The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park opens on Nov. 15th. The event will be open nightly from 5:30 – 10 p.m. through Dec. 31, 2024.
For 35 years, this event has been a beloved holiday tradition for Lowcountry residents and visitors. More than five million people have toured the Holiday Festival of Lights, which has been hosted annually by Charleston County Parks at James Island County Park since 1990. The holiday hotspot has earned many awards and mentions throughout the country.
Cruise along the three-mile display of glimmering multicolored lights throughout the park, featuring over 750 light displays. Park the car and tour other areas of the park, where guests are sure to create lasting memories with family fun activities, holiday shopping, delicious food and treats, and so much more to do including:
- Ride the magical Festival Express train
- Marvel at the 50-ton sand sculpture
- Take a spin on the old-fashioned carousel
- Scale the climbing wall
- Roast marshmallows over an open fire
- Shop for the perfect holiday gift
- Enjoy pretzels, popcorn, and savory sweet treats
- Special events and entertainment on select evenings, including a New Year’s Eve fireworks display on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. (see calendar below)
And, of course, don’t forget to visit with Santa! Kris Kringle will be at the Holiday Festival of Lights nightly from opening night through Dec. 23. Santa will also be at James Island County Park during special daytime appearances. Called Mingle with Kringle, families can book private visits during the day on select Saturdays in December. People with disabilities and their families are invited to schedule inclusive visits with Santa on Nov. 24 and Dec. 8. To book a daytime visit with Santa, visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com.
Admission
To enhance visitor experience and to help manage wait times at the Holiday Festival of Lights, each event night has been identified as a “green” night (having historically light traffic/wait times), a “yellow” night (moderate traffic/wait times), or a “red” night (heavy traffic/longer wait times). Admission prices vary based on the night, and guests can save money by purchasing tickets online in advance. Green nights will be $15 per vehicle in advance or $20 at the gate; Yellow nights will be $25 per vehicle in advance or $30 at the gate; and Red nights will be $30 per vehicle in advance or $40 at the gate. A calendar denoting each night’s category is available at HolidayFestivalofLights.com. Charleston County Parks highly recommends advance ticket purchase and visiting on a green or yellow night; not only will guests save money these evenings, but traffic, crowds and wait times at the event will be reduced. Gold Pass holders receive one free vehicle admission per annual membership period (Gold Pass must be presented at the gate).
For more information on the Holiday Festival of Lights, call 843-795-4386 or visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com.
Holiday Festival of Lights Special Events Calendar
Nov. 13 & 14: Fun Run and Walk, 6:30 p.m. SOLD OUT
Nov. 15: Grand Opening Night! Enjoy live music from Lowcountry Powerbrass (7-9 p.m.) and the awards presentation for the winners of the Giant Greeting Card contest. Plus, Santa is here nightly starting at 6 p.m.!
Nov. 16: Charleston Southern University String and Piano, 6 – 8 p.m.
Nov. 17: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Nov. 19: The Dance Space dance performance, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 20: Charleston Caroling Co., 6 – 8 p.m.
Nov. 21: The Break Circuit, 7-9 p.m.
Nov. 22: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Nov. 23: Meet and Greet Spider Hero, 6 - 9 p.m.
Nov. 24: Inclusive Santa, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Nov. 29: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Dec. 1: Meet and Greet The Snow Sisters, 6 – 9 p.m.
Dec. 2: Lowcountry Powerbrass, 7 – 9 p.m.
Dec. 3: School of the Arts Piano, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: Lowcountry Powerbrass, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 6: The Break Circuit, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 7: The Break Circuit, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 8: Inclusive Santa, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Roving Grinch, 6 – 9 p.m.
Dec. 9: Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m.
Dec. 10: Charleston Caroling Co., 6 – 8 p.m.
Dec. 12: Meet and Greet Little Mermaid, 6 – 9 p.m.
Dec. 13: Drayton Hall Elementary chorus, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Dec. 14: Book Reading: “Engel” by Cindy Adams, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 15: Roving Grinch, 6 – 9 p.m.
Dec. 16: Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m.
Dec. 17: Ask a Naturalist, 6 p.m.
Dec. 18: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Dec. 19: James Island Christian School chorus, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Dec. 20: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Dec. 22: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Fireworks at the Holiday Festival of Lights, 8 p.m.
