Shake Your Trail Feathers 5K/10K/Kids Dash
Saturday, Nov. 7, 8:45 a.m.
Laurel Hill County Park
Get ready to strut, sprint, and shake things up at Shake Your Trail Feathers—a festive trail race that mixes fall fun with off-road adventure! This isn’t your average Turkey Trot. Runners will weave through wooded paths, glide along rolling dirt trails, and kick up some leaves. Expect high spirits at the start line, colorful costumes on the course, and a finish-line celebration stacked with good vibes, music, and fall-themed treats. Whether you’re racing for time, running with friends, or simply earning your Thanksgiving feast early, this 5K, 10K and Kids Dash promises a whole lot of fun in a beautiful, natural setting. Winners will take home the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast, and all finishers will receive a commemorative medal! Before the race, we invite children of all ages and abilities to dash across the finish, too. Registration is available for a separate fee of $5 and includes a finisher medal. All trails are of a natural, unimproved surface. Loop course with water stations.
Fees vary
All ages
https://www.ccprc.com/event/shake-your-trail-feathers/480/
Harvest Festival
Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Johns Island County Park
Celebrate the harvest season at this fun filled family event. Harvest Festival will feature down home delights like a crafter market, children's activities, live foot- stompin' Bluegrass music, great food, and more! No outside food or beverages permitted.
Admission: $10 per person; free for kids ages 12 and under and Gold Pass holders
https://www.ccprc.com/event/harvest-festival/501/
Starlight Yoga
Monday, Nov. 9, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
James Island County Park
Get your holiday spirit flowing at the Holiday Festival of Lights with spectacular lakeside views of the lights. Participants will receive a special glow in the dark prize. What to expect: This class is open to all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking is available near the class site upon request. Accessible route to event and accessible port-a-let at class site. Class is on grass surface.
Fee: $12
Ages: $10 and up
https://www.ccprc.com/event/starlight-yoga/296/
Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run
Wednesday, Nov. 11 and Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.
James Island County Park
Join us for this exclusive preview of the Holiday Festival of Lights. Runners and walkers will be the first in Charleston to experience more than 200 magical light displays. After the 2-mile run/walk, participants are invited to enjoy the festival's amenities. The fun run is open to runners and walkers of all levels, including beginners. Loop course on paved trails with water stations and a short cut option.
Fee: $38 per vehicle
All ages
https://www.ccprc.com/event/holiday-festival-of-lights-fun-run-%26-walk/517/
The Holiday Festival of Lights
Open nightly Nov. 13 – Dec. 31, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
James Island County Park
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Holiday Festival of Lights! Open nightly through Dec. 31, this driving tour features three miles of magical twinkling lights. Guests can also park the car and explore the grounds, featuring mouth-watering treats, festival gift shops, visits with Santa and much more. Advance tickets are available at a discounted rate. For details on this year’s festival or to purchase tickets, visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com.
Fees: vary by date; discounts available for advance ticket purchases
www.HolidayFestivalofLights.com
Ongoing November 2026 Programs (multiple dates)
Early Morning Bird Walks at Caw Caw
Ongoing, Wednesdays and Saturdays, Nov. 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Advance registration is required. Join us on one or more of our regular bird walks. Our trek through many distinct habitats will allow us to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available at this location. Trails are unpaved and benches are available along the trail route.
Fee: $12
Ages: Any
Dragon Boat at the Holiday Festival of Lights
Ongoing, offered on select weekdays, Nov. 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 30, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
James Island County Park boat house
Expected to sell out – register in advance! Enjoy the Holiday Festival of Lights from a new perspective. Team up with a pal or forge new friendships when you try your hand at dragon boating! Newbies and curiosity seekers will enjoy an on-the-water introduction to this ancient paddlesport while also getting a great view of some of our most iconic light displays. With ten paddlers per boat, fun is guaranteed! After you paddle off into the sunset (well, just across the lake), we’ll treat you to a tasty hot chocolate and free admission to the Holiday Festival of Lights! What to expect: Parking is accessible. Restrooms are accessible at Park Center. Route from parking to Boat House is paved to wooden ramp onto floating dock. Participants will be required to kneel, bend, and stoop to enter Dragon Boat. Participants will be seated on narrow wooden benches and are asked to paddle at a slow to moderate pace with periods of rest.
Fee: $30
Ages: 10 and up
November 2026 Programs
Belay Basics
Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Palmetto Peaks Climbing at Outdoor Adventure Center at James Island
New to belaying? This class will teach you the essential skills to belay safely and confidently on top rope. We’ll cover proper setup, communication, catching falls, and gear handling—all broken down step by step. No experience required, just a willingness to learn. By the end, you’ll be ready to belay a climbing partner outdoors or indoors. Gear is provided; feel free to bring your own.
Fee: $25
Ages: 14 and up
Lowcountry Senior Series: Rock Climbing
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Palmetto Peaks Climbing at Outdoor Adventure Center at James Island
This program empowers adults 50+ to continue to explore, discover, and grow. Discover the exciting sport of rock climbing in a fun, supportive environment! We'll introduce the basics of climbing, including equipment, safety, body positioning, and movement techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to climb our walls with the support of our trained staff while building confidence, strength, balance, and problem-solving skills. No prior climbing experience is necessary.
Fee: $20
Ages: 50 and up
Gator Tales
Thursday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Join us as we search for alligators and separate fact from fiction to learn why these large reptiles carry the special title of "keystone species." Alligators captivate us with their ancient features, remarkable survival skills, and dangerous potential. Join us to learn about many of their fascinating behaviors and features while learning how you can keep yourself and alligators safe! What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available at this park. The trails are composed of a natural surface and flat and the program speed is moderate to slow. Benches are located along the program route.
Fee: $12
Ages: 12 and up
Interpreting Silences in the Archives
Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site pavilion
Step into the work of public historians by analyzing primary source documents from McLeod Plantation Historic Site. Participants will examine how enslaved individuals and communities are represented and often silenced in archival records such as maps, inventories, and other historical documents. Through guided discussion and hands-on document analysis, the program introduces methods for interpreting gaps, absences, and biases within the historical record and offers tools for reading beyond what is explicitly written. What to expect: Accessible parking, restrooms, water fountains, and picnic tables are available at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site Pavilion. Trails are of unpaved surfaces. Portions of this activity take place in an open-air pavilion where seating is available for all participants.
Fee: $12
Ages: 16 and up
Lowcountry Senior Series: Archery
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Lincoln Recreation Center
This program empowers adults 50+ to continue to explore, discover, and grow. Come out and “fling” some arrows! We’ll start with the basics of archery and you’ll soon find that “inner child” as you start hitting those bull's-eyes.
Fee: $20
Ages: 50 and up
Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
Friday, Nov. 13, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
This walk focuses on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island. Once the home of a Coast Guard station, this Heritage Preserve protects maritime forest, beach, dune, and marsh habitats for wildlife. This site is a leader in number of bird species seen in South Carolina. At this time of year we hope to see songbirds such as Ruby-crowned Kinglet, seabirds such as Northern Gannet, shorebirds such as Piping Plover, plus much more. What to expect: This program is open to birders of all levels, including beginners. No accessible parking is available. No restrooms are available. The park includes paved surface that leads to natural, unimproved surface out to a sandy beach. The program route is out and back and is approximately one -mile long total. The program route is flat leading to moderate elevation when crossing sand dunes and no benches are available along the trail. The program speed is moderately slow and requires periods of standing and gazing upwards.
Fee: $12
Ages: 12 and up
Wee Wild Ones: Helping Hands
Friday, Nov. 13, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Palmetto Islands County Park
How are our community roles similar to animals' roles in their ecosystems? Come join us as we explore some of the important helpers in our local ecosystems. Just like we have helpers in our communities like firefighters, nurses and postal workers, animals in nature have their own roles too! Young children will channel their inner explorers as they enjoy nature through hands-on activities, games, music, and art. Let's find out just how "helpful" our SC wildlife can be! What to Expect: The program will begin and end under an open-air shelter. A portion of the program will involve walking on both paved and unpaved surfaces. Accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountain are within a short walk from the shelter. Accessible picnic tables will be available under the shelter.
Fee: $10
Ages: 1 ½ - 6
Junior Naturalist: Indigenous Tribes of Coastal SC
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park
We often say indigenous people are the first naturalists. Explore Native American culture of coastal South Carolina at the time of European settlement. Learn how local tribes successfully used natural resources in everyday life.Bring your curiosity and engage all of your senses while exploring natural habitats at your county parks! Led by Charleston County Park's Education staff, the multi-seasonal Junior Naturalist program series offers a wide variety of fun and educational nature-based activities focused around a central theme. Children who attend 8 classes earn the title of a Certified Junior Naturalist! What to Expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available at this park. This program will take place in an open-aired shelter and will include a walk to observe birds. Trails are paved and flat and the program speed is moderate to slow. Benches are located along the program route, which is a loop. Periods of standing and gazing upwards to observe wildlife are part of this program.
Fee: $10
Ages: 8-12
Tea Farm Creek Canoe Trip
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Paddle into Tea Farm Creek alongside a trained naturalist to witness firsthand how human history has impacted the landscapes around us. View one of the only naturalized understories of tea plants in the country as you travel through abandoned rice fields and forests that have been reclaimed by salt marsh. What to expect: Accessible parking is available. Accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are all available near the Welcome Center where program begins and ends. While taking part in this activity, participants are required to sit for extended periods of time, bend knees, reach and pull with torso, and climb in and out of boats.
Fee: $50
Ages: 12 and up
Seashore Exploration
Thursday, Nov. 19, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Fall is a great time to explore the beach. Join an experienced naturalist to familiarize yourself with many species that may be found there. We'll search for artifacts and living creatures along the beach such as molluscs, sponges, corals, and more. Share in the discovery by learning intriguing stories about adaptations that allow for life near the ocean. What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the snack bar where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis. This program takes place on a sandy beach and requires periods of slow walking, standing, and gazing upwards or downwards to observe wildlife.
Fee: $12
Ages: 9 and up
Shark Tooth Sleuthing
Friday, Nov. 20, 9 – 11 a.m.
Folly Beach County Park
Fall is a great time to explore the beach. Join an experienced naturalist to search for shark teeth and other beach artifacts. We'll discuss shark adaptations and biology while learning the secrets to searching for shark teeth. What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the Dunes House where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis. This program takes place on a sandy beach and requires periods of slow walking, standing, and gazing upwards or downwards to observe wildlife.
Fee: $12
Ages: 9 and up
Family Archery
Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Johns Island County Park archery range
Get your bull's-eye! Bring the family, get a brief orientation, and fling some arrows at Johns Island County Park's target archery range. Equipment will be provided. Each family member wishing to participate must register.
Fee: $20
Ages: 8 and up
Intro to Archery
Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Johns Island County Park archery range
Enhance your archery skills on our six-target archery range and 3D course at Johns Island County Park. Bring the kids, enjoy basic instruction, and we'll explore both ranges. Equipment will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. A registered and paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under.
Fee: $30
Ages: 10 and up
Fish, Corn, and Berry: Native Foodways of the Lowcountry
Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site pavilion
Presented in honor of Native American Heritage observances, this McLeod Plantation foodways program explores the Indigenous food traditions of eastern South Carolina's coastal and river communities. Through storytelling, food history, and tasting, participants will learn how fish, corn, seasonal plants, and wild berries helped shape the early Lowcountry table. The program will feature fish and corn stew with berry cornmeal dumplings inspired by regional Native foodways. What to expect: This program will take place at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site Pavilion where seating is available for all participants. The program location is outside in a shaded area. A small, tasting portion of food will be provided to each participant. McLeod Plantation Historic Site has accessible parking, restrooms, water fountains, and picnic tables. Trails throughout the property are of a natural, unpaved surface. Thanks to the generous support of the Charleston County Parks Foundation, this program is offered at a discount. Registration is strongly recommended to guarantee you have a spot.
Fee: $5
Ages: 8 and up
Leaf and Learn
Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Palmetto Islands County Park
Identifying trees demands scrutiny, dedication, and practice. Through the use of dichotomous keys, helpful instruction, and your powers of observation, learn more about leaves, twigs, buds, and bark! What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available at this location. The program route is a loop, and benches are available along the trail route. The program speed is moderately slow to medium. Trails at this park are flat and some are paved and some consist of natural, unimproved surfaces.
Fee: $12
Ages: 12 and up
Register in advance at www.CharlestonCountyParks.com