Discover the Festival

For 36 years, the Holiday Festival of Lights has been a beloved holiday tradition. 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! 

Three children visit with Santa Claus at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Visit with Santa

Your visit is not complete until you see Santa! Santa Claus and his elves are at the festival from November 14 – December 23. Visiting with Santa is free. Digital photos are available for an additional fee. Read on about visiting with Old St. Nick...

A train drives on a wooden pathway through holiday lights.

The Festival Express

All aboard for an up-close journey through the twinkling lights. Train rides are $5 per person. The train runs nightly, and each trip lasts about 15 minutes. Visit our FAQs page for more information about the Festival Express train. 

Little girl riding the carousel at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

The Carousel

Take a whirl on the carousel! The carousel runs nightly starting at 6 p.m. Each ride is $2 (two tickets) per person. Visit our FAQs page for more information about the carousel. 

A family roasting marshmallows

Sweet & Savory Treats

Enjoy pretzels, popcorn and delicious sweet treats from Claus' kitchen! Seating is available inside Santa's Sweet Shoppe and outdoors at picnic tables. All concessions options are open nightly during festival hours.

Girl climbing the portable climbing wall at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

The Climbing Wall

Take your festival experience to new heights on the climbing wall. No experience needed. Two climbs are $4 (four tickets). Visit our FAQs page to learn more about the festival climbing wall. 

A wooden sign for the gift shop at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Shopping

Our shops offer fun stocking stuffers, holiday decorations, personalized ornaments, handcrafted holiday mementos and more! You can also purchase the festival’s official 24-karat gold-plated collector ornaments. 

View of the sand sculpture from the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Holiday Sand Sculpture

Meticulously crafted from over 50 tons of sand, the holiday sand sculpture wows visitors with a different holiday scene each year.

Person holding teddy bear at the Holiday Festival of Lights

Reindeer Workshop

Make a furry friend at the festival! At Reindeer Workshop, children of all ages can choose a plush animal and then experience building it themselves. 

Couple views the Greeting Cards at the Holiday Festival of Lights

Holiday Greeting Cards

Local students wish you a Happy Holiday in a big way with our annual Greeting Card competition. Giant 4x8 foot cards are all unique and showcase the incredible artistic talents of Lowcountry students. Email us for more information on how your school can participate.

Accessibility

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission is committed to the accessibility of our services, facilities, employment, and programs for all individuals. Visit our Accessibility Page to find out more about how we can help.

  1. Is the festival open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
  2. Where do I park to explore the attractions in Santa’s Village?
  3. Can I bring my own marshmallows and roasting sticks for the marshmallow roaster?
  4. Do you have an ATM available?
  5. How can I purchase tickets to the Holiday Festival of Lights?
  6. Will I be able to visit with Santa?
  7. How many times may I drive through?
  8. May I walk or ride my bike around the festival?
  9. Are the gift shops open during the day?
  10. Are there alternate routes to try to avoid the traffic?
  11. Which nights are less busy?
  12. I'd like to bring my group out to the festival. Who should I call?
  13. Do you rent wheelchairs?
  14. How do I buy tickets for the train at the Holiday Festival of Lights?
  15. How do I buy tickets for the carousel at the Holiday Festival of Lights?
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