Displays of holiday lights are one of the most surefire ways to get into the Christmas spirit. And thankfully, the Lowcountry has plenty of great options. The good family-centric folks at Hulafrog have compiled a list of the top 13 places to see festive holiday lights around Charleston and all across the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Many of these you can experience from the comfort of your vehicle. You can even hit several of them in a single outing. Some take place in various neighborhoods known for decking the halls and their homes with an abundance of holiday lights. Others, like the “biggie,” the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, probably make up an entire evening all by itself. It’s a “destination holiday light spot” for sure. Yes, you can drive through and see some of the millions of lights, but then you can park and explore a whole lot more by foot. (Like Santa’s Village, a gigantic sand sculpture, the Holiday Train, and a whole lot more, which I covered in this blog.) Some are traditional, some are more creative. But all are worth a look.
13 Places to see Holiday Lights around the Lowcountry
Here are the entries on the Hula Hot List:
- Holiday Festival of Lights;
- Celebrate the Season/The Holiday Lights Driving Tour in Moncks Corner;
- Shadowmoss Plantation Neighborhood Lights;
- Park Circle Lights;
- Carolina Bay Lights;
- The Holiday Train Display at Belmond Charleston Place downtown;
- Village Green Neighborhood Lights;
- Hidden Cove Lights (look for the house with snow, music and rides!);
- Towne Centre Lights in Mount Pleasant;
- Coopers Landing Neighborhood Lights;
- Marion Square Lights, downtown Charleston;
- Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (ok, this is a bit of a drive, but it looks worth it);
- Night of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens (also a bit of a drive north up Highway 17 to reach this National Historical Landmark and enchanted garden, but also worth it).
I would also add to this list, Lights of Magnolia, which I covered in this blog. That display runs longer than any of the others and will be up till March. Click here to see the whole Hula Hot List, with dates and times, admission when applicable, along with any websites with more information. So pile the kids of all ages into the minivan, and head out to see some of the many holiday lights in the Lowcountry. And be sure to call EP to give you all a perfect Charleston beach house home for the holidays. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger