Culture // 5 min Read

5 Must-Do Holiday Events in the Lowcountry

Written by Palmetto Bluff

lowcountry christmas

How to Spend a Lowcountry Christmas at Palmetto Bluff

There’s no better way to start anticipating 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 yearly holiday festivities.

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. Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade

Date: November 23, 2024
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC

Kick off the holiday season with the Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade, an enchanting event that brings a procession of illuminated handmade lanterns to the beach. Starting near the Alder Lane Beach Access and concluding at Lowcountry Celebration Park, this event combines creativity and community spirit. Guests can join pre-parade activities such as lantern-making workshops and enjoy live music as they get ready to light up the night along the shoreline.

2. Savannah Boat Parade of Lights

Date: November 30, 2024
Location: Savannah River, Savannah, GA

Experience the season in a coastal style at the Savannah Boat Parade of Lights. This annual event features boats decorated in dazzling holiday lights cruising along the Savannah River, creating a festive waterfront scene. Starting at 7:00 PM at the Eastern Wharf Dock, the evening includes live entertainment and an exciting after-party at the Thompson Savannah Hotel.

3. Savannah Christmas Market

Dates: November 21 – December 31, 2024
Location: Plant Riverside District, Savannah, GA

Inspired by traditional European holiday markets, the Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District offers a full season of festivities. Visitors can browse holiday-themed gifts, indulge in seasonal treats, and enjoy live performances. Highlights include the Festival of Trees, gingerbread house unveilings, and meet-and-greet sessions with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

4. Beaufort Holiday Weekend

Dates: December 6 – 7, 2024
Location: Beaufort, SC

The Beaufort Holiday Weekend brings together holiday traditions with a coastal twist. Festivities include the Light Up the Night Boat Parade and a holiday street parade through Beaufort’s historic district. Visitors can also explore local shops and restaurants, fully immersed in the holiday spirit of this charming town.

5. Bluffton Christmas Parade

Date: December 7, 2024
Location: Historic District, Bluffton, SC

The 53rd Annual Bluffton Christmas Parade is a favorite local tradition. It features festive floats, marching bands, and community groups. The event starts at 10:00 AM, with road closures beginning at 8:00 AM in the Historic District. This family-friendly parade brings the Bluffton community together and is a great way to enjoy the season’s spirit.

6. Palmetto Bluff Holiday Farmers Market

Date: December 8, 2024 |  9am to 1pm
Location: Wilson Village Green

Get your gift wrap ready and shop an array of festive fare at this year’s Palmetto Bluff Holiday Farmer’s Market. A crowd favorite, this special event will feature local artisans, live music, and breakfast treats with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Pssssst… Don’t forget to send your wishlist to Santa by submitting a letter when you’re there! 

Come Home for the Holidays at Palmetto Bluff

These holiday events are just a glimpse of what it’s like to spend Christmas in the Carolinas and live 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. 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!

Contact Us Contact Us

Club Life
PBGO: Where Childhood Grows at Palmetto Bluff

At Palmetto Bluff, some of childhood's best moments begin outside. Days are measured by muddy shoes, saltwater adventures, and the excitement of discovering something new just beyond the next trail.That spirit is at the heart of PBGO (Palmetto Bluff Growing Ou...

Jul 2026

Food & Wine
Chef Beth Cosgrove’s Sun-Ripened Tomato and Rich Ricotta Tart

This simple tomato and ricotta tart recipe from Palmetto Bluff Club Executive Chef Beth Cosgrove is the perfect summertime dish for your next gathering. The flaky puff pastry crust is topped with a creamy ricotta mixture along with fresh herbs and sun-ripe...

Jul 2026

Real Estate
Contemporary Classics: Three Homes With a Modern Take on Lowcountry Architecture

Timeless Lowcountry architecture has always been defined by its connection to the landscape. Wide porches invite conversation and capture cool coastal breezes, while natural materials and sunlight filled interiors blur the line between indoors and out. As life...

Jul 2026

Club Life
Hampton Watts: Painting the South to Life

This August, Savannah-based painter Hampton Watts will join us at the Bluff to share his contemporary Southern art celebrating the landscapes, traditions, and enduring spirit of the South. Drawing inspiration from generations of Southern heritage, Hampton c...

Jul 2026

Food & Wine
Home Grown

From weekly harvests to farmers markets and seasonal dinners, The Farm plays a central role in Palmetto Bluff’s culinary program. Story by Joanny Palsson | Photographs by Summer Pagatpatan Most mornings at Palmetto Bluff begin at sunrise, before the kitche...

Jul 2026
Palmetto Bluff Real Estate

Real Estate
Inside 20 Butterweed Road: A New Moreland Forest Home Built for Lowcountry Living

Palmetto Bluff Real Estate: 20 Butterweed Road, Moreland Forest  Moreland Forest sits a short walk or ride from Moreland Village and Crossroads, Palmetto Bluff’s nine-hole reversible course. Moreland Forest centers around an intricate trail system and an abun...

Jul 2026
Palmetto bluff golf

Club Life
Behind the Bluff: A Conversation with an Anson Point Golf Pro

Palmetto Bluff Golf: A Pro’s View of Anson Point   Anson Point doesn’t look as if it were man-made. The rolling dunes and sandy areas look as though they settled into the Lowcountry on their own, and the fairways follow the ground rather than fighting it. Thi...

Jul 2026
things to do in Palmetto Bluff

Culture
Summer at the Bluff: How Members and Residents Spend the Season

Things to Do in Palmetto Bluff: A Coastal Summer on the May River  Summer comes on slowly at Palmetto Bluff, and most of it happens on the water. The May River warms through June, the tide pulls in and out twice a day, and the hours stretch long enough for a ...

Jul 2026

Artist in Residence
From the Voice to the Bluff with Grace Miller Moody

Palmetto Bluff welcomed summer with an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling featuring June Artist in Residence, Grace Miller Moody. Guests gathered at the Moreland Amphitheater for an intimate performance that showcased not only the Florence, South ...

Jul 2026

Club Life
Leveling Up: Palmetto Bluff Club Opens New Fitness Center

Palmetto Bluff Club’s highly anticipated new Fitness Center is officially open, offering members an elevated wellness experience designed to support strength, longevity, performance, and healthy aging.  Created in response to growing member demand, the new ...

Jun 2026

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us