There are plenty of ways to get in the spirit of the holiday season here on Hilton Head Island! Whether it’s Santa or Christmas lights you want to see, you’ll find them and more this year in the Lowcountry, where Christmas parties, parades and lights take over and Santa strolls the oak lined streets spreading holiday cheer.
Harbour Town Lights in The Sea Pines Resort
November 29-January 1
Enjoy the lights! Stroll along the harbour and enjoy the illuminated seasonal figures, with the centerpiece of the display being a towering Christmas tree. Harbour Town is the perfect place to be this holiday season with live entertainment and activities. Make a difference. While you’re enjoying the holiday season, you can help Deep Well make a difference in someone else’s life, too. Bring a canned good or two, or a new unwrapped child’s toy and drop them in the “Well” by the Liberty Oak stage. Sponsors: The Shops in Harbour Town, Hargray, Crazy Crab, PSAV, The Greenery. 149 Lighthouse Rd. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
“Holiday Lights for Tis the Season” at Shelter Cove Towne Centre
November 29-December 31
“Holiday Lights for Tis the Season” at Shelter Cove Towne Centre. Park your car and stroll through the Holiday lights. Enjoy the holiday lights all season long. Enjoy visits from Santa, Fridays and Saturday nights, 5-7 p.m., until December 21. (843) 686-3090 or www.sheltercovetownecentre.com.
Christmas Village in South Beach
November 29-December 22
Christmas Village in South Beach! The fun starts the Friday after Thanksgiving! Experience the magic of the holiday season in the Lowcountry. – Unbeatable lowcountry Christmas lights display – Write letters to Santa – Tasty Holiday Treats and Specials – Pictures with Santa – Families, children and well-behaved, leashed pets are invited to get their picture with Santa! Check back for dates that Santa will be visiting the South Beach Inn for hot cocoa and photos. And yes, you can bring your furry friends for photos with Santa as well. South Beach Marina Village in The Sea Pines Resort, 232 S. Sea Pines Dr. (843) 363-2198 or www.saltydog.com.
Weekends with Santa at the Tanger Outlets
Saturdays and Sundays, November 30 – December 22
Make your list and check it twice because Santa Claus is coming to Tanger Outlets Hilton Head! Children of all ages are invited to meet Santa Claus in our winter wonderland workshop. A photographer will be onsite every weekend to capture these special moments and photo packages will be printed onsite so you can take these precious memories home with you right away! Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 1414 & 1256 Fording Island Rd. (843) 836-5410 or www.tangeroutlet.com/hiltonhead/events/december.
Historic Holidays on Hilton Head Island, a weekend of Sea Island traditions. December 6-9th, 7-9 p.m.. Featuring authentic food, historic church experiences, holiday market, trolley and bike tours, ancestry research and a community tree lighting. www.heritagelib.org.
Annual Town of Bluffton Christmas Parade
December 7
Please join us for the Annual Town of Bluffton Christmas Parade. You can register for the parade by clicking the link below. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Streets will begin closing at 10 a.m. The parade ends at the intersection of Pin Oak Street and 8th Avenue.. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the parade! Call (843) 706-4500 or go to www.townofbluffton.sc.gov.
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra presents “A Visit From St. Nicholas”
December 1
A holiday spectacular with John Morris Russell featuring festive holiday favorites with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Hilton Head Dance Theater, and a brilliant new setting of Clement Moore’s classic poem, A Visit From St. Nicholas. For more information, call the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra at (843) 842-2055 or visit their website, www.hhso.org.
Winter Wonderland Festival at Shelter Cove Community Park
December 6
The Winter Wonderland Festival will be held at Shelter Cove Community Park from 4-7 p.m. The festival provides a safe environment for families to start their Holiday celebrations! Everyone is welcome! There will be carnival games, children’s parade, golden candy cane hunt, and much more. Free admission, but donations are welcome. Concessions, trampoline bungee, and rock wall sold separately. 39 Shelter Cove Ln. (843) 681-7272 or www.islandreccenter.org.
Holiday Tree Lighting Festival at Tanger Outlet 2
December 7
Help us deck the halls and kick off the holiday season with our annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, December 7th! Join us in the Tanger 2 courtyard for an evening of dancing, holiday singalongs, prizes, refreshments, crafts and more all leading up to the lighting of our tree! Make your list and check it twice because Santa Claus is coming to town! The jolly man himself will be here to help us countdown to the tree lighting.
Watch “A Christmas Story” under the Liberty Oak
December 7
Watch a showing of the movie, “A Christmas Story” under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town. Benches and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows will be provided. Admission is complimentary with the donation of a canned food item for the Deep Well Project. 7-9 p.m. 149 Lighthouse Rd. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
Hilton Head Choral Society presents The Sounds of Christmas
December 13
The Sounds of Christmas at 7 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church. This holiday concert celebrates the joy and the magic of the season. Join the full chorus and orchestra for this festive Island favorite. All seats are reserved. Depending on availability, you may purchase tickets at the door. (843) 341-3818 or www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.
Little Elf Workshop
December 14
Bring your little ones to Harbour Town for our Little Elf Workshop, 1-3 p.m. Event includes reindeer games, crafts, hot chocolate and cookies-and a surprise visit by Sea Pines mascot Albert the Alligator! As part of the fun, participants will receive elf ears and write a letter to Santa Claus. Call (843) 842-1979 to make a reservation and receive priority check-in. $8/child (ages 15 and younger) for preregistrations; $10 on day of event. Complimentary for adults with a canned good donation to Deep Well Project. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
Polar Pines Express Holiday Wagon Ride
December 21
Hop aboard our festive wagon and arrive at our North Pole. Children will be invited to hear the classic story, ‘The Polar Express,’ create a paper conductor’s hat, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. 1-2:30 p.m. at Heritage Farm. $16/adult, $13/child (ages 12 and younger). Reservations required. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
Cookies, Cocoa and Santa Oh My!
December 22
Come join the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum for some spirit of the season with an Elf Workshop (holiday crafts), the Sugar Plum Stop (cookie/treat decorating) and Hot Cocoa on the porch. www.thesandbox.org.
Gregg Russell Christmas Concert
December 23
Relish the spirit of the holidays with an evening in Harbour Town. Listen as Gregg Russell plays his guitar and sings songs of the season for children and adults. Before and after the concert, enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus! Complimentary. Concert: 7:30-9 p.m. Visit from Santa Claus: 5:30-7 p.m. & 9 p.m. For more information, (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
Hilton Head Hospital Jingle Jingle 5K Run and Health Walk
December 24
The 28th Annual Hilton Head Hospital Jingle Jingle 5K Run and Health Walk will be held Tuesday, December 24th at 8 a.m. The race features a colorful seasonal theme and provides participants a chance to burn off those extra holiday calories. We love it when our runners get in the spirit of the season so costumes are encouraged. The first 600 participants receive a long sleeve event t-shirt, jingle bells, and a candy cane. An award ceremony, featuring a visit from Santa, kids fun run, refreshments, hot coco, cider, music, and door prizes will be held following the race. www.raceplace.com.
19th Annual Polar Bear Swim
December 31
Show your adventurous side with the other “polar bears” by taking an invigorating dip in the Harbour Town Pool on a chilly winter day. 10 a.m. Warm up after your plunge with hot chocolate and refreshments. Complimentary! (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31-January 1
New Year’s Eve Celebration! Join us for a festive New Year’s Eve ball drop from the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse! Enjoy food, fun, entertainment and live music throughout Harbour Town, then count down the ball drop as we welcome the new year! There will be two drops: 7 p.m. and midnight. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.