Located in South Carolina’s Lowcountry on Port Royal Island, Beaufort is a harbor city sprawling with natural beauty and rich history. Miles of waterfront, marshes and marina combined with pleasant weather make Beaufort a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With the entire downtown area designated as a Historic District and its beautifully preserved antebellum-era architecture, South Carolina’s second-oldest city is popular with history lovers.
Even with all its other attractions, Beaufort shines uniquely bright during the holiday season. From festivals and tours to parades and races, Beaufort’s holiday season offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, exciting group activities, or a fun date option, Beaufort has you covered. Are you planning a trip to Beaufort during the holidays? Check out Vaden of Beaufort’s list of the best holiday events in Beaufort.
LowCountry Habitat Turkey Trot 5K
For the more athletic, the LowCountry Habitat Turkey Trot 5K Race held on Thanksgiving morning is the perfect way to work up an appetite for dinner. Benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the run traverses downtown Beaufort and across the renowned Woods Bridge. The race welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and experiences and is family, stroller, and pet friendly, making it the perfect activity to entertain the family while getting active. The registration fees are $40.
Location: The race starts and finishes at the Best Western at Freedom Mall at 1006 Bay St.
Date & Time: On Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, the race starts at 7:00 a.m.
Beaufort Home For The Holidays
Now entering its 21 st year, the Beaufort Homes for the Holidays annual event offers a pleasant walking tour through seven of Beaufort’s most remarkable homes, expertly decorated for the holiday season. Showcased homes range from the antebellum era to newer constructions combining the modern with the vintage, all decorated by artists and interior designers.
This is a promising event for your resident interior designer or history buff since the tour offers an opportunity to gain some inspiration and savor the historic ambiance of the centuries-old city. Plus, proceeds from the tour benefit Saint Peter’s Catholic School. Remember that the tickets are $45 if purchased in advance and $50 if bought on the tour day.
Location: The tour starts at the box office at 1800 Prince St.
Date & Time: On Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish…Freedom: A Sea Island Holiday Celebration
Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish…. Freedom is an entirely on-stage musical production depicting a historical account of December 1860, the last Christmas before the breakout of the Civil War. It is presented by The Gullah Kinfolk Traveling Theater and has quickly become a holiday favorite among the Sea Islands. Beaufort is honored to host the traveling show this year, giving attendees a bit of culture with their holiday celebrations.
Location: USCB Center for the Arts, at 805 Carteret St.
Date & Time: On Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
Beaufort Holiday Weekend
Held from Dec. 2 through to Dec. 4, 2022, this annual three-day holiday-themed event, hosted by the City of Beaufort, is well-loved by locals and visitors alike. With a variety of activities and events, the Beaufort Holiday Weekend is a great activity for families, especially those with small children. Included in the weekend festivities are:
A Night On The Town
The starting event, A Night on the Town, features plenty of family-friendly activities like visiting Santa for the kids, live performances from local groups, extended shopping hours, and food and drink vendors. A highlight of the night is the annual lighting of the official tree of the City of Beaufort.
Location: Bay St. in Historic Downtown Beaufort.
Date & Time: On Dec. 2, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lighted Boat Parade
On the second day of the weekend, the Lighted Boat Parade showcases locals and their boats decorated in holiday lights and other decorations, traveling along the Beaufort River. Parade-goers enjoy the stunning lights against the dim natural beauty of the riverfront. Some of the boaters even don holiday-inspired costumes.
Location: The parade starts at the Port Royal Landing Marina and ends at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Bay St.
Date & Time: On Dec. 3, 2022, at 5:30 p.m.
Christmas Parade
The Beaufort Holiday Weekend ends with a Christmas Parade with holiday-inspired and lighted floats, cars, bands, and walking groups continuing the tradition of placing trinkets and candy in the hands of parade-goers along the route. Led by Santa, the parade travels through the streets of downtown Beaufort, where parade-goers also get to bask in the city’s history.
Location: The route travels through historic downtown Beaufort from Adventure St. & Boundary St. to Carteret St. & Bay St.
Date & Time: On Dec. 4, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.
Olde-Fashioned Holiday Market
The 8th annual Olde-Fashioned Holiday Market hosted by Olde Beaufort Farmers Market allows visitors to get their holiday shopping done while supporting the community. The holiday market showcases some of Beaufort’s local talents, with over 100 vendors offering unique, handmade, and homemade items, from food and gift baskets to souvenirs and trinkets.
Location: 300 Courthouse Square.
Date & Time: On Dec. 17, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Drenched in history, small-town charm, and southern hospitality, Beaufort, South Carolina, offers a holiday experience like no other. We hope you find this list of Beaufort’s best holiday events helpful. Did we miss one of your favorite activities? If so, contact us and we’ll be sure to update our list.
Planning a holiday visit to Beaufort and need a vehicle to get around the city? Vaden of Beaufort is here to help. Serving the Beaufort and the Sea Islands, Vaden has a large inventory of new cars and certified pre-owned Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles, financing options, and car specials to meet your budget. We also work with you to trade in your vehicle and provide service and maintenance. Visit or contact us online to experience the Vaden Way — exceptional customer service always provided with “Trust, Honesty, and Truth.”
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