Christmas Lights, Tree Lightings & Parades in Charleston, SC (2026)

The 35th annual Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park - a three-mile drive-through display with 750+ light scenes, the Festival Express train, a giant sand sculpture, marshmallow roasting, and the Enchanted Walking Trail. Open nightly mid-November through December 31; see ccprc.com for hours,...

Charleston's colorful holiday-lights tradition returns to the South Carolina Aquarium on SELECT NIGHTS, roughly mid-November through December 30 (5:30-9 PM): dozens of immersive light installations, Scuba Claus diving nightly, photo ops, and festive refreshments. Opening date here is approximate - confirm exact...

The City of Charleston's annual Holiday Parade steps off at Broad and Rutledge, travels Broad Street to Meeting Street and ends at Marion Square, followed by the city tree lighting around 5 PM. Details may be updated by the city closer to the date.

A candlelit evening of Christmas carols performed on strings in the Carriage House at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. Check magnoliaplantation.com for the exact start time and tickets.

Ring in the New Year under hundreds of thousands of holiday lights: roaming entertainers, face painters, a DJ, Scuba Claus in the Great Ocean Tank, and a special NYE countdown with a pufferfish ball drop - all before bedtime.