The Holiday Festival of Lights runs nightly Nov. 13 to Dec. 31 at James Island County Park. Santa visits, holiday markets and city events for 2026.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from Charleston County Parks, the City of Charleston’s Fall 2026 Recreation Guide and news releases, and the Charleston City Market.

The Holiday Festival of Lights opens Friday, Nov. 13, and runs every night through Dec. 31, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. It is the area’s biggest light show, at James Island County Park. The city’s own holiday lineup for 2026 is not out yet; last year’s dates are below so you know what to expect. The parade and Marion Square tree lighting have their own page: Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Who to call

  • Holiday Festival of Lights: James Island County Park office, 843-406-6990
  • Charleston County Parks: 843-795-4386
  • City events: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311
  • City Recreation Department: 843-724-7327

Holiday Festival of Lights

Charleston County Parks has run the Holiday Festival of Lights since 1990 at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive. It is a 3-mile driving tour of more than 750 lighted displays, with a stop at Santa’s Village for gift shops, a holiday train, a carousel, a climbing wall, a giant sand sculpture and marshmallow roasting.

  • Dates: nightly, Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, 5:30 to 10 p.m., including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to the festival FAQ.
  • Tickets: priced per vehicle, online in advance or at the gate. Prices vary by night: the county labels nights green, yellow or red by expected traffic, and advance tickets cost less. Details are on the ticket page.
  • Inside the festival: the train runs 6 to 10 p.m.; the carousel and climbing wall open at 6 p.m.; ticket sales for rides end at 9:40 p.m.
  • Rules: no bicycles or pedestrians on the driving route, and no stopping on the tour; park only in Santa’s Village lots. Drive the loop as many times as you like.
  • Accessibility: a free wheelchair can be borrowed from the park office, first come, first served; call 843-406-6990. Tour buses should call ahead.

Festival extras

Event Date Notes
Fun Run and Walk Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Run or walk the lights before opening; tickets per vehicle; expected to sell out
A Very Merry Oyster Roast Saturday, Nov. 14, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oysters, chili, music by the Rosemead Ramblers and festival admission; benefits the Charleston County Parks Foundation

Santa in Charleston

  • Santa at the festival: 6 p.m. to closing every night, Nov. 13 to Dec. 23. The visit is free; digital photos are extra. Sign in with an elf to join a virtual line and get a text when your turn is near, according to the county’s Santa page.
  • Mingle with Kringle: Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12, a booked daytime visit for groups of up to five, upstairs at the James Island County Park terrace. Registration closes the Thursday before.
  • Inclusive Visit with Santa: Sundays, Dec. 6 and 13, a calm, low-sensory visit for people with disabilities and their families, with KultureCity sensory bags. Santa signs in ASL. Registration required.
  • Letters to Santa: drop letters at the James Island Recreation Complex, 1088 Quail Drive, from Nov. 23 until Dec. 16, and pick up Santa’s reply by Dec. 23, according to the city’s Fall 2026 Recreation Guide.

City recreation center holiday events (2026)

From the city’s Fall 2026 Recreation Guide:

Event When Where Cost
Holiday crafts with Mrs. Claus Tuesday, Dec. 8, 3 to 5 p.m. Mall Park Playground Free
Holiday in the Park Thursday, Dec. 10, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Hazel Parker Playground, 70 E. Bay St. Free
Holly Jolly Jamboree Friday, Dec. 11, 5 to 7 p.m. James Island Recreation Complex, 1088 Quail Drive Free
Holiday Spectacular Friday, Dec. 11, 5 to 7 p.m. Bees Landing Recreation Center, 1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd. Free

The Holly Jolly Jamboree has cookie decorating, crafts, letters to Santa, face painting and jump castles; the Holiday Spectacular has crafts, games, pictures and s’mores by the fire.

The city’s holiday season: what happened in 2025

The city announces its lineup in the fall; in 2025 it came out Sept. 16. These are last year’s dates, not this year’s:

Event 2025 date Where
Light the Lake Sunday, Nov. 30, 5 to 7 p.m. Colonial Lake
Holiday Parade of Boats Saturday, Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. Charleston Harbor; watch from the Battery or Patriots Point
Chanukah in the Square (the city’s menorah lighting) Sunday, Dec. 14, 4 to 7 p.m. Marion Square

The Charleston City Market lit its tree in Anson Square on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at an evening event starting at 6:30 p.m., according to the market. In 2026, Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. We will add the 2026 dates when the city and the market publish them.

Already set for 2026: the Charleston Farmers Market’s holiday markets in Marion Square, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More on our holiday shopping page.

What this means for you

  • Buy Festival of Lights tickets online for a green night to pay less and wait less.
  • Santa at the festival is free every night until Dec. 23; book the daytime visits early.
  • Watch this page for the city’s 2026 Light the Lake, boat parade and menorah lighting dates.

More: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in Charleston and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Holiday Festival of Lights in 2026?

Every night from Friday, Nov. 13, through Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, from 5:30 to 10 p.m., at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Where can kids see Santa in Charleston?

Santa is at the Holiday Festival of Lights from 6 p.m. to closing every night from Nov. 13 to Dec. 23. The visit is free; photos cost extra. Charleston County Parks also runs booked daytime visits on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13.

Can you walk or bike through the Festival of Lights?

No. It is a 3-mile driving tour, and bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed on the route during festival hours. Visitors can park in Santa’s Village to walk around the attractions.

When is the Charleston menorah lighting?

The city’s Chanukah in the Square menorah lighting was Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Marion Square. The city has not announced 2026 dates; Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, 2026.