[Nov. 30, 2016 - CHARLESTON] –The Holiday Festival of Lights is celebrating its 27th year! Featuring an estimated two million shimmering lights, Charleston’s most beloved holiday event is now open nightly through Jan. 1 at James Island County Park.
More than four million people have toured the Holiday Festival of Lights, which is hosted by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission at James Island County Park. The event has received many awards and mentions in publications throughout the country, and the three-mile driving tour delivers more every year. But the Holiday Festival of Lights is much more than just a driving tour! Guests are encouraged to park the car and experience family attractions, shopping, dining and more. There are many celebrated attractions to see and activities to do.
Grab dinner at concessions stands, or spoil your sweet tooth at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. In Winter Wonderland, see a meticulously crafted sculpture constructed with 50 tons of sand. Shop at festival shops for unique gifts, official collector series ornaments, toys, personalized items, decorations and stocking stuffers. Hop aboard the festival train for an intimate look at the festival, and explore other light displays you can only see on foot, including lights set to music.
Explore Santa’s Village, where the man himself is available for photos nightly through Dec. 23 and during the day on select weekends in December. Take a whirl on the traditional 18-animal carousel, make s’mores at the marshmallow roasting pits, and marvel at giant 4-by-8 holiday greeting card designs created by local students for the annual art competition. Enjoy entertainment on select nights, including live music, storytelling, visits with Mrs. Claus, carolers, and more. See the December special event listing below.
What’s your best bet for enjoying the Holiday Festival of Lights? Join us on our evenings benefitting the Lowcountry Food Bank – every Monday through Thursday! Bring a canned food item (dog and cat food also accepted) on these nights to receive discounted admission.
For more information on the Holiday Festival of Lights, including event hours and fees, call 843-795-4386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com. This event is presented by Boeing and Your Charleston County Parks.
Festival December Special Events Calendar
- Monday through Thursday, Dec. 1 - 29: Save $5 off admission when you bring a canned food item for donation to the Lowcountry Food Bank. Canned dog or cat food also accepted. Discount Monday through Thursday only.
- Nightly through Dec. 23: Santa Claus is at the festival nightly in Santa’s Village!
- Dec. 1: Visit with South Carolina Aquarium, 6- 8 p.m. Lowcountry Power Brass performance, 7-9 p.m.
- Dec. 2 Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist – Visit with a naturalist from Caw Caw Interpretive Center! Discover what animals do when temperatures drop. 6 p.m.
- Dec. 3: First opportunity to Mingle with Kringle from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.! Sign up in advance by calling 843-795-4386 (pre-registration required). Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 4: Lowcountry Youth Ballet Company performance, 6 p.m. Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m. Mingle with Kringle (12 – 3 p.m., register in advance).
- Dec. 5: Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.
- Dec. 6: Holiday Storytelling with Two Girls and a Guy from Mix 96, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 7: Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.
- Dec. 8: Visit with South Carolina Aquarium, 6- 8 p.m. Lowcountry Power Brass, 7-9 p.m.
- Dec. 9: Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m. Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 10: Holiday Carolers, 6 – 8 p.m. Stiltwalker, 6 – 9 p.m. Mr. Scrooge, 6 p.m. Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m. Mingle with Kringle (10 a.m. – 3 p.m., register in advance).
- Dec. 11: Charleston Seventh Day Adventist church choir, 6 p.m. Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m. Mingle with Kringle (12 – 3 p.m., register in advance).
- Dec. 12: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.
- Dec. 13: Holiday Storytelling with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 14: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.
- Dec. 15: Visit with South Carolina Aquarium, 6-8 p.m. Performance by Lowcountry Power Brass, 7-9 p.m.
- Dec. 16: Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m. Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 17: Holiday Carolers, 6 – 8 p.m. Magnolia Dance Academy, 7 p.m. Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m. Mingle with Kringle (10 a.m. – 3 p.m., register in advance).
- Dec. 18: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m. Mingle with Kringle (12 – 3 p.m., register in advance).
- Dec. 19 & 22: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.
- Dec. 20: Holiday Storytelling with Memminger Elementary School, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 31: Stiltwalker, 6-9 p.m. and Fireworks at the Holiday Festival of Lights, 9 p.m.
Owned and managed by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), James Island County Park is located at 871 Riverland Drive. The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes four land parks, three beach parks, four seasonally-lifeguarded beach areas, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, a historic plantation site, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, and much more. For more information on CCPRC, call for 843-795-4386 or visit charlestoncountyparks.com.
