Best Things to Do in Charleston in Winter
Enjoy the best things to do in Charleston, SC, in the winter with this fun, family friendly line-up!
With suggestions from across the Charleston area, you’ll be sure to find plenty to do to fill those cooler months here in the Holy City.
I’m a Charleston native and have explored every inch of my hometown over the last few decades.
From oyster roasts to bug-free hikes, winter activities are a blast in Charleston. In fact, it’s one of the best times to visit this area!
Below, you’ll find insider-only tips on how to plan the best winter Charleston vacation as well as my favorite things to see and do from December to March each year.
A boat sails near Vendue Range in the Charleston Harbor
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Why Is Winter a Good Time to Visit Charleston SC?
Charleston sees the most visitors in the summer, so why would I advocate for you to visit during the winter?
There are several great reasons why visiting in the cooler off-season is the way to go.
1) The weather
The best reason for visiting Charleston in the winter is the weather.
We have mild winters here in coastal South Carolina, so temperatures average around 60 degrees during that time of the year.
Compare that to the blazing hot summers when temperatures can top 100 degrees with 100% humidity. As someone who spent 6 years lifeguarding in Charleston, let me tell you that it is miserable on days like that.
So, those mild winters are welcomed!
That being said, the winter weather in Charleston can be a bit cantankerous, so you might have a couple of days in the mid-70s followed by a day in the 40s.
Still, there’s very little chance of snow or ice! I’ve only ever seen it snow twice in all of my years living in Charleston, and it only stuck around for more than a few years in the freak snow storm of 2018.
Not a person in sight at Rainbow Row in downtown Charleston in mid-January
If you’re visiting during the winter, you’ll want to pay close attention to the weather in the days leading up to your visit.
I have decorated the Christmas tree wearing shorts and a t-shirt before, but that’s not always the case.
You’re usually safe with long pants, a lightweight jacket, and a selection of short and long sleeved tops.
2) No hurricanes
Winters also mean that there’s no chance of your visit being derailed by a hurricane, as hurricane season runs from June 1-November 1 each year.
There’s nothing worse than planning a beach trip only to have it cancelled due to a mandatory evacuation.
While we don’t get a hurricane warning or evacuation call each summer, there’s always that chance when visiting during the summer and early fall.
Avoid that problem completely with a cold weather visit!
3) No bugs
Another great reason to visit in the winter: no bugs!
From roughly April to October, Charleston ranges from warm to surface-of-the-sun hot, and the bugs revel in that.
When the temperatures consistently dip below 70 degrees, we have a wonderful reprieve from the mosquitos, gnats, and other little biters.
This means you can get outside and actually enjoy yourself. Places that are downright miserable during the summer—like the Seewee Shell Ring Trail (below in hiking section)—become wonderful spots to spend an afternoon.
4) Fewer visitors
My final reason to vote for a winter visit in Charleston is that tourism is way down during the holidays, so you can actually grab a spot on a walking tour or shop in the City Market without 100 other people bumping into you.
Hotel rates are also cheaper in January and early February. They will go up around the time of SEWE, but more on that below.
Best Things to Do in Charleston in Winter
James Island County Park Holiday Festival of Lights
The old Cooper River Bridge and Morris Island Lighthouse display at the James Island County Park Festival of Lights
Takes place: Thanksgiving-New Year’s
We will kick things off with a Charleston holiday staple, which takes place every year from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
This fun holiday attraction involves driving around James Island County Park to see well over a hundred intricate lighted displays. The displays use over 2 million individual bulbs!
Ask for a kids scavenger hunt at the toll booth for an easy way to keep your kids engaging throughout the ride.
Over the years, this Christmas tradition has grown from simply a drive-through event to one that includes 3 large parking lots, a Santa meet and greet, souvenir shopping, a hot cocoa stand, carousel, caroling, and a tiny kids’ train.
I will note that as Charleston has grown tremendously over the last 15 years, so has attendance at this event.
The line of cars waiting to get into the Festival of Lights on a holiday weekend is legendary and can easily stretch to an hour or more before you get to the entrance gates.
Avoid Thanksgiving weekend, the week of Christmas, and any Friday or Saturday. If you have to go on these days, plan to be in line around 5 PM or so to ensure you’re one of the first cars in.
That will give you a fighting chance to get a spot in the parking lots, which are often completely full by 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The best time to go is mid-week in mid-December. Schools are still in session, and many families won’t bother bringing their kids for a late evening excursion. All of the events inside of the Festival of Lights run every night, so you’re not missing anything but the traffic by going on a weekday.
This is a pricey evening—$40 for the 2023 event—but that gets up to 8 people in one car into the event.
If you’ve got a Charleston County Parks pass, you get in free.
Christmas Parades
Takes place: December weekends
These are always so much fun, and they’re the perfect way to feel like a local!
Plus, they’re free, making this an excellent addition to any Charleston winter visit.
The 2 best Christmas parades in Charleston in my opinion are the downtown parade and the Mount Pleasant parade.
Charleston Christmas Parade
The Charleston Christmas Parade is held during the day (typically mid-afternoon) during the first weekend in December.
It’s a great way to see the Charleston peninsula get into the holiday spirit as floats, local bands, and businesses make their way along Rutledge, Meeting, and Calhoun Streets in the heart of downtown.
Since the parade route covers a large portion of downtown, you’ll have plenty of options to sit or stand.
There’s a tree lighting in Marion Square at the end of the parade for extra festivities!
Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade
Across the Ravenel Bridge, you’ll find the Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade, which usually kicks off around sunset on the second weekend of December.
PIN ME!
Locals will line the streets near Shem Creek to grab a good spot, many of them setting up at day break the day of.
The parade route runs along Coleman Boulevard from Moultrie Middle School across Shem Creek and ends at the intersection of Coleman and Patriots Point Boulevard at the base of the Ravenel Bridge.
You’ll see well over a hundred floats, a dozen local high school marching bands, schools, and dance troupes.
What started in the early 1980s as a small hometown parade has turned into a 3 hour extravaganza, ending with Santa riding a Mount Pleasant fire truck.
Parking can be a challenge since nearly the entire stretch of Coleman Boulevard is cut off for hours for the set up and parade.
For the easiest parking (and the shortest walk to the parade), I’d suggest parking on McGrath Darby Boulevard near the TV station, and walking the block to Coleman Boulevard.
You’ll have a better view of the floats on this end of the parade since fewer people set up on that side of Coleman Boulevard.
If you do want to get into the crowd more, there are lots of people at the nearby Northcutt Plaza shopping center with Chicken Salad Chick and Jersey Mike’s Subs.
Sullivan’s Island Polar Bear Plunge
Takes place: New Year’s Day
While this plunge might not be as intense as one you’ll find in the Midwest or New England, it’s still a lot of fun!
As I noted before, the weather can be highly variable in the winter here, so you won’t know if you’re plunging on a 75 degree day or a 45 degree day until the week of.
The event begins at Dunleavy’s Pub, a staple of this island’s little downtown area. You’ll see people begin to gather around mid-morning on New Year’s Day (usually around 9 AM).
You’ll see little kids, college kids, families, and grandparents, and everyone in between. Many people dress up in costume, but it’s not required.
However, if you have to jump into the old Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day, doing so dressed like a T-rex makes it all the more exciting.
The actual polar bear plunge typically starts around 2 PM with all funds raised going towards South Carolina Special Olympics.
Afterwards, hang around for a delicious burger and fries. Dunleavy’s has been serving up yummy pub grub since 1992!
Hiking
Takes place: anytime!
The younger Camping Kiddo on the Sewee Shell Ring Trail
While Charleston has some beautiful hiking trails to explore, the weather is simply too hot and muggy to enjoy them year round.
Aside from the soaring humidity, which can quickly lead to dehydration, the late spring, summer, and early fall months are filled with bugs everywhere. And they only get worse the further you go into the woods during that time of the year.
From late November to early March, though, is the perfect time to get out and explore the incredible trails around Charleston.
For a hike with history, head into the Francis Marion National Forest to walk the Sewee Shell Ring Trail near Awendaw.
Or, start section hiking the Palmetto Trail with the Awendaw Passage between McClellanville and Awendaw.
I’ve included all of my favorite trails in my comprehensive best hikes near Charleston post, so start planning your favorites for the cooler weather.
Cypress Gardens
Takes place: 7 days a week, 9 AM-5 PM
Explore this beautiful property while learning about cypress swamps and local wildlife.
The highlight of Cypress Gardens is the self-guided boating tour through the swamp, where you’ll see the titular cypress trees and cypress knees, fish, a variety of birds, and even an alligator or two.
Self-guided boat tours are included in the cost of your admission, though you can upgrade to a guided boat tour for $5 during select weekends throughout the year.
One of my favorite parts growing up was the butterfly house and swamparium. Both of these are small, but well done, and are filled with fascinating creatures that kids will love.
While you’re there, you might think that Cypress Gardens looks familiar—and for good reason, as it has been in a bunch of movies and TV shows. Cypress Gardens has been a filming location for The Patriot, Outer Banks, North and South, and The Notebook.
Walking on the beach
Takes place: anytime!
A quiet Feburary evening at Breach Inlet on Isle of Palms
Visiting any one of the Charleston area beaches during the summer can be daunting. Whether you’re going to Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, or Sullivan’s Island, you’re sure to encounter miles of traffic, crowded sand, and difficult to find parking.
But during the winter, all of that goes away, and you’ll have the place to yourself!
An unseasonably warm day in the winter is one of my favorite times to go to the beach.
For those of you from much colder climates, you might even fancy taking a dip in the Atlantic on one of those nicer days.
I’ll stick to my beach walks, but, either way, you’re not going to have much competition for space or parking.
Oyster roasts
Takes place: January and February
‘Tis the season for a bonfire and a bucket of steamed oysters!
One of the staples of the new year is an oyster roast.
While you can get steamed oysters at any number of local restaurants, the real experience is had in a friend’s backyard, as you huddle around a table topped with plywood and piled high with freshly cooked oysters, oyster knife in hand.
If you’re not from the area, but are renting an AirBnB during January or February, you can try to recreate your own Lowcountry oyster roast.
All you’ll need is a bag full of local oysters, an oyster knife and glove, some hot sauce, and an outdoor table.
Crosby’s Seafood on Folly Beach, and Mount Pleasant Seafood near Shem Creek are two of the go-to places to buy raw oysters.
Once you have those in hand, you can steam your oysters to perfection. Eat outside on a chilly night for the most ambiance!
If all of that seems to be too much for a visitor, you can still enjoy an oyster roast locally. The biggest is the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, which is held over 2 days in February at Mount Pleasant’s only working plantation.
Explore the county parks.
The Charleston area doesn’t have state parks other than the Charles Towne State Historic Site.
Instead, we have Charleston County Parks, which offer up excellent hiking, playgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, and camping.
There are 3 in the county:
Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant, SC
James Island County Park in James Island, SC, and
Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston, SC.
Of these 3, James Island County Park is the largest and the only one to offer camping, too.
My son looking at a hawk who’d just caught a snake at Palmetto Islands County Park
Winter is a great time to play in the mud at the county parks!
(It’s also the location of the James Island County Park Festival of Lights mentioned above.)
Palmetto Islands County Park is the smallest, but it still has several miles of trails, paddleboats, a kids’ play area with swings and slides, covered picnic tables, and an observation tower.
If you come back in the summer, make sure to stop off at the water parks at each of these places! Wannamaker County Park has the biggest water park of the 3, but all of them are fun.
Walking tour
Who wants to slog through a 2 hour walking tour of downtown Charleston when it’s 95 degrees outside?
(Not me.)
As part of the Farm to Table walking tour by Charleston Culinary Tours, you get to pick out an ingredient from the Farmers Market, and then a chef creates a unique 5 course meal from those selections!
Take advantage of the cooler weather and the reduced crowds from December to February and book a walking tour of the historic peninsula.
You might luck up and get a tour nearly to yourselves!
All of the major tour companies run their walking tours year round, so you’re not missing out by visiting Charleston during the winter.
I much prefer a historic walking tour of downtown Charleston to one of the bus or carriage tours.
Only by walking the streets can you truly get a feel for the architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming gardens of the city.
Bundle up in the evening to take a spooky tour of Charleston’s back alleys and graveyards with the excellent Bulldog Tours. I’ve been on this exact tour 2 different times for my birthday, and it is always so much fun.
Bulldog Tours and Charleston Culinary Tours both do walking food tours of Charleston which is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to experience some of the best restaurants in the area. This tour is another favorite my family’s, and we’ve done several of them.
It’s such a fun—and delicious—day out in Charleston. The menus change with the seasons, so during the winter, you’ll be treated to dishes with locally grown winter veggies, oysters, and more.
SEWE
The Southeastern Wildlife Expo, held every February, has grown massively since it’s first year in 1983.
Now, Presidents’ Day Weekend brings hordes of visitors in Barbour jackets into the Holy City to watch Dock Dog jumping demonstrations, browse tents filled with nature artwork, and learn about all sorts of animals at live lectures.
(And nothing against Barbour jackets. They are a little too much for Charleston’s mild winters—though they certainly fit the upscale adventurer vibe of SEWE!)
If you’re in town during SEWE, I highly encourage you to grab tickets to at least an event or two.
There are a few events, such as the Birds of Prey demonstrations, that are free and open to the public, no ticket required.
Check the official SEWE website for tickets and additional event information.
It’s family friendly, and the majority of the events are within walking distance of Marion Square in downtown Charleston.
