A Beloved Lowcountry Tradition Holiday Festival of Lights
Celebrate the season with us every night from November 13 through December 31, 2026, 5:30-10 p.m.
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is a beloved Lowcountry holiday tradition featuring more than 750 illuminated displays, millions of twinkling lights, festive gift shops, a holiday train ride, giant sand sculpture, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, and more!
Whether you're home for the holidays or visiting the Lowcountry for a holiday getaway, we promise you'll create lasting memories with millions of multicolored lights, fun family activities, holiday shopping, delicious treats, and so much more!
Events & Explorations
Starry concerts, nature walks, trail runs and more - there’s fun for everyone.
charleston county parks Start Your Adventure
Places and programs for learning and adventure.
Park Bench Stories
News and notes from the great outdoors
Your Complete Guide to the Holiday Festival of Lights
- 9 min read
Learn more about the Holiday Festival of lights and get your tickets here. Every holiday season, James Island County Park transforms into a sparkling…
Dog Park at James Island County Park Enhanced With New Fencing, Shade Structures
- 3 min read
Learn more about James Island County Park here. The dog park at James Island County Park has reopened following a series of enhancements designed to…
Your Guide to the Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park
- 6 min read
Celebrate fall the Lowcountry way with live bluegrass, hayrides, local crafts and family fun on Saturday, November 7! There’s something special…
Make the James Island County Park Campground Part Of Your Next Staycation
- 3 min read
For many Charleston-area residents, vacation usually means packing the car, fighting traffic and driving for hours before the relaxing even begins. But…
Sisters Find Second Home at West County Aquatic Center
- 3 min read
For sisters Annie and Tori Passyn, the West County Aquatic Center has become much more than a place to swim. What started as evenings spent practicing with…
Rooted in History: New Ashem Arboretum Connects Past and Present
- 3 min read
When visitors step into Old Towne Creek County Park, they'll find more than scenic trails, marsh views, and centuries of history. Weaved into the…
Charleston County Parks Brings Archaeological Collections Together
- 3 min read
Charleston County Parks has spent decades uncovering pieces of the Lowcountry’s past. When the agency acquires a new property, one of the first…
Dairy Building At McLeod Plantation Historic Site Now Open To Visitors
- 3 min read
Visitors to McLeod Plantation Historic Site now have a new opportunity to step deeper into the layered history of the property. Following a recent…
Spring into Action in your Charleston County Parks!
- 2 min read
As the azaleas begin to bloom and the weather turns warm, there’s no better place to be than your Charleston County Parks. Whether you’re…
Creating a Home for Purple Martins at McLeod Plantation
- 1 min read
In late January, volunteers met at McLeod Plantation Historic Site with staff members Caroline Heape and Kristina Wheeler of the Natural History…