Area Guide

About Town: Christmas Events Roundup

It’s almost time to cozy up at home at Kiawah River for the holidays. Residents can relish in the cooler weather and enjoy the area’s holly jolly happenings, including the Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats, the Holiday Festival of Lights and much more. 

Below, the Kiawah River team shares our favorite holiday events, old and new, happening throughout the Charleston region. Attend one (or all!) to see why the Lowcountry is the ideal place to gather the family to create unforgettable holiday memories and experience the magic of the season. 

Holiday Festival of Lights
November 11 – December 31
The 33rd annual Holiday Festival of Lights returns to James Island County Park, featuring an estimated two million lights, a three-mile driving tour, a holiday train, carousel, Santa Clause and more. The event is open for nightly admission with many opportunities to create lasting memories. For more information, visit https://ccprc.com/3665/Holiday-Festival-of-Lights. 

Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
December 10
Experience the Charleston Harbor like no other with the Lowcountry’s annual holiday boat parade. Decked out in festive décor and lights, boats will cruise through the harbor captivating onlookers all along Charleston’s waterfront. The event is free, and festivities begin along the shores of Mount Pleasant at 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonBoatParade/. 

Candlelight Tours of Drayton Hall
November 26 – December 17
Take the historic route this holiday season with a candlelight tour of Charleston’s festively decorated Drayton Hall, the oldest untouched home open to the public in the United States. After learning all about the house and the lives it touched, enjoy a warm seasonal beverage as you stroll back toward the Visitors Center and The Shop at Drayton Hall. For more information, visit https://www.draytonhall.org/event/2022-candlelight-tours-of-drayton-hall/.  

Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour
December 1 – December 31
Embrace Charleston’s rich history and colorful past with the two-hour Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour, which takes visitors around the decorated historic district. Guests are invited to tour where carriages and motorcoaches are not allowed and experience some of the most private parts of Charleston dressed in their holiday finery. For more information, visit https://www.bulldogtours.com/tours/charleston-strolls-holiday-walking-tour/18. 

Charleston Reindeer Run
December 10
The family-friendly and pet-friendly 5k run/walk through the lower peninsula of Downtown Charleston has grown exponentially over the years to a record attendance of 3,500 runners. Entry is free for runners and walkers and participants are encouraged to dress in their festive best. For more information, visit https://www.reindeerrun.org. 

African American Spirituals at Drayton Hall
December 11
Enjoy African American spirituals in concert with performances by Ann Caldwell and The Magnolia Singers for Drayton Hall’s most requested event of the season. Guests can enjoy a beverage and light bites at the reception before being seated in the beautiful George W. McDaniel Education Center for the performance. For more information, visit https://www.draytonhall.org/event/december-11-african-american-spirituals-with-ann-caldwell-and-the-magnolia-singers/.  

Visit https://www.visit-historic-charleston.com/christmas-in-charleston.html for a full itinerary of events.