Posted in South Carolina
December 07, 2015
11 Holiday Light Festivals In South Carolina You Won’t Want To Miss This Year
Each year millions upon millions of Christmas lights go up around the Palmetto State. We’ve rounded up some of the biggest organized/sponsored events so you can put them on your bucket list. You’re pretty amazing if you can find time to visit them all this year. (These are alphabetical, not in any “ranked” order)
Aiken's Hopelands Gardens lights up for the holidays with more than 100,000 twinkling lights, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a children's activity area and live entertainment.
Dates: Dec. 13 - 23, and Dec. 26 - 27
Times: 6:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Busses Depart from Citizens Park 1060 Banks Mill Road
Location of event: 135 Dupree Place, Aiken, SC
Free (donations are appreciated)
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Dates: Dec. 13 - 23, and Dec. 26 - 27
Times: 6:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Busses Depart from Citizens Park 1060 Banks Mill Road
Location of event: 135 Dupree Place, Aiken, SC
Free (donations are appreciated)
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3.5 million Christmas lights are on display at the new 2.5 mile loop across from the Civic Center. Plus an even bigger Santa's village this year.
Dates: Through December 25, 2015
Hours: 5:30 – 11 p.m.
Address: Anderson Recycling Center - Anderson, SC (Across from Civic Center)
Cost: $10 for cars; $15 per church van; $25 per commercial bus
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Dates: Through December 25, 2015
Hours: 5:30 – 11 p.m.
Address: Anderson Recycling Center - Anderson, SC (Across from Civic Center)
Cost: $10 for cars; $15 per church van; $25 per commercial bus
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A three mile drive-through featuring more than 700 light displays. More than just a drive through, you can also park your car for added interaction. USA Today has named it one of the "10 Best Holiday Light Shows in America."
Dates: Through January 3, 2016
Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday); 5:30 – 11 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)
Address: 871 Riverland Drive - Charleston, SC
Cost: $15 per vehicle (1-15 guests); $40 per vehicle (16-30 guests); $100 per vehicle (31+ guests) Discounts offered - see link for more information.
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Dates: Through January 3, 2016
Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday); 5:30 – 11 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)
Address: 871 Riverland Drive - Charleston, SC
Cost: $15 per vehicle (1-15 guests); $40 per vehicle (16-30 guests); $100 per vehicle (31+ guests) Discounts offered - see link for more information.
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Columbia's longest-running holiday light event returns with more spectacular displays in 2015. Nearly a million lights plus animated displays.
Dates: Through Dec. 30, 2105 (closed Dec. 24 and 25)
Hours: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Address: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC
Cost: $10 Adults, $8 Children ages 2–12, and children younger than 2 free
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Dates: Through Dec. 30, 2105 (closed Dec. 24 and 25)
Hours: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Address: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC
Cost: $10 Adults, $8 Children ages 2–12, and children younger than 2 free
More info
Holiday Lights on the River features more than 400 themed animated light displays and more than a million lights on a two-mile drive-through loop of the park.
Dates: Through Dec. 31, 2015
Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC
Cost: Cars: $15; 15-Passenger Vans: $25; Buses: $40
Fees for additional activities.
More info
Dates: Through Dec. 31, 2015
Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC
Cost: Cars: $15; 15-Passenger Vans: $25; Buses: $40
Fees for additional activities.
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This 1.5 mile drive through light display also includes a park and participate "Winter Wonderland." The event is non-profit.
Dates: Through Dec. 30, 2015
Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Roper Mtn Science Center - 402 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC
Cost: Car, Minivan or SUV - Mon-Thu $10, Fri-Sun $15; Activity Vans: $25; Buses: $50; Multi Car Pass: $25. Good for three visits. Saves $5 to $20! Purchase at Gate. Cash & Checks Only.
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Dates: Through Dec. 30, 2015
Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Roper Mtn Science Center - 402 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC
Cost: Car, Minivan or SUV - Mon-Thu $10, Fri-Sun $15; Activity Vans: $25; Buses: $50; Multi Car Pass: $25. Good for three visits. Saves $5 to $20! Purchase at Gate. Cash & Checks Only.
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Celebrate The Season features a nightly Holiday Lights Driving Tour with spectacular light displays. The route starts at Santee Cooper's headquarters and winds through the adjacent Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner.
Dates: Through Dec. 30, 2015
Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Address: 1 Riverwood Drive - Moncks Corner, SC
Cost: $5 per car
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Dates: Through Dec. 30, 2015
Hours: 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Address: 1 Riverwood Drive - Moncks Corner, SC
Cost: $5 per car
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Brookgreen Gardens lights 5500 candles as well as thousands of other sparkling lights. Year after year it's a crowd-pleaser and sells out quickly - so get your tickets soon.
Dates: December 3-5, 10-12, & 17-20, 2015
Hours: 3:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Brookgreen Gardens - 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC
Cost: In December, tickets are $14 for members and $18 for the general public. Children ages 4-12 tickets are $8 for members and $10 for the general public.
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Dates: December 3-5, 10-12, & 17-20, 2015
Hours: 3:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Brookgreen Gardens - 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC
Cost: In December, tickets are $14 for members and $18 for the general public. Children ages 4-12 tickets are $8 for members and $10 for the general public.
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Drive through a beautiful, animated light display at the Edisto Memorial Gardens. Enjoy a stroll through the Kid's Walk that features interactive light displays.
Dates: Through Jan. 1, 2016
Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Edisto Memorial Gardens - 210 Cannon Bridge Rd, Orangeburg, SC
Cost: Free
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Dates: Through Jan. 1, 2016
Hours: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Edisto Memorial Gardens - 210 Cannon Bridge Rd, Orangeburg, SC
Cost: Free
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A grand LED light display that moves and flickers to music. Also featuring a park and participate area with Santa's Village.
Dates: Through Jan 3, 2016
Hours: Dusk - 10:00 p.m.
Address: 861 SE Main Street, Simpsonville SC
Cost: Cars or Family Vans $25; Activity Van, Limo, or Mini/Half Bus $40; Tour/School Bus: $80
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Dates: Through Jan 3, 2016
Hours: Dusk - 10:00 p.m.
Address: 861 SE Main Street, Simpsonville SC
Cost: Cars or Family Vans $25; Activity Van, Limo, or Mini/Half Bus $40; Tour/School Bus: $80
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One of the largest Christmas light displays (more than a million lights) in South Carolina. Drive through, or park and walk.
Dates: nightly through Dec. 31, 2015
Hours: Sun - Thurs 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.; Fri - Sat 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Swan Lake Iris Gardens - 122 Liberty Street, Sumter, SC
Cost: Free
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Dates: nightly through Dec. 31, 2015
Hours: Sun - Thurs 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.; Fri - Sat 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Address: Swan Lake Iris Gardens - 122 Liberty Street, Sumter, SC
Cost: Free
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Christmas light events make a great family outing. Most of these even have scheduled guest appearances by the big man himself – Santa! How many of these have you heard of? Have you been to any of them? We tried to get them all on the list, but if we missed any then please feel free to add them in the comments. That way, they’ll be on the record and everyone will know of them too.
