Celebrating Christmas in Charleston, SC
With its warm weather and palm trees, the South may not be the first place you think of to celebrate the holidays, but after this post, it will be! The city of Charleston embraces the holidays with festive décor everywhere you look, loads of winter activities, pop-up bars, and even (fake) snow!
In this post, we’ll cover all the best things to do while visiting Charleston, South Carolina during Christmas, including:
Where to See Holiday Décor
Festive Bars & Restaurants
The Best Christmas Shopping
Seasonal Activities
Bonus: For Locals & Kids
When I first moved to Charleston, I wasn’t sure that it’d feel like Christmas without scarfs and hats, pine trees, or snow, but my first holiday season here, I was shocked that it felt even more Christmas-y than NYC, where I’d just moved from! Lampposts are wrapped in pines, palm trees are covered in lights, restaurants and bars serve themed drinks and decorate extravagantly, and there are more festive events and holiday markets than there’s time for.
If you’re planning a trip this holiday season to get in the festive spirit, plan a getaway to Charleston, SC!
Where to See Holiday Décor
The Charleston Place – This gorgeous hotel fills its lobby with hundreds of perfectly decorated REAL Christmas trees, life-sized Nutcrackers, and a huge model train. It’s truly magical and feels like something out of movie. In their courtyard, visitors can enjoy a 40-foot Christmas tree while sipping hot chocolate or cocktails and watching a rare snowfall in South Carolina. Check out their website to see if you’re in town during their Tree Lighting Ceremony, as well as daily times and reservations for the snowfalls. You can also reserve a spot at their Nutcracker Tea.
Hotel Bennett – Pop in to see their beautiful Christmas décor and a life-sized gingerbread house or join Tea with Santa at Camellias
Hutson Alley – Step into a winter wonderland in this adorable alley with several restaurants and Charleston’s Smallest Bar serving cocktails, s’mores kits, and hot chocolate while enjoying the whimsical Christmas decorations and snowfalls twice a night (on weekends)
Holiday Festival of Lights – Drive through this impressive outdoor Christmas light display, ride the carousel and train, and eat holiday treats
South of Broad St. Homes – Walk the streets South of Broad Street and check out the beautifully decorated homes or take a Holiday Décor Walking Tour to get entry inside the historic mansions decked out for the holidays. If you’re creating your own tour, I recommend starting by walking down King Street to the Battery and then zig-zagging back up through the streets. Be sure to see the Edmondston-Alston house (where you can also tour inside with a ticket), the Battery, the Mills House Hotel, and the “Four Corners of Law,” which is four historic city buildings at the corner of Meeting and Broad Street
Home for the Holidays Magnolia House Tour – Tour the grounds and the spectacular historic home at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens with a holiday twist
A Traditional Christmas at Boone Hall Plantation – Take a tour of the grounds and home at Boone Hall while it’s decorated for the holidays
Festive Bars & Restaurants
Little Pine – The Little Palm bar at the Ryder Hotel transforms into ‘Little Pine’ during the holiday season, a retro winter wonderland, with snow-covered pine trees, ski décor, and adorable gondolas! They even turn their patio (the Backyard) into an ice-skating rink!
Prohibition – If you want to add some boozy fun to your holiday activities, head to Prohibition where the entire bar is transformed into a Christmas paradise. With lights on every surface, thousands of ornaments hanging from the ceiling, and fun festive-themed drinks, you’ll definitely be feeling the Christmas spirit (in more ways than one!)
Bar Mash – Celebrate the holiday season at ‘Bar Mashmas’ to try holiday drinks, enjoy fun décor, and eat yummy food
The Den and Frannie & the Fox at Emeline – Step into this festive cabin-inspired restaurant for a delicious meal and festive cocktails
Blind Tiger – Sip seasonal drinks like Espresso Martini Flights (peppermint, gingerbread, etc.) under a ceiling full of Christmas ornaments or on the beautifully decorated outdoor courtyard
The Best Christmas Shopping
Holiday Markets & Festivals – Shop from tons of local vendors in a festive atmosphere!
Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square, every Saturday and Sunday in December 9am-3pm
Holy City Holiday Market at several locations across Park Circle with over 250 vendors
Old Village Holiday Festival
Park & Grove Holiday Vendor Market, every Thursday 5:30pm-8:30pm
Charleston Pour House on James Island, every Sunday 11am - 3pm
Daniel Island Holiday Market in November
Gibbes Holiday Market at the Gibbes Museum of Art
Charleston City Market – Shop from dozens of local businesses and artists in the historic city market that is of course decorated for the season!
Stores of King Street – All the storefronts are decorated for the holidays but these are some of my favorite for Christmas:
Candlefish – Festive gift shop and candle-making workshops downtown
Oyster Candle Co – Coastal gift shop and candle-making workshops in Mount Pleasant
Croghan’s Jewel Box – Beautiful Christmas ornaments and fine jewelry
Preservation Society of Charleston Shop – Local goodies make for great gifts!
Christmas Ornament Shops:
Charleston Christmas Collectibles in the Charleston City Market
Seasonal Activities
See the classic Christmas Carol at the historic Dock Street Theatre. Be sure to get your seats in advance!
Sit fireside or ice skate at Credit One Stadium’s Skate the Stadium holiday event. You’ll feel like you’re visiting the North Pole while sitting fireside with s’mores, hot chocolate, or specialty cocktails after skating
Visit Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium for a unique experience and light display
Get tickets for one of the many holiday shows & performances around town from jazz performances, plays, concerts, and more
Shuck oysters at the Annual Deck the Hall Oyster Roast at Drayton Hall or one of the many other oyster roasts around the city in November & December
Watch the annual Holiday Boat Parade along the Charleston peninsula or in Mount Pleasant
Bonus: For Locals & Kids
Visit the Christmas Tree Festival at Boone Hall Farms to ride the Ferris Wheel, eat Christmas goodies, meet Santa, and take home the perfect Christmas tree or wreath
Experience one of many Tree Lighting Ceremonies around town
Watch one of the holiday parades in the area
Attend Wine Under the Oaks at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens to try various wines and food samplings, watch wine and cooking demonstrations, and enjoy live music
Visit Yuletide on the Yorktown where you can shop local vendors and bid on homemade wreaths before touring the USS Yorktown and learning its history
Run in the Reindeer Run 5K in downtown Charleston
Watch a classic Holiday Movie at various locations:
Movie Mondays at Ritual Rooftop
Holiday Movie Night at the American Theater and Riviera Theater
Holiday Outdoor Movie Series at Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island
Outdoor Holiday Movie Night at Credit One Stadium
The holidays are one of the best times of the year, so make this year even more special by taking a holiday trip to Charleston! Christmas decorations and festivities will be everywhere you look, so this is one of the best places to get into the holiday spirit. As a Charleston local, the holiday season is one of my favorite times of year here and I hope you think so too!
For more Charleston recommendations, like restaurants, bars, and things to do, to plan your perfect Charleston, SC itinerary, check out some of our other posts:
