The Christmas season is upon us and we couldn’t be happier! From Christmas trains to Christmas stores and events galore, this holiday season brings with it a promise of joy and laughter for the hearts of all. There are many ways to experience the joys of the season in the Palmetto State, but what better way to embrace the holidays than the Holiday Festival of Lights in South Carolina? Get the deets below… and enjoy!

The Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island in Charleston, South Carolina is an annual event with more than 700 light displays and two million lights.

TripAdvisor/QuirkyPickles

From the international symbol of hospitality (the pineapple) to towering oak trees bedazzled with dripping icicle lights, the displays promise to deliver a delightful family-filled adventure.

Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights

So bring a few snacks, gas up the car and head to Charleston for the biggest and the best the Palmetto State has to offer each year.

TripAdvisor/Faith N

The drive-through light displays cover a whopping three miles of holiday spirit displayed in over-sized style. You’ll find lights in trees, alongside the road, and even in the lake! But the drive-through display isn’t the only holiday cheer you’ll find at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Google Maps/John Abrahamson

If you’re interested in seeing the light displays up close, you can purchase an add-on ticket (we suggest getting yours as soon as you enter the park) for the Festival Train. What better way to see the lights a second time than from this fun scaled-down train?!

Holiday Festival of Lights

Other activities the event usually offers include a holiday carousel and visits with Santa Claus himself. Be sure to check the website to see all of their current offerings and activities first.

Holiday Festival of Lights

Be sure you don’t miss the dancing trees (bopping to the sounds of the Siberian Orchestra), and all of the other fun surprises the festival will have in store for visitors.

Google Maps/Chris Mortensen

From all the excitement you could easily work up your appetite. Luckily, there are concessions available at the festival.

Holiday Festival of Lights

Don’t ignore your sweet tooth on this holiday adventure… Santa’s Sweet Shop and the various gift shoppes should have exactly what that sweet tooth has been craving. (I’d like one of each, please!)

Holiday Festival of Lights

After filling your tummy with holiday fare, take the route as many times as you’d like for another brush with Christmas lights cheer before heading home.

Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights

Many families already make it a tradition to head to the annual Festival of Lights in Charleston. Are you ready to join them?

TripAdvisor/QuirkyPickles

Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights

TripAdvisor/Faith N

Google Maps/John Abrahamson

Holiday Festival of Lights

Google Maps/Chris Mortensen

The Holiday Festival of Lights is located at James Island County Park at 871 Riverland Dr., Charleston, SC 29412. It runs every night, rain or shine, from mid-November to the end of December. The hours are nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The busiest times are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after Thanksgiving.

What are your favorite holiday traditions in South Carolina? Here are 9 reasons why Christmas in SC is the best.

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Address: 817 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Holiday Festival Of Lights In South Carolina November 20, 2020 Leah What are the best holiday events in South Carolina? If you love drive-thru Christmas lights in South Carolina, there are many more that you can experience. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina hosts a dazzling light display with over one million twinkling lights. In Moncks Corner, South Carolina, you can participate in the Celebrate The Season event by experiencing their Holiday Lights Driving Tour. The tour includes mesmerizing animated lights displays that can be enjoyed from the comforts of your car. The Edisto Memorial Gardens also come to light with tons of colorful strings of bulbs during the holidays. Santa also makes an appearance to make your family outing a memorable one. What is the weather like in winter in South Carolina? Plan on experiencing these outdoor Christmas events in South Carolina? You’ll probably want to know what the weather will be like so you can plan accordingly. Because of the Palmetto State’s location, you don’t have to worry about sub-freezing temperatures or buckets of snow. Near the coast, temperatures are usually in the mild 60s during the day and rarely get close to freezing at night. Further inland, temperatures are a bit cooler, but nothing like the north. The daily average is usually in the 50s. It may be as cold as freezing at night, however, so if you’re doing a nighttime holiday lights tour, be sure to bundle up. It usually doesn’t snow in December in South Carolina, if it snows at all. What are the best outdoor activities in winter in South Carolina? There are many things to do at Christmas in South Carolina beyond holiday lights festivals. With mild temperatures and less traffic from tourists, many of the busy vacation destinations in the state become quiet and much more fun to visit. From the beaches and islands to inland lakes that are perfect for a winter stroll, you can spend much of the South Carolina winter outdoors. There are also many charming Christmas towns to visit. There, you can walk the decorated streets and enjoy some holiday cheer. We made an entire list of South Carolina Christmas towns that you can check out for yourself.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Holiday Festival Of Lights In South Carolina

November 20, 2020

Leah

What are the best holiday events in South Carolina? If you love drive-thru Christmas lights in South Carolina, there are many more that you can experience. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina hosts a dazzling light display with over one million twinkling lights. In Moncks Corner, South Carolina, you can participate in the Celebrate The Season event by experiencing their Holiday Lights Driving Tour. The tour includes mesmerizing animated lights displays that can be enjoyed from the comforts of your car. The Edisto Memorial Gardens also come to light with tons of colorful strings of bulbs during the holidays. Santa also makes an appearance to make your family outing a memorable one. What is the weather like in winter in South Carolina? Plan on experiencing these outdoor Christmas events in South Carolina? You’ll probably want to know what the weather will be like so you can plan accordingly. Because of the Palmetto State’s location, you don’t have to worry about sub-freezing temperatures or buckets of snow. Near the coast, temperatures are usually in the mild 60s during the day and rarely get close to freezing at night. Further inland, temperatures are a bit cooler, but nothing like the north. The daily average is usually in the 50s. It may be as cold as freezing at night, however, so if you’re doing a nighttime holiday lights tour, be sure to bundle up. It usually doesn’t snow in December in South Carolina, if it snows at all. What are the best outdoor activities in winter in South Carolina? There are many things to do at Christmas in South Carolina beyond holiday lights festivals. With mild temperatures and less traffic from tourists, many of the busy vacation destinations in the state become quiet and much more fun to visit. From the beaches and islands to inland lakes that are perfect for a winter stroll, you can spend much of the South Carolina winter outdoors. There are also many charming Christmas towns to visit. There, you can walk the decorated streets and enjoy some holiday cheer. We made an entire list of South Carolina Christmas towns that you can check out for yourself.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you love drive-thru Christmas lights in South Carolina, there are many more that you can experience. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina hosts a dazzling light display with over one million twinkling lights. In Moncks Corner, South Carolina, you can participate in the Celebrate The Season event by experiencing their Holiday Lights Driving Tour. The tour includes mesmerizing animated lights displays that can be enjoyed from the comforts of your car. The Edisto Memorial Gardens also come to light with tons of colorful strings of bulbs during the holidays. Santa also makes an appearance to make your family outing a memorable one.

What is the weather like in winter in South Carolina?

Plan on experiencing these outdoor Christmas events in South Carolina? You’ll probably want to know what the weather will be like so you can plan accordingly. Because of the Palmetto State’s location, you don’t have to worry about sub-freezing temperatures or buckets of snow. Near the coast, temperatures are usually in the mild 60s during the day and rarely get close to freezing at night. Further inland, temperatures are a bit cooler, but nothing like the north. The daily average is usually in the 50s. It may be as cold as freezing at night, however, so if you’re doing a nighttime holiday lights tour, be sure to bundle up. It usually doesn’t snow in December in South Carolina, if it snows at all.

What are the best outdoor activities in winter in South Carolina?

There are many things to do at Christmas in South Carolina beyond holiday lights festivals. With mild temperatures and less traffic from tourists, many of the busy vacation destinations in the state become quiet and much more fun to visit. From the beaches and islands to inland lakes that are perfect for a winter stroll, you can spend much of the South Carolina winter outdoors. There are also many charming Christmas towns to visit. There, you can walk the decorated streets and enjoy some holiday cheer. We made an entire list of South Carolina Christmas towns that you can check out for yourself.