It is officially that time of year again. The weather has turned cold on us, and Winter is soon approaching. As we bask in the afterglow of Thanksgiving, it’s time to find some outdoor holiday family fun. There is so much going on in every Carolina town that gives ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy the season. Here’s a list of attractions across North and Carolina to keep the family engaged this holiday season.

  1. The Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina is a popular destination for seasonal fun for all ages. They offer the Holiday fun run, Charleston city Christmas parade, Marion Square holiday craft fair, the Holy City tree lighting ceremony, and the Hanukkah Festival featuring the lighting of the Menorah ceremony. Click the image below for a quick link to Charleston’s park and recreation site for more information.
12 wonder-filled holiday events for seasonal fun in the Carolinas. From the ski slopes on the North Carolina mountains to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, there are many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy holidays in the South.

2. The Charleston County Parks and Recreation hosts the beloved Holiday Festival of Lights is a Charleston favorite seasonal event that last throughout December.Drive through the one-way loop with other onlookers in the James Island park. Find it lit up with festive holiday decor, stop and warm up by the fire to roast marshmallows while listening to music and laughter. Visit with Santa for a photo and stop by the holiday gift shop before leaving. You can drive through more than once if you want also. Visit 5:30 until 10pm.

3. Meet Santa underwater and stroll the glittering halls of Charleston’s South Carolina Aquarium. Situated downtown on the Wando river, this is easily one of the cities most loved attractions. Walk outside onto the second-floor veranda to find a spectacular view of the Authur Ravenel double-diamond bridge. The SC Aquarium is located at 100 Aquarium Wharf Charleston, SC 29401 and is showing the seasonal Aquarium Aglow from 5:30 to 9pm. Find more information at scaquarium.org

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4. Frannie’s Winter Courtyard at Frannie and the Fox, one of Charleston’s most loved upscale restaurants on the downtown peninsula. Dine al fresco at the historic location at 181 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401

5. Lancaster County Parks and Recreation bring family festivities with a Reindeer 5k Run as part of their Christmas in the City Festival. Set your day full of Lancaster Lights and Holiday Sights with Holiday vendors, kid’s crafts at the Spring House, ice rink, downtown restaurants, and Christmas parade. Event is December 6th, and December12th and 13th in Lancaster, SC.

6. Choose and cut Christmas trees at Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Click on the photo for the link to a family adventure you and yours will enjoy all season long. Click the photo below for the website link.

7. High in the peaks of the Appalachian Mountain range lies two small ski resort towns known for their snowy slopes and big seasonal fun. I’m talking about Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. Beech Mountain has museums, spas, shopping, and wineries along with a beloved ski resort.

Sugar Fest runs December 12-14, 2025 providing a weekend of Winter fun at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. They offer a Hot Chocolate & Whipped Cream bar, Soup Safari, and a Barbecue & Sweet Tea lunch Saturday and Sunday 11am until 7pm. Fantastic Lodging specials offer quality rooms up to 30% off. Find information on the Sugar Ski & Country Club 1-800-634-1320. Resort Real Estate & Rental info at 828-898-9746. Https://skisugar.com

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8. Holidays on the Water in Wilmington, North Carolina. Come back to the coast for these fun festivals and flotillas. The Carolina Beach, Wilmington area has small town charm and offers many family-friendly holiday events such as Holidays on the Water. Winterfest Craft Show and Flotilla offer a day filled with artisan crafts, shopping, and a lighted boat parade, taking place in Southport, NC. Light Up the Night Parade is hosted by Southport Fire Department and features floats, bands, beauty queens, and decorated golf carts of fun for all. The Wilmington Boat Parade is a unique coastal event where decorated vessels parade down the Intracoastal Waterway bringing festive cheer to the town. These cities also host tree lighting ceremonies, decorated downtown sights, and other events. Click on the photo for a link to the North Carolina event website for more information on what to do in the area. This area also offers great seafood restaurants.

The coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina has a quaint charm about it.

9. South Carolina’s capital city Columbia offers a holiday event calendar with festive holiday events for all age groups including the tree lighting. Visit experiencecolumbiasc.com for more information and to see the full calendar. Click the photo for the cities holiday events.

10. Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo is an animal lover’s destination of choice during the holiday season. 60 large nature-inspired lanterns illuminate the zoo grounds along with festive decor and more. The year-around zoo and attached Gardens are located just off the I-26 interstate at 500 Wildlife Parkway Columbia, SC 29210. You can all for more information also: 803-779-8717.

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11. Myrtle Beach, SC is a year-around destination for sun, blue skies, great golf courses, family entertainment, shopping, seafood restaurants, hotels on the boardwalk and do much more. My family has been going as long as I can remember for vacation time. The city really comes alive during the holidays with many offerings for all ages. Nearby Brookgreen Gardens hosts their annual Night of a Thousand Lights evening exhibition with over a thousand hand-lit candles and twinkling lights throughout the park. The many statues and glowing gardens are illuminated under the stars in spectacular fashion. Gates are open from 4pm until 9 pm. Visit the Brookgreen Gatdens website for tickets and more at Https://Brookgreen.org

Night of a Thousand Lights

12. Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, SC offer many holiday events and unique opportunities for family fun. There’s the Dickens Christmas Show and Festival: A Victorian Wonderland at the Myrtle Beach convention center with holiday shops, food, music, and more. Winter Wonderland, a magical event featuring dazzling lights, live entertainment, the Great Christmas Light Show drive through event in North Myrtle Beach ends in Santa’s village. The holiday show at Pirate’s Voyage is a musical event with dinner and family fun for children and the young at heart alike. The cities host holiday parades and more events as well. There’s plenty to do in these cities on the Atlantic beach.