Holiday Light Tours: Best Festive Displays Near Isle of Palms

November 20, 2025

The holiday season has arrived, and the Lowcountry is aglow with magic! ✨ Imagine twinkling lights reflecting off palm trees, cozy evenings by the fire, and family memories made by the sea. When you stay with Deserving Vacations on the Isle of Palms, you’re just minutes away from some of the most breathtaking holiday light displays in the Charleston area.

Here’s your guide to the most dazzling spots to see holiday lights this season — all within an easy drive of your coastal retreat.
 

Charleston’s most iconic holiday tradition, the Holiday Festival of Lights, is a can’t-miss event! Drive through a wonderland of over 2 million sparkling lights and giant animated displays. Explore themed areas like Santa’s Village and Winter Wonderland, perfect for kids (and the young at heart). ✨ Holiday Festival of Lights is Charleston’s most iconic holiday event—and for good reason! This drive-through light extravaganza features over 2 million lights, giant animated displays, and themed areas like Santa’s Village and Winter Wonderland.

Don’t miss:

• A 50-foot holiday sand sculpture

• The Enchanted Walking Trail

• Carousel and train rides

• S’mores kits and hot cocoa stands 🍫

📍 Approx. 35 minutes from Isle of Palms — a full evening of festive fun that’s well worth the trip!

🏙️ Downtown Charleston Holiday Lights

When December rolls around, Historic Charleston transforms into a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. Stroll cobblestone streets framed by twinkling garlands and glowing window displays.

Best places to explore:

• Marion Square – home to Charleston’s giant Christmas tree

• Broad Street – classic southern charm wrapped in lights

• Waterfront Park – see the Pineapple Fountain sparkle under the stars

🧤 Bundle up, grab a hot cider, and enjoy a romantic evening walk or family photo ops galore

🎶 Lights of Magnolia — Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

For a unique, artful experience, visit Magnolia Plantation’s Lights of Magnolia — a breathtaking fusion of botanical beauty and brilliant lantern art. This walking light show features handcrafted lanterns created by artisans from China, illuminating the gardens in a stunning display.

Highlights include:

• Giant illuminated peacocks, dragons, and water lilies

• A glowing live oak alley

• Food trucks and live holiday music

📍 About 40 minutes from Isle of Palms — perfect for families, photographers, and anyone who loves a little sparkle with their Southern charm.

🚗 Light Up the Lowcountry — Neighborhood Tours

Want to stay closer to your Isle of Palms rental? No problem! Many nearby neighborhoods go all out with holiday decorations. Pack some cocoa and turn up the Christmas playlist for a DIY light tour!

🎄 Mount Pleasant’s Old Village – historic homes trimmed with classic charm
🏘️ Seaside Farms – a family-friendly favorite with festive cul-de-sacs
🎅 Park West – expect inflatable Santas and dancing reindeer galore!

Pro tip: Bring snacks and holiday tunes and let the kids vote for “Best Decorated House.”

🕯️ Bonus: Candlelight Tours at Boone Hall Plantation

Step into history with a Candlelight Holiday Tour at Boone Hall Plantation. The mansion glows with 18th-century holiday décor, and the gardens shimmer under candlelight.

It’s a sophisticated, slower-paced evening — perfect for couples or anyone who enjoys timeless Lowcountry elegance.

🌊 Celebrate the Season with Deserving Vacations

After a night of lights and laughter, there’s nothing like coming “home” to your Deserving Vacations rental on the Isle of Palms. Many of our homes feature:

🔥 Fireplaces or outdoor fire pits
☕ Ocean-view decks perfect for sipping cocoa
🍪 Spacious kitchens for baking holiday treats
🎬 Cozy living rooms for classic Christmas movies

Create new traditions, capture glowing memories, and experience the holidays Lowcountry-style — all from your luxurious Deserving Vacations home.

👉 Ready to book your holiday getaway?
Browse our Isle of Palms vacation rentals and plan your festive escape today!