Holiday Highlights: Charleston's December to January Events

Downtown Charleston

Get festive on December 14 with the Christmas Bar Crawl on King Street! Starting at The Brick at 3 PM, enjoy drink specials, a $500 costume contest, and a giant holiday party for everyone—whether you’re rocking an ugly sweater, Santa suit, or that dreidel costume you’ve been saving. Tickets start at $24, so grab your friends and crawl into the holiday spirit!

Charleston Holiday Boat Parade will also be on December 14! Starting at 6 PM, festive, lighted boats sail from the Cooper River, through Charleston Harbor, and into the Ashley River, wrapping up with a stunning fireworks display. Find a spot along the Charleston peninsula, Patriots Point, or other prime viewing areas to catch the magic. You can find more information here. 

Shop in style at the Barbour Monogramming Event at M. Dumas on December 13–14! Spend $150 or more on Barbour brand items and enjoy complimentary monogramming at one of the Southeast’s largest Barbour carriers. Smathers & Branson and GenTeal will also be part of this exciting trunk show, hosted at the M. Dumas King Street store. A perfect opportunity for unique holiday gifts!

Also on the 14th you can visit the historic Mills House for a delightful pop-up shop experience! Until January 2, browse local artist Rebecca Meixner’s vibrant watercolor gallery featuring coastal landscapes, holiday gifts, and custom Mills House merchandise. Discover unique prints, mugs, tote bags, and more—perfect for checking off your holiday gift list! 

Stroll down King Street on December 15 for Second Sunday! From 1–5 PM, enjoy a car-free stretch from Queen to Calhoun Streets, perfect for holiday shopping, grabbing lunch, or sipping coffee while soaking in the festive energy of downtown Charleston.

Such a great lineup of events at Charleston Place this December! Experience the rare sight of “snow” falling nightly at 6 PM and 8 PM through New Year’s Eve on Market Street Circle. Drop off a letter to Santa daily at the Charleston Place Hotel, and enjoy the festive tunes of the Charleston Caroling Company on select evenings: December 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, and 23 from 5–8 PM. Don’t miss sweet treats for sale Fridays and Saturdays from 5–8 PM, featuring Little Peanut Pastries on December 9, 16, and 23, and AP Flour on December 17. Holiday magic awaits!

Festive “Sleigh” Rides from Old South Carriage Company will be available on select nights this month. Hop aboard a decorated carriage driven by one of Santa’s caroling elves for a joyful 20-minute ride through Charleston. Afterward, visit Santa’s workshop for cookies, cocoa, and a photo op with St. Nick himself. Check Old South Carriage for scheduling!

Hotel Bennett will have their life-sized gingerbread house on display through January 6th. While you’re there, treat yourself to their daily hot chocolate service from 12–7 PM—no tickets or reservations needed!

Celebrate the holiday season with Tea with Santa at Hotel Bennett’s stunning Camellias lounge. Every Saturday and Sunday through December 22, enjoy a festive tea service featuring seasonal blends, holiday-themed treats, and Champagne for adults—all with Santa as your special guest. Tickets are $95 for adults and $65 for children under 12. Don’t miss this magical holiday experience!

Get crafty this holiday season at the Museum Elves Holiday Workshop on December 18 from 3–4:30 PM at the Charleston Museum! Kids can sip hot chocolate, enjoy cookies, and create their own ornaments to take home or decorate the Little Heyward House in Kidstory. Decorations will be displayed all month for everyone to admire. Suitable for all ages. Reservations required. $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

Park Circle

Get into the holiday spirit with the Chucktown Flodown: A Goosemas Pre-Party on Saturday, December 14 from 12–4 PM at Commonhouse Aleworks in North Charleston. Enjoy live music, a vibrant market featuring Goose-inspired artists and local artisans, and community support for the Western Sun Foundation. This free event is the perfect way to celebrate Goose and the local Park Circle neighborhood ahead of Goosemas N2!

Celebrate the season at the 7th Annual Christmas Market & Celebration at The Codfather on Saturday, December 21 from 11 AM–5 PM! Enjoy live music, Santa sightings, and the 4th Annual Miss Winter Wonderland Pin-Up Contest. Don’t forget to bring a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots and spread some holiday cheer!

Celebrate the magic of the season at Holy City Christmas at Holy City Brewing! Walk through Santa’s workshop, meet festive characters like elves, Mrs. Claus, and Santa himself, and enjoy complimentary treats and surprises along the way—even snow! This event runs weekly through December 22 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

Mount Pleasant

Start your morning with holiday cheer at Breakfast with Santa at Burtons Grill! Enjoy a seated breakfast, festive art activities with Santa, and more. Tickets are $13, and space is limited, so reservations are encouraged. Call 843-606-2590 to secure your spot for December 12 or 19 from 8–10 AM.

The Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade kicks off on December 15 at 5:30 PM with a dazzling fireworks display before brilliantly lit floats and community groups take over Coleman Boulevard. Watch as the parade travels from Live Oak Drive to Patriots Point Road, spreading holiday cheer along the way! More information on the day here. 

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 18, and head to Get Carried Away Southern Market & Café for Shuck & Sip with Don Julio! Enjoy fresh oysters from Demare Raw Bar perfectly paired with Don Julio’s smooth Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas. It’s an evening of bold flavors and unique pairings, all for a great cause—a portion of proceeds will support the Make-A-Wish South Carolina Foundation. Tickets start at $100.

Get into the holiday spirit with complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides at Palmetto Grande Cinema and Belk! Perfect for the whole family, rides are available on Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 to December 20, noon to 6 PM. Don’t miss the festive kickoff on Friday, November 27!

Folly Beach

Celebrate the holidays at the 2024 Folly Beach Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14! Starting at 12 PM along Center Street, enjoy festive floats and holiday cheer. After the parade, swing by Folly River Park to meet Santa and grab some holiday goodies!

North Charleston

Dive into holiday fun at the Aquatics Holiday Game Night on December 20 from 5–7 PM at the North Charleston Sports Complex! Kids (ages 0–15) can enjoy festive in-water games hosted by Lowcountry Swim School, plus a chance to win free swim lessons in a raffle. Don’t miss the "take your own" photo op with Santa! Admission is free, but pre-registration is required—don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food donation to spread the cheer!

Get ready for action-packed hockey as the South Carolina Stingrays face off against the Savannah Ghost Pirates at the North Charleston Coliseum! The puck drops at 6:05 PM on December 28 and again at 3:05 PM on December 29 for a thrilling weekend of hockey. Tickets start at $22. 

Need some inspiration for going out on New Years Eve in Charleston?

• NYE on the Creek! Enjoy all-inclusive tickets with cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, and delicious buffets. Dance to live music at Red’s Ice House or a DJ set at Tavern & Table. General Admission includes Red’s and Tavern & Table’s outdoor area, while VIP offers exclusive access, premium food, and drinks. Tickets start at $125.

• New Realm Brewing's Prohibition New Year's Eve Party! There’s a luxury buffet, craft cocktails, live music, and a hidden speakeasy. Dress the part for a costume contest and toast to midnight with champagne. Tickets are $75—don’t wait to snag yours!

• The Peacock NYE Gala Downtown! Indulge in an open bar, passed apps like lamb lollipops and crab cakes, and dance across three floors. Black tie optional, with a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast. Tickets start at $150.

• New Year’s Eve Drone Show & Flip-Flop Drop on Folly Beach. Head to Center Street for the ultimate countdown as a giant pair of glittery flip-flops descends at midnight. 

• Sippin’ Santa at Prohibition downtown! Enjoy champagne at midnight, hors d’oeuvres, and music by DJ Jerry Feels Good in this festive holiday pop-up bar. A fun way to toast to 2025! Ticket start at $75.

• Church and Union’s New Year’s Eve Party! Enjoy an open bar, buffet, DJ, champagne toast, and a ball drop. Dining there first? Upgrade to the party for just $60 after your meal!

• 167 Raw! Tickets start at $240 and include their favorite bites, caviar, champagne, and an open bar—a perfect way to toast to 2025 in style.

What’s the Weather Like in Charleston in December?

December in Charleston brings mild winter weather, making it a great time to enjoy holiday festivities and outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures typically hover in the mid-60s, with cooler evenings dipping into the 40s and sometimes 30s. While you won’t see snow, you can expect plenty of sunny days with the occasional light rain.

Pack layers to stay comfortable—light sweaters or jackets for the day and something warmer for those crisp evenings. December’s weather offers the perfect balance for strolling through historic streets, attending festive events, or enjoying Charleston’s stunning outdoor spaces.