5 Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Displays In South Carolina The Whole Family Can Enjoy
One of the best family-friendly activities to enjoy at Christmastime is piling into the car with one another and taking a nice, slow drive through one of the many dazzling drive-through light displays found throughout South Carolina. Below are five holiday light display events that provide oodles of fun and hours of enjoyment for the entire family. Throw on some Christmas tunes and let the celebration begin at the best drive-thru Christmas displays in South Carolina!
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The largest drive-through light show in the state is found at James Island County Park and features more than two million lights and three miles of displays to drive through. After, visitors can park and enter the enchanted light trail for even more Christmas light displays, visit with Santa, shop for sweets and more, roast marshmallows, hop aboard the festival train, and take a spin on the holiday carousel. The light festival is open nightly from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM through December. For times, costs, and more, see the link.
Head to the Greenville Pickens Speedway this season to see the track in a whole new light! The grand displays at this drive-through light show feature 32 million colors (not to be confused with 32 million lights) dressing out the speedway to the nines. When finished, park and check out the pony corral and take twirl on the ice rink, then head over to Santa Land. While the lights are on every night of the week, some of the additional activities will only open on the weekend. See this link for times, closures, and costs. Upstate Holiday Lights is open throughout December, rain or shine.
Address: 3800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC 29640
3. The Great Christmas Light Show - North Myrtle Beach
The biggest drive through light show on the Grand Strand features 1.5-miles of dazzling lights and more than two million bulbs. After, park and head to Santa's Village for hot chocolate, s'mores and more. The whole family will love this drive-through lights show in South Carolina. The event runs through December 30th and is closed on Christmas Day. For times and costs, see this link.
Electric City dazzles with their annual holiday lights event set among 45 acres on 2.5 miles of road found across the street from the Anderson Civic Center. More than 250 displays light up the night. The event opens Thanksgiving night and runs through Christmas Day. Gates open nightly at 5:30. Find more information, including rates for entry, at this link.
Address: Old Country Farm Circle, Anderson, SC 29621
5. Holiday Lights On The River - Saluda Shoals Park, Columbia
See more than 400 lights displays on this drive-through light show just off St. Andrews Road at Saluda Shoals Park (East) in Columbia. After, take a spin on the holiday train, slide down the tube slide, wander the lights maze, take in a lazer light show on the river trail, roast marshmallows, make s'mores, and meet Santa. Sounds perfect! The Holiday Lights on the River takes place nightly through December 31. Learn more, including opening times, special events, and costs per vehicle, at this link.
Address: 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212
Popping in the car and heading out for an evening of enjoying holiday lights and festivities is a Christmastime tradition for many families. Did we leave out your favorite in our list of the best drive-thru Christmas displays in South Carolina? Nominate your favorite here!
Address: 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
Address: 3800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC 29640, USA
Address: 150 Citizens Cir, Little River, SC 29566, USA
Address: Old Country Farm Cir, Anderson, SC, USA
Address: 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Drive-Thru Christmas Displays In South Carolina
December 04, 2020
Leah
What are the best holiday events in South Carolina?
There are so many Christmas activities in South Carolina, it’s hard to get to them all. Here is one that is a must-do at least once in your life. Each year, Rock Hill, South Carolina hosts an annual ChristmasVille that’s sure to please the whole family. The festivities include carriage rides, ice skating, a Christmas parade, and – of course – visits with Santa himself. You can learn more about this event here. It’s been running for 15 years and is sure to continue making wonderful memories for families for years to come. Why not give it a visit to get into the holiday spirit?
Where can I see the best lights displays in South Carolina?
Enjoy the prettiest Christmas lights in South Carolina at one of these special displays. The state capital has a gorgeous, huge Christmas tree decorated from tip to trunk that’s dazzling to see in person. It’s absolutely massive and beautifully lit with thousands of lights, plus it’s located right in front of the capitol building in Columbia. Great for photo ops! If you enjoy visiting Myrtle Beach in the summer, you’ll also love it when it’s decked out in lights and decorations for the holidays. The view of Ocean Boulevard twinkling with colorful Christmas lights is unlike any other.
What are the best Christmas towns in South Carolina?
Check out the cutest Christmas towns across the Palmetto State for some hometown holiday goodness. As mentioned, the town of Rock Hill hosts an amazing Christmas event each year that makes it worth visiting. Camden, South Carolina has a spectacular Christmas parade to get you in the seasonal spirit. The town of Aiken is already totally charming to visit during any time of the year, but it truly becomes something out of a Hallmark movie during the holidays. Seeing the town dressed up in decorations is worth a trip to see.
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: [email protected]
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