The 36th annual Holiday Festival of Lights returns to James Island County Park beginning Nov. 14, bringing one of the Lowcountry’s most beloved holiday traditions back for the season. The festival will be open nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31.
Opening night will feature the Giant Greeting Card contest awards at 7 p.m., along with an appearance by The Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, an upcoming show at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The character will roam the festival beginning at 6 p.m., with a meet-and-greet near Santa’s stage at 7:15 p.m.
The festival features more than 750 light displays along a three-mile driving route, plus attractions including the Festival Express train, a 50-ton sand sculpture, an old-fashioned carousel, a climbing wall, and marshmallow roasts. Visitors can also shop for gifts, enjoy snacks, and see live entertainment on select evenings. A fireworks show will close out the season on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
Santa will visit nightly from Nov. 14 through Dec. 23. Special daytime sessions, called “Mingle with Kringle,” will be held Dec. 6 and 13, and inclusive visits for children with disabilities and their families are available Dec. 7 and 14 by reservation at HolidayFestivalofLights.com.
Admission
To manage wait times, event nights are categorized as green, yellow, or red based on expected attendance. Admission varies by night:
- Green nights: $15 per vehicle in advance, $25 at the gate
- Yellow nights: $25 in advance, $35 at the gate
- Red nights: $30 in advance, $45 at the gate
Guests can save up to $15 by purchasing tickets early and are encouraged to visit on green or yellow nights for the best experience. Gold Pass holders receive one free vehicle admission per membership period.
The event is presented by Boeing, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, and Charleston County Parks.
For more information, visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com or call 843-795-4386.