10 Magical South Carolina Towns That Bring Holiday Cheer

Each year, at Christmastime, cities and towns throughout South Carolina come alive with the spirit of the holiday season. There are many holidays throughout the year, but this one brings out the best in people. We’ve narrowed down the 10 best Christmas towns in South Carolina. It wasn’t easy, but here are the top places to visit in South Carolina during the Christmas season.

1. Rock Hill, South Carolina: A Festive Town Full of Holiday Cheer

Rock Hill brings a huge holiday season to light by kicking off the party with its annual ChristmasVille in Rock Hill festival. The festival opens in early December. The entire Old Town is transformed into a Christmas town. What more could you ask for? For more information, check out the ChristmasVille website.

2. Greenwood, South Carolina: A Charming Town Sparkling for Christmas

Uptown Greenwood dresses up Main Street like you've never seen. Hundreds of thousands of lights line the bottoms of the trees in anticipation of the big tree lighting ceremony. The festive fun kicks off with the Santa on Main party, followed by a tree lighting ceremony. For more information, check out the Uptown Greenwood website. After the event, you can warm up at nearby cafes with cocoa. Also, I'd like to point out that free parking is available in downtown areas.

3. Newberry, South Carolina: A Historic Town Glowing with Holiday Magic

South Carolina's own perfectly picturesque "Stars Hollow" is nothing short of magical, much like the fictional "Stars Hollow" in the "Gilmore Girls" series. There's a giant tree dressed to the nines and a colossal Christmas bulb (see above) that's the perfect size for taking family holiday photos. For more information, check out the Newberry Christmas website.

4. Aiken, South Carolina: Southern Charm Meets Festive Holiday Spirit

Aiken's Christmas season gets officially underway traditionally on the morning of Thanksgiving with the annual Blessing of the Hounds in Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban parks on the East Coast. From then on, downtown becomes alive with a variety of festive events. You can view them on the City of Aiken website. Don't miss taking a carriage ride, wandering through thousands of lights at Hopeland Gardens, or seeing the Night of a Thousand Candles. Unlike the event at nearby Brookgreen Gardens, Hopeland charm is one of a kind. Read more about why exploring this South Carolina small town is perfect, especially during the weekend.

5. Greenville, South Carolina: A Vibrant City Dressed Up for Christmas

From the spirit of Christmas that's very much alive in Downtown Greenville to the holiday laser shows at Roper Mountain, Greenville is a real Christmas charmer. For more information on the town’s holiday happenings, check out the Greenville website. When you arrive, you can consider parking at Falls Park.

6. Charleston, South Carolina: A Historic City Shining Bright at Christmas

From the thousands of lights in Marion Square to strolling the many historic streets and admiring the beautifully adorned homes, Charleston is a stunning Christmas town. Then, head over the bridge to James Island to check out the Holiday Festival of Lights. For more information, check out the Holiday Festival of Lights Facebook page. Be sure to check out local restaurants for special holiday menus.

7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: A Coastal Town Full of Holiday Magic

Many events and much activity mark Christmas in style at Myrtle's Broadway at the Beach. Add to that the bustling activity and Christmas cheer found along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, and this town in South Carolina is a Christmas hub full of holiday spirit. For more information on seasonal events, check out the Visit Myrtle Beach website. At Myrtle Beach, they offer free parking, and the walkways are always wheelchair accessible.

8. Spartanburg, South Carolina: A Festive Town Brimming with Cheer

Spartanburg kicks off its holiday season with "A Dickens of a Christmas" street festival, offering a fun-filled experience for the entire family. Take a carriage ride, try your luck on the ice at the ice rink in the square, and then get ready for the annual tree lighting. For more information on A Dickens of a Christmas festival, check out the Spartanburg website.

9. Columbia, South Carolina: The Capital City Glowing for the Holidays

Columbia is bustling with Christmastime activities. From the annual tree lighting to the ice rink on Main, the Lights at Riverbanks Zoo, and the annual Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park, the Capital City is definitely a huge Christmas town in the Palmetto State and one of the best places to spend Christmas in South Carolina.

10. Anderson, South Carolina: A Cozy Town Sparkling with Holiday Spirit

Each year, Anderson seems to find the biggest and prettiest Christmas tree in the South, and they decorate it with more lights than you can imagine. There's also an annual Christmas lights show, Anderson Christmas Lights, which takes place at the park across from the Civic Center. And finally, Santa always makes a splash appearance at the annual City of Anderson Christmas Parade.

So, what do you think? Are these the best Christmas towns in South Carolina or what? Did your town make the list this year? Aside from festive towns, where do you like to celebrate Christmas in South Carolina? Please share your thoughts with us on this nomination page.

Make sure to maximize your Christmas season this year by enjoying these quintessential small towns in South Carolina for an old-fashioned Christmas experience. Are you planning your own holiday adventure across the Palmetto State? Here is our Itinerary Planner, which you can use to map out the perfect Christmas adventure in the charming South Carolina towns.