The 36th annual Holiday Festival of Lights opens Nov. 14 at James Island County Park

Grand Opening Activities and Nightly Entertainment

Let your heart be light – this year’s Holiday Festival of Lights is almost here! James Island County Park’s beloved light show opens on Nov. 14, and will remain open nightly 5:30 – 10 p.m. through Dec. 31, 2025.

On Grand Opening Night, Nov. 14, join us for the awards presentation of the winners of the Giant Greeting Card contest at 7 p.m. Plus, from 6 – 8 p.m., visitors to the festival can see The Grinch from Dr. Suess’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, an upcoming series at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Find him roaming throughout the festival starting at 6 p.m., and at a meet and greet at the small stage near Santa at 7:15 p.m.

The Holiday Festival of Lights features over 750 light displays along a three-mile drive through 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 including:

• A ride on 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
• Savor pretzels, popcorn, and sweet treats
• Enjoy special entertainment on select evenings, including a New Year’s Eve fireworks display on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
• Entertainment on select nights – see the 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, known as Mingle with Kringle, on Saturday, Dec. 6 and 13. People with disabilities and their families are invited to schedule private inclusive visits with Santa on Dec. 7 and 14. To book a daytime visit with Santa, visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com (direct link).

Admission

To enhance visitor experience and to help manage wait times at the Holiday Festival of Lights, each event night has been categorized with the color green, yellow or red based on expected attendance levels. Admission prices vary based on the night, and guests can save up to $15 on red nights by purchasing tickets online in advance. Green nights will be $15 per vehicle in advance or $25 at the gate; yellow nights will be $25 per vehicle in advance or $35 at the gate; and red nights will be $30 per vehicle in advance or $45 at the gate. A calendar denoting each night’s color category is available at HolidayFestivalofLights.com (direct link). Charleston County Parks highly recommends advance ticket purchase and visiting on a green or yellow night to save on admission. 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. This event is presented by Boeing, South Carolina Federal Credit Union and your Charleston County Parks.

Holiday Festival of Lights Special Events Calendar 2025

Subject to change. Most performances take place near Santa’s stage; visit HolidayFestivalofLights.com for details and updates (direct link to calendar).

Nov. 10: Starlight Yoga at the Holiday Festival of Lights, 6:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Nov. 12 & 13: Fun Run and Walk, 6:30 p.m., register in advance here

Nov. 14: Grand Opening Night! Join us for the awards presentation for the winners of the Giant Greeting Card contest at 7 p.m. The Grinch from the Dr. Suess’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center will be on site at the festival from 6-8 p.m. Plus, Santa is here nightly starting at 6 p.m.!

Nov. 16: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.

Nov. 17: Ask a Naturalist, 6 – 8 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Nov. 18: Ask a Naturalist, 6 – 8 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Nov. 19: School of the Arts Piano, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20: The Break Circuit, 7-9 p.m.

Nov. 21: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.

Nov. 22: Charleston Southern University String & Piano, 6 -8 p.m.

Nov. 23: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.

Nov. 24: Charleston Caroling Company, 6 – 8 p.m.  Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Nov. 25: Lowcountry Power Brass, 7 – 9 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Nov. 30: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.

Dec. 1: Ask a Naturalist, 6 – 8 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Dec. 2: Ask a Naturalist, 6 – 8 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Dec. 4: Meet and Greet with Cinderella, 6 – 9 p.m.

Dec. 5: The Break Circuit, 7-9 p.m.

Dec. 6: Meet and Greet with The Little Mermaid, 6-9 p.m.

Dec. 7: Inclusive Santa (register in advance here), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Grinch, 6 – 8 p.m.

Dec. 8: Ask a Naturalist, 6 – 8 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Dec. 10: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.

Dec. 11: Charleston Caroling Co., 6 – 8 p.m.

Dec. 12: Drayton Hall Elementary chorus, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Dec. 13: Meet and Greet with the Snow Queen, 6-9 p.m.

Dec. 14: Inclusive Santa (register in advance here), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Grinch, 6 – 8 p.m.

Dec. 15: Lowcountry Power Brass, 7 – 9 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Dec. 16: James Island Christian School chorus, 6 – 8 p.m. Dragon Boating, 4:30 p.m., register in advance here.

Dec. 18: The Break Circuit, 7-9 p.m.

Dec. 19: Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, 6 -10 p.m.

Dec. 20: School of Rock, 6-8 p.m.

Dec. 21: 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.

Owned and managed by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), James Island County Park is located at 871 Riverland Drive. The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six land parks, a skate park, three beach parks, four seasonally-lifeguarded beach areas, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, a historic plantation site, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. The park system also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, and more. For more information on CCPRC, call 843-795-4386, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission / 861 Riverland Drive / Charleston, SC 29412 / (843) 795-4386