I don’t know about y’all– but we’re in full holiday mode over here. If the day after Thanksgiving was still too soon to blast Mariah Carey’s Christmas album while decorating the entire house inside + out with holiday lights, then the first week of December is most definitely socially acceptable to go all holly jolly on y’all.
Here’s a list of places around the Lowcountry slaying (or should we say sleigh-ing) holiday lights this year. Pack up the van and plan your lights tour now.
Ongoing
Holiday Festival of Lights | Nightly through Dec. 31 | Times vary by day | James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr. | $20 per vehicle (up to 15 people) | Drive through three miles of two million shimmering lights. Then explore the enchanted walking trail, visit with Santa, spoil your sweet tooth with hot cocoa, + more.
College of Charleston Cougar Night Lights | Dec. 14- Jan. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Cistern Yard | Free | CofC’s annual holiday light show opens to the public Dec. 14 + runs nightly through Jan. 1. A musical light show will begin every half hour between 6 + 9 p.m.
Moncks Corner Holiday Lights Driving Tour | Nightly through Dec. 30 (Closed Dec. 24-25) | 6-9 p.m. | 1 Riverwood Dr. | $5 per vehicle | Proceeds benefit local charities.
Belmond Charleston Place | Now through Jan. 2 | Belmond Charleston Place | Free | The annual holiday train display will be on display inside the hotel’s lobby.
Lights on Taggert | Nightly through Jan. 1 | Times vary by day | Taggert Circle in Liberty Hall Plantation in Goose Creek | Free | This is a private residence – do not walk through yard or touch any decorations. Make sure to tune your car’s radio station to 88.1 FM.
Lights of Magnolia | Nightly through March 15 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | $26 for adults | A fully accessible walk-through experience with 23 themed displays.
Brookgreen Gardens’ Night of a Thousand Candles | Dec. 5-21 | Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet (about 1.5 hours outside CHS) | 3-10 p.m. | 2,700+ hand-lit candles and sparkling lights. Named “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina” by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
Holiday Lighting Events
After the lighting celebrations, these displays will continue to light up throughout the holiday season.
Carolina Bay Park Light the Park | Dec. 1 | 5-7 p.m. | Carolina Bay Park, 3009 Amberbrook Ln., West Ashley | Free
City of Charleston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting | Dec. 1 | 3 p.m. | Downtown Charleston | Free | The Parade will start on Broad Street at Rutledge Ave., travel north on Meeting St., + conclude on Calhoun Street. Will conclude with the lighting of the 64-foot Holiday Tree of Lights on Marion Square.
Summerville Christmas Tree Lighting on the Square | Dec. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | In front of Summerville Town Hall | Free | Celebrate the annual tree lighting with live Christmas music. Plus: Accent on Wine (132 S. Main St.) will have drink specials you can enjoy outside.
Daniel Island Night Market + Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec. 5 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | 880 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island | Free
Charleston’s Most Magical Tree Lighting and Fantasy Filled Parade | Fri., Dec. 6 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Charleston City Market, 188 Meeting St. | Free | Parade begins on East Bay Street in the Market at 7 p.m. Plan to arrive early.
Hanahan Christmas Tree Lighting and Movie in the Park | Dec. 6 | 6-11 p.m. | Hanahan Amphitheater | Free
Colonial Lake: Light the Lake | Dec. 6 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Colonial Lake | Free | Holiday cookie decorating, ugly sweater contest + lighting of the tree with Mayor Tecklenburg. Guests are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots.
North Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec. 6 | 6-7 p.m. | Felix C. Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Circle | Free | Free hot chocolate + apple cider will be provided.
Chanukah in the Square | Dec. 22 | 4-6 p.m. | Marion Square | Free | The largest annual Jewish event in South Carolina with food, entertainment + local Holocaust survivors lighting the menorah candles.