Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston

Presented by the City of Charleston, Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston offers family-oriented activities and performances that capture the spirit of the season for everyone in the community. 

Marion Square, located at King, Calhoun and Meeting Streets, is the site of Charleston’s official Holiday Tree and holiday entertainment stage. For the month of December, the park will be beautifully lighted and decorated for the holidays, including the 60-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, a Chanukah Menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinara. Each of these cultural symbols will be lighted at the appropriate times during the holiday season. Highlights of the Holiday Magic program include: 

Holiday Market 
December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18—Marion Square 
Saturdays & Sundays, 9am-3pm 
You’ll find everything you need to deck the halls for the holidays and fill the pantry with baked goodies, all from local farmers and artisans, including natural wreaths, fresh greenery, special breads, cookies and fresh vegetables, as well as the best assortment of art, crafts and holiday gift items. 

Parade of Boats 
Saturday, December 10—Charleston Harbor 
5:00pm 
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. 

Chanukah in the Square 
Saturday, December 29—Marion Square 
4:00pm 
A festive party for everyone, featuring music, dancing, lighting of the nine-foot Menorah by Charleston’s Holocaust survivors, crafts and many treats, including latkes and other traditional Chanukah foods. Presented in partnership with the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of the Lowcountry. 

Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting 
Monday, December 26—Marion Square 
5:00pm 

Happy New Year, Charleston! 
December 31— Marion Square and surrounding locations 
4 to 10:30 p.m. 
This high-energy arts celebration offers a non-alcoholic event full of family fun to mark the New Year in Charleston.