North Charleston Christmas Festival & Parade

The City of North Charleston's Christmas Festival and Parade is billed as a holiday gift to the community. Families, friends and neighbors gather at the Park Circle Community Building and grounds for music, children's activities, festive food and decorations, visits with Santa and an afternoon parade. The green space around the Park Circle traffic circle and the major thoroughfares are lined with lighted snowflakes, Christmas trees and magical holiday scenes, and the festival's food vendors are curated by its own committee.

Our take: Come the night before for the lighting of the city's 40-foot Christmas tree at Park Circle, then stroll the light displays around the circle.