Discover the Festival

There's so much to discover at the Holiday Festival of Lights! Marvel at the twinkling lights, enjoy mouth-watering treats or commemorate your trip with a gift from one of our shops. So many chances to make magical, lasting memories!

Three children visit with Santa Claus at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Visit with Santa

Your visit is not complete until you see Santa! Santa Claus and his elves are at the festival from November 10 – December 23. Visiting with Santa is free. Digital photos are available for an additional fee.

A train drives on a wooden pathway through holiday lights.

The Festival Express

All aboard the Festival Train for a up-close journey through the lights. Train rides are $4 per person. The train runs nightly from 6 - 10 p.m. and lasts about 15 minutes. No food, drinks or pets on the train please. Tickets are purchased at the train depot and sales end at 9:40 p.m.

Little girl riding the carousel at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

The Carousel

Take a whirl on the carousel! The carousel runs nightly starting at 6 p.m. Each ride is $2 (two tickets) per person. Children under 42" must be accompanied by an adult. Adults may stand on the ride for free when accompanying a child under 42". Tickets can be purchased at any location inside the festival and sales end at 9:40 p.m.

Woman roasting marshmallows at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Treats & Concessions

Enjoy fun festival treats straight from Claus’ kitchen! We can satisfy your sweet tooth with s'mores, hot chocolate, kettlecorn, ice cream, and more! Seating is available inside Santa's Sweet Shoppe and at picnic tables near the other concessions spots.

Girl climbing the portable climbing wall at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

The Climbing Wall

Take your festival experience to new heights on the Climbing Wall. No experience needed. Two climbs are $3 (three tickets). The wall is open nightly from 6- 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at any location inside the festival and sales end at 9:40 p.m.

A wooden sign for the gift shop at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Shopping

Fulfill those holiday wish lists with treasures from one of our signature gift shops. The shops offer fun stocking stuffers, holiday decorations, personalized ornaments, handcrafted holiday mementos and more! You can also purchase the festival’s official 24-karat gold-plated collector series ornaments. 

View of the sand sculpture from the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Holiday Sand Sculpture

Meticulously crafted from over 50 tons of sand, the holiday sand sculpture wows visitors with a different holiday scene each year.

Person holding teddy bear at the Holiday Festival of Lights

Reindeer Workshop

Make a furry friend at the festival! At Reindeer Workshop children of all ages can choose a plush animal and then experience building it themselves. 

Couple views the Greeting Cards at the Holiday Festival of Lights

Holiday Greeting Cards

Local students wish you a Happy Holiday in a big way with our annual Holiday Greeting Card competition. These giant 4x8 foot cards are all unique and showcase the incredible artistic talents of Lowcountry students.

Events Calendar

Make your experience of the Holiday Festival of Lights even more magical when you join us for one of our special event nights! 


Accessibility

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission is committed to the accessibility of our services, facilities, employment, and programs for all individuals. Visit our Accessibility Page to find out more about how we can help.

  1. How do I purchase tickets?
  2. Will I be able to visit with Santa?
  3. How many times may I drive through?
  4. Are there alternate routes to try to avoid the traffic?
  5. Which nights are less busy?
  6. I'd like to bring my group out to the festival. Who should I call?
  7. Do you rent wheelchairs?
  8. How do I buy tickets for the train?
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