How to Spend a Lowcountry Christmas in the Carolinas
There's no better way to start planning for the holidays than by making plans to spend time with family and friends. Now that the holiday season has arrived, many look forward to embracing the Christmas spirit by filling their calendars with experiences they can share with their loved ones. Spending Christmas in the Carolinas is simply unmatched, thanks to its abundance of holiday festivities offered each and every year.
To help you make the most of the holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of the must-do holiday events happening in the Lowcountry this year. Get ready to mark your calendars and make some memories!
1. Christmas Tree Festival
Where: Boone Hall Farms
When: November 25, 2022 - November 27, 2022
Begin the Christmas festivities by attending the inaugural Christmas Tree Festival. Here, you may venture through the Christmas tree farm while also taking in the beauty of other winter plants. Follow the merry music until you’ve reached the festival where activities like ornament decorating, wreath making, and marshmallow roasting take place. Various vendors supply an assortment of festive treats from kettle korn to funnel cakes, apple cider to hot chocolate. Capture these memories in the photo booth and take them home as a keepsake to remember your time at Boone Hall Farms!
2. Holiday Parade of Boats
Where: Charleston Harbor
When: December 10, 2022
Enjoy the yearly Lowcountry tradition, the Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats, as this show of lights and colorful vessels goes from the Cooper River, across Charleston Harbor, toward the Ashley River. Some of the best spots to view the procession as it travels down Charleston's waterfront are Liberty Square, Riley Waterfront Park, Charleston Maritime Center, and the Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park Pier. You may also join in on the fun by decorating your own boat to sail through the parade! Either way you choose to participate, this family-friendly event may become your new, favorite holiday tradition.
3. Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
Where: Crossing Park
When: December 24, 2022
Looking for an energizing way to celebrate Christmas in the Carolinas? The Hilton Head Island Jingle Jingle Bridge Run is the perfect way to start your Christmas Eve morning before the rest of the day’s festivities. This year’s race is celebrating 31 years of the Hilton Head Island tradition. The 5K and 10K courses will begin and end in Crossings Park, passing the beautiful Broad Creek on the Cross Island Expressway. In addition to Jingle Bells, each racer will be given a cozy, long sleeve Jingle Jingle Bridge Run T-shirt. After the race, there will be an awards ceremony with food, entertainment, prizes, and a special appearance from the one and only Saint Nick.
4. Holiday Sleigh Ride
Where: Old South Carriage Company
When: December 3, 2022 - December 23, 2022
Hop aboard the carefully adorned carriage led by one of Santa’s helpers and experience the Holiday Sleigh Ride of your life. This joyful journey is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit and includes Christmas caroling to your favorite holiday tunes while you wander around downtown Charleston. The ultimate destination on this enchanting adventure is Santa's stable, where you can share sweets and hot chocolate with Old Saint Nick, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph. Don’t forget your camera so you can look back on these memories — it’s not everyday you get to ride in Santa’s sleigh!
5. Beaufort Holiday Weekend
Where: Downtown Beaufort
When: December 2, 2022 - December 4, 2022
Every year in December, Beaufort Holiday Weekend invites town residents together to celebrate the holidays. A Night on the Town kicks off the weekend with its annual tree lighting ceremony along with live entertainment, shopping, and holiday treats. On the following night, beautifully adorned boats sail across the water, illuminating the night during the lighted boat parade. To top off the weekend, the final celebration is the Beaufort Christmas Parade where local organizations decorate floats and renowned individuals walk through town to spread Christmas cheer. You're sure to feel the holiday cheer at this family-friendly event!
6. Town of Bluffton Christmas Parade
Where: Martin Family Park
When: December 2, 2021
This year, the 51st annual Bluffton Christmas Parade will take place in the town’s historic district. The holiday parade will feature a tree lighting ceremony, picture opportunities with Santa Claus, and a screening of a holiday film, this year being “The Grinch”. The decorations of over 20,000 twinkling lights turn the town of Bluffton into a winter wonderland, creating an inviting atmosphere to celebrate with fellow neighbors, friends, and family. Bluffton has turned a small-town parade into a vibrant and joyous celebration that future generations will cherish, perhaps for maybe another 50 years.
Come Home for the Holidays at Palmetto Bluff
These holiday events are just a glimpse of what it's like spending Christmas in the Carolinas and living in the Lowcountry. With all the festivities this season in the Lowcountry, you may want to find a residence you can call home during the holidays.
Nestled between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia lies the best kept secret in the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff. Offering close proximity to these Lowcountry events, additionally, the Bluff hosts a full calendar of events for members each and every year. Members of the Palmetto Bluff Club also boast access to upscale amenities and charming homes all offering breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. During the holidays, and the rest of the year, there is always something new to discover at Palmetto Bluff.
To explore the endless opportunities at the Bluff, simply click below to schedule your visit. We look forward to meeting you!