Join us and make your Holiday Magic!
Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston
The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs celebrates the holiday season each December with Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston, offering free, family-friendly activities, live performances and decorations all around town for everyone in the community to enjoy together.
- Saturdays & Sundays
- December 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16
- 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Marion Square
Holiday Parade
- This holiday tradition is better than ever as bands, floats, marchers and performers parade through downtown Charleston.
- Parade will begin near Colonial Lake and continue up Broad Street to King Street and disperses on Calhoun Street near Marion Square
- Sunday, December 2
- Apply Now! – Deadline to apply is Friday, November 2, 2018 by 5pm
Tree Lighting Ceremony
- An annual Charleston holiday jubilee featuring performances from musicians and arts organizations throughout Charleston that will culminate in the lighting of the magnificent 64-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas tree in Marion Square.
- Sunday, December 2 from 4:30-6:30 PM
- Marion Square
Student Performance Day
- Student performances and visits with Santa throughout the day
- Friday, December 7 from 10 AM – 4 PM
- Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9 at 8:30 AM or 11:30 AM
- Marion Square
Parade of Boats
- Head to the water for a Lowcountry holiday tradition as this display of lighted and festive boats proceeds through the Charleston Harbor. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront or REGISTER your own boat and join the parade!
- Presented in partnership with Charleston Sail and Power Squadron.
- Saturday, December 8 from 4:30-6:30pm
Chanukah in the Square
- A free, festive party for everyone; featuring music, dancing, and the lighting of the nine foot Menorah by Charleston’s Holocaust survivors. Visitors can enjoy crafts and treats, including latkes and other traditional Chanukah foods.
- Presented in partnership with the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of the Lowcountry
- Sunday, December 9
Lowcountry Kwanzaa Events
- A celebration of Kwanzaa Events around the Lowcountry
- These events are coordinated by the Lowcountry Kwanzaa Planning Committee, and are promoted by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs as part of Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston.
Happy New Year, Charleston!
Ring in your New Year with lights, laughter, and an evening the whole family can enjoy at Happy New Year, Charleston! This free to the public celebration offers a family friendly, non-alcoholic event with activities, live music, and food trucks. Join us Monday, December 31 in Marion Square starting at 4pm. Happy New Year, Charleston!
- Monday, December 31
