38 miles)
- Columbia (40 miles)
- Saint Andrews (44 miles)