10 December holiday events you must attend in Beaufort

10 Must Do Christmas Events in Beaufort

 

As the calendar flips to December, Beaufort has a full slate of holiday activities planned.  Here are 10 of our favorites that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

1.  Annual Night on the Town Celebration, December 7th

This opening of the holiday shopping season takes place on the closed off streets of downtown Beaufort with a big ol’ Christmas street party. Shops will stay open late to welcome regular and new customers with special treats.  The evening features the City of Beaufort’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, entertainment by community organizations, schools, churches, dancers and a rumored visit from Santa.

Learn more about Beaufort’s Holiday Weekend here.

Beaufort’s Night on the Town

2.  The 2018 Festival of Trees, December 4th – 6th

One of Beaufort’s most beloved holiday celebrations, The Festival of Trees to benefit Friends of Caroline Hospice, continues a tradition that started more than 30 years ago.  December 4 – 6, over 60 beautifully and whimsically decorated trees will be on display at Tabby Place in Downtown Beaufort.

The Celebration of Giving Gala, hosted among the trees on December 6, features music, wine, beer and lots of food from some of Beaufort’s best local restaurants.  Do a little holiday shopping at the silent auction while you’re there.

Learn more about Festival of Trees here.

The annual Festival of Trees illuminates downtown with fun December 1st through the 3rd. ESPB photo
The annual Festival of Trees illuminates downtown with fun. ESPB photo

3.  Light Up the Night Christmas Boat Parade, December 8th

Delight in illuminated boats passing by the waterfront seawall as local residents ‘Light Up the Night’ at the annual holiday boat parade along the Beaufort River.  This unique event is one of the many things that make the holidays extra-special here in Beaufort.  Catch a little Lowcountry holiday spirit while sipping hot chocolate and cheering for your favorite boat.

Learn more about Beaufort’s Holiday Weekend here.

The magical Christmas boat parade lights up the Beaufort River on December 3rd. Photo courtesy Phil Heim
The magical holiday boat parade lights up the Beaufort River. Photo courtesy Phil Heim

4.  Port Royal’s Annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade, December 7th

Nothing says Lowcountry like a parade of decorated golf carts.  Join the Town of Port Royal for the 9th Annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade through the Old Village Streets.  The route begins at Helena Place and will take you down Paris Avenue to Live Oak Park where there will be a Chili cook-off, kid zone, & more!

A parade of decorated golf carts hits the streets of Port Royal on December 10th. ESPB photo
A parade of decorated golf carts hits the streets of Port Royal. ESPB photo

5.  Beaufort’s Annual Christmas Parade, December 9th

Bring the whole family and enjoy the traditional Beaufort Christmas Parade through the streets of downtown Beaufort on Sunday December 9th at 3pm. You’ll see floats, marching bands, golf carts, and personal cars and trucks in the parade… all celebrating the holiday season. Keep your eye out for Santa himself with the Beaufort Fire Department.

Learn more about Beaufort’s Holiday Weekend here.

Santa invades downtown in style at the annual Beaufort Christmas Parade on December 3rd. Photo courtesy Eric R. Smith
Santa arrives in style at the annual Beaufort Christmas Parade. Photo courtesy Eric R. Smith

Aunt Pearlie Sue at the 2013 production of Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish Photo by Susan DeLoach

6. Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish, December 7

The full-stage musical, “Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish” has become a local holiday favorite.  Through soul-stirring, foot stopping singing and dancing, the audience is drawn into the excitement of the Yuletide season.  It’s December of 1860, the last Christmas before the Civil War, Reconstruction is soon to come…Masters in the Big House talking about the war coming, Servants in the Quarters talking about freedom coming.  Aunt Pearlie Sue & Gullah Kinfolk bring to life all the history of that long ago holiday season on the Sea Islands of historic Beaufort South Carolina.

Learn more about Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish here.

7.  Parris Island Marine Band Holiday Concert, December 8

Music lovers, make plans to join the Parris Island Marine Band for their Let the Bells Ring! Holiday Concert at Battery Creek High School’s Performing Arts Center on December 8 at 3:30pm.  An annual favorite, the group will again be performing a variety of seasonal favorites in a magical concert that is free for all ages.

Catch the Parris Island Marine Band in the 8th Annual Lowcountry Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 18th at 7pm. Photo courtesy Layla Manning
Catch the Parris Island Marine Band in the 8th Annual Lowcountry Christmas Concert, Photo courtesy Layla Manning

8.  SNOW Day at the 31st Annual Festival of Trees, December 2nd.

This one’s for the kids… The Festival of Trees is hosting a SNOW day on Sunday, December 2nd from 11am – 2pm turning Tabby Place into a winter wonderland of real, fluffy, white snow.  Bring your children downtown for a day of building snowmen, friendly snowball fights, face painting, and more. Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen will also be there  to enjoy talking with the kids and taking photos.  In the Lowcountry, we typically don’t have snow to celebrate the holiday season, so don’t miss this chance.

Learn more about Festival of Trees here.

Bring the kids to play in the snow on Snow Day at the Festival of Trees in downtown on Sunday, December 4th. ESPB photo
Bring the kids to play in the snow on Snow Day at the Festival of Trees. ESPB photo

9.  Wreaths Across America at Beaufort National Cemetery, December 15th

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and over 1400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. Thousands of wreaths will be laid at the Beaufort National Cemetery starting at Noon.

Wreaths Across America will lay thousands of wreaths at the Beaufort National Cemetery starting at 11am on December 17th. Photo courtesy Eric R. Smith
Wreaths Across America will lay thousands of wreaths at the Beaufort National Cemetery.

 

10.  Gingerbread 5K in Port Royal, December 8

Put on your favorite Santa hat, elf outfit, or any other holiday costume for the 2nd Annual Gingerbread 5K in Port Royal on Saturday, December 8.  Run or walk through the beautiful Old Village and down to the Sands.  Then celebrate your accomplishment with s’mores.  For more information click here.

As you can see, there is no shortage of holiday events in Beaufort. For even more… please visit our Event Calendar.  The holidays are indeed a special time, and spending time here in Beaufort helps make wonderful memories for our families and yours.  Happy Holidays!

 

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