Charleston is a quaint port city characterized by cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and colorful houses. Its nostalgic ambiance combined with the coastal climate makes the holiday spirit more vivid in December. Experience Christmas in Charleston by booking a December stay at a Vrbo vacation rental, and indulge in seasonal festivities, including crowd-filled parades, tree-lighting events, and spectacular light shows. You can also enjoy stall-hopping in the holiday markets to buy gifts, a tradition culturally imprinted in the season of giving. Make the most of your Christmas by experiencing a sleigh ride around downtown with Christmas-themed stopovers.
If you are curious about what else is in store for you during the Christmas holidays, book an Airbnb monthly rental and spend your December in Charleston, South Carolina. Explore the myriad of events in the city and plan your itinerary based on our following guide. Scroll down to learn about the best things to do at Christmas in Charleston, South Carolina.
Winter in Charleston
- Winters in Charleston are relatively mild and run from December through February. You can expect snow days in late December and early January (I'm definitely dreaming of a white Christmas in Charleston). Daily average temperatures fluctuate between 47° F (8.3° C) and 52° F (11.1° C) in the winter.
Christmas gifts from Charleston
Such a vibrant city as Charleston offers a lot of unique products that can make for a fun souvenir. Here are a few of my favorites:
If you’ve got a friend who’s really into birdwatching, they’ll appreciate an Aubudon Scarf, available at Drayton Hall. The scarves are so called as they’re inspired by the beautiful drawings of John James Audubon, who was an ornithologist.
A good bottle of whiskey is always a great gift, and Firefly Distillery is a great place to get the best!
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Christmas in Charleston
Christmas is a huge deal in Charleston, and you’ll find storefronts and even boats bedecked in Christmas cheer! The city’s celebrations show similarities with the customs of the country, but here’s a unique event:
- The Charleston Santa: You can meet Santa at the Best Friend Train Museum in downtown Charleston.
Fun tours and activities:
Things to do in Charleston this Christmas
1. Be dazzled by the Holiday Festival of Lights
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The calendar turning to a new year means the end of the Holiday Festival of Lights. We can't thank everyone enough for...
Posted by Holiday Festival of Lights on Saturday, January 1, 2022
The Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights is an annual festival organized in November, usually running from mid-November to the end of December. James Island County Park will again light up with approximately a couple of million lights that will leave spectators wonderstruck. I’d take my camera along if I were you!
Visitors can marvel at these dazzling light displays in two ways. First is through wandering through the enchanted trail on foot to appreciate every inch and corner of the festival to the fullest extent. Alternatively, guests not keen on lengthy strolls can opt for the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) driving tour. Christmas-themed events will also be organized, and your kids can even get to meet Santa!
The Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
Address: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412
Website: The Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
Opening hours: 5:30pm - 10pm (daily)
Price: from 15 USD
2. Spectate the holiday boat parade from the shores
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Watch the procession of lighted boats as they float on the Cooper River all the way to Ashley River, making Charleston Harbour a beautiful stage filled with floating lights. Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats has been an annual tradition for over four decades and is usually organized in early December.
This event is expected to gather a crowd of spectators in the downtown peninsula and other vantage points for public viewing. Some of the best places to view the parade include Mount Pleasant Pier, Liberty Square, and Charleston Waterfront Park. If you have a skill for ornamenting, you are welcome to join the festivity by decorating your own vessel. I would suggest booking a boat early since all the good ones might get rented pretty early just for this event.
Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
Website: Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
3. Head to South Carolina Aquarium and enjoy the Aquarium Aglow event
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
A day trip to Aquarium Aglow is an unmissable experience that you should include in your itinerary, especially when you are coming to Charleston with your family during the holidays. The South Carolina Aquarium is set to light up on select nights, starting from late November to the end of December.
Saunter through the maze of glowing lights combined with interactive displays while catching sight of the variety of aquatic beings floating in an expansive tank. If you’re lucky, you might even have a chance to see Scuba Claus as Santa Claus takes a dip with the marine denizens of the aquarium with a diving mask. I’m sure it will be a memorable experience for the kids!
Aquarium Aglow
Address: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
Website: Aquarium Aglow
Opening hours: 5:30pm - 8pm (only on select nights, kindly check the official website for updated timing)
Price: from 25.95 USD
4. Participate in the Marion Square tree-lighting ceremony
A tree-lighting ceremony is one of the highlights of year-end festivities and the primary marker that the Christmas season has begun. Witness the glorious spectacle of the Marion Square tree-lighting ceremony as the 64-foot (19.5-meter) Christmas tree is switched on, which happens after the musical performances by the Charleston Symphony Brass. I think a photo of the whole family by the tree might make for a fun seasonal postcard!
Marion Square is a lush space in downtown Charleston that hosts several bustling events and celebrations. Mingle with other guests and meet new friends throughout the event. Note that the schedule for this year’s tree-lighting ceremony has yet to be announced, and it would be best to keep yourself updated on the official website.
Marion Square Tree Lighting
Address: Marion Square, 329 Meeting Street, Charleston SC 29403
Website: City of Charleston Holiday Events
Price: Free
5. Watch the Charleston Christmas Special at Charleston Music Hall
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Charleston Christmas Special is an annual event usually organized from mid-December to the end of December. This holiday concert invites an audience of all ages to great musical stages of holiday classics and contemporary songs arranged to instill a Christmas vibe.
Brad and Jennifer Moranz present the annual show to gather families together and let them experience the Christmas season’s warmth through extensive and carefully curated family-friendly holiday-themed performances. If you wish to avail of tickets, walk-ins, and online bookings are possible.
The Charleston Christmas Special
Address: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Website: Charleston Christmas Special at Charleston Music Hall
Price: from 40 USD
6. Meet the sisters at the Daughters of St. Paul Choir Christmas Concert
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Daughters of St. Paul Choir on Thursday, January 16, 2020
This Christmas concert in Charleston, South Carolina, is held annually to honor the years of service of the Diocese of Charleston and the surrounding states. The annual community event is to commence on December 11 this year with the theme: “Come to Bethlehem.” Come and welcome new beginnings in this season of love.
Meet with the sisters and take the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a meaningful and entertaining way. A group of Pauline Sisters as the Daughters of St. Paul Choir use music and choral recordings to communicate with the Almighty and bridge attendees to Him.
Daughters of St. Paul Choir Christmas Concert
Address: Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Website: Daughters of St. Paul Choir Christmas Concert
Price: from 25 USD
7. Join the Reindeer Run
Looking for a fun activity with your fur babies during the holiday in Charleston? In that case, Reindeer Run is just right for you. This pet-friendly annual marathon is usually celebrated towards the middle of December. Each participant will be given a race t-shirt and antler ears as complimentary souvenirs for the price they pay to join the race.
Feel free to dress up in your holiday-themed costumes and get the chance to claim big prizes and bragging rights if you get chosen as the lucky winner (pets, adults, groups, and children are judged separately)! Match your costume with your four-legged buddies to make the event more special and memorable. The best part? The proceeds for this event will be donated to the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. The 5k run is usually flagged off at 8 am.
Reindeer Run
Address: 137 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, Charleston, SC US 29401
Website: Reindeer Run
Price: from 25 USD
8. Visit the Charleston Holiday Market in Marion Square
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Charleston Farmers Market on Thursday, October 25, 2018
Visit this outdoor market at Marion Square during the holidays to complete your Christmas trip in Charleston. Gift shopping is one of the best parts of the season of giving. For last-minute Christmas shopping, you can choose from the wide selection of local products offered here.
The first three weekends of December in the farmers market will surely wow you as it transforms into a holiday market where you can enjoy live entertainment. The Christmas shops in Charleston, South Carolina, are open late into the night, allowing you to explore the market with ease. You can also sample some local delights as you stroll around. Feel free to bring your well-behaved pets too. The market is organized all through the first three weekends of December.
Charleston Holiday Market
Address: Marion Square, 329 Meeting Street, Charleston SC 29403
Website: Charleston Holiday Market
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 2pm (closed Mon - Fri)
Price: Free
9. Catch another show at the historic Dock Street Theater
Who says you have to stop at a single show at the theater? The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is just one among the many live shows previously performed at the historic Dock Street Theater, drawing a flock of audiences who want to be entertained annually.
The theater offers thought-provoking performances of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, or you can settle in for a fun night with friends for a dramatized performance of Legally Blonde!
Dock Street Theater
Address:135 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Website: Dock Street Theater
10. Soak up the history of Charleston
The Holiday Decorations and History Walking Tour allows you to soak up Charleston’s history in a two-hour guided stroll and admire the seasonal illuminations and decorations adorning the structures along the way. Take the time to learn about Charleston’s storied past during the 19th century in the historic Edmondston-Alston House, which served as a refuge for General Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War.
Aside from the expert English-speaking tour guide, this package includes the entrance fee to the Edmondston-Alston House for added convenience.
11. Watch the Candlelight: Holiday Special at the Unitarian Church in Charleston
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Let the Christmas spirit embrace you as you watch the Listeso String Quartet perform a rendition of world-famous musicals. This season, the holiday special at Charleston consists of several holiday medleys, including Joy to the World and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. This Christmas event in Charleston, South Carolina, also embraces the Hanukkah spirit with Ma’oz Tzur, a traditional Hanukkah song.
Enjoy the various acts on the catalog and let the musical notes serenade you with their story as the quartet plays through The Seasons- Op. 37a, The Snow is Dancing, The Skaters’ Waltz, Op. 183 (Les Patineurs), and other waltz pieces. Finish the night off with a beautiful presentation of The Nutcracker, Op. 71, performed over five different songs. The performances are usually held on December 12 and 13.
Candlelight: Holiday Special
Address: The Unitarian Church, 4 Archdale St Charleston, SC 29401
Website:
Opening hours: December 12: 6:30pm; December 13: 8:45pm
Price: from 26 USD
12. Catch a show of A Christmas Carol at Dock Street Theatre
If you’re planning to see the show this weekend feel free to bring something sweet for Santa to eat! We hope you’ll...
Posted by Charleston Stage Company on Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Probably one of the most popular stories of Christmas, A Christmas Carol is no stranger to anyone. And this holiday season, Charleston’s stage at the historic Dock Street Theatre is performing a stage musical based on Charles Dickens’s famous story.
If you’re in Charleston, make sure to buy a ticket to this dazzling ensemble of serenading music, stunning costumes, and captivating acting by the cast. Indulge in the choices of Scrooge, the main character, as a score of carols takes you through his life’s journey. The performances are usually organized from late November to late December, so there’s plenty of time to check it out!
A Christmas Carol
Address: Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Website: A Christmas Carol
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 7:30pm; Sat: 2pm & 7:30pm; Sun: 2pm (no shows on Mondays, kindly check the official website for updated timings)
Price: from 56 USD
Feel the Christmas spirit in Charleston
These days, the traditional festive Christmas celebrations are slowly becoming out of fashion. But Charleston is an exception. Spending the holidays in Charleston will transport you back to when Christmas was considered the merriest day of the year, and if the season puts you in a romantic mood, the city offers plenty of romantic getaways. Feeling lost about where to start in planning your holiday itinerary? Use this list of best things to do at Christmas in Charleston, South Carolina, as a guide.
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