FUN HOLIDAY EVENTS FOR ALL!
It’s December and this is my favorite month out of the year because there are so many special occasions and events. My family specifically has so many birthdays during this month! I’m also super excited to do all the fun things with my family! This Christmas is extra special because I will have my 8 month old with me! I know that for a lot of people budgeting is super important in the month of December because it is the season of giving! So, I’ve gathered up a list of local events and happenings that are FREE to all and especially family friendly. I want to take advantage of these as we are also saving up spending money for our 1 week anniversary trip in January. The January trip has three parts a stay in Florida Resorts, then a cruise aboard the Grand Celebration. After that we also have a stay at a resort on the Grand Bahamas! I love December and the holiday season, but we do tend to spend a little more in the Winter months, so these events are perfect for families on a budget!
So this holiday season we’re trying to go to local events that are free yet still fun for the family. Although, we do have memberships to some places such as The SC Aquarium where every Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm you can go for free with membership to see Santa’s workshop and elves! That is what my family is doing this coming Sunday! That is free with the SC Aquarium Membership otherwise you’ll have to pay the ticket price! Check it out if you’re interested.
But if y’all are looking for free admission events locally here in Charleston for the family, this is for you! The kids will love this and have so much fun, it’s a great way to spend time with family and not completely blow all the Christmas money! Here is a list of 10 events that I have found that are free and are local around the Charleston area to go to with your family and friends.
TOP 10 FREE FAMILY EVENTS IN CHARLESTON
1. MOUNT PLEASANT CHRISTMAS PARADE
December 9th at 5:30 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show, followed by the start of the parade at Mill St. traveling south and ending at the intersection of W. Coleman Blvd. and Patriots Point Rd. This is a fun event for all and is great because you are definitely allowed to bring strollers because it’s on the streets and the roads will be closed! Bring your hats and mittens for this fun event that happens every year!
2. HOLIDAY MARKET AT MARION SQUARE
December Saturdays & Sundays in December 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Come look around at all the local artisans and craftsman to buy unique Christmas presents for your family and friends and stop by local food vendors and devour some delicious food!
3. HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARLESTON:
is a non-alcoholic, family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in Marion Square. This free event includes a variety of programs: comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children’s activities and more. This event takes place on Monday, December 31 starting at 4pm!
4. SANTA AT THE MARKET PAVILION HOTEL
Santa will make appearances at the Market Pavilion Hotel on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 from 12pm – 4pm. Photographers will be on hand to take complimentary digital photos of your children with Jolly Old Saint Nick. Please bring an unwrapped toy ( for ages 12 and under). These donations (collected until Dec. 16) will go to The Salvation Army.
5. 37TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE OF BOATS
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. Saturday, December 8 5:00 pm at the Charleston Harbor. View anywhere on the harbor!
6. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWN CENTER CARRIAGE RIDES
Mt. Pleasant Town Center is giving complimentary carriage rides around while you’re shopping, bring the kids and family for this free ride no charge! It’ll be fun and exciting for the kids to see the lights on at night there as well!
7. CITY OF CHARLESTON HOLIDAY PARADE
The City of Charleston and the Charleston Fire Department will host the 2018 City of Charleston Holiday Parade! The Parade will begin promptly at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The parade will begin on Broad Street at Rutledge Avenue, travel North on King Street, and end on Calhoun Street at Meeting Street.
8.VISIT WITH SANTA
Thursday, December 20 – For ages 6 and under, make sure to bring your camera to take a photo with Santa! There will b Christmas music, games, crafts, refreshments, and a jump castle! G.M. Darby Building, 302 Pitt St., Mount Pleasant!
9. SANTA VISITS PARK WEST
Tuesday, December 18 – Children ages 6 and under and their families will enjoy Christmas music, games, crafts, face painting, a jump castle and, of course, a visit with Santa himself. Bring your cameras to get that special photo with Santa. Park West Program Building, 1251 Park West Blvd., Mount Pleasant
10. SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN – BELLE HALL SHOPPING CENTER
Bring the family out to shop get some selfies with Santa.
Join Belle Hall Shopping Center on Saturday December 8 from 11 AM to 2 PM! The holidays are a time to celebrate so come and meet Santa at Belle Hall! Bring the entire family and make this holiday season one to remember while you’re shopping make sure to snap a few pictures with Santa or grab some candy canes!
Isn’t it great that there are so many options when it comes to the spending time with your family during the holidays? Make sure your out of town-er guests get to experience Charleston, SC for all that it has to offer. A lot of these events are mostly in Mount Pleasant but you can definitely find more online or on different sites. These here are free at no charge to you, and super fun for all family members including the babies! There are other local events that cost a bit of money but if it’ worth it to you and you’d like to know more information on these events you can check out this site https://www.christmasincharleston.com/events/ or https://www.tompsc.com/DocumentCenter/View/27960/2018-Holiday-Brochure. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday, let me know if there are any other free events by commenting below and tell me where you plan on going! Enjoy!
