Don't miss all the exciting cultural events that Charleston has to offer! We've highlighted a few events below, but please connect with us to stay up to date on what's happening in the arts scene.
HOLIDAY MAGIC IN HISTORIC CHARLESTON
The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs celebrates the holiday season with Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston, offering free, family-friendly activities and live performances for everyone in the community to enjoy.

Join us on Saturday December 3 and Sunday December 4 for Holiday Market in Marion Square from 9:00am-3:00pm. You’ll find everything you need to deck the halls for the holidays and fill the pantry with local goodies, all from local farmers, growers, artisans and crafters. Browse a wide assortment of art, crafts and holiday gift items and get your holiday shopping done early.

Stick around after the Holiday Market on Sunday December 4 for the Annual Holiday Parade from Colonial Lake to Marion Square. This holiday tradition is better than ever as bands, floats, marchers and performers parade through downtown Charleston. Parade commences at 3:00pm on Broad Street at Rutledge, travel North on Meeting Street, and conclude on Calhoun Street at Meeting Street.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will follow the parade in Marion Square. Join the holiday jubilee for a musical extravaganza hosted by Mayor John J. Tecklenburg festuring Lowcountry Voices! The performances will culminate with the lighting of the tree.
Charleston Stage presents
A Christmas Carol
Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St.
November 30-December 21
Admission: $36-$85, plus applicable fees

Charles Dickens’s immortal classic returns in an all new theatrical production with colorful new sets and costumes along with an inventive holiday score.
Twelve Days of Craftsmas
Bees Ferry West Ashley Library
December 1-14
Admission: Free

Stop by the Bees Ferry West Ashley Children’s Department for twelve days of crafting. Each day will feature a new, fun craft to celebrate the holiday season. While supplies last.
Spiegeltent: Cracked Nuts
Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun Street
December 1-23
Admission: start at $55, plus applicable fees

Cracked Nuts! will deliver thrills, laughs, and mind-blowing feats that will leave you inspired and delighted this holiday season staring Vegas legends Matt and Heidi Morgan.
North Pole on the Plaza
Hotel Bennett, 404 King Street
December 1-25 at 5:00pm
Admission: Free

This December, Gabrielle Plaza overlooking Marion Square is transforming into the downtown destination for holiday magic. Discover nightly movies, fires, smores kits and festive specialty cocktails.
Hotel Bennett Tree Lighting
Hotel Bennett, 404 King Street
December 1 at 5:30pm
Admission: Free

It will surely be a Christmas to remember this season at Hotel Bennett, the most wonderful time of the year will commence with a tree lighting ceremony on the Gabrielle Plaza overlooking Marion Square Park.
Charleston Symphony presents Holy City Messiah
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
120 Broad Street
December 1 at 7:30pm
Admission: $25-$50, plus applicable fees

“Hallelujah!” Few excerpts are familiar to as many, and Messiah remains Handel’s best-known work. There is no better time of year to enjoy Handel’s sacred oratorio that has long been associated with goodwill and charity.
Middleton Place presents Christmas on the Battery: Carols, Candlelight & Gullah Christmas Stories
Edmonston-Alston House,
21 East Battery
December 1 & 2 at 5:30pm
Admission: $45-$50, plus applicable fees

Take a self-guided tour of the festively decorated Edmondston-Alston House by candlelight and hear the Charleston Caroling Company. Local storyteller, Fouché Sheppard, will perform Gullah Christmas stories. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Riviera's Rockin' Holiday Special with The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra
The Riviera Theater, 227 King Street
December 1 & 2 at 8:00pm
Admission: $29-$69, plus applicable fees

Celebrate the season with the inaugural Riviera Rockin’ Holiday Special! Participate in a two-night feature from The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performing holiday favorites and cheerful classics. All ages will enjoy and a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Meeting Street Schools.
Illumination Charleston 2022
Various Venues
December 1-4
Admission: Varies per event

Historic Charleston Foundation is proud to present the second annual Illumination Charleston December 1-4 with partners, Explore Charleston and Southern Living.
College of Charleston presents Cougar Night Lights
The Cistern Yard, between George and St. Philip Streets
December 1-January 2 at 6:00pm
Admission: Free

Cougar Night Lights captures the magic of the holiday season with dazzling light displays set to classic holiday tunes as well as popular contemporary songs.
Charleston Parks Conservancy presents Light the Lake
Colonial Lake, 46-54 Ashley Avenue
December 2 from 5:00-7:00pm
Admission: Free

Enjoy crafts and activities at this family friendly tree lighting, including letters to veterans, jingle bell jewelry making, and more. There will also be yummy food and coffee/hot chocolate.
Daniel Island Tree Lighting Ceremony
Credit One Stadium, 161 Seven Farms Drive
December 2 at 5:00pm
Admission: Free

The Daniel Island Community Fund invites you to the Annual Daniel Island Holiday Tree Lighting event! Beginning at 5:00 pm, there will be activities and music for the whole family.
First Friday Christmas Market at the Town Market on James Island
1122 Dills Bluff Road
December 2 from 5:00-7:00pm
Admission: Free

The grand finale of the 2022 Town Market on James Island! Join the Town of James Island in the lighting of the James Island tree, a performance by the JICHS Jazz Band, gingerbread making, free hot cocoa, free movie on the big screen inside, 60 plus vendors, food trucks, petting zoo, and more!
Charleston Symphony presents Holy City Messiah
St. Andrew's Church, 440 Whilden Street, Mt. Pleasant
December 2 at 7:30pm
Admission: $20-$40, plus applicable fees

“Hallelujah!” Few excerpts are familiar to as many, and Messiah remains Handel’s best-known work. There is no better time of year to enjoy Handel’s sacred oratorio that has long been associated with good will and charity.
Charleston Music Hall Holiday Film Series: It's A Wonderful Life
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John Street
December 2 at 7:30pm
Admission: $8-$10

The Charleston Music Hall will present a holiday film favorite, It's A Wonderful Life.

Doors 7:00PM | Show 7:30PM
All Ages
Summerall Chapel Christmas Candlelight
The Citadel Summerall Chapel, 171 Moultrie Street
December 2-4 at 7:30pm
Admission: Free

Join Summerall Chapel Community for a historic Christmas Candlelight Service. An honored Citadel tradition, the Candlelight Service features seasonal music and readings from the Christmas Story.
A Very Merry Footlight
Holiday Special
Queen Street Playhouse,
20 Queen Street
December 2-18
Admission: $34-$48, plus applicable fees

The Christmas-time variety show is back and bigger and campier than ever bringing all the holiday cheer you can handle in one sitting! This event is full of family friendly songs and skits!
Mt. Pleasant Performing Arts Center presents The Nutcracker
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street
December 2-4
Admission: $40, plus applicable fees

The classic tale of the Holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. Performed by Mount Pleasant Performing Arts Co.
Holiday Swing: CJO
Charleston Music Hall,
37 John Street
December 3 at 5:00 & 8:00pm
Admission: $25-$64, plus applicable fees

Maestro Robert Lewis and your Charleston Jazz Orchestra will swing you into the holiday spirit with big band arrangements of winter classics and holiday favorites.
Visits with Santa
The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting Street
December 3-23
Admission: Free

Meet the Big Man and Mrs. Claus too!
Santa queue starts one hour before the start of the experience. Please queue outside of Buxton Books, located in the West Gallery, across from the Artist Collective.
Holiday "Sleigh" Ride
Old South Carriage Company,
14 Anson Street
December 3-23
Admission: $30, plus applicable fees

Harness some holiday fun and climb aboard a specially decorated carriage driven by one of Santa's elves. The last stop is Santa's magical stable where you'll join Old St. Nick and Mrs. Claus for hot cocoa and cookies.
Santa Sundays
The SC Aquarium,
100 Aquarium Wharf
December 4-18, Sundays
Admission: SC Aquarium general admission ticket or member reservation is required

Santa Claus is coming to Charleston! Stop by the Aquarium on Santa Sundays to meet jolly old St. Nick himself and pose for a keepsake photo.
Sweets with Santa
Charleston Gaillard Center,
95 Calhoun Street
December 4 from 2:00-4:00pm
Admission: Free, RSVP required

An all-time favorite holiday event returns this December: the Gaillard Center’s Sweets with Santa! Capture your family’s festive spirit with a professional photo with Santa and a story time with Mrs. Claus.
Deck the Hall Oyster Roast
Drayton Hall,
3380 Ashley River Road
December 4 at 2:30pm
Admission: $75-$600, plus applicable fees

Join Drayton Hall for their Annual Deck the Hall Oyster Roast and delight in the historical significance of these local delicacies! If you are 21+ come enjoy oysters, a chili bar, and local beverages.
City of Charleston Holiday Parade
Begins at Broad Street at Rutledge
December 4 at 3:00pm
Admission: Free

Come join the City of Charleston for this fun, high energy parade which will commence on Broad Street at Rutledge, travel North on Meeting Street, and conclude on Calhoun Street at Meeting Street. Participants include musical ensembles, clubs and organizations. Tree Lighting to Follow in Marion Square.

The Seaside Singers: A Coastal Christmas
Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island
December 4 at 4:00pm
Admission: $10 suggested donation

With a mission to promote high-quality choral singing and enhance the cultural life of our community, this group performs music that appeals to general audiences from multiple genres.
City of Charleston Tree Lighting
Marion Square
December 4 from 5:00pm
Admission: Free

Come join Mayor John J. Tecklenburg and Lowcountry Voices at the City of Charleston Tree Lighting following the City of Charleston Holiday Parade!
Charlton Singleton's Holiday Spectacular
Charleston Music Hall,
37 John Street
December 4 at 7:30pm
Admission: $20-$25, plus applicable fees

Charlton Singleton and Friends returns to their home, The Charleston Music Hall, with a Holiday Spectacular full of good cheer. From R&B to Jazz and Pop to Classical and stops along the way, the tradition of a fantastic musical evening with this group will continue.
Wreath Making on the Piazza
December 4 & 10 at 11:00am
Hotel Bennett, 404 King Street
Admission: $95

Discover the craft of wreath making with our guided workshop on the picturesque Piazza overlooking Marion Square Park. Each guest will take home a one-of-a-kind wreath masterpiece.
For Additional Holiday Events
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