Charleston's 2026 Holiday Parade steps off at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6; entries are due Nov. 5. Route, tree lighting and closures, from the 2025 event.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. This page is updated each year.

Updated Oct. 18: the city has set the 2026 Holiday Parade for 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, and is taking entries until 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, it said Oct. 15. Read how to enter the parade.

The rest of the 2026 lineup is not out yet. Details below are from the 2025 season, as published by the city on Sept. 16, 2025, Dec. 3, 2025 and Dec. 4, 2025. Last year’s lineup came out in mid-September; we will replace these details when this year’s is published.

The city’s season, “A Holy City Holiday” in 2025, runs from the Sunday after Thanksgiving into mid-December: a lake lighting, the downtown parade and tree lighting in Marion Square, a lighted boat parade in the harbor and a menorah lighting.

Who to call

  • City events: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311
  • Parade day traffic: police non-emergency, 843-743-7200
  • Updates: the city’s news page

The 2025 lineup

Event 2025 date and time Where
Light the Lake Sunday, Nov. 30, 5 to 7 p.m. Colonial Lake
Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Sunday, Dec. 7: parade 3 p.m.; tree lit 6 p.m. Broad and Meeting streets; Marion Square
Holiday Parade of Boats Saturday, Dec. 13, dusk to 8 p.m. Charleston Harbor
Chanukah in the Square Sunday, Dec. 14, 4 to 7 p.m. Marion Square
Holiday farmers markets Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14 and 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Marion Square

Already set for 2026: the Holiday Parade is Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. The Charleston Farmers Market’s holiday markets are Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Marion Square, according to the market’s site.

The parade and tree lighting

In 2025 the Holy City Holiday Parade stepped off at 3 p.m. with bands, clubs and community groups. The route:

  1. Starts on Broad Street at Rutledge Avenue, near Colonial Lake.
  2. Turns north onto Meeting Street.
  3. Ends at Calhoun Street and Meeting Street, at Marion Square.

The tree lighting ceremony in Marion Square began at 5:30 p.m., with music, readings and a countdown led by the mayor, and the Tree of Lights came on at 6 p.m. Schools, bands, businesses and community groups applied to march through the city.

Road closures

On parade day in 2025, police closed the route:

Time Closure
2 p.m. Route closed to through traffic; cross traffic allowed
2:45 p.m. Route closed to cross traffic
3 p.m. Parade begins

Officers were posted along the route to help residents and businesses with access.

Light the Lake

The season opened the Sunday after Thanksgiving with Light the Lake at Colonial Lake on Broad Street: luminaries around the lake, the Colonial Lake tree lighting, live music, food trucks, a children’s area and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Parking downtown

City garages and rates are on the city’s parking page; see our getting around guide.

What this means for you

  • The 2026 parade is Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m.; groups apply by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.
  • Arrive before 2 p.m. if you are driving downtown on parade day.
  • The holiday farmers markets in Marion Square are set: Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19.

Related guides: things to do this month and farmers markets.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Charleston Christmas parade in 2026?

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, stepping off at 3 p.m., the city said Oct. 15. Groups that want to march must apply by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. In 2025 the tree lighting in Marion Square followed at 6 p.m.

What is the Charleston holiday parade route?

In 2025 the parade started on Broad Street at Rutledge Avenue near Colonial Lake, turned north on Meeting Street and ended at Calhoun Street by Marion Square.

When is Light the Lake at Colonial Lake?

In 2025 it was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. If the city keeps that pattern, the 2026 date would be Sunday, Nov. 29, but the city has not announced it.

When are the Charleston holiday farmers markets in 2026?

Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Marion Square, according to the Charleston Farmers Market.