There are a ton of holiday events in Charleston! More and more seem to be added every year. We are going to focus on our favorites and most of them are Free. We’ve also added a new event to our list this year.

• All free events are marked with an asterisk (*).

In no particular order:

1.) * Walk around downtown, specifically King Street.

If you’re staying downtown, great! If not, one of the most centrally located parking garages is the St. Phillip’s Street Parking Garage on the corner of St. Phillip’s Street & George Street (32 St. Phillip’s Street). In fact, you can get two hours of free parking on the City of Charleston from November 26 – December 31 with the parking pass found on the page linked here. Directions for use are on the pass.

2.) * While you’re walking around stop by Hotel Bennett (404 King Street).

They have a large real gingerbread house which is worth the visit. You can purchase hot chocolate and a cookie from the gingerbread house. They have other events linked here.

3.) * Walk through Marion Square.

Adjacent to Hotel Bennett, Marion Square offers beautiful Christmas lights. You’ll also find the Holiday Market here on December 6, 7, 12, 14, & 30, 2025 Saturdays & Sundays, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

4.) * Visit St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.

Across King Street from Hotel Bennett, this is a sentimental stop. They provide little ribbons to tie onto their fence to pray for prayer intentions.

5.) * Walk down to the Charleston Place Hotel / The Shops at The Charleston Place (130 Market Street).

There is also an entrance from King Street. Typically they have “snow” around the Christmas Tree at the Market Street Entrance, but this year (2025), due to construction, it’s only available hotel guests. The lobby is still fully decorated, including a gian train display. Their event information is linked here.

6.) * Free Pictures With Santa at the Best Friend Train Museum!

Just book your free reservation time here. Participants are encourage to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. We’re did this for the first time this year and highly recommend! The photos with The Charleston Santa are taken by a professional photographer who takes fantastic photos! You’ll walk over to the Visitor’s Center to pickup your free photo. The Visitor’s Center is also decked out for Christmas. You may also order additional photos or purchase the downloads from the photographer the day after the pictures are taken.

7.) * Take a morning walk downtown.

You can park for free in city lots until 9:00 AM. Head out before the crowds and enjoy the beautifully decorated homes. Walking South of Broad down Church Street is a must. There are many decorated homes along Meeting Street and East Bay Street as well. Don’t miss 17 E Battery Street – they go ALL OUT every year!

8.) * Enjoy a Christmas parade around town!

Downtown Charleston Parade:

Sunday, December 7th at 3pm.

The parade will go from Broad Street at Rutledge, travel North on Meeting Street, and conclude on Calhoun Street at Meeting Street. A tree lighting at Marion Square follows.

The Folly Beach Christmas Parade:

Saturday, December 13th at 12pm down Center Street.

Road closures will finalize at 11:30am.

Mt. Pleasant Christmas Parade:

Sunday, December 14th from 5:30pm – 8:00pm down Coleman Blvd.

9.) *Cougar Night Lights (The Cistern Yard, 66 George Street)

The night lights begin Tuesday, December 2nd. The musical light show is free and open to the public. The lights sync to the music every half hour between 5:30 – 9:00 PM through January 1st. This is right by the St. Phillip’s Street Parking Garage (32 St. Phillip’s Street) mentioned in #1. Stop by before or after another downtown activiting. Possibly after walking around downtown in afternoon. Take a slow walk through, sit on a bench or bring a blanket and relax.

10.) *Holidays on Hutson (Hutson Alley, Charleston, 29403)

From December 4 – December 22nd Hutson Alley will have daily snowfall at 5:00PM and 7:00PM. Complementary hot chocolate will be served too. Holiday vendors will also be there on Thursday through Sunday from 5:00PM – 8:00PM.

11.) Aquarium A Glow

The South Carolina Aquarium goes all out for the holiday season. The aquarium is light up, and Santa dives into the Great Ocean Tank. Click here to purchase tickets.

12.) Holiday Festival of Lights

This classic event has been around for 36 years. It’s located at the James Island County Park (871 Riverland Drive Charleston, SC 29412). Drive through the Festival of Lights and make sure to stop at Santa’s Village. This runs nightly from 5:30 – 10:00 PM, November 14 – December 31. For an additional cost, you can ride the train, take pictures with Santa, ride the carousel, roast marshmallows, or climb the climbing wall. You could also just walk around and see the sites. It is free if you have a Charleston County Park Gold Pass; otherwise, admission is charged per car. More information can be found here.

13.) See a holiday performance at a beautiful theater downtown.

The Dock Street Theater

135 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401

Small, intimate, historical, and beautiful. A Christmas Carol is showing there November 29 – December 21. Ticket information linked here.

The Gaillard Center

95 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Another beautiful theater downtown. Their event information is linked here.

Charleston Music Hall

Located at 37 John St, Charleston, SC 29403

Renovated not too long ago and located in a lovely area downtown off of King Street. They are showing the Nutcracker on December 1, 2, & 3, followed by the Holiday Swing on December 6th and The Charleston Christmas Special December 12 – 21. Ticket information can be found here.