North Charleston lights its 40-foot tree at Park Circle at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. The Christmas Festival is 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5, with the parade at 3 p.m.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the City of North Charleston’s Christmas activities page and its Parks and Recreation special events page.
North Charleston’s Christmas weekend is at Park Circle, 4800 Park Circle: the tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 4, and the Christmas Festival and Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5. Every event below is free.
Who to call
- City events: North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, 843-740-5854
- Parks and recreation (Cookies and Cocoa, Howlidays): 843-740-5809
- Official page: Christmas activities
The schedule
| Date | Time | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Dec. 4 | 4 to 6 p.m. | Cookies and Cocoa with Santa (pre-registration required) | Park Circle Community Building |
| Friday, Dec. 4 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Christmas tree lighting | Park Circle Community Building |
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | 2 to 6 p.m. | Christmas Festival, parade at 3 p.m. | Park Circle Community Building and grounds |
| Thursday, Dec. 17 | 6 to 7 p.m. | Howlidays in the Park, for dogs and owners | Mixson Dog Park, 4856 Mixson Ave. |
Tree lighting, Friday, Dec. 4
Mayor Reggie Burgess lights the city’s 40-foot Christmas tree from 6 to 7 p.m., with live music by the North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School Chorus. After the lighting, walk around the circle to see the rest of the trees and light displays. Before it, the city’s Cookies and Cocoa event runs 4 to 6 p.m.: photos with Santa, cookies, cocoa and a drop-off for letters to the North Pole. It is free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required; the city says registration opens soon.
Christmas Festival and Parade, Saturday, Dec. 5
The festival runs 2 to 6 p.m. on the Park Circle grounds, with music, children’s activities, food, decorations and visits with Santa. The parade begins at 3 p.m. The green space around the Park Circle traffic circle and the main roads in are lined with lighted snowflakes, Christmas trees and holiday scenes.
The city’s advice:
- Bring your own chairs. No seating is provided.
- Walk, bike or rideshare if you can.
- Festival food vendors are chosen by the festival committee; there is no open application.
Want to be in the parade? Groups and businesses can enter with the city’s Christmas parade entry form (PDF). Entries are taken first come, first served.
The lights around Park Circle
After the tree lighting, the lights around the circle shine until New Year’s Day. Walk or drive the circle at 4800 Park Circle any evening.
Howlidays in the Park, Thursday, Dec. 17
North Charleston Parks and Recreation lights up Mixson Dog Park, 4856 Mixson Ave., from 6 to 7 p.m. for photos with Santa Paws, pet vendors, adoptable pets from Dusty Tails and food trucks. Bring your own phone or camera for the photo.
Toys for Tots
The city’s tree sponsorship program at Park Circle ends this year. Instead, the city asks residents to support Toys for Tots; collection boxes will be at the Park Circle Community Building and other city locations, and the city says it will announce when they are in place.
What this means for you
- Two evenings, one place: Park Circle on Dec. 4 and 5.
- Bring chairs for the parade, and expect busy roads around the circle.
- Register early for Cookies and Cocoa; space is limited.
More: things to do in North Charleston this month and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
When is the North Charleston Christmas parade in 2026?
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. The Christmas Festival runs 2 to 6 p.m. at Park Circle, 4800 Park Circle, and the parade begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free.
When is the North Charleston Christmas tree lighting?
Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Park Circle Community Building. Mayor Reggie Burgess lights the city’s 40-foot tree.
How long are the Park Circle Christmas lights up?
The lights around Park Circle go on after the tree lighting on Dec. 4 and shine until New Year’s Day, the city says. You can walk or drive around the circle.
Where can I see Santa in North Charleston?
At Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Park Circle Community Building (free, pre-registration required), and at the Christmas Festival on Dec. 5.
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