December is one of the nicer times to visit Charleston. The summer heat and humidity are long gone, the city is generally quieter than the spring peak, and the holidays bring lights, markets, and seasonal shows. If you are planning a trip and looking for things to do in Charleston in December, this guide covers the weather, the main holiday events, and practical tips on getting around and where to stay. Dates and hours below are for the 2026 season and should be confirmed on each event's official page, since annual events can change from year to year.
Charleston in December at a glance (2026)
- Weather: NOAA normals put the average daytime high near 61°F and the average overnight low near 47°F; mild but variable
- Lights: Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park; Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium
- Shows and markets: A Christmas Carol at the Dock Street Theatre; the Marion Square Holiday Market on December weekends
- New Year's Eve: parties around the city, including Charleston Wonderland at Festival Hall
- Crowds: generally quieter than spring, though holiday weekends can be busy
Confirm every date, time, and ticket price on the official event page before planning.
What Is the Weather Like in Charleston in December?
December in Charleston is cool and mild rather than cold. NOAA climate normals put the average daily high near 61°F and the average daily low near 47°F.
Temperatures vary from day to day, so bring layers, a jacket for the evenings, and rain protection, and check the forecast before you travel, especially if you plan to spend several hours outdoors at a holiday lights event. Snow is uncommon in Charleston. For more on what to bring, see our Charleston packing tips, and if you are curious about winter weather, our guide on whether it snows in Charleston covers it.
| December climate normals (Charleston) | Average |
|---|---|
| Average daily high | About 61°F |
| Average daily low | About 47°F |
| Snow | Uncommon |
Source: NOAA/NCEI 1991 to 2020 climate normals. Averages vary year to year; check the forecast close to your trip.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Charleston in December?
The best things to do in Charleston in December are the holiday lights at James Island County Park and the South Carolina Aquarium, a seasonal show like A Christmas Carol at the Dock Street Theatre, holiday shopping on King Street and at the Marion Square Holiday Market, and a stroll through the historic district decorated for the season.
Beyond the holiday calendar, December is a comfortable month for the things Charleston is known for year round: walking the historic streets, a carriage tour, a harbor view, and the restaurant scene, all without the summer heat. The sections below cover the seasonal highlights.
Holiday Lights and Seasonal Displays
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is a long-running Charleston tradition. For the 2026 season it runs from November 13 through December 31, open nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m., and the main attraction is a three-mile driving route past more than 750 illuminated displays. The park is on James Island, which is a drive or rideshare from downtown rather than a walk. Confirm the current dates, hours, and admission on the Charleston County Parks website before you go.
Closer to the peninsula, the South Carolina Aquarium hosts Aquarium Aglow, a ticketed holiday lights event held on select nights from November 20 through December 31, 2026, including a New Year's Eve evening. Because it runs on select nights rather than every evening, check the Aquarium Aglow schedule and buy tickets for a specific date.
Christmas Shows and Holiday Markets
Charleston Stage presents A Christmas Carol at the historic Dock Street Theatre, with the 2026 run listed from November 29 through December 20. It is a popular holiday booking, so reserve ahead and confirm performance dates and times on the Charleston Stage website. For holiday shopping, the Marion Square Holiday Market, a weekend extension of the Charleston Farmers Market, is listed for December 5, 6, 12, 13, and 19, 2026, with daytime hours. Confirm the current market dates and hours on the City of Charleston's farmers market page, as the schedule changes each year. For a fuller rundown of the season, see our guide to Christmas in Charleston.
New Year's Eve in Charleston
Charleston marks New Year's Eve with parties and celebrations around the city. One confirmed 2026 option is Charleston Wonderland at Festival Hall on December 31, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., an all-inclusive, 21-and-up party with a midnight balloon drop; see the Charleston Wonderland website for tickets and details. The South Carolina Aquarium also holds a New Year's Eve evening as part of Aquarium Aglow. Other events are set close to the date and change year to year, so confirm the 2026 lineup with each organizer before you make plans.
What to Pack and How to Get Around
Comfortable walking shoes and layers are the two things you will use most. Much of downtown Charleston is walkable, so a central base lets you reach the historic district, King Street shopping, and the waterfront on foot. If you would rather skip a car, our guide on enjoying Charleston without a car covers your options, and if you are driving in, the Charleston parking breakdown explains where to park. You will want a car or rideshare for the Festival of Lights on James Island and other spots outside the peninsula.
Where to Stay in Charleston in December
A central, walkable location makes a December trip easier, since much of the holiday activity is downtown. The Iris Charleston is an apartment hotel at 84 Line Street, one block off King Street, with apartment-style suites and equipped kitchens, which can be useful over a multi-night holiday stay. If you are planning a first visit around the season, our 3-day Charleston itinerary is a good place to start.
Charleston in December FAQs
Yes. December is mild, with an average daytime high near 61°F, and the city is generally quieter than the spring peak, with a full calendar of holiday lights, shows, and markets. Bring layers for cooler evenings.
Cool and mild. NOAA climate normals put the average daily high near 61°F and the average daily low near 47°F, though temperatures vary from day to day. Snow is uncommon.
The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium, A Christmas Carol at the Dock Street Theatre, and the Marion Square Holiday Market are among the main events. Confirm current dates on each official page.
Not for downtown, which is walkable from a central stay. You will want a car or rideshare for events outside the peninsula, such as the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island.
Yes. The historic district, King Street, and many shops and homes are decorated for the season, and there are holiday lights events at James Island County Park and the South Carolina Aquarium.