Have you ever spent the holidays with sand beneath your toes,  on your plate or enjoying the sounds of gospel spirituals? There’s simply no place like Charleston for the holidays! Scroll on to discover eight reasons why we love spending Christmas in Charleston, then share your favorite holiday tradition in the comments below.

1. Charleston’s historic homes deck the halls with historically accurate seasonal décor dating back to the 1800s.

2. Sandmen and sandy toes trump snowmen and a frostbitten nose.

3. Piazzas are adorned in beautiful seasonal décor.

4. Two million lights shimmer brightly during the Annual Holiday Festival of Lights, a three-mile driving tour accompanied by a holiday scavenger hunt and magical surprises along the way.

5. Mild temps allow for enjoyable holiday walking tours downtown, during which you’ll spot tastefully decorated Antebellum mansions and wrought-iron gates.

6. A fully operational replica of the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train comes to life every year for a grand holiday display at Charleston Place Hotel.

7. An ode to the destination’s ideal coastal locale, a parade of festive boats sails through Charleston Harbor every year.

8. Decorated hotel lobbies, hot toddies and cozy fires await when you check into Charleston for the holidays.

Make this holiday season memorable and spend Christmas in Charleston.