New Year's Eve in Charleston, South Carolina falls on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The main options are Charleston Wonderland at Festival Hall (21 and up, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.), Folly Beach fireworks and the midnight Flip Flop Drop, Aquarium Aglow for families, and SpiritLine harbor cruises.
Charleston offers several New Year's Eve options for different crowds: an adults-only party downtown, a beach street party on Folly, an early family celebration at the aquarium, and cruises on the harbor. Dates and times below are for the 2026 season, so confirm each one with the organizer before you buy tickets.
New Year's Eve in Charleston at a glance (2026)
If you want |
Go to |
When |
An all-inclusive party, adults only |
Charleston Wonderland, Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. |
8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. |
Fireworks and a beach crowd |
Folly Beach, Center Street |
Fireworks listed at 7 p.m.; Flip Flop Drop at midnight |
A countdown with kids |
Aquarium Aglow, South Carolina Aquarium |
Timed entry 5:30 to 8 p.m.; open until 9 p.m. |
A night on the water |
SpiritLine cruises from Aquarium Wharf |
Dinner 7 to 10 p.m. or party cruise 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. |
A sit-down dinner |
Circa 1886 at Wentworth Mansion |
Menu and times to be posted |
New Year's Day |
Bill Murray Polar Plunge, Folly Beach |
Fri., Jan. 1, 11 a.m. |
What Are the Main New Year's Eve Events in Charleston for 2026?
The 2026 lineup includes Charleston Wonderland downtown, the Folly Beach fireworks and Flip Flop Drop, New Year's Eve at Aquarium Aglow, two SpiritLine harbor cruises, and a multi-course dinner at Circa 1886.
Charleston Wonderland (Festival Hall, downtown)
Charleston Wonderland is back for its 13th year at Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St., from 8:30 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday. It is 21 and up with photo ID. The ticket covers an all-inclusive bar with premium spirits, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options, plus a champagne toast at midnight.
Entertainment includes a live band, DJs, circus and variety acts, a silent disco, and a balloon drop at midnight. The trade-off: food is light bites only, with no dinner or buffet, so eat first. There is no specific dress code; organizers ask guests to dress to impress, and most choose cocktail attire or dressy casual. Organizers say the party typically sells out before New Year's Eve, and every ticket gets the same access.
Folly Beach fireworks and the Flip Flop Drop
Folly Beach rings in the year on Center Street. The 2026 listings put the fireworks show at 7 p.m., and a giant illuminated flip flop drops at midnight. Center Street closes to cars at 10 p.m. for the street party.
Plan the trip. Folly Beach is outside downtown Charleston, so sort out your ride there and back before the night starts; a car or rideshare is the practical option for most visitors. For the 2025 event, officials advised arriving early and leaving early to avoid heavy traffic after midnight. Confirm the fireworks time with the City of Folly Beach close to the date, since times have shifted from year to year.
New Year's Eve at Aquarium Aglow (family)
The South Carolina Aquarium holds a family New Year's Eve at Aquarium Aglow on Dec. 31. Timed entry runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and guests can stay until 9 p.m. The aquarium lists holiday lights, roaming entertainers, face painters, a DJ, a Scuba Claus dive, and a countdown with a pufferfish ball drop, all before bedtime.
New Year's Eve tickets are listed at $39.95 for adults and $34.95 for children. Early bird pricing does not apply to that night, tickets are non-refundable, and the price rises by $3 if you buy on the event date.
Harbor cruises from Aquarium Wharf
SpiritLine runs two New Year's Eve cruises from Aquarium Wharf, 360 Concord St. The dinner cruise boards at 6:30 p.m. and sails 7 to 10 p.m., with live music and one glass of prosecco or sparkling cider; listed prices are $136.60 per person or $348.20 for a private table for two. The Sail-ebration party cruise boards at 9:30 p.m. and sails 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a DJ and a cash bar, listed at $104.35.
Note the cancellation cutoff: the dinner cruise listing says no cancellations after 5 p.m. on Dec. 28.
Dinner at Circa 1886
Circa 1886, in the carriage house at Wentworth Mansion on Wentworth Street, lists a New Year's Eve dinner on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The menu is marked coming soon, and times and price were not posted as of October, so call 843.853.7828 or book through the restaurant.
Want a bar crawl instead? Our guide to bars in Charleston covers rooftops and late spots, most of which book or fill early on Dec. 31.
Where Can You See Fireworks on New Year's Eve in Charleston?
Folly Beach is the confirmed public fireworks show for 2026, listed for 7 p.m. on Center Street and the beach. A New Year's Eve fireworks display is also announced for the last night of the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island.
The Holiday Festival of Lights runs nightly through Dec. 31 from 5:30 to 10 p.m., and Charleston County Parks has announced a New Year's Eve fireworks display that night. The fireworks time was not posted at research time. Both are outside the peninsula, so plan how you will get there and back. Our Holiday Festival of Lights guide covers tickets.
A SpiritLine harbor cruise is another way to be on the water on Dec. 31. The 2026 listings do not promise a fireworks view, so do not book one for that reason alone.
Does It Snow on New Year's Eve in Charleston?
No measurable snow has been recorded on Dec. 31 at Charleston's airport weather station, in National Weather Service records going back to 1937 (1996 to 1999 snowfall data are missing). The station's average Dec. 31 high is about 63°F and the low about 41°F. These are historical figures, not a forecast.
Dec. 31 at Charleston (airport station) |
Value |
Average high (1937 to 2025) |
About 63°F |
Average low (1937 to 2025) |
About 41°F |
Record high |
78°F (1984, 1996, 2021) |
Record low |
20°F (2000) |
Measurable snow on Dec. 31 |
None on record (1996 to 1999 data missing) |
Source: National Weather Service Charleston climatology for Dec. 31. Midnight on the beach or the water can feel colder, so check the forecast and bring a warm layer. For more, read does it snow in Charleston.
What Is Open on New Year's Day in Charleston?
Fort Sumter is closed on New Year's Day. On Folly Beach, the Bill Murray Polar Plunge starts at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1 beside the Tides Hotel, with a costume contest for fans dressed as Bill Murray characters.
The National Park Service lists Fort Sumter as closed on New Year's Day, so plan the ferry for Jan. 2 or later. Many restaurants and shops change hours on the holiday, so check before you head out.
How Do You Get Around Charleston on New Year's Eve?
Stay on the peninsula if your plans are downtown, and plan your transportation for anything off it. Charleston Wonderland, the aquarium, and the cruise dock are downtown. Folly Beach and the Festival of Lights are not.
Plan your ride home before you go out, and agree on a meeting spot in case the pickup takes a while. If you would rather skip the car entirely, see getting around without a car.
Where Should You Stay for New Year's Eve in Charleston, South Carolina?
Pick a base that keeps you close to your midnight plan. For Charleston Wonderland, the aquarium, or a harbor cruise, a downtown stay means a short ride home instead of a long one.
The Iris Charleston is an apartment hotel at 84 Line Street in Cannonborough-Elliottborough, one block from King Street. Festival Hall, the aquarium, and Aquarium Wharf are a short ride away. Folly Beach is outside downtown, so a Folly night means planning transportation both ways.
Suites have full kitchens and select suites have an in-suite washer and dryer, which helps if you are staying through the holidays. On-site parking uses car carousels with size limits, and you can reserve a parking spot before the holiday. Browse suites at The Iris or call 843.329.2040 about New Year's dates.
Coming earlier in the month? See Charleston in December and Christmas in Charleston.
New Year's Eve in Charleston FAQs
New Year's Eve in Charleston, South Carolina centers on Charleston Wonderland at Festival Hall, the Folly Beach fireworks and midnight Flip Flop Drop, an early family celebration at Aquarium Aglow, and SpiritLine harbor cruises. For 2026, Dec. 31 falls on a Thursday.
Charleston Wonderland is an all-inclusive New Year's Eve party at Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. In 2026 it runs from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. for guests 21 and up. Tickets include the bar, light bites, live music, DJs, and a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast.
Yes. Folly Beach holds a New Year's Eve fireworks show on Center Street, listed for 7 p.m. in 2026, followed by the Flip Flop Drop at midnight. A fireworks display is also announced for the final night of the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island.
It is rare. The National Weather Service's Charleston airport records since 1937 show no measurable snow on Dec. 31, with some years missing. The station's average Dec. 31 high is about 63°F and the low about 41°F. Check the forecast before you go.
Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium holds a family New Year's Eve on Dec. 31, with timed entry from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and a DJ, face painters, and a pufferfish ball drop before bedtime. The Folly Beach fireworks are listed for 7 p.m. in 2026.