Christmas in Charleston 

Aiken-Rhett House
48 Elizabeth St
Charleston SC 29403

The Aiken-Rhett House, built in 1820, was one of the most stylish homes in Charleston. The owners adopted the increasing popularity of Victorian-style Christmas trees which are recreated today. 

Nathaniel Russell House
51 Meeting St
Charleston SC 29401
Dec. 3 - Dec. 19 (Thursday - Saturday)

Visit the Nathaniel Russell House and learn about the Charleston festivities, decorations and traditions in the early 1800’s. The house, built in 1808, is decorated inside and outside with Christmas decor. 

Joseph Manigault House
350 Meeting St
Charleston SC 29403
Dec. 4 - Dec. 29

Tour the impressive Joseph Manigault house and learn about the holiday traditions of the time. The house is decorated by the Garden Club of Charleston using arrangements made exclusively with historically accurate plant materials that would have been cultivated in Charleston during the early 1800's.

Edmonston-Alston House
21 East Battery St
Charleston SC 29401
Dec. 3 - Dec. 4

Experience Christmas in Charleston as it was in the antebellum period. Explore the Edmonston-Alston House beautifully decorated for the holidays as historians in period clothing give candlelight tours

Drayton Hall
3380 Ashley River Rd
Charleston SC 29414
Dec. 3 - 19, 2020 (Thurs. - Sat.)

Take a candlelight tour of Charleston, SC’s Drayton Hall, circa 1738. Beautiful and moving, this eighteenth century house is the oldest untouched home open to the public in the United States. This year for the first time, Drayton Hall will be open for public tours in the evening during the 2020 holiday season.

Boone Hall Plantation
1235 Long Point Rd
Mount Pleasant SC 29464
Dec. 6 - Jan 3, 2020

During the Christmas Holiday season Boone Hall comes alive with festivities, beautiful live Christmas tree, decorations, and good ole southern holiday hospitality, that is only befitting America’s most photographed plantation. 

Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Dr
Charleston, SC 
Nov. 13 - Dec 31

The  Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is known for its three-mile driving tour decorated with thousands of lights. Visitors can also wander through festival shops, ride the festival train, make s’mores at the marshmallow roasting pits, and explore Santa's village. 

Charleston Christmas Parade
Cancelled for 2020

The holiday tradition is better than ever as miles of bands, floats, marchers, and performers parade through downtown Charleston. 

Charleston Tree Lighting
Dec. 6, 2020 (Virtual Tree Lighting on City's Facebook Page)

Join the holiday jubilee with a musical extravaganza featuring performances from musicians and arts organizations throughout Charleston. The celebration culminates in the lighting of the magnificent 64-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas tree in Marion Square. 

Holiday Parade of Boats
Cancelled for 2020

The Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats, organized by the city of Charleston, is held yearly in Charleston Harbor.  Participants in the parade must register and decorate their boat from stem to stern while spectators view the parade from either Mt. Pleasant or Charleston along the harbor.

Charleston Harbor Holiday Dinner Cruise

Come aboard the Charleston Princess to celebrate the holiday season with a delicious buffet dinner while taking in the sights of the Charleston Harbor and enjoying some jazzy holiday classics. 

Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour 

Enjoy Charleston’s mild climate with a narrated stroll through the historic district. Visit special landmarks and learn about what Christmas was like in Charleston in antebellum times. The tour ends in front of the Mills House Hotel’s grand Christmas Tree. 

Charleston Tea Party’s Christmas Tour

Join expert guide and native Charlestonian Laura Wichmann Hipp on a festive behind-the-scenes Christmas tour of three private homes. The tour begins with a full breakfast and ends with high tea. Reservations are required.

Charleston Holiday Pub Crawl
Cancelled for 2020

Embark on a holiday adventure to celebrate local food, flavor and fun. This tour will visit several pubs and taverns while the guide shares stories of Charleston’s unique culture and history. Sip on your favorite beverage and enjoy complimentary appetizers and holiday treats while learning about the Holy City. 

Holiday Market at Middleton Place
Nov. 27, 2020

The Garden Market & Nursery and Museum Shop kick-off the shopping season with an open-air market including local artisans and vendors, live musicians performing festive carols, complimentary hot cider and treats, and featured items in both shops.

Charleston Holiday Market in Marion Square
Cancelled for 2020

Visit the Annual Holiday Market in Marion Square and enjoy shopping, sweet treats, live bands and caroling, kids activities, and Free visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

Sound of Charleston - Holiday Edition
Dec. 4 - Dec. 30

The concerts are at historic Circular Congregational Church, festively decorated for Christmas, and feature some of Charleston's finest musical artists. Frommers Travel Guide says, "Sound of Charleston is the best night out in the City.”

Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 5, 2020

Charlton Singleton and Friends returns to their home, The Charleston Music Hall, with a Holiday Spectacular full of good cheer. In addition to Holiday favorites the repertoire for the evening will also include some of bands favorite songs of uplift.