12 Best Christmas Lights & Events in Charleston in 2025
Charleston offers plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays in November, December, and January.
From visits with Santa to holiday parades and dozens of Christmas trees (all decked out for the holidays), the problem isn’t finding Christmas lights in Charleston — it’s trying to decide which ones to visit.
Here are 12 of the best Christmas lights and events in Charleston, SC, in 2025.
Where to See Christmas Lights in Charleston in 2025
In November and December, Charleston is lit up with Christmas lights.
From Christmas trees to nativity scenes to riverboat displays, there is no shortage of holiday spectacle in the Holy City.
You’ll find most of Charleston’s public spaces decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths, and twinkling lights.
Yet, if you want to see some truly magnificent displays, check out these hotspots for Charleston Christmas lights:
- Marion Square Christmas Tree
- Mt. Pleasant Town Center
- Wild Dunes Resort
- James Island County Park
Marion Square Christmas Tree
Charleston Christmas Lights Events
If you’re planning to visit during one of Charleston’s Christmas light events, make sure to check out some of our favorites below.
There are five Christmas light events in Charleston, where you can enjoy tree lightings, holiday snacks, and activities (such as visits with Santa).
Here are our favorite Charleston Christmas lights events happening from November through January.
Light the Lake – November
It’s never too cold to get out on the water in Charleston! Light the Lake features a tree lighting — right in the center of Colonial Lake.
This event is suitable for kids of all ages and includes hot beverages and holiday-themed snacks. There will also be a photographer on-site for family photos in front of a holiday carriage.
Lights Up Mt. Pleasant – November
Each November, the town of Mt. Pleasant throws a party to celebrate the lighting of its 40-foot Christmas tree.
In addition to the tree lighting, the town also features a laser light show, set to live music. There will also be giveaways, courtesy of local businesses. Even Santa is set to make an appearance here. Adults can look forward to purchasing wine and beer, courtesy of the Wine Cellar Wine and Gifts.
Food will be for sale by Crazy Chris’ Concessions, Holy City Popcorn, Delights Desserts & Coffee, Holy City Homemade Italian Ice, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Pure Fluff Co.
Lights Up Mt. Pleasant takes place on Saturday, November 22, this year, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The pre-lighting starts at 6 p.m., and the tree lighting and laser show start at 7:30 p.m.
Wild Dunes Tree Lighting and Oyster Roast – November
Each year, the Wild Dunes Resort lights its pavilion Christmas tree while dozens of spectators gather around. After the tree is lit, guests are invited to stay for an oyster roast. The event also features a children’s holiday movie and a visit from Santa.
The Holiday Festival takes place on November 28, this year, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wild Dunes will also host Christmas stories on December 6, 13, and 20 at 5 p.m., and Breakfast with Santa
on Sunday, December 14, between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Murrells Inlet Nights of a Thousand Candles – December
If you have a car and want to see some lights outside of the city, head up to Murrells Inlet (a 90-minute drive north of Charleston).
In December, Brookgreen Gardens hosts its Nights of a Thousand Candles, featuring 4,500 hand-lit candles. Visitors are invited to wander the paths and sip cocoa and cider. Live carolers will be nearby, adding a little extra holiday joy to the event.
This event has been named “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina” by “Travel + Leisure” magazine.
In 2025, this event operates on select nights, from 4 to 9 p.m., between Friday, November 28, and Sunday, January 4.
James Island County Park Festival of Lights – November to January
One of the best spots in Charleston to see holiday lights, the Festival of Lights is open every evening for nearly one month at James Island County Park.
Visitors can wander through a whimsical grove of lights before being whisked away on a lighted trolley. Lighted boats float across the water nearby. There’s also plenty of shopping here, and visitors can enjoy holiday snacks, rides on a Victorian carousel, and visits with Santa.
In 2025, the James Island County Park Festival of Lights operates nightly from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m., from November 14 to December 31.
Charleston Holiday Festivals
Christmas lights are always a fan favorite in the Holy City — but what if you’re craving a little more holiday cheer?
These Charleston festivals will have Christmas lights on display, plus they feature other activities, such as holiday shopping, Christmas carols, tasty treats, and carnival rides.
Taste of Hutson Alley – November
Some of us just want to bypass the shopping and get to the important things in life — the food. Taste of Hutson Alley allows you to do just that. You’ll wander down the alley while noshing on small bites and sipping holiday drinks. Past participating restaurants have included Virginia’s on King, Michaels on the Alley, and the Victor Social Club.
In 2025, the Taste of Hutson Alley takes place on Wednesday, November 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Daniel Island Holiday Festival – December
Each December, the Volvo Car Stadium and Family Circle Tennis Center transform into a holiday festival for the entire family. If you plan on heading to Charleston in winter, you’ll be able to sip a hot cup of cider or cocoa while you browse vendor stalls and knock out all of your holiday shopping in one fell swoop. Holiday carolers will perform nostalgic favorites.
There are also plenty of activities for kids here, including face painting, an elf workshop craft station, holiday cooking, decorating, ornament decorating, and (of course) photos with Santa.
Visit the Daniel Island Holiday Festival on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Isle of Palms Holiday Street Festival – December
Front Beach on the Isle of Palms hosts a tree-lighting event each December. In addition to the main event, the City of the Isle of Palms also sets up carnival rides, a bounce house, and a mechanical bull.
Kids can look forward to face painting and a balloon artist. Adults can browse the many craft vendors and even grab a bite to eat. Of course, Santa is also scheduled to make an appearance.
Visit the Isle of Palms Holiday Street Festival this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
North Charleston Christmas Parade and Festival – December
Families are encouraged to head to North Charleston for the annual Christmas parade.
Floats and performers will make their way down East Montague — with Santa in the rear. When the parade commences, all participants and spectators are invited to head to the Felix Davis Auditorium for visits with Santa. The festival features bounce houses, live music, and hay rides.
The annual Christmas parade happens on the first Saturday of December each year. In 2025, it will be held at the Park Circle Community Building on December 6th.
Folly Beach Christmas Parade – December
On December 13, 2025, Charlestonians will head to Center Street in Folly Beach to get festive. Some locals even enter their own floats into the parade to win prizes (and bragging rights). Kids line up on the streets, hoping to catch handfuls of candy canes. After the parade, everyone heads to Folly River Park for shopping, crafts, snacks, and visits with Santa.
Holiday Parade of Boats – December
Charlestonians love getting out on the water — and there are plenty of opportunities to do so all year long.
The Holiday Parade of Boats features dozens of boats all decked out for the holidays. On December 13, 2025, at 6 p.m., you’ll see a huge array of both power and sailboats. You can watch from ashore — or head to the Rotary Club for the viewing party.
Annual Holiday Market & Craft Show in Mt. Pleasant – December
The Annual Holiday Market & Craft Show is the perfect opportunity to feed your soul while doing a little holiday shopping. Santa will be available for photos, and there will be plenty of activities to keep little ones occupied.
You can even buy your Christmas tree and wreath at the street fest.
In addition to vendors, there will also be food trucks and holiday gift card calligraphy services.
Head down to the Farmers Market Pavilion on Coleman Boulevard on Saturday, December 13, to join in on the festivities.