The winter holidays are a magical time to be in Charleston. For our families visiting the Lowcountry this holiday season, we've put together a list of everything you need to know from where to eat, to where to shop, and what festive events are happening around town! If you have any questions about local restaurants, events, or other things to do during your stay feel free to contact our friendly concierge at 843-886-8144.
- Isle of Palms Holiday Street Festival | Dec. 7th | 2-7 PM | Front Ave, IOP
- Holiday Market at Wild Dunes Resort | Dec. 5th | 4-7 PM | Grand Pavilion, Wild Dunes
- 25th Annual Holiday Market & Craft Show | December 14th | 11-4 PM | Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion, 645 Coleman Blvd.
- Coastal Crust Market | December 11th | 5-8PM | Vintage Coffee/Coastal Crust, Mount Pleasant
- Charleston Holiday Market | Every Saturday & Sunday in December | 9-3 PM | Marion Square, Downtown
- Thrifters & Drifters | Dec. 15th | The Royal American | 11-3 PM
- Holy City Vintage Holiday Market | Dec. 1st | 11-4 PM | The Royal American
- Sea Island Holiday Night Market | Dec. 7th | 4:30-8 PM | Charleston Collegiate, Johns Island
- Coastal Crust Holiday Market | December 4th | 5-8PM | Coastal Crust, James Island
- First Friday Christmas Market | Dec. 6th | 6-9 PM | James Island Town Hall
- Sunday Brunch Holiday Market | Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 11-3 PM | Charleston Pour House, James Island
- Pour House Holiday Night Market | Dec 7th | 5-9 PM | Charleston Pour House, James Island
- Home for the Holidays Market | Nov. 29th | 11-3PM | The Dunlin River Barns - 1030 Sound Dr. Johns Island
- We Are Family, Charleston Holiday Market | Dec. 8th | 12-5 PM | 1801 Reynolds Ave. Unit B, North Charleston
- Holy City Holiday Market | December 16th | 12-5 PM | All over North Charleston
- Holiday Sip & Shop | December 5th | 6-9 PM | The Station Park Circle, North Charleston
- Edisto Holiday Market & Mingle | Dec. 13th| 10-4 PM | Bay Creek Park, Edisto
- Public Works Art Center | Dec. 2nd | 8-1 PM | 135 W Richardson Ave. Summerville
- Christmas Made in the South | December 2-4th | Fri. 10-6 PM, Sat. 10-6 PM, Sun. 11-5 PM | The Exchange Park/Fairgrounds, Ladson
- Christkindlmarkt Charleston | Dec. 6-8th & 13-15th | 4461 N Hwy 17, Awendaw
- Summerville Christmas Parade & Market | Hutchinson Square, Summerville | Dec. 8th | 2 PM
- Santa in the Swamp | Cypress Gardens | December 7th | 10-2 PM
Charleston's most popular holiday tradition features millions of vibrant dazzling lights throughout the park. There will also be other family-friendly activities, shopping, and dining.
- November 15th - December 31, 2024
- 5:30-10:00 p.m.
- James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive
Come join the City of Charleston for this fun, high-energy parade which will commence on Broad St./Rutledge and conclude on Calhoun St./Meeting St. Participants include musical ensembles, clubs, and local organizations. The City of Charleston's official tree lighting to follow in Marion Square!
- December 7, 2024
- Starts at 3:00pm
Experience the beloved Charleston tradition as a display of festive boats sail through the Charleston Harbor.
Best places to view: Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park Pier, SC Aquarium area, Liberty Square, Charleston Maritime Center, Riley Waterfront Park, and The Battery area as far as Tradd St.
- December 14th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
- Boat entry applications are due by December 4th at 4:00pm
Travel through Charleston's history by listening to music from gospel, jazz classics, and holiday favorites performed by some of Charleston's most talented musicians.
- Nov. 30, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 23, 26, 30
- All ages are welcome!
- The concert runs about 75 minutes
- The concert begins at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:30pm
- Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street
Chanukah in the Square is a festive celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts, and traditional seasonal food that culminates with the lighting of a menorah in Marion Square at dusk. Bring an appetite and your Chanukah spirit!
- December 29th | 4:00-6:00pm
- Marion Square | 395 King St, Charleston, SC
A brand new production of Dickens's classic featuring colorful new sets and costumes and an inventive new holiday score. Filled with the carols of the season, Ebenezer Scrooge discovers the magic of Christmas.
- November 30th - December 22nd, 2024
- Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street
Immerse yourself in an evening beneath the twinkling stars, filled with enchanting carolers, delightful festive giveaways, and heartwarming surprises from Santa himself at Hotel Bennett's annual Tree Lighting Celebration.
- December 5th, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
- The Gabrielle Plaza at Hotel Bennett. 404 King St. Charleston, SC
- Check out Hotel Bennett's website for more holiday happenings!
Visit the South Carolina Aquarium this holiday season for a dazzling light spectacular, complete with larger-than-life installations, festive photo ops, and the most unique Santa encounter in Charleston! You'll enjoy dozens of exhibits adorned with magical holiday lights and décor as you sip and snack on specialty refreshments (with plenty of options for the 21+ crowd). Plus, Santa is trading in his jolly red bag of gifts for a dive mask and flippers! Wave to Scuba Claus nightly as he takes a break from the North Pole and dives into the warmer waters of the Carolinas in our Great Ocean Tank. Grab your friends and family for an unforgettable holiday celebration this year.
- Nov. 21st - Dec. 30th from 5:30 – 9:00 pm
- Aquarium Aglow runs 5:30–9 pm with scheduled entry times. Guests are welcome to stay until the event concludes at 9 pm
- Guests with sensory sensitivities can check out a free KultureCity sensory bag which includes tools like noise-reducing headphones and specialized strobe glasses that may help make the Aquarium Aglow experience more comfortable
- Learn about more holiday events at the aquarium HERE.
- The South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC
Based on the 1983 classic holiday film, A Christmas Story follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher, and even Santa Claus himself. All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys' experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie's father winning a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; Ralphie's fantasy scenarios and more. A Christmas Story is the perfect family holiday theatre tradition!
- Dec. 6, 7, 14 & 21 at 7:30pm | Dec. 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 3:00pm
- Tickets are $52-56 for adults, $49-$53 for Senior (60+) / Military, and $30-$34 for students with ID
Perfect for families and couples alike, this beloved truly classical ballet production promises a magical evening filled with romance, adventure, and wonder, making it an ideal choice for families and a date night for loved ones.
This year's production, inspired by the rich history of the South, is thoughtfully updated for a modern and diverse audience. Every scene will be enhanced by our new full set of custom-made backdrops reflecting the high degree of artistic and production standards synonymous with South Carolina Ballet and making the entire production more vibrant, colorful, and sumptuous than ever before.
- December 3 | 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
- Venue: Charleston Music Hall - 37 John St. Charleston, SC
- Tickets: $35-60
November 8, 2024 – January 6, 2025
The Little Pine at Little Palm holiday pop-up bar will be returning this winter! Guests can expect festive cocktails, themed decor, and cozy cabins. Private gondolas are available for groups of up to 4 and are outfitted with holiday decor, cocktails, and small bites. This year, there will even be a synthetic ice skating rink in the backyard!
- Private gondolas are $75 before 5 PM and $150 from 5:00 pm - close
- Skating sessions are $15 per person, which includes skate rentals
- Address: Little Palm, 237 Meeting St, Charleston, SC
November 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Reserve your very own yurt in Emeline's festive Winter Courtyard. Standard yurts can accommodate up to 8 guests and are outfitted with shareable plates, fondue, cozy cocktails, and cozy blankets to snuggle up in. This picture-perfect holiday pop-up is sure to be a new holiday tradition.
- Frannie & The Fox's full menu is available in the yurts alongside a specially curated Fontina Fonduta
- Yurt rentals are $75 during lunch and weekend brunch, and $150 during dinner
- Address: Frannie and the Fox, 181 Church St, Charleston, SC
November 8, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Bar Mashmas is BACK for its 3rd year! Bar Mashmas is decorated from floor to ceiling with holiday decor and features specialty cocktails, hot cocoa, and holiday menu items including fan favorites from last year's menu plus a few new items to get you in the holiday spirit.
- Open Monday to Saturday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm.
- Address: Bar Mash, 701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC
Beginning November 14th, 2024
Blind Tiger has been transformed this holiday season with holiday decorations, festive cocktails, and seasonal drink specials. It's the ideal spot to gather with friends, family, or colleagues! Enjoy delightful holiday tunes & seasonal beverages while creating unforgettable memories.
- Open daily from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Address: 36-38 Broad St, Charleston, SC
November 29th - January 1st
It's beginning to look a lot like Sippin' Santa! Charleston's favorite holiday pop-up is returning this winter! Prohibition will transform into a Christmas wonderland, decked out with festive decor, drinks, holiday bites, and all the cheer!
- Open daily from 11:00 am - 2:00 am
- Follow @sippinsantacharleston on Instagram for all of the details!
- Address: Prohibition, 547 King St, Charleston, SC
Dec. 1st - Dec. 30th, 2025
Grab a Christmas-inspired drink with a friend in the heart of Downtown Charleston. This December, Iron Rose is offering seasonal cocktails like the Nobel Nogg, Santa Claus Blvd., and Smoke and Snow. Weekend visits also offer the opportunity to gather around the fire for s'mores (complimentary for Mills House Hotel guests). Indulge in gooey, golden s'mores at the crackling fire pit, a perfect backdrop for festive fun.
- Smores available Fri. - Sun. from 5:00-6:00 pm
- Address: Iron Rose, 115 Meeting St #174, Charleston, SC
November 24th, 2024
Republic Garden & Lounge is kicking off the holiday season with an epic Christmas takeover on their heated patio. Guests can expect a magical atmosphere complete with nightly snowfall, classic holiday movies playing, Santa & his reindeer, life-sized holiday decorations coating the venue, as well as disco vibes for the best party on King Street. Whether you're stopping by for drinks, a bar snack, celebrating, or simply to soak in the seasonal cheer, this is one venue you won't want to miss.
- Address: Republic Garden & Lounge, 462 King Street
- Republic Garden & Lounge is open daily
Lamar's Sporting Club is offering an indoor holiday escape with a cozy vintage flair. The venue will be draped in Christmas lights and greenery, surrounded by bookshelves filled with classic holiday trinkets, and featuring a custom floral installation. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the season with a festive cocktail in hand. Whether you're dropping in for a pre-dinner cocktail, a wiener tower, or enjoying a night out celebrating, the holiday spirit will be alive and well at Lamar's.
- Hours of operation are Wednesday – Sunday from
- Address: Lamar's Sporting Club
800.707.6421