Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston

Event Details

Presented by the City of Charleston, Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston offers family-oriented activities and performances that capture the spirit of the season for everyone in the community.

Marion Square, located at King, Calhoun and Meeting Streets, is the site of Charleston’s official Holiday Tree and holiday entertainment stage. For the month of December, the park will be beautifully lighted and decorated for the holidays, including the 60-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, a Chanukah Menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinara. Each of these cultural symbols will be lighted at the appropriate times during the holiday season. Highlights of the Holiday Magic program include:

Holiday Market
Marion Square - Saturdays & Sundays
You’ll find everything you need to deck the halls for the holidays and fill the pantry with baked goodies, all from local farmers and artisans, including natural wreaths, fresh greenery, special breads, cookies and fresh vegetables, as well as the best assortment of art, crafts and holiday gift items.

Tree Lighting
Marion Square
Join the cast of holiday characters, including of course, Santa Claus himself in lighting the magnificent 60-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas tree in Marion Square.

Holiday Parade
Colonial Lake to Marion Square
This holiday tradition is better than ever as bands, floats, marchers and performers parade through downtown Charleston.

Parade of Boats
Charleston Harbor
Get on board with a Lowcountry holiday tradition as this display of lighted and festive boats proceeds through the Charleston Harbor. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront or decorate your own boat and join the parade.

Chanukah in the Square
Marion Square
A festive party for everyone, featuring music, dancing, lighting of the nine-foot Menorah by Charleston’s Holocaust survivors, crafts and many treats, including latkes and other traditional Chanukah foods. Presented in partnership with the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of the Lowcountry.

Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting
Marion Square
Charleston marks the first night of Kwanzaa with a special ceremony lighting the first candle of the Kwanzaa Kinara in a celebration for the entire community. Participants will enjoy the music and movement of drummers and dancers alongside readings and remarks from Lowcountry Kwanzaa leaders.

Happy New Year, Charleston!
December 31— Marion Square and surrounding locations
This high-energy arts celebration offers a non-alcoholic event full of family fun to mark the New Year in Charleston.


For full details, visit charlestonarts.org or call (843) 724-7305. Free parking vouchers, valid in many downtown garages, are provided as a gift to citizens from the City of Charleston. The parking voucher is available online at charlestonarts.org.