The holiday season is especially merry and bright in the Palmetto State with a variety of family-oriented events that bring everyone together to celebrate the season. From a town that transforms into ChristmasVille to a holiday lights safari where you may find yourself hand-feeding a zebra from your own car – and more, this year promises to deck the halls with holiday cheer. Each year, South Carolina’s number one outdoor attraction, Brookgreen Gardens delivers the best winter hike in South Carolina and it takes place at night under the glow of flickering candles and twinkling lights.

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Nights of a Thousand Candles, the best winter hike in South Carolina, takes place on the following nights: December 5-8, December 12-15, and December 19 – 21, 2019. Tickets must be purchased in advance and they tend to sell out, so don’t wait. On these special event days the gardens are open from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth. Purchase tickets at this link or by calling 1-888-718-4253.

For more ways to enjoy the season in the Palmetto State, check out some spots where you’ll find the best winter hiking in South Carolina.

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Best Winter Hike In South Carolina

What are the best walk-through light displays in South Carolina?

By far, the best walk-through lights display for adults in South Carolina is found at Brookgreen Gardens on select nights during December. For eleven nights each year, the gardens are illuminated with more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and countless Christmas lights decorating the gardens. For more information, see the article above.

There are other, more kid-friendly lights displays you can walk through in the Palmetto State, too. The Holiday Lights on the River in Columbia features a holiday lights trail you experience on foot after driving through a fantastic lights display. The event takes place at Saluda Shoals Park. And over in Aiken, Hopeland Gardens is adorned with more than 100,000 dazzling lights throughout, and is a winter wonderland (minus the snow) each year at Christmastime.

Can I go hiking in the winter in South Carolina?

Yes, you absolutely CAN go hiking in the winter in South Carolina! The mild temperatures experienced in most of the state during the winter months make hiking an enjoyable experience. Only in the higher elevations in the westernmost part of the state will you find hiking trails closed due to inclement conditions. Here are 10 great suggestions for winter hikes in South Carolina. Enjoy!

What are the best parks to visit in the winter in South Carolina?

If it's a chance to see fresh snowfall that you're seeking, then you'll want to head to Caesar's Head State Park, Table Rock State Park, or Jones Gap State Park. And if it's a chance to relax on the beach and catch some warmth from the sun on a particularly toasty day in South Carolina, then you'll want to head to the coast to Hunting Island State Park, Edisto State Park,  Huntington Beach State Park, or Myrtle Beach State Park.

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