Charleston Holiday Bucket List: 20+ Things You Can’t Miss This Christmas!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Although I’m a summer-loving girl through and through, I always look forward to the holiday season each year, especially in Charleston! There are so many festive things to do! From beautiful light displays, fun pop-up bars, and holiday markets to experience with your girlfriends or with the kiddos and the whole family!! If you are spending Christmastime in Charleston this year, here are the top bucket list experiences you have to add to your list!!!
1. James Island Park Holiday Festival of Lights
Photo courtesy of Secret Charleston
Every night from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM until December 31st, you can enjoy the beautiful holiday lights at James Island Park! There are soooo many fun things for the whole family to do here including a visit with Santa, a ride on the train, a carousel, and a walk through the interactive trees.
Here is the best way to go about seeing the James Island Festival of Lights so you don’t get caught in nasty traffic!
I would plan to get there around 5:30pm, and try to go during a day that will be less popular/crowded. I like to use this site to see the less busy days! There is a stand across from the carousel to buy tickets for the carousel if your kids want to ride the carousel. I’d go there first and buy as many as you’re going to want for the night. I’d do the carousel once or twice then head to the train! There is a different spot by the train to buy tickets for that. This line gets long, so go early! You can also roast marshmallows and make s’mores! And can see Santa, too (to do this you’ll put your name on a list and they’ll text you when it’s your time to see him!). After all this excitement, it’s fun to get back in the car and really enjoy the rest of the drive through all of the lights!
2. Little Pine & Ice Skating at Ryder Hotel
Photo courtesy of Forbes
Little Pine is a holiday pop-up located at the Ryder Hotel in Charleston’s French Quarter. Rent a cozy gondola to enjoy a seasonal winter beverage or hit the ice rink for just $15 per person! The perfect girls’ night out or date night!!
Synthetic Ice Rink Details:
• Skate on our synthetic ice rink for $15 per person, which includes skate rentals
• Accommodates up to 16 guests per hour
• Open Monday-Thursday 5 PM-9 PM, and Friday-Sunday 1 PM-9 PM
• Book your 1-hour skating session through Resy
Gondola Details:
• Available for up to 4 guests to be reserved through Resy
• 2-hour reservations daily
• $75 rental fee (8 AM-5 PM)
• $150 rental fee (5 PM-close)
3. Aquarium Aglow
Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium’s annual Aquarium Aglow is now open!! You already know I will be taking Harrison here – he loooooves the aquarium, and he’s going to love it even more with all of the holiday lights!
4. Let it Snow at Charleston Place
Photo courtesy of Charleston Place
Located in historic downtown Charleston, Charleston Place is making Christmas more magical this year with the help of American Express! Anyone who is an American Express card member can bring their kids down to Charleston Place’s Let it Snow where they can experience snow falling from the sky. Such a magical experience!
Charleston Place also has some other incredible events going on this year such as their Nutcracker Tea, Festival of Trees, Holiday Storytime at Santa’s Sleigh, and more! Click here to view all events for December of 2024.
5. Second Sunday on King Street: Holiday Edition
Photo courtesy of Holy City Hospitality
Second Sunday is a long-standing Charleston tradition. Every second Sunday of the month, King Street closes down to traffic from the hours of 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM for residents and tourists to enjoy King Street on foot! Gather here to enjoy the best shopping and food the city has to offer. Be sure to head to Kenny Flowers for your holiday gifts at 345 King Street!
6. Christkindlmarkt
Photo courtesy of ChristkindlmarktCHS
Whether you visit the Day Markt or the Night Markt, you have to experience Charleston’s Christkindlmarkt at least once!! This German Christmas market is inspired by Romantik Christmas Markt in Riedenburg, Germany. If you are craving a truly European Christmas experience in Charleston, plan your visit today!
7. Rebecca Illustrated at Mills House
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The Rebecca Illustrated Shop is a great place to go any time of year, but during the Christmas season, it is especially magical! Grab artwork for your home or a gift for a loved one, or just stop by to enjoy Rebecca’s stunning watercolor cards and invitations!
8. Christmas Light Parade in Mount Pleasant
Photo courtesy of Experience Mount Pleasant
Head to Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant on Sunday, December 15th at 5:30 PM for a fun light parade perfect for the whole family!!
9. Holy City Christmas
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Get in the holiday spirit at Holy City Brewing’s Holy City Christmas! Children will enjoy interactions with various Christmas characters including Santa and his elves, complimentary treats, and even SNOW!
10. Holiday Markets at Marion Square
Photo courtesy of WCIV
Marion Square hosts its Holiday Markets on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of December from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM!
11. A Christmas Carol at Dock Street Theatre
Photo courtesy of PlaylistHQ
From now until December 22nd, you can get tickets to the classic A Christmas Carol at Dock Street Theatre!
12. Charleston Christmas Special at CHS Music Hall
Photo courtesy of Charleston Music Hall
Another fantastic music show is the Charleston Christmas Special at CHS Music Hall! This year will be especially fun as it is the show’s 30th year.
13. Lifesize Gingerbread House at Hotel Bennett
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You guys already know how much I looooove Hotel Bennett, and their lifesize gingerbread house is just the cherry on top to this fabulous place during the holiday season!
14. Holiday Parade of Boats
Photo courtesy of Luxury Simplified Retreats
Yes, you read that right! In true Charleston fashion, we don’t have a holiday parade of floats, but rather, a holiday parade of BOATS! Check out all of the beautifully decorated boats heading through the Charleston Harbor to the Ashley River on Saturday, December 14th.
15. Hotel Emeline Winter Courtyard
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The courtyard at Hotel Emeline should be on your bucket list no matter what time of year it is, but the holiday season makes this place especially magical! Head to Frannie’s Winter Courtyard for a festive cocktail among beautifully decorated trees and a cozy fireplace.
16. Holiday Walking Tours
Photo courtesy of Bulldog Tours
There are soooo many great guided holiday walking tours in Charleston!!
TripAdvisor has a great list you can check out, but if you’d rather take it at your own pace, you will definitely be able to see lots of great things on your own, too. Kenny and I take the kids on a family walk every single morning, and it’s always the best during Christmastime!
17. Holiday “Sleigh” Rides With Old South Carriage Co.
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A carriage ride through downtown Charleston sipping hot chocolate and chatting with Santa – what could be more fun and festive than that?! Take the kiddos on a 25-minute ride they will never forget!!
18. Ice Skating on the Point & Skate the Stadium
Photo courtesy of Explore Charleston
If you want to go ice skating somewhere in Charleston this holiday season, check out ice skating at the Credit One Stadium or on the Point!
19. Home for the Holidays at Magnolia Plantation
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Magnolia Plantation is a true Charleston classic that is great to visit any time of year, but their holiday house tours are some of my favorites!
20. Holiday Pop-Up Bars
Photo courtesy of Charleston City Paper
There are soooo many fun holiday pop-up bars in Charleston, and here are some of the best!!
- Little Pine (mentioned above!)
- Sippin’ Santa at Prohibition
- Frannie’s Winter Courtyard (also mentioned above!)
- The Dewberry
- Bar Mashmas
- Cleats Christmas Bar
21. Old Village Holiday Festival & Holiday Stroll Series
Photo courtesy of Charleston Guru
Every Saturday in December from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, head to Pitt Street in Mount Pleasant to enjoy yummy food, drinks, live music, and more!
22. Holy City Holiday Market in Park Circle
Photo courtesy of Holy City Holiday Market
Park Circle hosts its annual Holy City Holiday Market for just three days in December! This year, the market will be open from Friday, December 20th until Sunday, December 22nd.
23. Holidays on Hutson Alley
Photo courtesy of Holy City Hospitality
Hutson Alley is a charming cobblestone alley in the heart of downtown Charleston. This holiday season, stop by to enjoy the lights, holiday treats, snow falling from the sky twice per night, and even a few visits from Santa!
