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
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 15 - December 31 2024
Big annual holiday lights display at James Island County Park, plus holiday sand sculptures, holiday shopping, Santa visits, and other activities. More details
– Largo’s Christmas at the Copa, November 21 - December 28 2024
Holiday musical at 34 West Theater. More details
– One Christmas Carol, November 29 - December 15 2024
One-man holiday performance at Threshold Repertory Theatre. More details
– A Christmas Carol, November 30 - December 22 2024
Holiday play at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. More details
– Wine Under the Oaks, December 1 2024
Annual holiday wine event at Boone Hall Plantation, with wine tastings, desserts and oysters, demonstrations, live entertainment and more. More details
– Peezy & Icewear Vezzo, December 2 2024
Concert at the Music Farm. More details
– The Nutcracker, December 3 2024
Holiday ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– South Carolina Ballet: The Nutcracker, December 3 2024
Holiday ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Golden Gals Live! A Christmas Musical, December 4 2024
Holiday drag performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– A Motown Christmas, December 4 2024
Holiday concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Spiegeltent: Cabaret Royale by Underbelly, December 4-21 2024
Holiday circus arts and cabaret performance at the Gaillard Center Spiegeltent. More details
– Futurebirds, December 5 2024
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Derek Hough: Dance For The Holidays, December 5 2024
Holiday dance performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Holy City Messiah, December 5 2024
Holiday concert at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. More details
– Christmas on the Battery, Candlelight, and Gullah Christmas Stories, December 5-6 2024
Holiday event at the Edmondston-Alston House, with self-guided tours of the decorated house, carols and traditional Gullah storytelling. More details
– ArtWalk, December 6 2024
Monthly first Friday art walks in downtown Charleston galleries. More details
– Christmas Tree Lighting, December 6 2024
Holiday event in North Charleston, with tree-lighting ceremony, live music, refreshments, and more. More details
– Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute, December 6 2024
Tribute concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Holy City Messiah, December 6 2024
Holiday concert at Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Daniel Island. More details
– Christmas Made in the South, December 6-8 2024
Holiday arts and crafts show at the Exchange Park/Fairgrounds, Ladson. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 6-22 2024
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Weekend Wine-Down, December 7 2024
Weekly wine-tasting event at Deep Water Vineyard, with food truck and live music. More details
– Holiday Street Festival, December 7 2024
Annual holiday festival on Front Beach, Isle of Palms, with arts and crafts, vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, Santa Claus and more. More details
– Holiday Parade, December 7 2024
Annual parade through downtown Charleston, culminating in a tree-lighting ceremony in Marion Square. More details
– Christmas Festival & Parade, December 7 2024
Holiday festival in North Charleston, with music, parade, Santa visits, children’s activities, food, holiday decorations and more. More details
– Charleston Jazz Orchestra: Holiday Swing, December 7 2024
Holiday concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Holiday POPS, December 7 2024
Holiday concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Lightwire Theater Presents A Very Electric Christmas, December 7 2024
Holiday performance at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Avery Anna, December 7 2024
Concert at the Music Farm. More details
– Holiday Market in Marion Square, Saturdays and Sundays, December 7-21 2024
Popular holiday market in Marion Square, with gifts, decorations, local foods, arts and crafts and more. More details
– Oyster Roast at Historic Drayton Hall, December 8 2024
Holiday oyster roast at Drayton Hall, with all-you-can-eat oysters and local beverages. More details
– The Rock and Roll Playhouse, December 8 2024
Children’s concert at the Music Farm. More details
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 15 - December 31 2024
Big annual holiday lights display at James Island County Park, plus holiday sand sculptures, holiday shopping, Santa visits, and other activities. More details
– Largo’s Christmas at the Copa, November 21 - December 28 2024
Holiday musical at 34 West Theater. More details
– One Christmas Carol, November 29 - December 15 2024
One-man holiday performance at Threshold Repertory Theatre. More details
– A Christmas Carol, November 30 - December 22 2024
Holiday play at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. More details
– Spiegeltent: Cabaret Royale by Underbelly, December 4-21 2024
Holiday circus arts and cabaret performance at the Gaillard Center Spiegeltent. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 6-22 2024
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Holiday Market in Marion Square, Saturdays and Sundays, December 7-21 2024
Popular holiday market in Marion Square, with gifts, decorations, local foods, arts and crafts and more. More details
– Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert, December 10 2024
Film screening with live musical accompaniment at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Steve-O, December 11 2024
Comedy show at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Gullah Christmas Concert, December 11 2024
Annual event at Boone Hall Plantation, featuring traditional Gullah storytelling and musical performances. More details
– A Night with Cody Jinks & Ward Davis, December 12 2024
Concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Allman Betts Family Revival, December 12 2024
Concert at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Grand Illumination and Dinner, December 12-14 2024
Evening, outdoor holiday event at Middleton Place, with historical re-enactors and buffet dinner. More details
– The Charleston Christmas Special, December 12-22 2024
Holiday musical show at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Mike Birbiglia: Please Stop the Ride, December 13 2024
Comedy show at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Sesame Street Live! Say Hello, December 13 2024
Children’s performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Goosemas, December 13-14 2024
Holiday concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Holiday Strings, December 13-14 2024
Holiday concert at the Charleston Library Society. More details
– Kiawah Island Marathon, December 14 2024
Annual marathon and half marathon races on Kiawah Island. More details
– Reindeer Run, December 14 2024
Annual 5K run/walk in downtown Charleston to benefit the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. More details
– Holiday Wine and Chocolate Pairing, December 14 2024
Holiday tasting event at Deep Water Vineyard, Wadmalaw Island. More details
– Christmas Parade, December 14 2024
Annual holiday parade along Center Street, Folly Beach. More details
– Mount Pleasant Holiday Market & Craft Show, December 14 2024
Holiday market at Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion, with local produce and prepared foods, plus handmade gifts by local artisans. More details
– Oysters on the Point, December 14 2024
Oysters, live music and beach games at Patriots Point. More details
– Holiday Parade of Boats, December 14 2024
Annual lighted holiday boat parade around the Charleston peninsula, with viewing areas along the waterfront. More details
– Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, December 14 2024
Holiday ballet performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Home for the Holidays, December 15 2024
Holiday concert at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Charleston Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert, December 15 2024
Holiday concert at St Philip’s Church. More details
– Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade, December 15 2024
Annual lighted holiday parade and fireworks show in Mount Pleasant. More details
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 15 - December 31 2024
Big annual holiday lights display at James Island County Park, plus holiday sand sculptures, holiday shopping, Santa visits, and other activities. More details
– Largo’s Christmas at the Copa, November 21 - December 28 2024
Holiday musical at 34 West Theater. More details
– A Christmas Carol, November 30 - December 22 2024
Holiday play at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. More details
– Spiegeltent: Cabaret Royale by Underbelly, December 4-21 2024
Holiday circus arts and cabaret performance at the Gaillard Center Spiegeltent. More details
– A Christmas Story, December 6-22 2024
Holiday play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Holiday Market in Marion Square, Saturdays and Sundays, December 7-21 2024
Popular holiday market in Marion Square, with gifts, decorations, local foods, arts and crafts and more. More details
– The Charleston Christmas Special, December 12-22 2024
Holiday musical show at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, December 18 2024
Holiday circus arts performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Holiday Pops!, December 19-20 2024
Holiday concert at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Holy City Holiday Market, December 20-22 2024
Outdoor holiday market in Old Park Circle, North Charleston, with 250+ vendors, food trucks, live music and more. More details
– Weekend Wine-Down, December 21 2024
Weekly wine-tasting event at Deep Water Vineyard, with food truck and live music. More details
– Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, December 20-22 2024
Musical at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 15 - December 31 2024
Big annual holiday lights display at James Island County Park, plus holiday sand sculptures, holiday shopping, Santa visits, and other activities. More details
– Largo’s Christmas at the Copa, November 21 - December 28 2024
Holiday musical at 34 West Theater. More details
– A Drag Queen Christmas, December 23 2024
Holiday drag performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Jingle Jam, December 27 2024
Concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Weekend Wine-Down, December 28 2024
Weekly wine-tasting event at Deep Water Vineyard, with food truck and live music. More details
– Corey Smith, December 28 2024
Concert at the Music Farm. More details
– Chanukah in the Square, December 29 2024
Annual holiday celebration in Marion Square, with live music, arts and crafts, traditional seasonal food and menorah-lighting ceremony. More details
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 15 - December 31 2024
Big annual holiday lights display at James Island County Park, plus holiday sand sculptures, holiday shopping, Santa visits, and other activities. More details
– New Year’s Eve Flip-Flop Drop & Fireworks, December 31 2024
New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks show at Folly Beach. More details
– Easy Honey, December 31 2024
Concert at the Music Farm. More details
– Mamma Mia!, January 2-5 2025
Musical at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Save the Light Oyster Roast, January 5 2025
Annual oyster roast to benefit the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse. More details
– Snow Queen, January 5 2025
Ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
→ See January events