Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights 2026
Prices & schedules checked October 18, 2026
Charleston County Parks has run the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park since 1990. The organizer describes more than 750 illuminated displays along a three-mile driving tour, plus a walking area with gift shops, a holiday train, a carousel, a giant sand sculpture, marshmallow roasting and visits with Santa.
Key facts for 2026
- Dates and hours: every night from November 13 through December 31, 2026, 5:30–10 p.m., including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Where: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412.
- How tickets work: prices are per vehicle, and you can buy in advance or at the gate. The organizer labels nights Green, Yellow or Red for expected traffic and crowds; prices vary by night, and buying online in advance saves money. An advance ticket is good for one vehicle entry on your booked date only, and advance purchases are non-refundable. We don’t quote the per-vehicle prices here; check the official ticket page for your night.
- Drive it more than once: the FAQ says you can loop the light show as many times as you like.
- No walking or cycling in: pedestrians and bicycles aren’t allowed into the festival, and you can’t stop or get out on the driving tour. Park only in the designated lots for the Santa’s Village attractions, which you reach from the left driving lane.
- Payment: cash and credit cards are accepted for admission, shopping and concessions. There’s no ATM on site.
- Gift passes: $25 each for 1–9 passes, each valid for 1–15 guests in one vehicle. Order through Customer Relations at 843-795-4386.
Extras inside the park
| Attraction | Price (organizer) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Festival Express train | $5 per person | About 15 minutes; nightly 6–10 p.m. Buy at the train depot. Children two and under ride free on an adult’s lap. |
| Holiday carousel | $2 per ride | From 6 p.m. nightly; children under 42 inches ride with an adult |
| Climbing wall | $4 for two climbs | 6–10 p.m. nightly |
| Holiday sand sculpture | — | Built from more than 50 tons of sand, with a different scene each year |
| Gift shops | — | Open during festival hours, plus 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on December 5, 6, 12 and 13 |
Ticket sales for the train, carousel and climbing wall end at 9:40 p.m. You can bring your own marshmallows and sticks for the roaster, but don’t take branches from the park’s trees.
Getting there
From Folly Road (SC 171), turn onto George L. Griffith Boulevard or Grimball Road, then right onto Riverland Drive and left into the festival. For larger vehicles, the organizer recommends Folly Road → Camp Road → Riverland Drive, to avoid low branches and tight turns. Tour buses are asked to call the park office first (843-406-6990).
No car? The tour from downtown
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Charleston Festival of Lights holiday tour (round-trip transfer)
- Price From $35.45 on Viator (as listed Oct 2026)
- Length About 3 hours 30 minutes; 5:00 p.m. listing start
- Departs Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St
- What you get A round-trip transfer to the festival and time there at your own pace, plus a holiday-themed surprise gift for each passenger.
- Accessibility Listed as wheelchair accessible; contact the operator ahead of time for ADA needs such as an ADA vehicle
- Cancellation Free up to 24 hours ahead (Viator listing)
- Supplier Historic Tours of America
Note that the Viator listing gives “more than 700 displays”; the organizer’s own 2026 page says more than 750.
Where to stay for the lights
James Island is the shortest drive to the park. Downtown keeps you walking distance from dinner, and it’s where the no-car tour departs.
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More neighborhoods are compared in our where-to-stay guide. In town for a daytime holiday trip? Pair it with our one-day itinerary.
Sources
- Charleston County Parks — Holiday Festival of Lights (dates, hours, since 1990, 750+ displays, attractions)
- Charleston County Parks — Holiday Festival of Lights tickets (per-vehicle pricing, Green/Yellow/Red nights, terms, gift passes)
- Charleston County Parks — Holiday Festival of Lights FAQ (holiday opening, no pedestrians or bikes, ATM, train, carousel, climbing wall, shop hours, three-mile tour)
- Charleston County Parks — Festival attractions (train length, sand sculpture)
- Charleston County Parks — Getting here (address, routes)
- Viator — Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour (price, 3.5 hours, 5 p.m., Visitor Center)