'Tis the season - and we couldn't be more delighted! The holidays in South Carolina are filled with an abundance of activities geared toward family togetherness. Whether you're on a shopping adventure, dining out, or just spending time with family, the holidays are a magical time of year. Few things foster togetherness quite like piling everyone into the same car for the night and heading out to see the best Christmas lights in South Carolina. Here are several awesome Christmas light displays, both commercial and private, guaranteed to add spark to your holiday season.
1. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden - Columbia
The Riverbanks Zoo hosts one of the best Christmas lights displays in Columbia. It includes more than one million lights! Sip hot cocoa, eat s'mores, and warm up next to the Jingle Bell Bonfire while you wait excitedly for a visit from Saint Nick himself. Lights Before Christmas is only open on select nights through December.
2. Brookgreen Gardens - Murrells Inlet
Marvel at more than 5,000 hand-lit candles as well as the twinkling holiday lights that adorn beautiful Brookgreen Gardens for this annual event. On top of that, there's a 70-foot evergreen that is ceremoniously lit each evening. Grab a cup of warm cider and enjoy this extraordinary opportunity to see this magnificent garden by candlelight. This is easily one of the best shows of Christmas lights in the South.
3. The Christmas House - Inman
Two generations of the same family have kept up the tradition that first began at this private residence in the 1970s. Every year, people drive from near and far to see the updated displays and fan favorites that return again and again. Drive through as many times as you like, it's free (although donations are accepted). The lights will be on every night through December. This will quickly become one of your favorite holiday traditions in South Carolina.
4. James Island County Park - Charleston
Easily the largest Christmas lights display in South Carolina, the Holiday Festival of Lights is a drive-through event featuring 2.5 miles of more than 70 installations, both still and animated. Board the "holiday train" for an up-close look at them. Visit Santa's Sweet Shoppe to cross some items off your holiday shopping list and take a holiday spin on the Christmas Carousel.
5. Saluda Shoals Park - Columbia
Drive through 400 light displays, then walk through a holiday lights maze, roast marshmallows, and take a spin down the winter slide. The Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park takes place nightly through December 31st.
6. Holiday Lights Driving Tour - Moncks Corner
The annual Celebrate The Season event in Moncks Corner features oodles of animated light displays in the drive-through event that's fun for everyone in the family. Admission is $5 per vehicle. Runs from the end of November to the end of December. We can't get enough of this drive-thru Christmas lights display in South Carolina.
7. Edisto Memorial Gardens - Orangeburg
The Children's Garden Christmas and Kid's Walk is an event that's fun for the whole family. Enjoy dozens of twinkling light displays as you stroll through the Children's Walk. Santa also makes an appearance! The Children's Christmas Garden is free and open seven days a week.
8. Anderson Lights of Hope - Anderson
Enjoy the sparkle of millions of bulbs on this drive-thru Christmas lights in SC. Embark on a twinkling journey around a 2.4-mile loop. Plus, the little ones can get out and meet Santa.
These are some of the best Christmas lights in South Carolina this year, and they're sure to spread holiday cheer far and wide. Do you know of a private residence that's decked the property with oodles of twinkling lights this year? Let us know in the comments!
For more things to do at Christmas in South Carolina, Here Are The Top 15 Christmas towns in South Carolina.
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