Diana Lynn

There is no lack of holiday spirit in Charleston, SC, and if you are looking for some fun Christmas events to attend with your family this year, there is plenty to choose from. I’ve lived in Charleston for nearly three years now, and we continue to add more to our annual Charleston Christmas event list. Every weekend is booked up! I’ve shared my top Charleston Christmas event picks below for the holiday season!

Top Picks for Christmas Events in Charleston

1. Holiday Festival of Lights (November 10-December 31): Not only can you drive through the beautiful light show of James Island County Park, you can park and experience a fun night festival that includes a train to take you around to the lights, a carousel ride, an opportunity to meet Santa, holiday treats, and more.

2. Aglow at the Aquarium (November 16-December 30): My favorite way to visit the aquarium is during Aglow around Christmastime. Go have a nice early dinner downtown with the family, then make your way to the aquarium to view beautiful lights and decor at each experience. Adult beverages are also available for purchase (making it an extra fun night).

3. Bee City Christmas Wonderland of Lights (November 17-December 30): Enjoy a visit to all your favorite zoo animals at night with lights throughout the experience. Additional offerings include animal feedings, hot chocolate and smores, a wagon ride, and more. Tickets are $13 a person and free for those under two.

4. Boone Hall Christmas Tree Festival (November 18-19): Two options for fun-filled days at Boone Hall Farms, where kids can see Santa, write letters to Santa, ride a holiday ferris wheel, face paint, and meet the winter queen. Tickets are $8 a person or $30 for a family of four.

5. The Charleston Place Experiences (November 24-December 31): The Charleston Place features multiple experience, including Let It Snow, Nutcracker Tea and the Tree Lighting Ceremony (November 24). While the experiences are first come, first serve sign up and often sell out, they do have a beautiful display of decorations to the theme of the Nutcracker, 162 trees decorated throughout the hotel, and a holiday train the runs in the hallway. It’s worth a peek if you can swing it this season!

6. Hotel Bennett Life-Size Gingerbread House (November 23-January 6): Made of hundreds of pounds of candy, the life-size gingerbread house is great place to stop by for a visit and get some hot chocolate! Hotel Bennett also hosts a tree lighting ceremony on December 7, Tea with Santa (Saturdays and Sundays in December), a Night before Christmas Eve with Santa, and Breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve.

7. Cirque Dreams Holidaze (November 28-29): I always enjoy a good cirque show, and if its theme is centered around the holidays, there are so many ways for families to enjoy this type of experience, watching acrobatics to the fun seasonal tunes to get you into the spirit!

8. Daniel Island Ferry Milk & Cookies with Santa (Saturdays & Sundays in December): If your little ones need some adjusting to Santa, this is the perfect way to get acquainted. Littles get to enjoy being on the ferry and being on the water, and can take their time to talk to Santa. Last year, booze was available for sale for adults, which is always an added plus!

9. Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade (December 10): Watch a light-filled parade of floats and community groups celebrating the season, followed by a fireworks show.

10. Holy City Holiday Market (December 16): Holy City Brewing has a great outdoor space for families to enjoy their weekends while parents have a few beverages. The holiday market takes place at Holy City Brewing, Firefly Distillery and the Station Park Circle. Shopping, treats, foods, holiday music and opportunities to meet Lillie Fuel Santa will be available.

I can’t wait to take advantage of these fun events this year! I’d love to hear what your favorite things to do in Charleston are during the holiday season. If you are looking for a fun holiday outfit to pair with any events you have lined up for Christmas, check out my post on holiday mommy and me dress finds.