Holiday Suggestions - December 2024
Christmas/New Years Week Events
Christmas spirit has taken over the Lowcountry! Everywhere you look, beautiful lights and festive events are spreading holiday cheer for the whole family. While Charleston is always beautiful, there’s something extra special about our towns adorned with garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights. Whether you're a local or visiting, here are some top holiday events to help you get into the Christmas spirit!
Wild Dunes and Isle of Palms:
Cookie Decorating – December 21st 4:00 pm Located in the plaza near Laughing Gull. This is a complimentary event for families. Get in the in spirit by decorating some Christmas treats! Reserving your spot online in advance is highly recommended. \
Kids Holiday Fun Drop Off – December 22nd and 23rd starting at 12 pm. Kids are invited to join the Wild Dunes Very Merry Christmas workshop. They will be making Christmas ornaments and watching Christmas movies. This is a drop off event which gives a great opportunity for any last-minute Christmas shopping for parents. Children must be between the ages of 4-12 years old and it costs $50 per child and must be booked online in advance.
https://www.destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes/activities/holiday-happenings
Countdown to the “Noon” Year – December 31st 10:00 am. Located at the Laughing Gull Pool Deck. This family friendly event lets the little ones celebrate the countdown to the New Year without missing bed time! Everyone counts down together and at the stroke of noon all the kids take a polar plunge into the pool. This is a free event and fun for the whole family. Advanced registration is not required for this event.
New Years Eve Glow Party – December 31st 9:00 pm. This event is also family friendly. This is an all inclusive ticketed event.
Wild Dunes will be Ringing in the New Year with a Neon Glow Party where they light up the evening with glowing decorations and a lively DJ. Enjoy a delicious spread of appetizers and, for the adults 21+, an open bar wristband to toast the New Year in style.
Location: Osprey Ballroom at the Sweetgrass Inn
Time: 9:00 pm - 12:30am
General Admission: (21+) - $125 (This includes an open bar package for the entire evening)
General Admission: (4-20) - $50
Young Child: (ages 3 and under) – Free
Islender 71 New Years Eve – Two ways to ring in the New Year at Islander 7!
Four Course Chef Dinner – Two seatings 5 pm and 7 pm in the downstairs dining room. $115 per person
Rooftop New Years Eve Party – Starts at 9 pm until 1 am on the heated rooftop deck. Event includes a welcome cocktail, light bites, live DJ music, and a champagne toast at midnight. $65 per person.
Reservations and ticket information can be found on their website:
https://www.islander71.com/nye-at-islander-71
Mount Pleasant:
Ice Skating at the Point – November 23rd – February 3rd. Located at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. Open every day but hours vary. Enjoy a winter wonderland on the harbor! Families of all ages can enjoy skating on the synthetic ice skating ring or cozy up by a fire pit! Smores, hot chocolate, and other treats are available for purchase! Fire pits and ice skating slots must be reserved for a fee. For tickets and more information please visit the website below:
Photos with Santa at Mount Pleasant Town Center – Everyday through December 24th but hours may vary. For hours and more information please visit the link below. It is also encouraged to reserve your time slot in advance for photos.
https://www.mtpleasanttownecentre.com/events/photos-with-santa-claus/
Holiday Horse Drawn Carriages in Town Center – Every Saturday and Sunday through December 22nd12:00 – 6:00 pm. Enjoy complimentary Holiday themed carriages rides around Mount Pleasant Town Center! Have some fun with the whole family while getting in your Christmas shopping!
James Island:
James Island Country Park Holiday Festival of Lights – Every night November 15th – December 31st 5:30 – 10 pm
Charleston’s largest holiday light show! Ticket purchase is required for this event and price is by carload; price varies depending on the night. This family friendly event begins with a self guided driving tour through the county park as it is decked out in thousands of Christmas lights and displays! You may drive around the park loop as many times as you like. There are multiple parking lots located through out the park to park and enjoy the rest of the Festival of Lights experience! There are more lights and displays to walk through on your way to Santa’s Village! Children of all ages will enjoy the carousel, climbing wall, visits with Santa, and Christmas Train Ride. The entire family will enjoy the annual giant sand sculpture that changes every year, the giant holiday greeting cards that are created by the local schools, multiple holiday shops, and holiday treats and concessions including smores by one of the many giant fire pits!
*Individual rides are an additional cost
Holiday Festival of Lights Info and Ticket Pricing
Downtown Charleston:
Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium – November 21st – December 30th
5:30 – 9:00 pm
This is a ticketed event fun for the whole family! The South Carolina Aquarium will light up during this special nightly event. Experience the aquarium at night underneath dazzling Christmas lights with festive photo ops and festive refreshments for purchase.
Aquarium Aglow Info and Tickets
Christmas Decorations at The Charleston Place – November 29th – December 31st
The Charleston Place outdoes itself every year with its beautiful Christmas decorations! From the massive Christmas tree in the courtyard, to the larger than life train exhibit in the gorgeous lobby, the magic of the holidays can be found here! This is a perfect free family friendly stop while you are walking around Historic Downtown Charleston.
The Charleston Place Holiday Decor Info
Christmas/New Years Dining
This year spend more time relaxing with your family instead of cooking in the kitchen all day! Charleston has so many wonderful restaurants and catering options that are available for your Christmas and New Years celebrations! Enjoy delicious food and cocktails at one of our local restaurants or cozy up and enjoy a catered feast in your beautiful Isle of Palms rental home! Below are a few of our favorite local options!
Catering Options:
Page’s Okra Grille – Mount Pleasant; Order your Christmas dinner online in advance for pick up.
https://order.toasttab.com/online/pages-catering2-302-coleman-blvd
Table and Twine – North Charleston; (available for pick up and delivery for catering orders)
https://tableandtwine.com/collections/christmas-package-charleston
Hamby Catering – West Ashley; Available for pick up. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance.
https://hambycatering.com/2024-holiday-package/
Restaurant Options:
Islander 71 New Years Eve Four Course Chef Dinner – Two seatings 5 pm and 7 pm in the downstairs dining room. $115 per person. Reservations highly recommended.
https://www.islander71.com/nye-at-islander-71
82 Queen Christmas Eve Dinner and New Years Eve Dinner – Downtown Charleston; 3 Course Menu for $89 per person. Reservations highly recommended.
https://82queen.com/charleston-french-quarter-82-queen-food-menu
Slightly North of Broad Christmas Eve Dinner – Downtown Charleston; 2 or 3 Course Menu. Price varies on number of courses. Reservations highly recommended.
https://www.snobcharleston.com/menus/#thanksgiving-copy
Magnolia’s Christmas Day Special Menu – Downtown Charleston; 12 pm – 8 pm. Reservations highly recommended.
https://magnoliascharleston.com/menus/ (scroll down to click on Christmas Day Menu)
We hope you and your family enjoy all the festive fun Charleston has to offer this holiday season! Be sure to check out the full list of events and make your reservations early to secure your spot at these magical celebrations.
From all of us at Lowcountry Vacation Properties, we wish your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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