The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is one of the Lowcountry's beloved holiday traditions. You drive a route through hundreds of light displays, then park and enjoy a few festive extras. This guide covers the dates and hours, how tickets work, what to see, and a few tips for your visit.
Please note: dates, hours, and prices can change each year. The 2026 details below are to help you plan, but confirm the current information on the official Charleston County Parks page before you go.
What Is the Holiday Festival of Lights?
The festival is a drive-through holiday light show at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, run by Charleston County Parks and Recreation. You follow a three-mile route past more than 750 illuminated displays from the comfort of your car, then park and explore the festival's additional attractions. It is a family-friendly outing and a longtime Charleston-area holiday tradition.
When Is It? Dates and Hours
In 2026, the Holiday Festival of Lights runs nightly from November 13 through December 31, open from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. each night, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. The festival runs rain or shine. Because hours and dates can change, confirm them on the official Charleston County Parks page before you drive out.
Tickets and Admission
Admission is charged per vehicle, not per person, and the price varies by day. Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the gate, and each ticket provides one vehicle entry for the booked date during festival hours. The 2026 prices were not yet posted when this guide was written, so check the official Charleston County Parks ticketing page for current rates and buy in advance to save time at the entrance.
What to See and Do
The main event is the three-mile drive past the light displays, and visitors can also park and explore the walk-around areas and additional attractions. There are a holiday train ride, visits with Santa on scheduled dates, a giant sand sculpture, a carousel, marshmallow roasting, gift shops, and other seasonal attractions. The mix of lights, rides, food, and seasonal activities makes it a family-friendly evening outing.
Other Ways to Experience It
If you would rather not drive, third-party guided tours are also available. Old Town Trolley Tours offers a 2026 Festival of Lights tour with round-trip transportation from the Charleston Visitor Center. There is also a Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run and Walk on November 11 and 12, before the festival opens to the general public on November 13. Check Charleston County Parks for registration details.
Tips for Visiting
Buy your ticket online ahead of time and visit on your booked date during festival hours. For a potentially lighter visit, check the official Green, Yellow, and Red night calendar, which is based on historical traffic and crowd levels. Dress in layers for a cool December evening, and bring a little cash or a card if you want snacks or activities in the walk-around area, since there is no ATM on site.
Where to Stay
Because the festival is on James Island rather than downtown, visitors staying in Charleston can drive over for the evening. The Iris Charleston is an apartment hotel at 84 Line Street, one block off King Street, with apartment-style suites and fully equipped kitchens. It can provide a downtown base for visitors who want to stay in Charleston and drive to the festival. See the Charleston apartment-style suites or the The Iris Charleston hotel guide for details.
Holiday Festival of Lights FAQs
At James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, which is on James Island, a drive from downtown.
In 2026 it runs nightly from November 13 through December 31, from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. Confirm current dates on the official Charleston County Parks page.
Admission is charged per vehicle and varies by day. Charleston County Parks says 2026 tickets will go on sale soon, so check the official ticketing page for current rates. Buying in advance saves time at the gate.
It is a beloved Lowcountry holiday tradition, with a three-mile light display plus a train ride, Santa on scheduled dates, and other seasonal attractions, which makes it a popular family-friendly holiday outing.
The main three-mile route is drive-through only, and pedestrians are not permitted on the driving route. Visitors can park in designated areas and explore the festival's separate walking areas and attractions on foot.