Seasons greetings, Charleston. ❄️ To help you get the most out of the most wonderful time of the year, we’ve compiled our Charleston winter bucket list, complete with 50+ events and activities to try. So jingle all the way through this list to make sure you don’t miss anything. ☃️
👟 Activities
🎄 Go see the Christmas tree at Folly Beach
Though a lot has changed in 2020, one thing has not: the Folly Beach Christmas Tree. As bright + beautiful as ever, this year’s tree is all lit up and ready for visitors, so grab a cup of cocoa and stop by to see the colorful lights + get in the holiday spirit.
🎅🏻 Take (socially distanced) photos with Santa
Santa is taking extra precautions this Christmas in order to keep everyone safe + healthy, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped visiting spots around town. This season, catch Santa at the South Carolina Aquarium (100 Aquarium Wharf), James Island County Park (871 Riverland Dr.) and Northwoods Mall (2150 Northwoods Blvd., North Charleston) for contactless meet + greets and photos.
🎶 Attend a holiday concert
Experience in-person all of your favorite Christmas carols at the Charleston Symphony Holiday Pops Concert or stream the Drayton Hall (3380 Ashley River Rd.) virtual African American Spirituals Concert in the comfort of your own home.
🦌 Ride in Santa’s sleigh with Old South Carriage Co.
Join Santa + Mrs. Claus for a ride around the city led by “reindeer” and elves. Mrs. Claus will provide freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, but don’t forget to bring your own blanket to stay warm. Don’t forget, you can stick around afterwards for pictures with Santa.
⛄️ Stream “A Christmas Carol” presented by Charleston Stage
Watch a classic Christmas play while supporting a local theater company. With a $10 donation to the Curtain Up Fund, you will receive a ticket to the virtual showing of “A Christmas Carol”, available for viewing through Dec. 31.
🎨 Create a holiday art project
Add a few homemade decorations to your collection this year by painting holiday-themed canvases in classes led by Andre from Art with Andre or creating kaleidoscope glass Christmas ornaments with artist Sherri Welser.
💡 Where to see lights
Holiday Festival of Lights | Nightly through Thurs., Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr. | $20+/vehicle | Due to COVID-19 precautions, this year’s event will operate on drive-thru only.
College of Charleston Cougar Night Lights | Nightly through Fri., Jan. 1 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Cistern Yard, 66 George St. | Free | CofC’s annual light show at the Cistern Yard will begin every half hour during operating hours.
Nights of a Thousand Candles 2020 | Nightly through Thurs., Dec. 31 | 4-9 p.m. | Brookgreen Gardens, 1931 Brookgreen Dr., Murrells Inlet | $12+ (child), $20+ (adult) | A dazzling display of over 2,800 hand-lit candles + countless sparkling Christmas lights
Moncks Corner Holiday Lights Driving Tour | Nightly through Wed., Dec. 30 (Closed Dec. 24-25) | 6-9 p.m. | 1 Riverwood Dr. | $5/vehicle | Proceeds benefit local charities.
Drive around these spots set up with large trees + holiday lights:
Mount Pleasant Towne Centre | 1218 Belk Dr, Mt Pleasant
Hutchinson Square | 102 S Main St., Summerville
🎟️ Winter festivals
Boone Hall Winter Wonderland | Sat., Dec. 5 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Boone Hall Farms, 2434 N. Hwy. 17, Mt. Pleasant | $5 | Make s’mores, meet Disney characters, see Santa + pick out the perfect Christmas tree.
Hanahan Christmas Market | Fri., Dec. 11 | 4-8 p.m. | Yeamans Hall Canteen, 1240 Yeamans Hall Rd., Hanahan | Free admission | Shop, eat + drink your way into the holiday season.
Deck the Halls: Golf Cart Parade and Tree Lighting | Fri., Dec. 11 | 5-8 p.m. | Nexton Square, 801 Nexton Sq. Dr., Summerville | Free admission | Get in the holiday spirit by watching the lighted golf cart parade, visiting the photo booth + shopping for gifts at local stores and boutiques.
Family Yuletide in the Stableyards | Sat., Dec. 12 | 5:30-8 p.m. | The Stableyards at Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd. | $10 (child), $25 (adult) | Create your own holiday decor with fresh greenery + berries, view the living nativity scene, enjoy a story read by Father Christmas and listen to songs of carolers.
Chanukah in the Square | Sun., Dec. 13 | 4 p.m. | The Bend, 3775 Azalea Dr., North Charleston | Free admission | This year’s event will be in the form of a drive-thru to ensure the safety of the community.
Reindeer Walk & Holiday Fest | Sat., Dec. 19 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Rd. | Free with general admission | Santa needs help finding his lost reindeer. There will be fun holiday-themed activities, live music, meet + greets with “Frozen” characters and much, much more.
☕ Food + drinks
☕️ Candy cane cappuccino + peppermint foam cold brew from Cuppa Manna
Stop by the Summerville (100 S. Main St.) or Goose Creek (2007 2nd Ave.) locations to really get in the holiday spirit with these two seasonal drinks. Don’t worry about the weather – there’s an option for both warm or chilly afternoons.
🧀 Charcuterie boards from Island Provisions
There’s no better addition to a (socially-distanced) holiday gathering than a charcuterie board – and these boards look seriously delicious. Each is piled high with the finest meats, cheeses, crackers + spreads and garnished with fresh, green herbs. Call or email to reserve one before you host your next event.
🍩 Hot cocoa donut from Bked Shop
With a hot cocoa buttercream filling, sweet cream glaze + peppermint, marshmallow sprinkles, this is a Christmas morning treat that cannot be turned down. Visit either of the Charleston (99 Westedge St.) or Summerville (408 Nexton Sq.) shops to grab one before they’re all gone.
🎄Christmas cookies from Little Southern Bakes
No holiday treat list is complete without Christmas cookies. Order up a freshly baked batch of holiday shaped + decorated sugar cookies from one of Charleston’s favorite local bakers.
🥂Christmapolitan from Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails
Not sure what to expect from a Christmapolitan? It’s Handcraft’s seasonal take on a Cosmopolitan, complete with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime + absinthe mist. But that’s not all – their Christmas cocktail menu also includes festive drinks named Jolly Koala, Snowball Old-Fashioned and On Dasher.
🍜 Soups + bisques from Five Loaves Cafe
Nothing says wintertime like a steaming bowl of soup or bisque. If you’re in desperate need of some warming up, Five Loaves Cafe in Summerville (214 N. Cedar St.) + Mt. Pleasant (1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.) offers a variety of soup options like Tomato Tarragon with Crab Meat, Potato, Broccoli + Cheddar and Kale + Sausage. Be sure to check out their menus beforehand, though, as the soup menu changes daily.
❤️ Donating
🥫 Holiday Canned Food Drive | Sun., Nov. 1-Thurs., Dec. 31 | 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Rd. | $20 | With the donation of a canned food item for the Lowcountry Food Bank, receive a free general admission ticket with the purchase of a general admission ticket.
🚂 Toys for Tots at Patriots Point | Tues., Dec. 1-Fri., Dec. 11 | Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. + Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, 40 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant | $20 | Bring a toy donation for Toys for Tots + receive $4 off of an adult general admission ticket.
🧸 Toys for Tots Donation Drive-Thru | Sat., Dec. 5 | 12-4 p.m. | Charleston County Democrats Office, 1379 Ashley River Rd. | Free | Bring an unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots + enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate.
🧤 Homeless Warming Shelter Serve Opportunity | Sun., Dec. 6-Sun., Dec. 13| 6 p.m.-8:30 a.m. | Arthur W. Christopher Community Center, 265 Fishburne St. | Free | When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, volunteers come together to create the Warming Center, where those experiencing homelessness can escape the cold weather + have a warm meal. In order to offer this service, the center needs volunteers.
🎁 Lowcountry Holiday Social & Toy Drive | Wed., Dec. 9 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Baystreet Biergarten, 549 E. Bay St. | $15-$25 | Come have a drink + socialize, but don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
❄️ Live Oak Square Holiday Open House | Sat., Dec. 12 | 12-5 p.m. | Live Oak Square, 1800 Crowne Commons Way | Free admission | Come out to see Santa, shop til you drop + donate a gift to Toys for Tots.
✂️ Wrapping Night | Sat., Dec. 12 | 5-8:30 p.m. | The Bend, 3775 Azalea Dr., North Charleston | Free with registration | Join Charleston Hope in wrapping presents for students in Title I schools.
🎬 Christmas Double Feature Drive-In Event | Fri., Dec. 18 | 4 p.m. (gates open), 6 p.m. (movie begins) | Tradesman Brewing Co., 1647 King St. Extension | $60 per vehicle | Order from food trucks, browse the holiday market, listen to live music + watch “The Polar Express” and “Elf”. All proceeds will go towards Charleston Habitat for Humanity.
See our full roundup for more ways to give back to the community this holiday season.
⛸️ Ice skating
Carolina Ice Palace | 7665 Northwoods Blvd., North Charleston | $10+ | Click here for the public skating schedule.
Summerville Skates | 130 E 2nd N St., Summerville | $8 | Book your skate time here.
🍾 NYE events
Noon Year’s Eve Party | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bizzy Bee Indoor Play Center, 7671 Northwoods Blvd. Suite A, North Charleston | $25/child, $5/adult | Celebrate the new year early with pizza, balloon drops, games + giveaways.
New Year’s Eve Speakeasy VIP Party | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | Eli’s Table, 129 Meeting St. | $150 | Indoor + outdoor party limited to 100 people.
The Carolina Girl Yacht New Year’s Eve Party | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | St. Johns Yacht Harbor, 2408 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island | $125 | Tickets include light food + appetizers; BYOB. Boarding will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Bourbon N’ Bubbles New Years Eve | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Bourbon N’ Bubbles, 570 King St. | $100 | Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, dessert + party favors. Cash bar ends at 10:30 p.m.
Republic’s New Year’s Eve Party | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m. | Republic Garden & Lounge, 462 King St. | $85 | Open bar, live music, hors d’oeuvres + party favors.
