How to Have a Charming Christmas in CHSHoliday lights and delights combine in Charleston, SC, at Christmas! Save this guide so you know where to see the best twinkling displays, which shops and restaurants are decked out for the season, and the best ways to soak up the seasonal Southern charm! 🎄✨🌟Authorskerrieturcic
DestinationsCharlestonItinerary

Light Displays

College of Charleston
Every year the College of Charleston puts on a fantastic light display timed with music called Cougar Night Lights in the Cistern Yard. It usually opens the first weekend in December and runs through Jan. 1.
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James Island County Park
One of the most popular light displays in the Charleston area is here, about 30 minutes from downtown. The Holiday Festival of Lights usually begins in mid-November and runs through the month of December. The whole park is decorated in twinkling lights that you can drive through. Go early in the season before it gets crazy busy. Buy tickets online ahead of time.
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Brookgreen Gardens
This is a little over the river and through the woods, but if you love twinkle lights, visiting this historic garden halfway between Charleston and Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet is an absolute must during the holidays. Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens is iconic for its light display. There are more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of twinkling lights all over the sprawling sculpture garden, which is lined by ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss. Named the best Christmas lights in South Carolina by "Travel + Leisure," do not miss it. The holiday festival here typically runs between late November and early January. Make sure you book tickets well in advance—it's extremely popular!
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Holiday Lights & Decor Downtown

Rainbow Row
Stroll Rainbow Row during the holidays for the historic homes with gas lamps adorned with holiday wreaths and twinkle lights! (Usually lighter crowds, too!)
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Edmondston-Alston House
This historic Charleston home gets decorated for the season every year. Tour it by candelight, sip hot cider and listen local Christmas tales. Book in advance.
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The Shops at The Charleston Place
The Shops at Charleston Place deck out for Christmas. Come here to shop at high-end places like Louis Vuitton or enjoy pop-up seasonal drink stands.
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Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour
Is there a more romantic way to see the holiday decorations around Charleston? You'll experience more than 300 years of history as you ride through 30 blocks in the Holy City on this 1-hour carriage tour led by beautiful Belgian and Percheron draft horses. The last tour is at 4, so you won't get lights on this tour, but you will get all the holiday spirit.
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Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston
If you really want to get into the "spirits," then the haunted carrige tour is the option you want to choose. It's not ghosts of Christmas past, just ghosts of Charleston's past that you'll learn about on this 40-minute carriage ride pulled by the Old South Carriage Company's team of draft horses. You'll hear spooky stories and you criss-cross the streets of the Holy City at night with everything lit up by twinkle lights! Tours begin at 4:30 p.m.
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Holiday Special Events

North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center
Head to North Charleston to catch a special holiday concert here, including shows like Holiday POPS and Derek Hough. They also host a holiday market on Thanksgiving weekend.
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Firefly Distillery
This local distillery holds events all year long, and that means the holiday season is no exception. Check out the Holy City Holiday Market in its large outdoor space and sip on yummy seasonal cocktails made on site!
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Little Palm
Little Palm transforms itself into Little Pine for the holidays. This popular rooftop bar even has private gondolas with holiday decor that guests can reserve!
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The Best Friend Train Museum
This museum is home to America's first passenger locomotive, which debuted on Christmas day in 1830! This is the perfect place to visit Santa starting in late November.
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Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Head to this historic Southern garden for the "Home for the Holidays" guided tour, which typically runs from early December to early January. The rooms get decorated with the most charming 1920s decor with Art Deco and German glass ornaments, and even vintage-looking electric holiday lighting! As with most holiday events, book tickets in advance.
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Middleton Place
The Grand Illumination and Dinner at Middleton Place is a unique way to experience the holidays at this historic landmark. You'll take a guided walking tour at night through the gardens, which are only lit by torchlight. Along the way, you'll meet historic figures who are connected to the property. After the walk and a few fireworks, you'll enjoy a buffet featuring traditional Lowcountry holiday dishes and drinks in the decorated Pavilion. Warm up by fire pits located around the property and join in the storytelling, caroling, and even dancing. This event is typically only located on one weekend in December, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
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Circular Congregational Church
This historic church and National Historic Landmark welcomes all to hear the sounds of Charleston (and the season) with performances in styles of jazz, Gershwin, Gullah, gospel, and more. Special holiday concerts begin Nov. 30.
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Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
Head out to Mount Pleasant the weekend before Thanksgiving for a fun and free Christmas Tree Festival. Shop for unique gifts, visit Santa, and take home a fresh-cut tree or wreath. Come back in December (through January) for Christmas at Boone Hall Plantation, which features the historic home decked out in charming, locally-inspired holiday decor. In mid-December, the Gullah Christmas Concert features Gullah storytelling and musical performances.
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Sip n’ Shop in Charleston
Not sure there's a better way to shop for holiday gifts than this! Spend a couple of hours with your friends on a guided tour that includes drinks and shopping! Start at Juanita Greenberg's for a marg, then cruise King Street, stopping in local boutiques, sipping a glass of wine, and soaking up the season. Alcoholic beverages are included in this experience.
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Holiday Fun Hotels

The Charleston Place
This is the perfect holiday place to stay with twinkling lights, trees, and grand wreaths in the lobby and throughout the hotel. Plus it's right in the heart of the best shopping downtown!
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Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
This hotel built circa 1853 gives guests the opportunity to experience a 19th-century Christmas. The lobby will be transformed into a festive and cozy place to enjoy warm drinks and live jazz.
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The Spectator Hotel
Love a luxury Christmas stay? This '20s-era hotel has a glam library-style cocktail bar with seasonal drinks, personal butlers, and, of course, beautiful holiday decor.
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