Charleston Itineraries

Holidays In The Holy City

Experience Charleston During The Holidays

Holidays In The Holy City

Check Into Charleston

Stay in a historic property that has been decking the halls since the 19th-century, book a room in a modern pad defining new Christmas traditions or escape from the holiday hustle and bustle in an oceanside retreat. No matter your Christmas wish, you'll find a home for the holidays here in Charleston.

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Holiday Headquarters

Perhaps the best time of year to check into Charleston Place Hotel is during the holidays. In the lobby you'll be greeted with twinkling Christmas trees and grand wreaths. Shoppers can enjoy on-site shopping for checking off Christmas shopping lists and coffee and cuisine options to fuel for holiday festivities around town. Charleston Place Hotel is your holiday headquarters.

Traditional With All The Trimmings

A stay at the circa 1853 Mills House offers guests an opportunity to experience Christmas as it was in the 19th-century. Cozy up in the lobby with a cup of warm coffee and enjoy live jazz music surrounded by Christmas trees. Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner on the property in the Barbadoes Room and enjoy an evening carriage ride arranged by your concierge for a chance to see how the neighboring historic homes along the scenic Battery deck the halls for the holiday.

Luxe Winter Hideaway

The Spectator, a chic 41-room boutique hotel is a favorite spot to cozy up during the holidays. The twenties-era styled property offers a glam library-style cocktail bar, personalized butlers and elegant design details at every turn. A popular gathering space during cocktail hour, The Spectator Hotel is an enviable hot spot to see and be seen this holiday season or to tuck away in a book-lined lounge. Either way, you're sure to experience a sophisticated holiday getaway in this art deco destination.

Seaside Sanctuary

With temperate weather year-round, Charleston is more known for a sandy Christmas than a snowy one. Build a sand snowman, roast s'mores and sip hot cocoa under the stars and spend your Christmas dinner surrounded by wraparound views of the ocean. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island is ideal for those looking to get away from it all this holiday season.

Holidays In The Holy City

Savor Seasonal Flavors

Find your merry merry in a creative cocktail and delight in delicious holiday dishes. Charleston's culinary scene pulls out all the stops for the holidays serving up sips and bites that you won't want to miss.

Speakeasy Sips

Head over to the Cocktail Club, a speakeasy-style bar housed in a 19th-century building for a cup of cheer. We recommend the Johnny Dagger, a bourbon, curacao and walnut liqueur concoction best enjoyed by the spot's cozy fireplaces.

Pumpkin Spice Spirits

Situated in the lobby of the Charleston Place hotel, the Thoroughbred Club boasts a festive holiday menu and offers live entertainment every night of the week. The pumpkin spice carajillo is the perfect after-dinner beverage to toast to the season.

Sweet Finish

Head to Circa 1886, one of Charleston's favorite fine dining restaurants, for a memorable last course. Order the Pumpkin Soufflé with Sorghum Anglaise and Chai Ice Cream for a holiday treat that won't disappoint. By the last bite, you're sure to have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head.

Holidays In The Holy City

Attend Holiday Happenings

Immerse yourself in Charleston's holiday spirit by attending the many gatherings around town this time of year.

Dazzling Light Displays

The Festival of Lights is a favorite Lowcountry tradition during the holidays. Turn up your favorite holiday tunes and drive past more than 700 shimmering light displays then park and stroll through Santa's Village and Winter Wonderland, where you'll find hot chocolate and freshly baked sweets!

Sounds of the Season

Head to the festively decorated Circular Congregational Church for a candlelight performance of "The Holiday Edition” of The Sound of Charleston, where you’ll enjoy gospel spirituals, jazz and holiday classics. INSIDER TIP: Stick around for the holiday treats post-show!

Carols, Candlelight & Gullah Christmas Stories

Tour the festively decorated, historic Edmondston-Alston House by candlelight while enjoying the sounds of the Charleston Caroling Company. Then, warm up in the courtyard with a glass of hot cider while listening to Gullah Christmas stories by local storyteller Fouché Sheppard!

Holidays In The Holy City

Tour And Explore

Peer behind the doors of private residences, marvel at heirloom decorations and learn about the history behind Charleston's most treasured holiday traditions with a tour.

Discover Antebellum Adornments

You'd be hard-pressed to find a private residence that takes their holiday decor as seriously as the Joseph Manigault House and the result is stunning. The antebellum house is adorned with magnificent live decorations from plant materials that are historically accurate to what would have been available in the early 1800s.

Trees With All The Trimmings

Pay a visit to the Aiken-Rhett House, to enjoy a dazzling display of Victorian Christmas decorations featuring trees with all of the trimmings and learn about the rise of this popular decorative tradition we still take part in today.

Holiday Walking Tour

Lace up your walking shoes and grab your favorite holiday scarf, you're embarking on a guided tour to see the historic districts' most beautifully adorned homes and landmarks with Charleston Strolls. You'll learn the stories behind each decorative tradition and of course enjoy many photo opportunities only available to those invited behind these private gates.

Historic Holiday Hosting

A visit to the Nathaniel Russell House during the holidays is truly a festive affair. The 19th-century Federal-style home is dressed to the nines in period decor with magnificent entertaining displays including a grand table setting laden with sweets, exotic fruits and china.

Holidays In The Holy City

Give The Gift of Charleston

Make this year's Christmas gift something they'll remember by gifting treats and treasures found only in Charleston.

A Personal Touch

HART's custom charm necklaces are the perfect personalized gift. Choose from a variety of unique charms to make this token of love one-of-a-kind.

Revive Your Ritual

Daysie is our go-to not so simple syrup for coffee, cocktails, mocktails & more. Your search for the ideal stocking stuffer is over.

A Piece of History

Widely considered the finest examples of Georgian Palladian architecture in North America, Drayton Hall is one of the Lowcountry’s greatest architectural treasures! Bring a piece of history home with this Drayton Hall puzzle.

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