Lights, Lattes & Ice Cream: The Best Christmas Lights in Charleston (Wholly Cow Edition!) ❄️🍦
Charleston absolutely glows at Christmas. Twinkling holiday lights in the oaks, decorated houses, festive shops and villages popping up. If you're looking for the best Christmas lights in Charleston, we’ve got the ultimate family guide right here.
And of course… Every holiday lights adventure deserves a treat.
Come on by Wholly Cow Ice Cream & Coffee on Johns Island for peppermint milkshakes, Christmas Tree Cake Sundaes, and cozy holiday lattes and coffee drinks and gear up for the Christmas Light shows!
1. Holiday Festival of Lights - James Island County Park
James Island Holiday Festival of Lights
Address: 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412
Parking:
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After the holiday lights drive-through (miles of lights), you’ll reach the parking area for the Winter Wonderland walk-through zone.
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Parking is free but fills up on Fridays/Saturdays. Weekdays are much easier.
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Tip: Arrive right when gates open or after 8pm for lighter crowds.
What it's like:
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Millions of lights forming giant displays, tunnels, and animated scenes
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A walk-through village with shops, sculptures, Santa, & photo ops
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A holiday train ride
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Marshmallow roasting pits
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One of the top-rated light events in the Southeast
2. Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats - Charleston Harbor
🌐 Link: Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats
Viewing Spots & Parking:
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Waterfront Park (downtown): Park in nearby garages (Vendue Range or Concord St.).
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The Battery: Parking is limited - arrive early and be prepared to walk.
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Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park: Ample parking under the bridge but fills fast.
What to Expect:
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Dozens of boats covered in Christmas lights sail through the harbor
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Great family-friendly viewing spots all along the water
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Best photo ops at Waterfront Park & The Battery
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The parade moves slowly - you get plenty of time to enjoy each boat
🎄 3. Downtown Charleston Holiday Market & Christmas Lights - Marion Square
🌐 Link: Downtown Charleston Christmas Holiday Market & Holiday Lights at Marion Square
Address: 329 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Parking:
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Marion Square Garage (right next door)
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Visitors Center Garage (5 min walk)
How are the lights?
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The giant Marion Square Christmas Tree and Lights display
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Dozens of local vendors, crafts, treats & live holiday music
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Gorgeous lights throughout King Street, Meeting Street & surrounding blocks
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Horse carriage rides past decorated homes
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Perfect for a pre- or post-shopping stroll
🎄 4. Freshfields Village Holiday Lights - Kiawah Island
🌐 Link: Freshfields Village Holiday Lights
Address: 165 Village Green Lane, Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Parking:
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Large free parking lots around the village
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Easy walking once you park
What to Expect:
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A massive decorated Christmas tree
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Festive lights throughout the shopping village
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Live holiday music, Santa visits & carriage rides
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Occasional “snow” nights with artificial flurries
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Family-friendly events all December
🎄 5. Johns Island Neighborhood Lights & Local Holiday Parades
(These vary, but people LOVE them.)
🌐 Link: Johns Island Neighborhood Lights
General Parking:
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Park along neighborhood roads (legally) and walk through.
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Keep headlights off when cruising slowly to view lights.
What to Expect:
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Some neighborhoods go all-out with synchronized light shows
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Community Christmas parades with fire trucks, golf carts, floats
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A cozy, small-town holiday vibe perfect for families
🎄 6. Shem Creek & Mount Pleasant Waterfront Holiday Lights
🌐 Link: Shem Creek & Mount Pleasant Waterfront Holiday Lights
Viewing Spots & Parking:
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Shem Creek Boardwalk: Free but limited parking
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Memorial Waterfront Park: Plenty of parking under the Ravenel Bridge
What to Expect:
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Waterfront restaurants decorated for Christmas
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Lights reflecting across the water
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Views of the Ravenel Bridge lit for the season
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A peaceful night stroll with plenty of photo ops
🎄 7. Aquarium Aglow - South Carolina Aquarium
🌐 Link: Charleston Aquarium Aglow - Holiday Lights Show
Address: 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
Parking:
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Aquarium Garage directly across the street
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Plenty of evening spaces after business hours
How are the lights?
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The entire aquarium transformed with glowing light displays
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Perfect indoor attraction for chilly evenings
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Great for younger kids
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Beautiful underwater-themed Christmas lights
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Seasonal snacks & hot cocoa available on-site
🎄 8. Mount Pleasant “Lights Up” Tree Lighting Ceremony - Towne Centre
🌐 Link: Mount Pleasant “Lights Up” Tree Lighting Ceremony - Towne Centre
Address: 1600 Towne Centre Way, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Parking:
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Large shopping center parking lots
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Arrive 30+ minutes early on opening night
What to Expect:
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A huge tree lighting celebration
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Music, kids activities, and holiday performers
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Shops & restaurants decorated and open late
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Seasonal drink vendors & photo areas
9. Historic Charleston Homes & Downtown Christmas Lights Walking Tour
🌐 Self-guided, or you can visit: https://christmasincharleston.com
Start at: Marion Square or The Battery
Parking:
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Marion Square Garage
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Concord St. Garage
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Historic Downtown Neighborhoods
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The Battery (limited street parking)
What to Expect:
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Dramatic historic homes wrapped in garlands, bows & twinkling lights
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Light-covered palm trees & giant wreaths
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King Street store windows dressed for Christmas
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Great family photo opportunities
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A slower, magical, Charleston-style Christmas outing
❄️ 10. Lowcountry Christmas Light Drives - Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, Summerville, Goose Creek
🌐 Link (best local roundup): Charleston Moms - Best Holiday Lights in Charleston
Parking:
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Park at the end of cul-de-sacs or along allowed streets and walk through
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Turn headlights off while driving through displays at night
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Be respectful: these are people’s homes
What to Expect:
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Entire streets fully lit
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Houses with synchronized music + light shows
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Some neighbors hand out candy or hot cocoa
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Free, local, and perfect for families who love simple holiday traditions
Stop by Wholly Cow for Holiday Ice Cream and Coffee!
Wholly Cow Ice Cream & Coffee is right on Savannah Highway - the perfect stop before your Christmas lights adventure or on the way home for a treat.
This season, we’re serving:
✨ Peppermint Stick & Cinnamon Toast holiday flavors
✨ Christmas Tree Cake Sundae
✨ Peppermint Milkshakes with holiday sprinkles
✨ Peppermint Mochas, S’mores Lattes & festive espresso drinks
✨ 24+ small-batch ice cream flavors kids & parents love
✨ Dairy-free sorbets and soft-serve yogurt
Warm drink in one hand, cold treat in the other - that’s the Charleston way.
Images - (Wholly Cow Ice Cream and Coffee Images)
📍Start Your Christmas Lights Tour at Wholly Cow
Wholly Cow Ice Cream & Coffee
3642 Savannah Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455
Grab a scoop, a latte, or a holiday milkshake…
And let the lights lead the way. 🌟
