Christmas is a magical time of year and there’s no better place to experience the holiday spirit than in Bluffton, South Carolina.
With its charming historic district, quaint shops and beautiful scenery, Bluffton transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Here are some of the exciting Christmas events that you can look forward to in Bluffton in 2024.
SOBA’s Holiday Market
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is thrilled to announce the return of its Holiday Market, a seasonal showcase featuring handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts by local artists. From November 4 through December, the SOBA Art Gallery’s featured artist room will transform into a festive shopping destination for the community. Visitors can explore and purchase a wide array of artfully crafted items perfect for the holiday season, including wreaths, small paintings, holiday décor, and gift-worthy treasures. Each piece is thoughtfully created by talented Bluffton artists, making the Holiday Market an ideal stop for unique and personal holiday shopping.
- This event is running from Nov. 13 until Dec. 27, 2024.
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Sat.
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun.
- Venue: SOBA Gallery
- Website
Merry Meet & Greet at Tanger Outlets
Capture the magic of the season at Tanger! Make your family’s holiday moments truly unforgettable with an enchanting experience with Santa and stunning holiday portraits! Choose from a variety of photo packages, including all-digital photos, ready for sharing. Visit Santa at Tanger 2, next to Lids, every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 30th through Dec. 22nd, as well as Dec. 23rd & 24th.
- This event is running from Nov. 30 until Dec. 24, 2024.
- Venue: Hilton Head Tanger Outlets 1
Christmas at The Oaks
Stop by Eats & Sweets’ Bakery and Cafe’s “Christmas at The Oaks.” Start a new family Christmas tradition! Come out and pick out a real Christmas tree, enjoy carnival games, Christmas crafts, cookie and ornament decorating, and your favorite holiday snacks and drinks.
- This event is running from Nov. 30 until Dec. 15, 2024.
- Venue: The Oaks, 893 Grays Hwy., Ridgeland, SC
- Website
Holiday Concert: Lowcountry Harp Ensemble
Bluffton’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
Bluffton’s Tree Lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., Friday, December 6, at Martin Family Park, followed by Santa’s Workshop at DuBois Park’s Pavilion. The movie “Polar Express” will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park. Please bring blankets and/or chairs. Martin Family Park and DuBois Park are adjacent to each other on Boundary Street in the Historic District. *NEW* This year, train rides will be available at the tree lighting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The miniature train will take passengers around Martin and DuBois Parks. The Town’s Christmas tree lighting, Santa’s workshop and parade are the official kickoff to Bluffton’s holiday season.
- Date: Friday, December 6, 2024, 5:30–8 p.m.
- Venue: Martin Family Park
Bluffton Christmas Parade 2024
The Town of Bluffton hosts the 53rd annual Bluffton Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting.
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, 10 a.m.–noon
- Venue: Old Town Bluffton
ADVENT LESSONS and CAROLS at the Church of the Cross-Bluffton Historic Campus
- Date: Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
- Church of the Cross-Bluffton Historic Campus, 110 Calhoun St.
- (843) 757-2661 or Website
Join the May River Lutheran Church for Christmas for Kids on December 14th, for snacks, activities, singing, and, most importantly, Jesus! Christmas for Kids runs from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade are welcome.
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m. – noon
- Venue: May River Lutheran Church
- Website
Kids’ Christmas Camp
Join Learn Together Lowcountry for Christmas Camp! Enjoy Reading, Crafts, Snacks, Carols, Games, and Stories while making memories with new friends! For only $79 per child, you can’t pass up this opportunity to go Christmas shopping while your kids enjoy the season’s magic. $10 sibling discount automatically applied! Add on the Christmas Cookie Workshop and stay for late pickup on Wednesday.
- Dates: Monday, Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. & Wednesday, Dec. 18 at noon
- Venue: Learn Together Lowcountry, 15 Williams Drive, Okatie, SC
- Website
The Lowcountry Christmas Experience
Experience a night of wonder and joy! Bring the whole family to experience a night at the area’s largest walking trail of lights, free refreshments, live music, a live nativity scene, a petting zoo, and photos with Santa.
- Photos with Santa! Santa is making one final stop at the Lowcountry Christmas Experience before he gets ready to deliver presents to children around the world!
- The Area’s Largest Walking Light Trail. With over a quarter mile of beautiful lights, this display will brighten your hearts and the night sky! Enjoy the walking light trail every night after from 6-10 p.m., Dec. 23-Jan. 1.
- Petting Zoo. With alpacas, llamas, kangaroos, cows, and more, your children won’t be able to get enough of the animals they’ll get to touch and pet!
- Live Christmas Band. Experience the sounds of Christmas with classics we all know and love! Sing along to your favorites with our live Christmas band!
- Letters with Mrs. Claus. It’s not too late to get those last-minute Christmas lists out to Santa!
- Live Nativity. Be reminded of the true Reason for the season in stunning detail with a scene that will take you back in time to Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Featuring camels, donkeys, and live actors.
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 22 from 6-8 p.m.
- Venue: Lowcountry Community Church
- Website
Christmas Eve High Mass at the Church of the Cross-The Chapel
- Dec. 24 at 5 & 7 p.m.
- Venue: Church of the Cross-The Chapel, 491 Buckwalter Pkwy.
- Website
The Church of the Cross-Bluffton Historic Campus’ Christmas Eve High Mass
- Dec. 24 at 5 & 7 p.m.
- Venue: Church of the Cross-Bluffton Historic Campus, 110 Calhoun St., Bluffton
- (843) 757-2661 or Website
Christmas Eve Under the Stars
Come worship under a twinkling canopy of lights and stars on the May River with The New Bluffton Worship and our friends at First Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Live music and singing of carols, Christmas messages and the celebration culminates with the lighting of candles to Silent Night. Free refreshments start at 6:00 pm followed by a Family-Friendly Candlelight Service at 6:30 pm.
- Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
- Venue: Bluffton Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St.
- (843) 940-8309 or Website
Christmas Day Quiet Service at the Church of the Cross-Bluffton Historic Campus
- Dec. 25 at 10 a.m.
- Venue: Church of the Cross-Bluffton Historic Campus, 110 Calhoun St., Bluffton
- (843) 757-2661 or Website
