This Charming Southern Destination Is One of America’s Favorite Cities—and It’s Even Better During the Holidays

Living just over the state line in North Carolina, I’ve visited Charleston more times than I can count. Most of my memories there are from spring and summer, when the temperature is hot and the azaleas are in bloom. But last December, my family planned a Christmas weekend in Charleston for the first time, and needless to say, it won’t be our last.

The Yuletide season is an amazing time to visit the Holy City—it isn’t too cold, the crowds are smaller, and there are so many activities to enjoy. Here are my favorite things to do during a holiday weekend in Charleston.

Stay in the French Quarter Inn’s Sleigh Bell Suite.

Staying in the French Quarter Inn’s Sleigh Bell Suite is the perfect way for families with small children (or couples simply wanting to get away) to get in the festive spirit. From the moment you walk through the wreath-adorned door, it feels as if you’re entering a Christmas fairy tale. Hand-decorated cookies and an en suite eggnog bar beckon guests to unwind by a fireplace decorated with stockings. And if you want to take some of that holiday charm home, you’re in luck—suite guests receive a complimentary copy of Charleston native Darius Rucker’s “Home for the Holidays” album. Best of all, for every Sleigh Bell Suite reservation, the inn will donate $100 to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Shop at the Marion Square holiday market.

On Saturdays and Sundays in December leading up to Christmas, Marion Square transforms into a holiday market. It’s the ideal place to find handmade stocking stuffers created by local farmers, artisans, and crafters.

Indulge in a festive hotel tea.

At some of the city’s top hotels, you don’t have to spend the night to soak up the festive decor and indulge in seasonal treats. During the Nutcracker Tea at The Charleston Place, you can feast on Christmas-themed delights such as Sugar Plum pâté de fruit and Nutcracker mille-feuille, with the option to add a glass of bubbly. Due to hotel renovations, this year’s Let it Snow event is exclusive to guests, but if the kiddos aren’t quite ready to go home yet, check out the Letters to Santa station. The Loutrel hosts its own Holiday Tea Experience with optional mulled wine or hot toddies, plus other events like a cocktail crawl to help you discover the city.

See “A Christmas Carol” at the historic Dock Street Theatre.

There’s nothing quite like watching Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, “A Christmas Carol,” performed live at the Dock Street Theatre, one of America’s oldest (it dates back to 1736). This lively musical production, an annual tradition in Charleston, features more than 50 performers portraying the story’s well-known cast of characters from Ebenezer Scrooge to Tiny Tim. Performances are likely to sell out, so order tickets (prices start at $63 per person) well in advance.

Eat fried seafood and fresh oysters at Fleet Landing.

When in the Lowcountry, good seafood is a must, and Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar is one of my family’s favorite stops. The waterfront restaurant is housed in a retired naval building and boasts a raw bar. With an ocean view, Christmas decor aplenty, and seasonal cocktails, spending an afternoon at Fleet is the perfect addition to any holiday itinerary.

Try the barbecue.

My husband and I never leave Charleston without dining at one of the many barbecue restaurants in town. Lewis Barbecue in downtown Charleston specializes in Texas-style barbecue and has fun options like green chile cheddar sausage, corn pudding, and nachos. James Beard Award-winning Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ is always on our list, too, along with Home Team BBQ (they have my husband’s favorite on the menu—burnt ends). And with winter’s cooler weather, the holidays are the perfect time to indulge in Swig & Swine BBQ’s hefty family platter, which comes with pulled pork, brisket, turkey, pork belly, sausage, ribs, chicken wings, and your choice of three sides. Can’t make it to Charleston? Lewis Barbecue offers nationwide shipping.

Drive through the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Make the short drive to James Island County Park, just 15 minutes from the heart of Charleston, for the annual Holiday Festival of Lights. Visitors can expect more than 750 light displays along a three-mile drive around the park. Allow plenty of time to park your car and explore the festival grounds, which offer snack stands, lots of shopping opportunities, a miniature train ride, and a carousel. 

If you’re like us, one drive isn’t enough. Thankfully, cars have the option of making multiple passes through the displays. Be sure to purchase tickets (from $15 per vehicle) in advance to minimize wait times at the park.

Dive with elves at the South Carolina Aquarium.

The family-friendly South Carolina Aquarium is home to more than 5,000 animals. Here, visitors can observe American kestrels, barracudas, Goliath groupers, and even rehabbing turtles at the Sea Turtle Care Center. During the holiday season, activities include an interactive dive show with elves, Santa meet and greets, and hand-feeding a “ray-ndeer” (a.k.a. a cownose ray). But the space really shines at night, when the main lights go out during Aquarium Aglow, which features larger-than-life light installations and many photo opportunities with Santa.