by 
From illuminated floats rolling down Coleman Boulevard to nighttime Christmas celebrations in Moncks Corner and traditional small-town festivities in Summerville, the Lowcountry is preparing for a December filled with holiday cheer.
There is something uniquely special about Christmas in the Lowcountry. Perhaps it is the combination of historic streets dressed in holiday lights, palm trees wrapped in twinkling decorations, neighborhood gatherings, marching bands and the unmistakable excitement of seeing Santa Claus arrive on a fire truck.
Across Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties, communities are bringing back some of their favorite holiday traditions in 2026. Whether you prefer a nighttime parade, a small-town celebration or a festive afternoon along the coast, there are plenty of opportunities to gather with family and friends.
Charleston Daily has assembled a county-by-county guide to the Christmas and holiday parades scheduled for 2026, including dates, starting times, locations and links to event information.
Event details reflect information available as of November 8, 2026. Dates, routes and times should be confirmed with organizers before attending.
CHARLESTON COUNTY
Charleston County offers everything from historic downtown festivities to beach-town traditions and spectacular illuminated parades.
North Charleston Christmas Festival & Parade
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: Festival 2–6 p.m.; parade at 3 p.m.
Location: Park Circle Community Building and grounds, 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston
Parade Area: Mixson Avenue and Lackawanna Boulevard toward East Montague Avenue and around Park Circle
Admission: Free
The North Charleston Christmas Festival is a wonderful community gathering featuring music, children’s activities, food, holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa.
The parade is a highlight of the afternoon, with festive floats and community participants bringing Christmas spirit to Park Circle.
The celebration begins the previous evening with the North Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, from 6–7 p.m.
Event information: North Charleston Christmas Festival & Parade
City of Charleston Holiday Parade
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Downtown Charleston
Starting Point: Broad Street at Rutledge Avenue
Route: East along Broad Street, north on Meeting Street, ending at Calhoun Street
Admission: Free
Few holiday experiences are more picturesque than a Christmas parade through the heart of historic Charleston.
The city’s annual Holiday Parade brings together marching bands, schools, community organizations and local businesses for an afternoon celebration.
The parade will be followed by the Holy City Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting in Marion Square, beginning at 6 p.m. The festivities include a tree lighting and holiday entertainment.
Event information: City of Charleston Holiday Parade
Additional information: Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs
Folly Beach Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Center Street, Folly Beach
After-Parade Gathering: Folly River Park
Admission: Free
The Folly Beach Christmas Parade brings a little beach-town personality to the holiday season.
Expect festive floats, marching bands, community associations and plenty of holiday creativity. Following the parade, Santa will be at Folly River Park to distribute goodies.
It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the laid-back personality of Folly Beach while enjoying one of the island’s favorite annual traditions.
Event information: Folly Beach Christmas Parade
Johns Island Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Time: 5–6 p.m.
Location: Maybank Highway, Johns Island
Route: Approximately 1.1 miles between Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic and Hayes Park
Johns Island brings its own personality to the holiday season with a Christmas golf-cart parade.
Decorated golf carts, neighborhood participation and festive displays make this a distinctly Lowcountry celebration.
The event is planned for the early evening, offering a different experience from the traditional daytime parades.
Event information: Charleston Holiday Events and Parade Updates
Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant
Route: From Live Oak Drive along Coleman Boulevard, concluding at Patriots Point Road
Admission: Free
Now in its 31st year, the Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade is one of the Lowcountry’s most anticipated holiday spectacles.
The evening begins with fireworks at 5:30 p.m., followed by a procession of illuminated floats, marching bands and community entries.
Santa makes his appearance aboard a Mount Pleasant fire truck, adding a fitting conclusion to the festivities.
If you enjoy Christmas lights, this is one parade worth putting on your calendar.
Event information: Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
BERKELEY COUNTY
Berkeley County has some of the region’s most charming community celebrations. From nighttime floats in Moncks Corner to the neighborhood traditions of Cordesville and Goose Creek, the county offers several opportunities to celebrate the season.
Moncks Corner Nighttime Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 6–9 p.m.
Location: Main Street, Moncks Corner
Starting Point: In front of Delta Pharmacy
Ending Point: Berkeley High School
Admission: Free
There is something magical about a nighttime Christmas parade, and Moncks Corner delivers exactly that.
The annual celebration features illuminated floats and holiday displays traveling down Main Street. Families are encouraged to bring their chairs, find a comfortable viewing location and enjoy the evening.
The parade takes place rain or shine.
Event information: Town of Moncks Corner – Christmas Events
Additional information: Berkeley County Government
Cordesville Christmas Parade
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Time: 3–5 p.m.
Location: Cordesville, Berkeley County
Starting Point: Cordesville Fire Station, 402
Route: Along Umbria Road to Dr. Evans Road, continuing to Hard Pinch Road and returning to the fire station
Small-town Christmas celebrations are often the ones that leave the biggest impressions.
Cordesville’s Christmas Parade is a neighborhood tradition that brings residents together for an afternoon of holiday festivities. Led by local community organizer Herbie Lloyd, the procession winds through the surrounding roads before returning to the fire station.
It is a wonderful reminder that the holiday season is about community as much as it is about decorations and gifts.
Event information: Berkeley County Government – Community Calendar
Christmas in the Creek Parade – Goose Creek
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Time: 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Location: St. James Avenue, Goose Creek
Route: St. James Avenue to Marilyn Street
Admission: Free
The City of Goose Creek welcomes the holidays with its annual Christmas in the Creek Parade.
This mile-long community procession brings together local organizations, businesses and festive entries for a Saturday morning celebration.
The parade is especially appealing to families looking for a daytime holiday activity. Plan to arrive early, as road closures are scheduled to begin at 6:30 a.m.
Event information: City of Goose Creek – Christmas in the Creek Parade
DORCHESTER COUNTY
Dorchester County brings a different kind of Christmas charm. Summerville’s historic downtown and Ridgeville’s traditional community celebration offer opportunities to experience the season beyond the bustle of the peninsula.
Ridgeville Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Town of Ridgeville, South Carolina
Starting Point and Route: To be confirmed
Participation Deadline: November 30, 2026
Ridgeville continues its holiday traditions with an annual Christmas parade welcoming businesses, schools, churches, community organizations and individuals.
The town is also hosting its Christmas tree decorating contest, with decorated trees displayed in the Town Center across from the old Vaughan’s General Store alongside the railroad tracks.
The community’s tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, at 6 p.m., at the same location.
For those looking for a traditional small-town Christmas experience, Ridgeville is worth the drive.
Event information: Town of Ridgeville – Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Summerville Christmas Parade
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
Time: 2–4 p.m.
Location: Downtown Summerville
Central Gathering Area: Hutchinson Square, 100 South Main Street
Theme: Christmas Books
Admission: Free
Summerville’s annual Christmas Parade is one of the signature holiday gatherings in the greater Lowcountry.
This year’s theme, Christmas Books, invites businesses, schools and community organizations to bring beloved holiday stories and literary characters to life through imaginative floats and festive displays.
Organized by Summerville DREAM, the parade celebrates the town’s community spirit and the traditions that make downtown Summerville such a special place during the holidays.
Visitors should plan ahead for parking and road closures throughout downtown.
Event information: 2026 Summerville Christmas Parade
OTHER LOWCOUNTRY HOLIDAY PARADES AND TRADITIONS
Not every holiday procession fits neatly into a traditional street parade. A few additional Lowcountry events deserve attention, although their 2026 parade details are not all finalized.
Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
Date: 2026 date not yet confirmed
Location: Charleston Harbor
Potential Viewing Areas: The Battery, Waterfront Park and Patriots Point
One of Charleston’s most beautiful holiday traditions takes place on the water.
The Holiday Parade of Boats features vessels decorated with elaborate Christmas lights, traveling through the harbor from the Cooper River toward the Ashley River.
The spectacle provides a wonderful perspective of the Holy City after dark, with the illuminated boats framed by Charleston’s historic waterfront.
The 2026 date and official viewing arrangements should be confirmed before making plans.
Updates: Charleston Holiday Events
St. George Christmas Parade
St. George is another Dorchester County community with a traditional Christmas parade. However, an official 2026 date, time and route were not confirmed in the available event listings as of November 8.
Check the Town of St. George for announcements.
Awendaw Christmas Parade
Awendaw is another Charleston County community to watch for holiday parade announcements. A confirmed 2026 date and route were not available as of publication.
Check the Town of Awendaw for updates.
2026 LOWCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS PARADE CALENDAR
For quick planning, here are the currently identified parade dates in chronological order.
| Date | Parade | Location | Time |
| December 5 | North Charleston Christmas Festival & Parade | Park Circle | 3 p.m. |
| December 5 | Moncks Corner Nighttime Christmas Parade | Main Street | 6 p.m. |
| December 6 | City of Charleston Holiday Parade | Downtown Charleston | 3 p.m. |
| December 6 | Cordesville Christmas Parade | Cordesville | 3 p.m. |
| December 12 | Christmas in the Creek | Goose Creek | 9:30 a.m. |
| December 12 | Folly Beach Christmas Parade | Center Street | 12 p.m. |
| December 12 | Ridgeville Christmas Parade | Ridgeville | 12 p.m. |
| December 12 | Johns Island Christmas Parade | Maybank Highway | 5 p.m. |
| December 13 | Summerville Christmas Parade | Downtown Summerville | 2 p.m. |
| December 13 | Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade | Coleman Blvd | 5:30 p.m. |
MAKING THE MOST OF THE LOWCOUNTRY HOLIDAY SEASON
One of the things that makes Christmas in the Charleston area so special is the number of communities that continue to embrace their own traditions.
You can spend a Saturday afternoon watching floats roll through Park Circle, head to Moncks Corner for an illuminated nighttime celebration, enjoy a Sunday afternoon in historic Charleston, and finish the following weekend watching the lights along Coleman Boulevard.
These celebrations are more than seasonal entertainment. They are opportunities for local businesses, schools, churches, civic organizations and families to come together.
And perhaps that is what Christmas in the Lowcountry is really about: neighbors gathering, children waving to Santa, marching bands filling the streets with music and communities taking pride in the places they call home.
From Charleston to Summerville, Goose Creek to Ridgeville, the holidays are arriving in true Lowcountry fashion.
Charleston Daily will update this guide as additional parade routes, event details and dates are announced.
Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.
