8 Beaufort and Hilton Head area Christmas events starting soon. Here are dates, what to know
With December kicking off in earnest this weekend, the holiday festivities will soon be in full swing.
If you’re looking for any Christmas-related activities in the area, you’re in luck. This year, there are many holiday events to partake in locally.
To start getting your family and friends into the holiday spirit, here are eight holiday activities and events happening in Beaufort County this weekend.
Hardeeville’s Merry on Main event will take place this week on Friday and Saturday, featuring several highlights. Hardeeville’s annual Christmas tree lighting will take place Friday at 5:30 p.m. at 205 Main Street behind City Hall, where attendees will experience the tree lighting, Christmas carols, story time, free cookies and hot cocoa and a visit from Santa. The free and open-to-the-public event will then continue on Saturday for the Christmas Parade and Merry On Main. Beginning at 3 p.m., attendees can enjoy the annual Christmas parade. After the parade, the Merry on Main holiday event will take place behind City Hall until 6 p.m. and will include activities such as an iceless skating rink, snow play, inflatables, pictures with Santa as well as a holiday market with local vendors offering seasonal treats and crafts.
The Town of Hilton Head Island’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for this Friday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Lowcountry Celebration Park on the south of the island across from Coligny Plaza. The park will be with be decorated with twinkling lights as Hilton Head’s official 30-foot-tall Christmas tree is lit up and attendees enjoy cookies, coffee, cocoa and a laser light show with music from local bands throughout the evening holiday event. Santa will arrive at the event at 5:45 p.m. and the lighting will occur at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and a trolley service from the parking area at the University of South Carolina- Beaufort will run throughout the event.
Bluffton’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at Martin Family Park. The event kicks off Bluffton’s holiday season each year and will be followed by Santa’s Workshop at DuBois Park’s Pavilion, with the movie, “Elf” playing at 6:30 p.m. in Martin Family Park. Guests should bring blankets and chairs for their comfort.
Bluffton’s 52nd annual Christmas parade is set to take place Saturday at 10 a.m. in Old Town Bluffton, the area’s historic district.
The City of Beaufort’s 37th annual “Night on the Town” Celebration is scheduled for Friday in Downtown Beaufort from 6-9 p.m. to kick off the holiday season in Beaufort. Santa photos begin outside the Beaufort Candy Shoppe at 6 p.m., “The Night Before Christmas” reading by Acting Mayor Mike McFee will be at the concert stage at 8 p.m. and the tree lighting will take place at 8:30 p.m. at the waterfront park. NOTE: Streets will close at 4:30 p.m. (Bay Street, West and Scott Streets from Bay to Port Republic, and Port Republic from Charles to Scott Street.)
The Christmas Boat Parade in Beaufort, sponsored by the America’s Boating Club of Beaufort, will take place on Saturday at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park at 5:30 p.m. as viewers gather along the river to the festively decorated boats.
A Gullah Taste of Christmas & Rice Cook-Off is scheduled for Saturday in Beaufort at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park along the river. The event will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will feature vendors, performers and a Gullah Rice Cook-Off that gathers Gullah-Geechee chefs, restaurateurs and home cooks from the Gullah Geechee Corridor.
The City of Beaufort’s Christmas parade will take place on Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. for viewers. The parade itself typically concludes around 5 p.m., according to event organizers. The parade route will continue from Adventure to Boundary to Carteret to Bay Street where the parade will disband at its original starting point. Santa will be making an appearance sitting atop a Beaufort-Port Royal fire truck. In addition, The city will offer free parking at the Marina parking lot through New Year’s Day.
