These 9 Small Towns In South Carolina Honor Christmas In The Most Magical Way
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas ev’rywhere you go. There’s a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well, the sturdy kind that doesn’t mind the snow. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Soon the bells will start, and the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart!” From glistening trees to carol singing to some fun and creative ways to celebrate the season, there are some truly magical Christmas small towns in South Carolina you don’t want to miss when considering which events to include in your holiday activities. You know it’s going to be special when a small town puts so much time and effort into festivities with limited resources at its disposal.
Though technically a city, Abbeville’s total 2022 population of just over 4,800 residents is definitely small-town qualifying. Located in the upstate area of South Carolina, it has tons of special events planned for the holiday season, which it dubs “Christmas on the Square.” The Square is the name for its historic downtown district and the heart of the town.
Abbeville, SC 29620, USA
Christmas events planned for the season include the annual Christmas tree lighting, which kicks off the season; Christmas Market at Crate & Quill, a 2-day shopping spree with delicious foods available, too; a book signing event for a book featuring stories of Abbeville, which would make a neat gift idea for a South Carolinian who loves to read; local shopping events including Pink Weekend, Handmade for the Holidays at Livery Stables, and Small Business Saturday; a cookie walk; an annual reindeer 5k run; an annual Christmas parade; a breakfast with Santa and story time with one of his helpers; and multiple entertainment events from musical to drama style. It is surely a holly jolly Christmas season in Abbeville!
Gilbert is a very small town located in the greater Columbia area, just over 20 miles west of the state capital.
Gilbert, SC, USA
Its Little Bethlehem experience will delight all who love finding opportunities to remember the true reason for and meaning of Christmas. The event is a brilliant, inspiring re-creation of what the town of Bethlehem may have been like so many years ago when Jesus was born. It’s a free outdoor interactive walk-through production with opportunities to taste different foods, visit live animals, and make some holiday crafts in the Woodworker’s Shop. Attendees get to feel as though they are a resident of the town experiencing the various events as they unfold. Plan for a minimum of 15 minutes, but you’re invited to linger for as long as you’d like. It’s closed on days with inclement weather.
Also in the upstate region of South Carolina is the small town of Honea Path, which was a cotton mill town in its earlier days, as well as the smallest town in the country with a Carnegie library in 1908. It offers some special holiday events during the Christmas season.
The Festival of Trees takes place at the Watkins Community Center. In addition to viewing the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, you’ll enjoy music and dancing, food, crafts, door prizes given away throughout the event, and an opportunity to see Santa. Admission is free, but please bring some canned goods for the Honea Path food pantry, required to be able to vote for your favorite tree!
Honea Path, SC 29654, USA
The town also hosts a Christmas tree lighting and a parade in conjunction with the Christmas with the Cops event at the Rouse Street Apartment Basketball Court, a free event for kids with fun activities, pictures with Santa, and gifts for each kid in attendance.
The Isle of Palms is a small beachy town on the Isle of Palms barrier island, located about 13 miles east of Charleston. The town honors Christmas with a street festival on Front Beach.
Isle of Palms, SC, USA
The event features arts and crafters, food vendors, live entertainment, and various fun children’s activities. Everyone will have a blast!
Located in the western area of the state, the town of McCormick has a calendar full of holiday festivities.
Holiday on Main is a multi-day celebration with a picnic, theater performance, tree lighting with the Christmas tree lit by the Grinch, a parade, and a festival of trees. Other events throughout the season include a story walk, holiday R&B style paint and sip, holiday chamber breakfast, holiday quilt raffle, Christmas open house, wine and beverage walk, Christmas cookie walk, and A Jazzy Christmas Affair with Javonne Jones. There is something for everyone to enjoy!
McCormick, SC 29835, USA
Pageland is a small town in northern South Carolina, very close to the North Carolina border about 40 miles southeast of Charlotte.
Pageland, SC 29728, USA
Its 2022 Christmas celebration is called Whoville. At the event, there will be a parade, a Cindy Lou Who hairstyle contest at Salon Static following the parade, horse-drawn carriage rides at A Gathering Place for $5.00 per person, a Christmas karaoke at Vapeholics, snow at New Creation’s Embroidery, pictures with Santa at Knick Knack Shack, and pictures with the Grinch at the Gazebo.
Yet another small town in the upstate, Pendleton is located in Anderson County and celebrates Christmas with several exciting events.
The Pendleton Christkindlmarkt, a quaint, European Christmas market inspired by the historic and beautiful holiday markets in Germany and across Europe, with the lighting of the tree on Village Green with Santa kicks off the season. Other festivities during the season include more shopping with Holidays in the Village Market and a parade.
Wellford, also located in the upstate in Spartanburg County, has an enchanting holiday lights safari at Hollywild Animal Preserve.
Hollywild Animal Park, 2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford, SC 29385, USA
Not only are the lights displays beautiful, the proceeds from the event directly benefit the hundreds of animals that reside at Hollywild Animal Preserve.
Another Anderson County small town, Williamston holds several holiday events during the season.
Williamston, SC, USA
Opening night ceremonies and lighting of the Winter Wonderland Christmas Park at Mineral Spring Park include special holiday music, Santa’s arrival on the town’s antique 1936 Fire Engine and visiting with children in the Scout Hut during select hours on weekend evenings, and the opening of Deck the Halls in Williamston’s Municipal Center featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the main hallways. It will be open to the public for viewing following the lighting of the park and during regular business hours through the holidays. Cookies and hot chocolate will be given out in the park on weekends during December and during the week before Christmas.
There’s a Christmas parade held during the season, and in 2022, locals are invited to get creative and decorate homes or businesses with their best Griswald decor!
There’s a Christmas parade held during the season, and in 2022, locals are invited to get creative and decorate homes or businesses with their best Griswald decor!
The town also holds a special Candlelight Cemetery Service to honor the founding families who established the town and helped make this thriving community into what it is today.
Visit each website for more information and details, including dates and admission rates for events: City of Abbeville website, Little Bethlehem’s Facebook page, Town of Honea Path website or Town of Honea Path Facebook page, Isle of Palms website, Town of McCormick Chamber of Commerce website and Town of McCormick’s Facebook page, Pageland Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, Pendleton Christmas website and Pendleton Christmas Facebook page, Hollywild website (Wellford), and the Envision Williamston website.
Have you ever been to a small-town Christmas celebration? Where and what type of event was it? Share all about it with us in the comment section below!
Address: Abbeville, SC 29620, USA
Address: Honea Path, SC 29654, USA
Address: Isle of Palms, SC, USA
Address: McCormick, SC 29835, USA
Address: Pageland, SC 29728, USA
Address: Hollywild Animal Park, 2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford, SC 29385, USA
Address: Gilbert, SC, USA
Address: Williamston, SC, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
