Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! The festival is open 5:30 – 10:00 pm on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

All parking lots for Santa’s Village are accessible from the left driving lane. Each parking lot offers easy access to all of the attractions. While in Santa’s Village, please keep a safe distance from and do not touch the light displays or decorations. Also, note parking is only allowed in designated areas – do not stop or get out of your car on the driving tour.  

Visitors are welcome to bring their own marshmallows and sticks for roasting. Please do not take branches from trees to use as marshmallow sticks. Destruction of natural resources in the park is prohibited.

There is not an ATM located onsite, however credit cards are accepted at most locations.

Tickets may be purchased online in advance or at the gate. Visit the ticketing page for details.

Santa Claus is most definitely coming to town! Visits with Santa will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the festival and during the day at the appointment-only Mingle with Kringle and Inclusive Visit with Santa.

You are welcome to drive around the light show as many times as you would like! Our visitors always spot something new on each trip.

For your safety, bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed entrance into the Holiday Festival of Lights. Bicycles are not allowed at anytime during festival hours; this includes Campground visitors. Also, note parking is only allowed in designated areas – do not stop or get our your car on the driving tour. 

Shops are open during festival hours, 5:30- 10 p.m. Outside of regular festival hours, the gift shops will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on December 6, 7, 13, and 14.

Visit our Directions page to learn more about the best routes to take to the park and on what dates you’ll find the heaviest traffic.

To enhance the visitor experience and to help manage wait times, the Holiday Festival of Lights used historical attendance data to create Green, Yellow and Red nights based on traffic. Admission prices vary based on the night, and guests can save money by purchasing their tickets online in advance. For more information see our festival admission page.

We ask that tour buses call ahead with the park office at 843-406-6990 so that we can prepare for your arrival.

The Holiday Festival of Lights is a three-mile driving tour with a self-guided walking portion to see more lights and other amenities. A wheelchair is available to check out at the park office free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call the park office at 843-406-6990 or ask a staff member for assistance.

Read on for more information on festival accessibility.

Train tickets must be purchased at the train depot for $5 per person. Children two & under may ride for free if sitting in the lap of an adult. No food, drinks, or pets are allowed on the train. The train runs nightly from 6–10 p.m. Ticket sales end at 9:40 p.m.

The carousel runs nightly starting at 6 p.m. Each ride is $2 (2 tickets) per person. Children under 42" must be accompanied by an adult. Adults may stand on the ride for free when accompanying a child under 42". Tickets can be purchased at any location inside the festival and sales end at 9:40 p.m.

Two climbs are $4 (four tickets). The wall is open nightly from 6- 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at any location inside the festival and sales end at 9:40 p.m.

Cash and credit cards are accepted for admission, shopping and concessions. You may also purchase advance admission online.