Special Newsletter: Holiday Happenings

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the holiday season is officially upon us. To celebrate, our staff has crafted this special holiday newsletter jam packed with holiday cheer. Here, you’ll find festive events, helpful tips, opportunities to give back, small business gift guides, and so much more that are happening across Charleston now through December.

We encourage you all to take full advantage of everything the Lowcountry has to offer this season.

From all of us at the City of Charleston, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and joyous holiday season!

2024 Holiday Shop and Park Pass

As a gift to residents this holiday season, the City of Charleston is once again offering a free 2-hour parking voucher for use in participating city garages November 29th through December 31st, 2024.

This year, residents will be able to use their mobile devices as their parking voucher. Find the voucher here.

How to Scan: 

1. Pull a ticket from one of the participating garages.

2. Upon exiting, insert ticket.

3. Once the ticket is inserted, scan the parking voucher’s QR Code at the reader located on the upper right-hand corner of the machine.

4. As the voucher covers 2 hours, pay any remaining fees. 

Need Help? Press the blue call button at the top of the machine for assistance. Don’t worry! If you don’t have a smart phone or just prefer a hard copy, we have a printable version available here.

(4) Participating Garages: 

Saint Philip Street - 34 Saint Philip Street

Visitor Center - 63 Mary Street

Majestic Square - 211 King Street

Queen Street - 93 Queen Street

Not valid during special event rates. Other exclusions may apply.

Public Works: Christmas Tree Disposal

Our Public Works team will begin curbside Christmas tree collection on January 6th through the week of February 14th. Trees must be placed curbside and be free of all decorations to recycle. Once our crews have picked up your tree, they will recycle them for you! Note: No artificial trees should be placed out for collection with real trees.

Recreation: Drop & Shop

Are you needing to get some holiday shopping done without the littles snooping around? You can drop your child off at the Bees Landing Recreation Center Friday, December 6 from 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and our wonderful Recreation staff will have fun with the kiddos while you get some much-needed shopping done. The cost is $20 per child ages 6-12.

The Charleston Santa

Visit The Charleston Santa at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry each weekend until Christmas! Enjoy a free photo, learn about the Best Friend of Charleston train, and support Toys for Tots by donating unwrapped toys. Reservations are required due to limited space. Click the link HERE for more information and to reserve your free-timed ticket.

Boat Parade

Saturday, December 14th, Charleston Harbor, 6:00 p.m.

Join another Lowcountry tradition at the annual Holiday Parade of Boats! This display of lighted and festive boats proceeds from the Cooper River through Charleston Harbor and into the Ashley River. This family-friendly event is sure to become a holiday tradition for everyone. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront or decorate your boat and join the parade (advance registration required). Register here and check out the Facebook event page here. 

Light the Lake

Friday, December 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Colonial Lake

The City of Charleston and the Charleston Parks Conservancy are proud to host the 9th annual Light the Lake on Friday, December 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Colonial Lake (Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401). Join in on the holiday family-friendly fun with activities, craft stations, food trucks, and Mayor Cogswell lighting the Colonial Lake Christmas tree! RSVP here!

Holiday Magic Parade
SATURDAY, December 7th at 3:00 p.m.

This year’s Holiday Magic Parade will be on SATURDAY, December 7th at 3:00 p.m. Bring your friends and family to watch our local bands, businesses, clubs, and organizations as they proceed in holiday fashion down Broad, Meeting, and Calhoun Streets. After the parade, head to Marion Square for a grand tree lighting by Mayor Cogswell!

Holidays in the Park

Join us at the playgrounds for a season full of fun! Enjoy festive activities, creative crafts, and plenty of exciting surprises!

Letters to Santa

We’ve set up a special connection to Santa just for you! Drop off your letters between November 25 and December 18, then stop by on December 21 to pick up your reply. Santa can’t wait to hear from you!

Holly Jolly Jamboree
Friday, December 13, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Come on down to the James Island Recreation Complex for cookie decorating, jump castles, games, crafts, letters to Santa, and more!

Holiday Spectacular at Bees Landing

Friday, December 13th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Jump start the holiday season by joining us at Bees Landing Rec Center on Friday, December 13th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. for music, crafts, pictures, a holiday movie and refreshments. Be ready for a special visitor from the North Pole!

Buon Natale! Christmas in Italy

Wednesday, December 11 from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, December 11 from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., the Daniel Island Rec Center will be hosting a fun learning experience about Italian Christmas traditions, including the legend of La Befana, the Christmas gifting witch, while participants create art!

Chanukah in the Square

December 29th at 4:00 p.m., Marion Square

An initiative of the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of Charleston and the Lowcountry, Chanukah in the Square is a festive celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts and traditional seasonal food, culminating with the lighting of a menorah at dusk. Click here for more info!

Holiday Window Display Contest

We invite all businesses within the Business Improvement District (King Street between Line and Broad) to celebrate the holiday season by decorating your store front and participating in the second annual King St Holiday Window Contest. Small business is the heart of our city and the driving factor behind our long-standing economic success!

Bragging rights and a 'First Place' window decal will be awarded to the best overall window display.

Parameters of judging will be based on: Originality / On Brand / Use of Space / Craftsmanship.

Important dates to note:

Registration: 11/4-11/29/2024

Installation complete by: 11/29/2024

Winner announced: 12/8/2024

For more information, click here.

Family Movie Nights

Join King St Business Improvement District, Patrick Properties, and Beemok Hospitality for holiday movie nights at the American and Riviera Theaters! Enjoy festive fun, wear holiday attire or pajamas, and indulge in cookies and hot cocoa.

The Santa Clause: 12/4 at The American Theater CLICK HERE

The Polar Express: 12/11 at the Riviera Theater CLICK HERE

Illumination Charleston

Join Explore Charleston and Southern Living for a festive celebration with editors, guests, and a curated holiday market. Enjoy cooking demos, decorating tips, book signings, and meet Southern Living editors. The Southern Living Illumination Holiday Market features local and regional vendors. For more information, click HERE to visit the website!

Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Support local on Small Business Saturday! The Saturday after Thanksgiving encourages shoppers to support small businesses in their community. Charleston is home to many wonderful local shops and owners—this holiday season, the City of Charleston challenges you to shop local. Check out Lowcountry Local First's gift guide for local businesses! Check it out here!

Holiday Market in Marion Square

From 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on 12/7,12/8, 12/14, 12/15, 12/21 come out to Marion Square to shop and experience the festive holiday market. Local farmers, artisans, and crafters will be showcasing their holiday goodies for all to enjoy.

Pop-Up Palooza at the Francis Marion Hotel

Lowcountry Local First is partnering with several local brands and businesses to host several different pop-up shopping events, including December 6th from 5:00 p.m. - 7 p.m.at the Frances Marion Hotel on King Street to help celebrate its 100th birthday.

Vendors include: Gold Creations, Gola Sweetgrass, Katlyn Brophy, The Spa of Charleston, She Biology and Manzi Lux. There will be a complimentary champagne toast and a cash bar available with holiday cocktails. RSVP here!

Meet the Makers at the Holy City Holiday Market

Join us at the Holy City Holiday Market on Saturday, December 21st, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Old Park Circle! Shop from over 250 vendors, including the CBA Pop-Up Palooza showcasing local art and gifts. Free admission, family-friendly, and free Shop Small, Y'all! tote bags. For more information and a full list of participating vendors, click here.

Cannonborough Elliotborough's Second Thursdays

Every Second Thursday now through December
Participating retailers open until 7:00 p.m. or later.
Participating businesses: Bobbles & Lace, Charleston Candle, Continum, Gold Bug Collection, Hermosa, Mess Hall, MOLA, Philosophers & Fools, Pinot & Provisions, Rooted in Charleston, The Paper Canopy, The Tiny Tassel, The Veggie Bin

Toys for Tots Collection

Our Public Service department’s annual Toys for Tots drive is already in full swing! If you would like to donate new, unwrapped toys to a child in need this holiday season, there are collection boxes located at many different city buildings across Charleston. We will be accepting toy donations for children ages newborn-17 through December 13th. Find the full list of donation box locations below!

- Charleston Tennis Center - 19 Farmfield Ave
- Maybank Tennis Center - 1880 Houghton Dr
- CFD Headquarters - 1451 King St
- Traffic & Transportation - 180 Lockwood Blvd.
- Bee’s Landing Rec Center - 1580 Ashley Garden Blvd
- James Island Rec Center - 1088 Quail Dr
- Daniel Island Rec Center - 160 Fairbanks Dr
- Public Service - 2150 Milford St
- Human Resources - 75 Calhoun St
- Livability and Tourism -75 Calhoun St
- Payroll - 116 Meeting St
- Permit Center - 2 George St
- Municipal Golf Course - 2110 Maybank Hwy
- Citizens Services Desk - 2 George St

Ronald McDonald House Charleston Holiday Wish List

The Charleston Ronald McDonald House has cultivated a Holiday Wish List of the most requested gift items this season. If you would like to donate gifts to families of critically-ill children, click here to learn more.

Maritime Toy Drive

SC Ports, the International Longshoreman’s Association, Coalition 18 and the Maritime Association of South Carolina are partnering again for the 3rd annual Maritime Toy Drive to fulfill the holiday wish lists of South Carolina foster children.

The goal of this drive is to fill one 40-foot shipping container with toys by December 13. Donations will be distributed to foster children in South Carolina by the S.C. Department of Social Services.

How to donate?

Please bring unwrapped toys to SC Ports headquarters (200 Ports Authority Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC), or purchase toys online through the wish lists below. When checking out, please make sure to select the gift registry shipping address.

Amazon Gift Wish List

Target Gift Wish List

Walmart Gift Wish List

Click here for More Information