Get Your Free 2024 Vacation Guide

Start planning your ultimate South Carolina adventure with a free copy of the 2024 Vacation Guide. Request your free copy, view the guide online or download a PDF version below.

Vacation Guide Cover
View Our Other Guides

What to Do in South Carolina in December

Discover Writer Discover Writer
Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Read more from some of South Carolina’s locals and discover what’s happening in the Palmetto State.
More from "Discover Writer"

Looking for something to do in South Carolina during the month of December? No matter what your interests, you're sure to find something that's Just Right for you.

Here's a list of upcoming festivals and events in December to help you make your plans.

 

Mountains

Greenville's Poinsettia Christmas Parade celebrates the holiday season.

Poinsettia Christmas Parade, Greenville

Celebrate the Christmas spirit in downtown Greenville. This parade includes marching bands and school and community groups dressed to the theme of the season.

 

Midlands

Holiday festivities at Rock Hill’s ChristmasVille are overseen by Old St. Nick.

ChristmasVille in Rock Hill, Rock Hill

At ChristmasVille in Rock Hill, you'll hear sleigh bells ring and children sing and gnomes giving tours of all the cultures of the world. There'll be crafts for the making and presents worth wrapping and plenty of holiday cheer.

Bojangles' Basketball Bash, Columbia

The Bojangles' Basketball Bash is a top-level high school basketball event that provides a different experience for players, coaches and fans. For three nights in December, the Bojangles' Bash will feature some of the top teams and players in the nation competing against each other.

Boykin Christmas Parade, Rembert

The Boykin Christmas Parade Committee invites you to be a part of the Boykin Christmas Parade. Gather along the parade route for a unique, old-fashioned, little-bit-crazy and almost-anything-goes event done in the spirit of Boykin.

Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade, Columbia

See floats, marching bands, classic and vintage vehicles, popular performing groups and, of course, Santa. The Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade will begin at the corner of Bull and Gervais streets.

Christmas in Hopelands, Aiken

The Annual Christmas in Hopelands light exhibit takes place at Hopelands Gardens in Aiken, South Carolina. Christmas in Hopelands is open from 6 to 9:30 pm each night of the free two-week event. This spectacular walk-through exhibit features more than 100,000 lights and holiday displays along 1.5 miles of lighted pathways. In addition, many special events take place each evening.

Elgin Catfish Stomp, Elgin

Watch the Christmas parade and then enjoy lots of food (catfish, of course), live music, and arts and crafts. The Elgin Catfish Stomp also features a carnival with rides and games for the children.

Holiday Lights on the River, Columbia

This is the Midlands' largest drive-through lights display. For 37 nights this holiday season, Saluda Shoals Park will come alive in a blaze of sparkling lights. Holiday Lights on the River features more than 300 themed light displays on a 2-mile loop of the park!

Lights Before Christmas, Columbia

It snows every night during the holidays at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's largest and longest-running holiday tradition, Lights Before Christmas. With nearly a million twinkling lights and countless handcrafted animated images, Lights Before Christmas is a must-see for all ages.

 

Coast

nights of a thousand candles
Nights of a Thousand Candles is a Christmas tradition in Murrells Inlet.

Nights of a Thousand Candles, Murrells Inlet

Brookgreen Gardens plays host to one of South Carolina's premier holiday lights festivals! Thousands of candles and lights illuminate garden paths as musicians play and carolers sing and visitors experience the enchantment Nights of a Thousand Candles brings!

Beach Ball Classic, Myrtle Beach

Come join us for two of the nation's finest high school basketball tournaments. The Beach Ball Classic features 16 of the nation's top teams. Past NBA players include Kenny Anderson, Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Raymond Felton, Kobe Bryant and Rasheed Wallace.

City of North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade, North Myrtle Beach

It wouldn't be Christmas at the beach without the annual City of North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade! Join your friends and neighbors on Main Street to enjoy the lighted floats and units representing groups from all across the area.

Hilton Head Jingle Jingle 5K, Hilton Head Island

The Jingle Jingle 5K Run features a colorful seasonal theme and provides participants a chance to burn off those extra holiday calories. The race features all standard male and female running divisions.

 

Discover Writer
Discover Writer
More from "Discover Writer"
Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Read more from some of South Carolina’s locals and discover what’s happening in the Palmetto State.