Part of feeling merry during the holidays is enjoying Christmas lights displays in your neighborhood – and beyond. This year, more than two million twinkling Christmas lights await at the largest drive-thru light show in South Carolina. The display is the largest in the state, and is a real crowd-pleaser guaranteed to woo anyone into the holiday spirit.
Now in its 30th delightful year, the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park in Charleston is truly bucket list-worthy as far as holiday festivals go.
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The festival first opened in 1990, barely more than a year after Hurricane Hugo wiped out many of the trees at James Island County Park; a reason why most of the light displays are built upon installations, as opposed to hanging upon the trees.
TripAdvisor/Terrie J
If you’re looking for a holiday lights display in South Carolina that the entire family will love, then head to the Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston.
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The drive-though lights display is routinely recognized as one of the best in the nation and we couldn’t agree more! From the drive through tunnels to the various holiday and Lowcountry-themed displays, this is one event that’s sure to create lasting memories for the whole family.
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There are more than 750 different displays ranging from lighted trees of all kinds to themed displays and even dancing light shows. Marvel at the beauty found in the over-water displays (and their reflections).
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights
But don’t leave before parking and walking through the Enchanted Forest filled with twinkling lights surrounding a lighted path. The festival also dishes up a train ride that’ll get you up close to some of those lights you passed in the drive-thru.
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And there’s much more to this festival than just the drive-thru component. If you’re looking for places to go and things to do with kids at Christmas is South Carolina, then Santa’s Village is a must.
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A stop at Santa’s Village delivers Christmas shops aplenty with ornaments and gift items that are perfect as presents or stocking stuffers.
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights See a bit more the festival has to offer in this short video from YouTube user CharlestonAreaCVB:
The Holiday Festival of Lights runs from November 15 through December 31, 2019 at James Island County Park in Charleston.
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights The largest drive-thru light show in South Carolina is a can’t miss event and one that the whole family will love. Hours are Sunday - Thursday: 5:30 - 10:00 p.m, Friday and Saturday: 5:30 - 11:00 p.m. The cost is $20 per vehicle with 15 occupants or less. For more information, see including admission fees and discounts, see the official website for the Holiday Festival of Lights.
If you’re still looking for the perfect Christmas tree, check out These 13 Magical Christmas Tree Farms In South Carolina where you can choose and cut your own tree
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TripAdvisor/Terrie J
TripAdvisor/QuirkyPickles
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Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights
See a bit more the festival has to offer in this short video from YouTube user CharlestonAreaCVB:
The largest drive-thru light show in South Carolina is a can’t miss event and one that the whole family will love. Hours are Sunday - Thursday: 5:30 - 10:00 p.m, Friday and Saturday: 5:30 - 11:00 p.m. The cost is $20 per vehicle with 15 occupants or less. For more information, see including admission fees and discounts, see the official website for the Holiday Festival of Lights.
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Address: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Largest Drive-Thru Light Show In South Carolina October 21, 2019 Robin Jarvis Are there other holiday lights displays in South Carolina that are worth checking out? Are there other light displays in South Carolina worth checking out? You bet there are! Make it a point to head to the Holiday Lights on the River event held each year at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. The drive-thru/walk-thru event combines a dazzling drive-thru display and even more lights to admire on footpaths within the park. Holiday Lights on the River is held by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission at Saluda Shoals Park: 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC. Another can’t-miss lights display in South Carolina is the annual Nights of a Thousand Candles event held at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet on select weekend nights leading up to Christmas. Explore a twinkling wonderland of lights dripping, hanging, draped, dangling, and floating all over this historic garden, plus a tree-lighting ceremony that takes place each evening at a tree that’s 80-feet tall. What are the best things to do with kids at Christmas in South Carolina? Without a doubt, kids AND kids at heart go wild for the drive-thru lights safari at Hollywild Animal Park, a former wildlife zoo in South Carolina. Enjoy the glow of thousands of holiday lights and displays while driving through the safari park with your windows down and hand-feeding giraffes, zebras, and more! Where are the best places to see Santa in South Carolina? Where are the best places to see Santa in South Carolina? There are many places to see the red-suited holiday icon live and in person. From shopping malls to department stores, there are a variety of Christmas-themed events taking place in South Carolina where Santa makes guest appearances. The best place to see Santa in South Carolina is at the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island. Santa not only visits one-on-one with the kiddos, he also poses for personal and professional photo shoots and has a published schedule so you know when to go. Here are the hours when Santa is available at this holiday festival.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Largest Drive-Thru Light Show In South Carolina
October 21, 2019
Robin Jarvis
Are there other holiday lights displays in South Carolina that are worth checking out? Are there other light displays in South Carolina worth checking out? You bet there are! Make it a point to head to the Holiday Lights on the River event held each year at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. The drive-thru/walk-thru event combines a dazzling drive-thru display and even more lights to admire on footpaths within the park. Holiday Lights on the River is held by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission at Saluda Shoals Park: 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC. Another can’t-miss lights display in South Carolina is the annual Nights of a Thousand Candles event held at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet on select weekend nights leading up to Christmas. Explore a twinkling wonderland of lights dripping, hanging, draped, dangling, and floating all over this historic garden, plus a tree-lighting ceremony that takes place each evening at a tree that’s 80-feet tall. What are the best things to do with kids at Christmas in South Carolina? Without a doubt, kids AND kids at heart go wild for the drive-thru lights safari at Hollywild Animal Park, a former wildlife zoo in South Carolina. Enjoy the glow of thousands of holiday lights and displays while driving through the safari park with your windows down and hand-feeding giraffes, zebras, and more! Where are the best places to see Santa in South Carolina? Where are the best places to see Santa in South Carolina? There are many places to see the red-suited holiday icon live and in person. From shopping malls to department stores, there are a variety of Christmas-themed events taking place in South Carolina where Santa makes guest appearances. The best place to see Santa in South Carolina is at the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island. Santa not only visits one-on-one with the kiddos, he also poses for personal and professional photo shoots and has a published schedule so you know when to go. Here are the hours when Santa is available at this holiday festival.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Are there other light displays in South Carolina worth checking out? You bet there are! Make it a point to head to the Holiday Lights on the River event held each year at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. The drive-thru/walk-thru event combines a dazzling drive-thru display and even more lights to admire on footpaths within the park. Holiday Lights on the River is held by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission at Saluda Shoals Park: 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC.
Another can’t-miss lights display in South Carolina is the annual Nights of a Thousand Candles event held at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet on select weekend nights leading up to Christmas. Explore a twinkling wonderland of lights dripping, hanging, draped, dangling, and floating all over this historic garden, plus a tree-lighting ceremony that takes place each evening at a tree that’s 80-feet tall.
What are the best things to do with kids at Christmas in South Carolina?
Without a doubt, kids AND kids at heart go wild for the drive-thru lights safari at Hollywild Animal Park, a former wildlife zoo in South Carolina. Enjoy the glow of thousands of holiday lights and displays while driving through the safari park with your windows down and hand-feeding giraffes, zebras, and more!
Where are the best places to see Santa in South Carolina?
Where are the best places to see Santa in South Carolina? There are many places to see the red-suited holiday icon live and in person. From shopping malls to department stores, there are a variety of Christmas-themed events taking place in South Carolina where Santa makes guest appearances. The best place to see Santa in South Carolina is at the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island. Santa not only visits one-on-one with the kiddos, he also poses for personal and professional photo shoots and has a published schedule so you know when to go. Here are the hours when Santa is available at this holiday festival.
