Christmas is coming, and dozens of holiday events are scheduled in Beaufort County
There’s a chill in the air, lights on houses, and trees ready to fill homes with the smell of pine.
Christmas and Hanukkah are coming, and dozens of events in Beaufort County will help holiday revelers celebrate. Santa will be making appearances, and some of your favorite parades (on land and water) are returning after a pandemic hiatus.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa, bundle up in your tacky sweater, and mark your calendars.
Bonus: For kiddos wanting to write a letter to Santa but not sure where to send it, every fire station in Beaufort County has a mailbox accepting letters through Dec. 20 for the big man in red.
Are we missing any holiday events in Beaufort County through December and early January? Email newsroom@islandpacket.com, and we’ll update this story.
Beaufort
Tuesday, Nov. 30: The Chabad Greater Hilton Head will light a menorah at 4:15 p.m. at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Music and light refreshments will be served after the celebration.
Friday, Dec. 3: The annual First Friday-themed Night on the Town is from 6 to 9 p.m. Downtown streets will be closed, shops and restaurants will be open, and festivities, including the Marine Corps Ensemble, will lead up to the Christmas tree lighting at 8 p.m. near the marina parking lot.
The musical “Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish, Freedom Comin’” will be at 7 p.m. at USCB’s Center for the Arts. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
Saturday, Dec. 4: The Beaufort History Museum will hold a re-enactment at the Arsenal commemorating the 150th anniversary of the New York Highlanders’ entry into Beaufort from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, A Christmas Taste of Gullah will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, featuring authentic Gullah cuisine and live holiday entertainment. The event is free and will include a rice cook-off.
The Light Up the Night Holiday Boat Parade is on tap for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 5: City of Beaufort’s Christmas parade begins at 3 p.m. and goes through historic downtown.
Saturday, Dec. 11: The Parris Island Marine Band will perform at 1:30 p.m. in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Attendance is free. Blankets and chairs are recommended.
Through Monday, Dec. 13: USCB’s abstract art exhibit “Visual Conversations: Our Voices” is on display at the USCB Center for the Arts, featuring the work of 31 Southern artists.
Bluffton
Friday, Nov. 26: The inaugural lighting of the barrel tree (made from 41 oak barrels with 1,000+ lights) will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Burnt Church Distillery. The event will feature live music; a portion of food and drink proceeds will benefit the Vantage Point Foundation.
Friday, Dec. 3: The town’s Christmas tree lighting will be at 5:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park, followed by Santa’s workshop and a showing of “Elf” at 6:30 p.m.
Lowcountry Made’s Sips & Stocking Stuffers Pop-Up Market will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Bluffton Aesthetics on Plantation Park Drive. The event is also a fundraiser for Bluffton Self Help and Toys for Tots. Attendees who bring a non-perishable food or toy donation will be offered free beer or wine.
Saturday, Dec. 4: Town of Bluffton’s annual Christmas parade begins at 10 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5: The Society of Bluffton Artists will host a two-day Holiday Blitz, a pop-up porch shopping event featuring local artist’ work, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 11: Lowcountry Made’s Christmas Bluffton Artisan Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Martin Family Park in Old Town with local vendors and entertainment from DJ One Love.
Sunday, Dec. 12: Lowcountry Made’s Christmas Bluffton Artisan Market from noon to 4 p.m. at Burnt Church Distillery.
Friday, Dec. 17: Kids are welcome to begin Christmas break with Beaufort Police Department’s “Chill with a Cop” event at 6 p.m. in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. There will be a showing of the “Goonies” movie, with a raffle beforehand for kids ages 5-17. Free hot chocolate, apple cider and popcorn will be available, as well as food for sale from onsite vendors.
Hilton Head Island
Friday, Nov. 26 through Dec. 24 (weekends only): Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Shelter Cove Towne Centre. Check the center’s website for exact times for each day.
Friday, Nov. 26: Multiple events are scheduled throughout the day for Black Friday at Coligny, including a performance by Jevon Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Santa flying over in a helicopter at 12:30 p.m., and other live music and photo opportunities with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 27: Santa will be at the Village at Wexford for photos from 2 to 4 p.m. along the Gingerbread Trail, where kids can visit shops and collect treats.
Saturday, Dec. 4: Gullah Market at Lowcountry Celebration Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music. Tickets are $10.
From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors can drive through the free Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park’s Holiday Nights & Lights display.
Sunday, Dec. 5: The Chabad Greater Hilton Head will light a menorah at the Shelter Cove Towne Centre at 5 p.m. There will be snacks, including latkes and donuts, and live music following.
From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors can drive through the free Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park’s Holiday Nights & Lights drive-through light display.
Monday, Dec. 6: From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors can drive through the free Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park’s Holiday Nights & Lights drive-through light display.
Sunday, Dec. 12: The 25th Annual Christmas Motorcycle Toy Run will benefit Deep Well as motorcycles and “hot rods” caravan from Bluffton to Deep Well on the island with toys to donate. Registration is $20 a bike and starts at noon at Okatie Ale House, with departure scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 20: Light the Night Deep Well Fundraiser returns for its second year in Sea Pines from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 1 Beaver Lane. There will be a light display at the home, along with Christmas music, hot cocoa and an appearance by Santa. Food and monetary donations will be accepted on behalf of Deep Well. For additional information, contact mclarke@scyachtclub.com.
Saturday, Jan. 8: The first CELEBRATE MLK! concert beginning at 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church Hall, organized by the Hilton Head MLK Committee for Justice. Tickets are $20.
Port Royal
Wednesday, Dec. 1: Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 10: The three-day Music from the Manager holiday event benefiting the Child Abuse Prevention Association begins. It’ll be from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, then noon to 5 p.m. Monday. The event will have food and art vendors, along with entertainment. Purchase tickets ($30) and view a full schedule online.
Saturday, Dec. 11: Christmas Golf Cart Parade, with decorated and lighted carts, starts at 6 p.m.
