This year’s Holiday Festival of Lights is here, and Santa himself is at the festival each night from Nov. 14 through Dec. 23. In addition to visiting with Santa during the light show at James Island County Park, Charleston County Parks offers an Inclusive Santa experience during select days for people with disabilities and other opportunities.
Inclusive Santa
Inclusive Santa is at James Island County Park during special daytime appearances. People with disabilities and their families are invited to schedule private visits with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 7 and 14 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa Claus during dedicated hours in a calming, subdued environment. A professional photographer will take photos of each group of up to five people with Santa. Advance registration is required, and includes a full digital package of all images of your visit, as well as a gift pass to visit the Holiday Festival of Lights on another evening of their choosing. Each visit with Santa will be on a first-come, first-served basis during their time slot. Santa is even fluent in American Sign Language. To better accommodate guests with sensory difficulties, sensory bags equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards are available during the event. A dedicated space is available for guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Gift shops and Santa’s Sweet Shop will be open during the event hours. Register at https://ccprc.com/3673/
“This event has touched so many and has given joy to many families during the holiday season,” said CCPRC Festival and Event Coordinator Ryan VanderKlok. “Inclusive Santa has helped break down barriers by creating a calming, less stressful environment while still preserving the Santa experience.”
Mingle with Kringle
Santa will also be at James Island County Park during special daytime appearances outside of festival hours, known as Mingle with Kringle, on Saturday, Dec. 6 and 13. Advance registration is required and open to the public. Available timeslots are 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Groups of up to 5 people will have a chance to tell Santa Claus their Christmas wishes and receive a digital download of photos from a professional photographer. Registration includes photography downloads and a Gift Pass to visit the Holiday Festival of Lights on another evening of their choosing. Registration closes on the Friday before each event date. Each visit with Santa will be on a first-come, first-served basis during that time slot. Gift shops and Santa's Sweet Shop will be open during the event hours. For details or to register, visit https://ccprc.com/3672/Mingle-
At the Festival
Kris Kringle will be at the Holiday Festival of Lights nightly starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 through Dec. 23. Visiting with Santa at the festival is free with your admission to the Holiday Festival of Lights; digital photos are available for an additional fee. Sign in with one of the elves at Santa’s stage to be added to our virtual queue. Families will be able to take advantage of all the event has to offer while waiting in the virtual queue. Guests will receive a notification on their mobile phone when their time to see Santa is approaching.
The Holiday Festival of Lights features over 750 light displays along a three-mile drive at James Island County Park. Guests can park their car and explore other areas of the park to enjoy family activities, holiday shopping, delicious treats, and so much more. For more information on the event, including hours and admissions information, call 843-795-4386 or visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com.