A Beloved Lowcountry Tradition Holiday Festival of Lights
Celebrate the season with us every night from November 13 through December 31, 2026, 5:30-10 p.m.
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is a beloved Lowcountry holiday tradition featuring more than 750 illuminated displays, millions of twinkling lights, festive gift shops, a holiday train ride, giant sand sculpture, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, and more!
Whether you're home for the holidays or visiting the Lowcountry for a holiday getaway, we promise you'll create lasting memories with millions of multicolored lights, fun family activities, holiday shopping, delicious treats, and so much more!
Events & Explorations
Starry concerts, nature walks, trail runs and more - there’s fun for everyone.
charleston county parks Start Your Adventure
Places and programs for learning and adventure.
Park Bench Stories
News and notes from the great outdoors
Your Complete Guide to the Holiday Festival of Lights
- 9 min read
Learn more about the Holiday Festival of lights and get your tickets here. Every holiday season, James Island County Park transforms into a sparkling…
Improvements Coming To Remley’s Point Boat Landing
- 2 min read
For boaters who frequent Remley’s Point, getting out on the water is about to get a little easier. Charleston County Parks is preparing for a major…
Your Guide to the Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park
- 6 min read
Celebrate fall the Lowcountry way with live bluegrass, hayrides, local crafts and family fun on Saturday, November 7! There’s something special…
Fall Migration Takes Flight in Charleston County Parks
- 4 min read
On an autumn night in the Lowcountry, while most of us are asleep, an extraordinary migration is taking place overhead. Songbirds lift off after sunset and…
Sisters Find Second Home at West County Aquatic Center
- 3 min read
For sisters Annie and Tori Passyn, the West County Aquatic Center has become much more than a place to swim. What started as evenings spent practicing with…
Rooted in History: New Ashem Arboretum Connects Past and Present
- 3 min read
When visitors step into Old Towne Creek County Park, they'll find more than scenic trails, marsh views, and centuries of history. Weaved into the…
Charleston County Parks Brings Archaeological Collections Together
- 3 min read
Charleston County Parks has spent decades uncovering pieces of the Lowcountry’s past. When the agency acquires a new property, one of the first…
Creating a Home for Purple Martins at McLeod Plantation
- 1 min read
In late January, volunteers met at McLeod Plantation Historic Site with staff members Caroline Heape and Kristina Wheeler of the Natural History…
Public Safety Meets Sustainability at Isle of Palms County Park
- 1 min read
Isle of Palms County Park, in collaboration with the City of Isle of Palms, recently completed an exciting and impactful project: the development of a new…
A New Chapter in Conservation: Motus Tower Installed at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
- 4 min read
Visitors walking near the rice fields of the Caw Caw Interpretive Center may notice a new silhouette rising above the marsh. It’s an intricate…