The holiday season is always brimming with fun, family-oriented activities… so much so that it may be hard to tie them all together into a cohesive fun-filled day everyone can enjoy. What better way to kick off the season than to hop in the car and take a Christmas road trip through South Carolina? From Christmas shopping to a festival of lights that USA Today named among the best holiday light shows in America, this Christmas-themed road trip promises to kick off your holiday season with flair. Christmas in South Carolina has never been so fun.

Plan to carve out an entire day to visit all of the spots on the map. If you have less time, you can always modify the interactive Google Maps (link below) to fit your schedule.
Google Maps [enhanced]
This trip should fill an entire day with Christmasy activities. The drive time is 4.5 hours and the trip is around 250 miles. Here's a link to the Google Maps to get you started.
1. When seeking things to do at Christmas in South Carolina, a visit to downtown Greenville and the outdoor rink at Ice On Main is a must.
Facebook/Visit Greenville SC
Located in front of the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Greenville, Ice on Main is a perfect way to kick off your holiday season. Ice on Main opens in mid-November through the middle of January.
50 W Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
Google Local/GABRIEL CRAFT
Get ready for some wholesome family fun as you twirl around the rink — on real ice. Skate during the late afternoon or evening and enjoy the festive holiday lights as they twinkle around the rink. Hours of operation and costs can be found on the official Visit Greenville website, and you can follow the Facebook page for special Ice on Main events. After a fun hour or two of skating, you're sure to have worked up an appetite, so let's get moving!
2. We're headed east and this is a great opportunity to stop to refuel.
212 Hillcrest Dr, Laurens, SC 29360, USA
Facebook/Whiteford's Giant Burger
Whiteford's Giant Burger is an iconic restaurant in Laurens, SC. They've been around since 1957. Have a giant burger and a shake and move on down the highway. Come experience why this is one of the best burgers in SC.
3. Take a ride on the Santa train at the South Carolina Railroad Museum (requires advance ticket purchase).
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum

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110 Industrial Park Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180, USA
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum
The first three Saturdays in December, the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro is offering five rides per day with Santa. Board the Santa Express for a 60-minute ride with St. Nick, plus a special treat and Christmas stories. You'll need to purchase tickets in advance to guarantee a seat. Get more info about this delightful Christmas train ride in South Carolina on the official website.
4. Swing through the Capital City to see the state's official Christmas tree.
1100 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
Flickr/Jason A G
If you've never been to a tree-lighting ceremony in South Carolina, this one's a great introduction to the tradition. You'll be driving by during the daylight hours if you'd like, so you'll see all the grandeur of the tree's size and beauty.
5. Make a quick stop at Santa's Closet in Columbia.
1404 Charleston Hwy, West Columbia, SC 29169, USA
Facebook/Santa's Closet
Bring a list and utilize this opportunity to pick up some new indoor and outdoor holiday decorations for the home. Make it quick... there are more places to see and things to do on this pilgrimage to see the lights. This is a seasonal Christmas shop in IL, so be sure to visit while it's still here!
6. Head east toward the Atlantic and make one more shopping stop at a place where you could find a gift for everyone on your list.
975 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407, USA
Facebook/Wonder Works
While you're in shopping mode, stop by Wonder Works in Charleston, where you're guaranteed to feel like a kid again. You'll find items for everyone from toddlers to grandparents in this wonderland of gadgets, gizmos, and perfect gift items. And then, hit the road to see the lights in the largest drive-through lights display in South Carolina.
7. Now, head back to your car and get ready for the grand finale.
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights at James Island County Park features more than 700 displays and over two million lights. If you only drive-thru Christmas lights display in South Carolina this year, then make it this one. But this festival is more than a drive-through lights display!
871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
Facebook/Holiday Festival of Lights
After you've seen the lights, be sure to park the car and enjoy Santa's Sweet Shoppe and browse the holiday gift shop. Then take a ride on the Victorian carousel! Seriously, you're in for an amazing time.

How do you usually kick off the holiday season and what are your favorite things to do at Christmas in South Carolina? Any plans for a Christmas road trip? Let us know!

Can’t get enough of Christmas this year? Here are the best Christmas towns in South Carolina.

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More to Explore

Christmas Lights Road Trip In South Carolina

Robin Jarvis | November 02, 2019

What city has the best Christmas lights in South Carolina?

What city has the best Christmas lights in South Carolina? It's a tough call, but the City of Charleston pulls out all of the stops each year with the largest drive-through lights display in South Carolina, plus added walk-through activities to extend the fun after driving through the more than two-mile loop of light displays. For more information, see the article above.

What is the one best light display in South Carolina?

Another one of the best light displays in South Carolina, the Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia, features more than 400 displays visitors drive through, and even more displays on a walk-through lighted trail and other fun activities for the entire family.

But for the absolute BEST light display during the holidays, you'll want to score many sought-after tickets for the Nights of a Thousand Candles event at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. Marvel at the twinkling lights throughout the gardens, sip hot chocolate, witness the nightly tree lighting ceremony, and more while enjoying Brookgreen's special holiday event.

What else can I do around the holidays in South Carolina?

For more things to do around the holidays in South Carolina, head to Rock Hill, where the Old Town transforms each year into ChristmasVille with events galore and a multi-day visit from Santa. There are so many things to see and do in ChristmasVille everyone is sure to have a wonderful time!

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