Winter in South Carolina is like no other place in the country. We have festivals, beaches, great weather (most of the time) and plenty to do! Here are some fantastic ways to get outside and enjoy the winter season in the Palmetto State. From a colossal New Year’s Eve celebration that easily trumps anything you could find to do at home on that night, to a local festival of lights perfect for entertaining the entire family for the evening, these 11 winter festivals in South Carolina are real charmers. They’re unforgettable!
- Famously Hot New Year - Columbia
Facebook/Famously Hot New Year Ring in the New Year at South Carolina’s largest New Year celebration in historic downtown Columbia. Vendors, artists, clowns, jugglers and live entertainment until well after midnight are on tap for this giant - and free - street party you won’t want to miss! More information.
- ChristmasVille in Rock Hill, SC
Facebook/ChristmasVille in Rock Hill, SC This four day festival in Old Town Rock Hill gets underway on Thursday, December 1 and runs through Sunday December 4, 2016. Fun for the entire family and not just a nighttime event, ChristmasVille has something for everyone to enjoy! More information.
- Lowcountry Oyster Festival - Mount Pleasant
Yelp/Charlie P Now in its 34th year, the Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the highlight of the winter season for local oyster lovers. This year organizers promise more than 80,000 pounds of oysters will be on hand for the shuckin’. Not into oysters? No problem - several restaurants will be on hand dishing up other fare to fill your tummy. Enjoy live entertainment while you enjoy food, fellowship and fun. January 29, 2017 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC. More information.
- Christmas in Hopeland - Aiken
Facebook/Visit Aiken SC Walk through more than two miles of lighted pathways and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights adorning Hopeland Gardens this year. You can also tour the historic home of the Rodgers family and see the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame all decked out for the holidays. This festive event is free and so is the shuttle that carries you to Hopeland. Catch a shuttle ride to the gardens from Citizens Park, located at 1060 Banks Mill Road. More information.
- Holiday Festival of Lights - Charleston
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights The annual Holiday Festival of Lights is nationally-acclaimed as one of the top in the country. It’s easy to see why! You’ll find so much more than just lights at this event. You’ll find the spirit of Christmas. Through January 1, 2017 at James Island County Park, Charleston, SC. More information.
- Winter Bluegrass Jubilee - Pickens
Facebook/Winter Bluegrass Jubilee There’s a star-studded line up of music set for this year’s jubilee in Pickens. See musical groups like the Lonesome River Band and the Hinson Girls. You’ll get to appreciate some up and coming local talent as well! January 21, 2017 in Pickens. More information.
- Charleston Jazz Festival - Charleston
Facebook/Charleston Jazz Festival This three-day music festival is as much about a state of mind as it is music. See some legendary performers in some amazing historic venues, all under the umbrella of the Most Friendly City in the World. January 20 - 22, 2017. Various locations in Charleston. More information.
- Florence Festival of Lights - Florence
Facebook/Florence Festival of Lights Fun for the whole family! The Florence Festival of Lights opens on Friday, December 9th. Drive through a spectacular light display and then park to roast marshmallows and meet Santa.December 9, 10, 16 - 18, 2016 at Hoffmeyer Place 2441 Hoffmeyer Rd, Florence, SC, 29501. More information.
- Beaufort International Film Festival - Beaufort
Facebook/Beaufort International Film Festival The films for this festival haven’t been selected yet, but the dates are set. Make plans to be in Beaufort for this film festival February 15 - 19, 2017. More information.
- Restaurant Week Greenville - Greenville
Facebook/Restaurant Week Greenville What more can you want from a festival than a bevy of delicious food from restaurants right in your hometown? Restaurant Week Greenville always delivers a deliciously good time. January 12 - 22, 2017. Greenville, SC. More information.
- Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival - Hilton Head Island
Facebook/Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival This week-long seafood festival at HHI’s Shelter Cove Park is an enormous event that culminates in a gigantic finale. Head over to Shelter Cove to check this one out this year! More information.
These eleven winter festivals in South Carolina promise to heat up the season in the coming months. Have you attended any of these or do you plan to? We’d love to know in our comments! And as always, if you’d like to add a festival you can feel free to do that in the comments too!
Facebook/Famously Hot New Year
Ring in the New Year at South Carolina’s largest New Year celebration in historic downtown Columbia. Vendors, artists, clowns, jugglers and live entertainment until well after midnight are on tap for this giant - and free - street party you won’t want to miss! More information.
Facebook/ChristmasVille in Rock Hill, SC
This four day festival in Old Town Rock Hill gets underway on Thursday, December 1 and runs through Sunday December 4, 2016. Fun for the entire family and not just a nighttime event, ChristmasVille has something for everyone to enjoy! More information.
Yelp/Charlie P
Now in its 34th year, the Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the highlight of the winter season for local oyster lovers. This year organizers promise more than 80,000 pounds of oysters will be on hand for the shuckin’. Not into oysters? No problem - several restaurants will be on hand dishing up other fare to fill your tummy. Enjoy live entertainment while you enjoy food, fellowship and fun. January 29, 2017 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC. More information.
Facebook/Visit Aiken SC
Walk through more than two miles of lighted pathways and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights adorning Hopeland Gardens this year. You can also tour the historic home of the Rodgers family and see the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame all decked out for the holidays. This festive event is free and so is the shuttle that carries you to Hopeland. Catch a shuttle ride to the gardens from Citizens Park, located at 1060 Banks Mill Road. More information.
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights
The annual Holiday Festival of Lights is nationally-acclaimed as one of the top in the country. It’s easy to see why! You’ll find so much more than just lights at this event. You’ll find the spirit of Christmas. Through January 1, 2017 at James Island County Park, Charleston, SC. More information.
Facebook/Winter Bluegrass Jubilee
There’s a star-studded line up of music set for this year’s jubilee in Pickens. See musical groups like the Lonesome River Band and the Hinson Girls. You’ll get to appreciate some up and coming local talent as well! January 21, 2017 in Pickens. More information.
Facebook/Charleston Jazz Festival
This three-day music festival is as much about a state of mind as it is music. See some legendary performers in some amazing historic venues, all under the umbrella of the Most Friendly City in the World. January 20 - 22, 2017. Various locations in Charleston. More information.
Facebook/Florence Festival of Lights
Fun for the whole family! The Florence Festival of Lights opens on Friday, December 9th. Drive through a spectacular light display and then park to roast marshmallows and meet Santa.December 9, 10, 16 - 18, 2016 at Hoffmeyer Place 2441 Hoffmeyer Rd, Florence, SC, 29501. More information.
Facebook/Beaufort International Film Festival
The films for this festival haven’t been selected yet, but the dates are set. Make plans to be in Beaufort for this film festival February 15 - 19, 2017. More information.
Facebook/Restaurant Week Greenville
What more can you want from a festival than a bevy of delicious food from restaurants right in your hometown? Restaurant Week Greenville always delivers a deliciously good time. January 12 - 22, 2017. Greenville, SC. More information.
Facebook/Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival
This week-long seafood festival at HHI’s Shelter Cove Park is an enormous event that culminates in a gigantic finale. Head over to Shelter Cove to check this one out this year! More information.
Not the fesitval type but you still want to get outside? Here are 9 South Carolina Spots Perfect For Exploring This Winter.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
