The Christmas season is upon us and we couldn’t be happier! From Christmas trains to Christmas stores and events galore, this holiday season brings with it a promise of joy and laughter for the hearts of all. There are many ways to experience the joys of the season in the Palmetto State, but what better way to embrace the holidays than the Holiday Festival of Lights in South Carolina? Get the deets below… and enjoy!

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Many families already make it a tradition to head to the annual Festival of Lights in South Carolina. Are you ready to join them? The Holiday Festival of Lights runs every night, rain or shine, from mid-November to the end of December. The hours are nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The busiest times are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after Thanksgiving.

For more information, including a very informative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, see the Charleston County Parks web page for the Holiday Festival of Lights.

What are your favorite holiday traditions in South Carolina? Here are 9 reasons why Christmas in SC is the best.

Looking for gifts this holiday season? Check out our holiday gift guide for some ideas!

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Holiday Festival Of Lights In South Carolina

What are the best holiday events in South Carolina?

The following are the best holiday events in South Carolina:

  • The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina hosts a dazzling light display with over one million twinkling lights.
  • In Moncks Corner, South Carolina, you can participate in the Celebrate The Season event by experiencing their Holiday Lights Driving Tour. The tour includes mesmerizing animated light displays that can be enjoyed from the comforts of your car.
  • The Edisto Memorial Gardens also come to light with tons of colorful strings of bulbs during the holidays. Santa also makes an appearance to make your family outing a memorable one.

 

What is the weather like in winter in South Carolina?

Plan on experiencing these outdoor Christmas events in South Carolina? You'll probably want to know what the weather will be like so you can plan accordingly. Because of the Palmetto State's location, you don't have to worry about sub-freezing temperatures or buckets of snow. Here's what to expect in winter in South Carolina:

  • Near the coast, temperatures are usually in the mild 60s during the day and rarely get close to freezing at night.
  • Further inland, temperatures are a bit cooler, but nothing like the north. The daily average is usually in the 50s. It may be as cold as freezing at night, however, so if you're doing a nighttime holiday lights tour, be sure to bundle up.
  • It usually doesn't snow in December in South Carolina, if it snows at all.

 

What are the best outdoor activities in winter in South Carolina?

There are many things to do at Christmas in South Carolina beyond holiday lights festivals. With mild temperatures and less traffic from tourists, many of the busy vacation destinations in the state become quiet and much more fun to visit. From the beaches and islands to inland lakes that are perfect for a winter stroll, you can spend much of the South Carolina winter outdoors.

There are also many charming Christmas towns to visit. There, you can walk the decorated streets and enjoy some holiday cheer. We made an entire list of South Carolina Christmas towns that you can check out for yourself.