December is a great month to visit Charleston. Although the weather can be cool, the city more than makes up for it with its holiday events and festivities.
You can visit holiday markets and lights shows; take advantage of special programming at local attractions exploring the sights, foods and history of Christmases past; or attend Christmas parades and tree-lightings, among other seasonal events.
The year is finally rounded off by several fireworks displays and celebrations to mark the New Year, with events in downtown Charleston and at its nearby beach communities.
Interested in a specific type of event? See Charleston’s calendars of upcoming:
– Concerts
– Comedy shows
– Musicals
– Food festivals
– Farmers markets
→ See more Charleston events in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
See also:
– December weather in Charleston
– Free things to do in Charleston
– Attractions and other things to do in Charleston
– Charleston’s biggest festivals
– Things to do near Charleston
!Event dates, venue and other details can change at short notice. Please check all information at the official website before making plans to attend an event.
→ See November events
– South Carolina Ballet Presents: Nutcracker, December 1 2025
Ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– South Carolina Ballet Presents: Nutcracker, December 2 2025
Ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– South Carolina Ballet Presents: Nutcracker, December 3 2025
Ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– ArtWalk, December 5 2025
Monthly first Friday art walks in downtown Charleston galleries. More details
– Christmas Made in the South, December 5-7 2025
Holiday arts and crafts show at The Exchange Park Fairgrounds, Ladson. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 5-23 2025
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Holiday Street Festival, December 6 2025
Annual holiday festival at Front Beach, Isle of Palms, with arts and crafts vendors, food, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. More details
– Holiday Swing, December 6 2025
Holiday concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– One Vision of Queen, December 6 2025
Tribute concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 5-23 2025
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– The Charleston Christmas Special, December 12-21 2025
Holiday show at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Mount Pleasant Holiday Market & Craft Show, December 13 2025
Annual holiday market at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion, with handmade gifts by local artists and artisans, local produce and prepared foods, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more. More details
– Kiawah Island Marathon, December 13 2025
Annual marathon and half marathon races through Kiawah Island. More details
– Christmas Parade, December 13 2025
Annual holiday parade along Center Street, Folly Beach. More details
– Reindeer Run, December 13 2025
Annual holiday 5K run/walk in downtown Charleston to benefit the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. More details
– The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes, December 13 2025
Talk event at the Gaillard Center. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 5-23 2025
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– The Charleston Christmas Special, December 12-21 2025
Holiday show at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 5-23 2025
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, December 26 2025
Holiday ballet performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
Events this week to be confirmed.
→ See January events