Three Christmas markets run in the Charleston area in 2026: CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston (December 4-6 and December 11-13, in Awendaw), the Gilmore Shows Charleston Holiday Market (November 20-22, in North Charleston), and the Holy City Holiday Market (December 19-20, at Firefly Distillery in North Charleston). The Holiday Festival of Lights, Historic Charleston Foundation candlelight tours, and Aquarium Aglow round out the December calendar.
Charleston's holiday season runs from mid-November through New Year's Eve, with markets, light displays, candlelight tours, and seasonal performances spread across the metro area. All three Christmas markets are held outside the downtown peninsula and require a car or rideshare. The Historic Charleston Foundation candlelight tours and Aquarium Aglow are more centrally located.
The table below lists confirmed 2026 events and dates. All dates refer to 2026 unless stated otherwise.
Event |
2026 Dates |
Location |
Admission |
CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston |
Dec 4-6 & Dec 11-13 |
Awendaw, SC (shuttle from parking lot at 4461 N Hwy 17) |
Ticketed; on sale early-to-mid November 2026 |
Gilmore Shows Holiday Market |
Nov 20-22 |
5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418 |
$10 adults / $1 children (6-12) / free under 6; free parking |
Holy City Holiday Market |
Dec 17 (Moonlight Makers Market); Dec 19-20 (main event) |
4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405 |
Free |
Holiday Festival of Lights |
Nov 13-Dec 31, nightly 5:30-10 PM |
871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412 |
Per vehicle; prices at ccprc.com |
Nathaniel Russell House Candlelight Tour |
Nov 20-21; tours depart 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 PM |
51 Meeting Street, downtown Charleston |
$45 per person; advance purchase recommended |
Aiken-Rhett House Candlelight Tour |
Dec 4-5; tours depart 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 PM |
48 Elizabeth Street, downtown Charleston |
$45 per person; advance purchase recommended |
Aquarium Aglow |
Selected evenings, Nov 20-Dec 31, 5:30-9 PM (NYE: 5:30-9:30 PM) |
SC Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29403 |
Ticketed; select date and entry time at scaquarium.org |
All dates confirmed from official event and venue sources. Check each event site for current ticket availability before you travel.
What Is CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston?
CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston is a two-weekend German-style Christmas market held annually in Awendaw, South Carolina. The event is ticketed, timed, and draws a regional audience well beyond the Charleston peninsula.
Confirmed 2026: Two weekends: December 4-6 and December 11-13. Day Markts run 1 PM to 5 PM, open to all ages. Night Markts run 6 PM to 10 PM; minimum age is 15. Each ticket is for a timed four-hour session.
The event is not held in downtown Charleston. Check-in and parking are at 4461 North Highway 17 in Awendaw, approximately 30 minutes by car from the downtown peninsula, depending on traffic. Guests park at the lot and board a shuttle to the venue. There is no parking at the venue itself. Allow extra time in each direction.
Tickets are expected to go on sale in early-to-mid November 2026. Previous events have sold out before the event date; purchase as soon as tickets become available. Visit christkindlmarktchs.com [E-3 -- activate link after client approval] to check the on-sale date and book tickets.
What Is the Gilmore Shows Charleston Holiday Market?
The Gilmore Shows Charleston Holiday Market is an indoor holiday shopping event at the North Charleston Coliseum Convention Center. It runs across three days in late November, before the main December holiday season.
Confirmed 2026: November 20 (Friday) through November 22 (Sunday). Friday 10 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM. Location: 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418.
Admission: Adults (age 13 and up) pay $10. Children ages 6 to 12 pay $1. Children under 6 enter free. A free return pass covers all three days of the event. Free parking is available. Vendor offerings include specialty gifts, holiday decor, clothing, jewelry, and food and wine sampling. Santa is available for photos during published hours, which may change.
For the exhibitor list and current Santa hours, visit gilmoreshows.com [E-4 -- activate link after client approval].
What Is the Holy City Holiday Market?
The Holy City Holiday Market is a free, outdoor maker and artisan market in North Charleston. The 12th annual event in 2026 features more than 200 small business vendors, live music, and food trucks.
Confirmed 2026: Moonlight Makers Market: Thursday, December 17 at Starlight Motor Inn, 3245 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston. Main event: Saturday, December 19 (11 AM to 5 PM) and Sunday, December 20 (11 AM to 3 PM) at Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405. Admission to all public events is free. December 18 is a private event.
For the vendor list and full event schedule, visit holycityholidaymarket.com [E-5 -- activate link after client approval].
What Other Holiday Events Are in Charleston in December 2026?
Holiday Festival of Lights
The Holiday Festival of Lights is a major seasonal light display at James Island County Park, featuring more than 750 illuminated displays. The festival runs every night from November 13 through December 31, 2026, from 5:30 to 10 PM.
Attractions include the Festival Express holiday train ride, a giant sand sculpture, marshmallow roasting, Santa visits, and festive gift shops. Admission is charged per vehicle, with standard advance prices starting at $15. Gate prices are higher.
Ticket prices vary by date and crowd level. Purchase in advance at ccprc.com/holiday-festival-of-lights/tickets. James Island County Park is at 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412, a short drive from the downtown peninsula.
Historic Charleston Foundation Candlelight Tours
The Historic Charleston Foundation runs ticketed evening candlelight tours at two historic house museums in 2026. Both properties are in the downtown Historic District.
Nathaniel Russell House: Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21, 2026. Tours depart at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00 PM; each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. 51 Meeting Street, downtown Charleston. $45 per person; advance purchase recommended.
Aiken-Rhett House: Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5, 2026. Tours depart at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, and 7:00 PM; each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. 48 Elizabeth Street, downtown Charleston. $45 per person; advance purchase recommended.
Book in advance at historiccharleston.org. Both house museums are in the downtown Historic District and within walking distance for guests staying on or near the peninsula.
Aquarium Aglow at the South Carolina Aquarium
Aquarium Aglow runs on selected evenings from November 20 through December 31 at the South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29403. Regular event nights run from 5:30 to 9 PM; the New Year's Eve event runs 5:30 to 9:30 PM. Tickets are required, and guests must select a specific event date and entry time when booking.
The event features holiday lights throughout the aquarium exhibits and seasonal food and drink options. Check available dates and book tickets at scaquarium.org/aquarium-aglow [E-6 -- activate link after client confirms aquarium linking policy].
When Should I Book a Stay in Charleston for the Holidays?
Holiday-season accommodation in Charleston books out early. CHRISTkindlmarkt tickets go on sale in early-to-mid November and have sold out before event weekends in previous years. Candlelight tour seats at the Historic Charleston Foundation properties are capped, so advance booking is recommended.
All three Christmas markets require a car or rideshare from downtown. CHRISTkindlmarkt is in Awendaw, approximately 30 minutes by car (traffic-dependent). The Gilmore Shows market and Holy City Holiday Market are both in North Charleston, approximately 15 to 20 minutes by car (traffic-dependent). The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park also requires transportation from the peninsula. Both Historic Charleston Foundation candlelight tour venues are in the downtown Historic District.
Guests staying at 257 Rutledge in the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood, near the Historic District, have a central base for downtown holiday events. The five apartments and the standalone three-bedroom home each include a full kitchen, in-unit laundry, and a separate living area, making longer holiday stays practical for families and groups. All guests have access to the shared heated saltwater guest pool.
Book direct at 257rutledge.com/accommodations for current availability over the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions
CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston is a well-known Christmas market in the area, running across two weekends in December (December 4-6 and December 11-13, 2026). The event uses a traditional German market format and operates in Awendaw, approximately 30 minutes from downtown by car. Day Markts (1 PM to 5 PM) are open to all ages. Night Markts (6 PM to 10 PM) require guests to be at least 15 years old. Tickets are expected to go on sale in early-to-mid November 2026; check christkindlmarktchs.com for the confirmed on-sale date.
The Holy City Holiday Market, held December 19-20, 2026, at Firefly Distillery (4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston), is free and open to the public. The event features more than 200 vendors, live music, and food trucks. The Moonlight Makers Market on December 17 at Starlight Motor Inn is also a free public event.
The Holiday Festival of Lights is at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412. In 2026, it runs every night from November 13 through December 31, from 5:30 to 10 PM. Admission is per vehicle; advance tickets are available at ccprc.com and cost less than gate prices.
None of the major 2026 Christmas markets are within walking distance of the downtown Historic District. CHRISTkindlmarkt is in Awendaw, approximately 30 minutes by car. The Gilmore Shows market and Holy City Holiday Market are both in North Charleston, approximately 15 to 20 minutes by car. Travel times are traffic-dependent. The Historic Charleston Foundation candlelight tours at the Nathaniel Russell House and Aiken-Rhett House are in the downtown Historic District.
Tickets for CHRISTkindlmarkt Charleston 2026 are expected to go on sale in early-to-mid November 2026. The event runs on two weekends: December 4-6 and December 11-13. Timed sessions at previous events have sold out before the event date. Check christkindlmarktchs.com for the confirmed on-sale date and ticket details.