November Events and Programs in your Charleston County Parks
November 3, 2025
November 2025 Festivals & Events
Starlight Yoga
Monday, Nov. 10, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
James Island County Park – Large Lake
Get your holiday spirit flowing at the Holiday Festival of Lights with spectacular lakeside views of the lights. Participants will receive a special glow in the dark prize. What to expect: This class is open to all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking is available near the class site upon request. Accessible route to event and accessible port-a-let at class site. Class is on grass surface.
Fee: $12
Ages: 12 and up
https://www.ccprc.com/2079/Starlight-Yoga
Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run
Wed., Nov. 12 and Thurs, Nov. 13, 6:45 – 8:45 p.m.
James Island County Park
Register now – expected to sell out. Join us for this exclusive preview of the Holiday Festival of Lights. Runners and walkers will be the first in Charleston to experience more than 200 magical light displays. After the 2-mile run/walk, participants are invited to enjoy the festival’s amenities. For more information, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.
Fee: $38 / vehicle
All ages
https://www.ccprc.com/1184/Holiday-Fun-Run-Walk
The Holiday Festival of Lights
Open nightly Nov. 14 – Dec. 31, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
James Island County Park
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Holiday Festival of Lights! Open nightly through Dec. 31, this driving tour features three miles of magical twinkling lights. Guests can also park the car and explore the grounds, featuring mouth-watering treats, festival gift shops, visits with Santa and much more. Advance tickets are available at a discounted rate. For details on this year’s festival or to purchase tickets, visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com.
Fees: vary
www.HolidayFestivalofLights.com
November 2025 Programs
Junior Naturalist: Monarch Migration
Saturday, Nov. 8, 1 – 3 p.m.
Folly Beach County Park – Dunes House
Bring your curiosity and engage all of your senses while exploring natural habitats at your county parks! Led by Charleston County Park’s Education staff, the multi-seasonal Junior Naturalist program series offers a wide variety of fun and educational nature-based activities focused around a central theme. Children who attend 8 classes earn the title of a Certified Junior Naturalist!
Discover why animals choose to move. Learn more about monarch butterflies and other creatures that migrate along coastal South Carolina. We will also talk about the citizen science behind tracking monarchs. Come join us for an afternoon of migration fun!
What to expect: Accessible parking is available and accessible restrooms and water fountains are available near the Dunes House where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first serve basis. For more information about wheelchairs at Folly Beach County Park, click here.
Fee: $10
Ages: 8 and up
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Intro to Lead Climbing
Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 – 4 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Ready to take your climbing to the next level? This class covers the basics of lead climbing in the gym?how to clip safely, manage rope drag, belay a lead climber, and fall safely with confidence. We?ll walk you through key techniques and safety protocols, with plenty of hands-on practice. No prior lead experience needed, but participants should be comfortable top rope belaying and able to climb at a 5.9 level or higher. All gear provided; bring your own if you prefer.
Fee: $40
Ages: 14 and up.
Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
Friday, Nov. 14, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
This walk focuses on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island. Once the home of a Coast Guard station, this Heritage Preserve protects maritime forest, beach, dune, and marsh habitats for wildlife. This site boasts one of the largest bird lists in South Carolina. At this time of year, we hope to see a variety of songbirds, seabirds, and shorebirds such as Painted Bunting, Sandwich Tern, Whimbrel, and much more. What to expect: This program is open to birders of all levels, including beginners. No accessible parking is available. No restrooms are available. The park includes a paved surface that leads to a natural, unimproved surface out to a sandy beach. The program route is out and back and is approximately one-mile-long total. The program route is flat leading to moderate elevation when crossing sand dunes and no benches are available along the trail. The program speed is moderately slow and requires periods of standing and gazing upwards.
Fee: $12
Ages 12 and up (chaperone required for ages 15 and under)
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Seashore Exploration
Saturday, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m..
Folly Beach County Park – Dunes House
Fall is a great time to explore the beach, and a trained naturalist will help familiarize you with several species. Share in the discovery by learning intriguing stories about adaptations that allow for life near the ocean.What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the Dunes House where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis. For more information about wheelchairs at Folly Beach County Park, click here. This program takes place on a sandy beach and requires periods of slow walking, standing, and gazing upwards or downwards to observe wildlife.
Fee: $12
Ages: 9 and up
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Climbing Rescues – Skills for Outdoor Top Rope & Lead
Sunday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Climbing outside comes with more responsibility? Being prepared makes all the difference. This class focuses on practical rescue skills for outdoor top rope and lead climbing. You’ll learn how to assist a stuck climber, escape the belay, build hauling systems, and handle common problems safely and calmly. No prior rescue experience needed, but participants should be comfortable with top rope belaying. All gear provided; personal equipment welcome.
Fee: $40
Ages: 16 and up.
Adaptive Climbing Day – Adult
Sunday, Nov. 16, 3 – 5 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
We’re partnering with Catalyst Sports to host a monthly adaptive climbing meetup? A welcoming and supportive space for climbers with disabilities. Whether you’re brand new to climbing or a seasoned pro, this community is all about overcoming obstacles together, fostering growth, and celebrating every step of the journey. Adaptive climbers will find an encouraging environment that highlights individual strengths and embraces the excitement of climbing. Empower yourself, reach new heights, and connect with a community where every achievement matters. Interested in Volunteering? We’d love your help! Volunteers must register with both CCPRC and Catalyst Sports and complete a required training. Please sign up with Catalyst using the link below and reach out to us for more information. Register through Catalyst Sports This event is free, but registration is required for both climbers and volunteers through Catalyst, in addition to registering with CCPRC. For questions or more info, contact our Climbing Wall Manager [email protected]
Fee: $10
Ages: 16 and up
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Adaptive Climbing Day – Youth
Sunday, Nov. 16, 1 – 3 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
We’re partnering with Catalyst Sports to host a monthly adaptive climbing meetup? A welcoming and supportive space for climbers with disabilities. Whether you’re brand new to climbing or a seasoned pro, this community is all about overcoming obstacles together, fostering growth, and celebrating every step of the journey. Adaptive climbers will find an encouraging environment that highlights individual strengths and embraces the excitement of climbing. Empower yourself, reach new heights, and connect with a community where every achievement matters. Interested in Volunteering? We’d love your help! Volunteers must register with both CCPRC and Catalyst Sports and complete a required training. Please sign up with Catalyst using the link below and reach out to us for more information. Register through Catalyst Sports This event is free, but registration is required for both climbers and volunteers through Catalyst, in addition to registering with CCPRC. For questions or more info, contact our Climbing Wall Manager [email protected]
Fee: $10
Ages: 6 -15 years
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Seashore Exploration
Monday, Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Isle of Palms County Park
Fall is a great time to explore the beach, and a trained naturalist will help familiarize you with several species. Share in the discovery by learning intriguing stories about adaptations that allow for life near the ocean.What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the Dunes House where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis. For more information about wheelchairs at Folly Beach County Park, click here. This program takes place on a sandy beach and requires periods of slow walking, standing, and gazing upwards or downwards to observe wildlife.
Fee: $12
Ages: 9 and up
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Dragon Boat at the Holiday Festival of Lights
Mondays and Tuesdays : Nov. 17, 18, 24, and 25, and Dec. 1, 2, 8, 15, and 16, 4:30 – 6:00 PM.
James Island County Park – Boat House
We’ve put together a terrific opportunity for you to see the Holiday Festival of Lights from a whole new perspective as the sun goes down and the lights come on for the evening. Team up with a pal – or forge new friendships – when you try your hand at dragon boating! Newbies and curiosity seekers will enjoy an on-the-water introduction to this ancient paddlesport while also getting an up-close view of some of our most iconic light displays. With ten paddlers per boat, fun is guaranteed! After you paddle off into the sunset (well, just across the lake), we’ll treat you to a tasty hot chocolate and free admission to the Holiday Festival of Lights!
Fee: $ 30
Ages: 10 and up
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Seashore Exploration
Thursday, Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Beachwalker County Park
Fall is a great time to explore the beach, and a trained naturalist will help familiarize you with several species. Share in the discovery by learning intriguing stories about adaptations that allow for life near the ocean.What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the Dunes House where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis. For more information about wheelchairs at Folly Beach County Park, click here. This program takes place on a sandy beach and requires periods of slow walking, standing, and gazing upwards or downwards to observe wildlife.
Fee: $12
Ages: 9 and up
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Tree Identification
Thursday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Park Center at Palmetto Islands County Park
Identifying trees demands scrutiny, dedication, and practice. Through the use of dichotomous keys, helpful instruction, and your powers of observation, learn more about twigs, buds, and bark! What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available at this location. The program route is a loop and benches are available along the trail route. The program speed is moderately slow to medium. Trails at this park are flat and are paved and consist of natural, unimproved surfaces.
Fee: $12
Ages: 12 and up
Taino BBQ
Friday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pavilion at McLeod Plantation Historic Site
Join food historian and documentarian Julian Gooding for Native American Heritage Month for a flavorful journey back in time with Taino BBQ, a food-ways presentation that uncovers the origins of the beloved cooking technique known as Barbacoa. This program delves into the culinary history of the Taino, the indigenous people of the Caribbean, who developed an ingenious method of slow-cooking meats over an open fire. Spanish explorers adopted the technique of barbacoa for their own culinary traditions. Get ready to savor the history of meat cooking from the Taino to the American South! What to expect: This program will take place at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site Pavilion where seating is available for all participants. The program location is outside in a shaded area. A small, tasting portion of food will be provided to each participant. McLeod Plantation Historic Site has accessible parking, restrooms, water fountains, and picnic tables. Trails throughout the property are of a natural, unpaved surface. Thanks to the generous support of the Charleston County Parks Foundation, this program is offered at a discount. Registration is strongly recommended to guarantee you have a spot.
Fee: $5
Ages: 16 and up
Tea Farm Creek Canoe Trip
Saturday Nov. 22, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Paddle into Tea Farm Creek alongside a trained naturalist to witness firsthand how human history has impacted the landscapes around us. View one of the only naturalized understories of tea plants in the country as you travel through abandoned rice fields and forests that have been reclaimed by salt marsh. What to expect: Accessible parking is available. Accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are all available near the Welcome Center where the program begins and ends. While taking part in this activity, participants are required to sit for extended periods of time, bend knees, reach and pull with torso, and climb in and out of boats.
Fee: $50
Ages: 12 and up
Run, Walk, and Roll for Leftovers
Fri. Nov. 28, Sat. Nov. 29, and Sun. Nov. 30 , 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
James Island County Park, Palmetto Islands County Park and Wannamaker County Park.
Visit James Island, Palmetto Islands, or Wannamaker County Parks on your own self-directed adventure.
Need a reason to Run, Walk, and Roll for Leftovers after Thanksgiving? We’ll give you three: Avoid Black Friday crowds? Entertain your in-laws? Collect some cool swag Head to Palmetto Islands, Wannamaker, or James Island County Park to take part in some no-cooking-required holiday fun! From Nov. 28 through Nov. 30, #optoutside at James Island, Palmetto Islands, or Wannamaker County Parks on your own self-directed adventure! Before you leave, swing by the park office during regular park hours to snag an exclusive piece of Charleston County Parks race swag from our stash of leftovers: stylish race T-shirts, cool cups or shining medals. Sizes and award types and inventory are first-come-first-served. They are leftovers after all, so they might go quick. If you like, snap a pic of you and your family or friends enjoying the park, and share your fun on social media with the hashtag #CharlestonCountyParks.
Fee: FREE
Ages: any
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