23 Holiday Parades, Tree Lightings, Ice Skating, Pop Up Bars and more in the Charleston, SC Area this Holiday Season

By Mark A. Leon

For Bri and all the amazing parents and families that want to spread joy this holiday season.

Here is your almost complete guide to all the joy and happiness your sweet heart can take this holiday season in the Lowcountry:

City of Charleston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting – Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024 – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Tree Lighting at Marion Square at 4:30 PM).

Holiday Festival of Lights – Dates: November 15 – December 31 / Location: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC.

Cougar Night Lights at The Cistern – December 2, 2024 – January 2, 2025 – The College of Charleston will shine brightly this holiday season. The eighth annual Cougar Night Lights will capture the magic of the holidays with dazzling light displays set to classic holiday tunes and popular contemporary songs. A total of 46,490 lights will illuminate Cistern Yard during this monthlong program. The show kicks off in the historic Cistern Yard on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, with a special showing for College of Charleston students, and will open to the public the next day, Dec. 3. The musical light show will run nightly every half hour between 5:30 and 9 p.m. through Jan. 2, 2025.

Let It Snow – Dates: December 1 – December 30 / Location: The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 – Witness the rare occurrence of snow in the Holy City and watch as snow magically falls on Market Street Circle blanketing the holiday trees in a lovely sheet of winter white.

Old Time Summerville Christmas Celebration – Date: December 3, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm / Location: Hutchinson Square, Summerville – Join the Town of Summerville for the annual Town of Summerville Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Summerville. This celebration includes pictures with Santa, the countdown and lighting ceremony, letters to Santa, live window displays, and more Holiday fun!

Christmas in the Creek Holiday Tree Lighting – Date: December 6, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Tree lighting at 6:00 PM) / Location: Goose Creek Municipal Center – Kick off the holiday season in Goose Creek as the City’s Christmas tree is lit for everyone to see! Christmas in the Creek will feature holiday hayrides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, photos with Santa, and LOTS more.

Hanahan Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Vendor Market  – Date: December 6, Vendor Market, 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm and tree lighting at 6:00 pm. The rain date is December 13th / Location: Hanahan Amphitheater, 3100 Mabeline Rd, Hanahan – Meet Santa Claus, shop our local vendor market, enjoy some of the best food trucks in the Lowcountry, and enjoy performances by our local school chorus groups and bands, and local dance studios.

IOP Holiday Street Festival – Date: December 7, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm / Location: Front Beach on the Isle of Palms.

Summerville Christmas Parade – Dates: December 8, 2:00 pm / Location: Downtown Summerville.

Christmas in the Creek Holiday Parade – Date: December 14, 9:30 am – 11 am / Location: Saint James Avenue, Goose Creek – The parade will take place on St. James Avenue in Goose Creek, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The mile-long parade begins on St. James Avenue and continues to Marilyn Street. Road closures will begin at 7:00 a.m.

Folly Beach Parade – Date: December 14 at 9:00 am / Location: Folly Beach (Center Street) – The Parade starts at Noon (Join Santa at Folly River Park to receive goodies after the parade). Notes: Street Closure Information: Parking clearing and barricades start-up at 9:00am. But access is still available. Road closures will finalize at 11:30am, with Center Street closed down. Center Street will reopen a little bit after the parade completes.

Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats Date: December 14 at 6:00 pm / Location: Charleston Harbor – This display of lighted and festive boats proceeds from the Cooper River, through the Charleston Harbor, and into the Ashley River. This is a family-friendly event is sure to become a holiday tradition for everyone. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront decorate your own boat and join the parade (advance registration required).

Annual Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade – Date: December 15, 5:30 pm – 8 pm / Location: West Coleman Blvd. – Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade sets sail to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a spectacular Pyrotecnico fireworks show, immediately followed by the start of the parade at Live Oak Dr. traveling south and ending at the intersection of W. Coleman Blvd. and Patriots Point Rd.

Chanukah in the Square  – Date: Tentative date is December 29, 4:00 pm / Location: Marion Square – Chanukah in the Square is a festive celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts, and traditional seasonal food, culminating with the lighting of a menorah at dusk.

Tree Lighting at The Hotel Bennett (Downtown Charleston, SC) – December 5 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Join us on Thursday, December 5, on the Gabrielle Plaza for an annual Tree Lighting Celebration. Prepare to immerse yourself in an evening beneath the twinkling stars, filled with enchanting caroling from the Charleston Caroling Company, delightful festive giveaways, and heartwarming surprises from none other than Santa himself. Discover an unforgettable experience that will fill your heart with the spirit of the season. No tickets for reservations required. Kick off the sweetest season with friends and family in the heart of Charleston at Hotel Bennett.Holiday Street Festival.

Holiday Street Festival at Isle of Palms – Saturday, December 7, 2024 – 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Front Beach on the Isle of Palms – Santa, Arts & Crafters, Food vendors, children activities and live entertainment.

Holidays at Riverfront Park (North Charleston, SC) – December 8-9 between 5:00 pm and 8:00 PM. As the yearly holiday magic begins to grow, we are excited to formally announce the annual Holidays at Riverfront Park!! This year we invite you to walk the halls of our beautiful, historic venues December 8^th and 9^th between 5pm and 8pm. Due to the ever-growing excitement for this event it will be first come, first serve, so no need to worry about tickets or signing up!! Join us as we celebrate this holiday season with carolers from The Charleston Caroling Company at the Admiral’s House. At the Gatekeepers Inn you will find a yearly favorite, North Charleston POPs behind the grand piano! To complete the musical portion of our holiday experience you will find the esteemed Voices of Deliverance bringing joy at the Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel on Sunday. On Monday night at the Chapel, get ready to get in the holiday spirit with the astounding Zandrina Dunning. As always, this will be a walking event that allows you to stroll from venue to venue and enjoy the quick bites + sips offered in each location. There will be nightly snow showers and a photo op at the Admiral’s House. Don’t forget to pick up the 2024 Holidays at Riverfront Park ornament as a souvenir of your time spent with us this holiday season.

North Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting – Friday, December 6, 2024 – 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – All are invited to gather to watch Mayor Burgess light the City’s 40′ Christmas Tree. Enjoy live music, free hot cocoa, and, after the lighting, take a stroll around the Circle to enjoy the rest of the beautiful tree and light displays. – Friday, December 6, 2024, from 6:00-7:00pm at Park Circle Community Building grounds (4800 Park Circle) – Admission: FREE.

North Charleston Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Park Circle Community Building and grounds (4800 Park Circle) – This annual city event is a holiday gift to the community.  Families, friends, and neighbors share the joys of the season through music, children’s activities, festive food and decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, visits with Santa, and a parade.  The green space surrounding the Park Circle traffic circle, and major thoroughfares are lined with lighted snowflakes, Christmas trees, and magical holiday scenes. Christmas Parade begins at 5:00pm!  Walking, biking, and ridesharing are encouraged. Don’t forget to bring your chairs – no seating provided. Admission: FREE.

HOWLIDAYS AT THE PARK (North Charleston, SC) – Thursday, December 12 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 PM at Mixson Dog Park – 5025 Lackawanna Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29405 – Join us as we light up Mixson Dog Park for a special night of HOWLIDAY fun! Bring your cameras for pictures with Santa Paws, enjoy pet vendors, stop by and meet the adoptable pets at Dutsy Tails and grab a bite to eat from a delicious food truck! North Charleston Parks and Recreation will be handing out doggy swag and hot “cocoa” for our furry friends and their owners. This community event is FREE but please consider spreading the Holiday Cheer by bringing an item to donate to Dusty Tails Rescue. Admission: FREE.

Holiday Outdoor Movie Series at Freshfields Village (Kiawah Island, SC) – (December 7 and 14, 2024) – The holiday festivities continue with our Holiday Outdoor Movie Series on Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 14, both at 6 PM. On December 7, we’ll be showing the beloved holiday classic Elf, and on December 14, gather to enjoy The Santa Clause! Bring your chairs and blankets, and join us on The Village Green for a family-friendly evening under the stars. Best of all, the event is free, so come enjoy the holiday cheer with us! We’re excited to welcome you to Freshfields Village this holiday season! Whether you’re here to shop, dine, or simply enjoy the merry atmosphere, we’ve got everything you need to make this time of year extra special. Join us for all the fun, and don’t forget to mark your calendars for these fantastic events! There’s no better place to celebrate the season. While you’re enjoying and sharing the magic you experience at The Village, don’t forget to follow and tag us on social media!

Skate with the Stingrays at Credit One (Daniel Island, SC) – On Friday, December 13, join the South Carolina Stingrays for a fun-filled evening. Kick your evening off with a free Q&A session with the players followed by a skate session with the team. Tickets are required to participate in the skate session. Skating cost $10.00.

Ice Skating Charleston Harbor Resort (Mount Pleasant, SC) – December 18, 2024 – February 3, 2025 (Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina at The Lookout Pavilion – 20 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464) – This season, South Carolina is getting its own little slice of the North Pole as Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina announces its first-ever synthetic ice skating rink and Winter Wonderland experience. Chill out with our signature beer, Patriots Point Lager brewed by our friends at Rusty Bull Brewing Company, enjoy s’mores by the firepits, sip on hot cocoa, rent firepit experiences by the rink or harbor and let your kids enjoy jump castles, games and more.

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