Beaufort Holiday Weekend
The most festive weekend of the year is coming to downtown Beaufort with a myriad of options to celebrate the holiday season. During the first weekend in December, our town comes alive with lights, music, food, shopping, and family fun. Read on for the full itinerary!
Friday, Dec. 2, 2022
Gullah Tour & Christmas Market – USCB Center for the Arts
Attendees will take part in a three-hour extensive tour to learn about the history of Gullah culture in the Greater Beaufort area. After the tour, get your Christmas shopping done by participating in the Gullah Christmas Market. Purchase one-of-a-kind gifts from Gullah Geechee vendors to give as the perfect gifts for Christmas.
6pm First Friday “Night on the Town”
Bay Street will be closed to traffic and open for merchant specials, live music, giveaways, food vendors, a Christmas light competition and window decorating contests! Henry C. Chambers waterfront park stage will feature Christmas Carols, the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, dance teams, and puppet shows. There will be plenty of food vendors along Bay Street, too. Plus, parents can bring their kids to come see me at The Beaufort Inn for special photos with Santa! Located on the West Street Extension from 6-8 p.m. Make sure you’ve registered to book your spot!
7pm Gullah Kinfolk Christmas Wish
This full-stage Yuletide musical has become a cherished holiday tradition at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort Center for the Arts. From the foot-stomping to the singing and dancing, this production is sure to bring you holiday cheer! Click here for tickets and information.
8pm Tree Lighting
Long-time Beaufort residents know that the Christmas season doesn’t officially start until the tree is lit! Mayor Stephen Murray will read “The Night Before Christmas'' on the main stage, followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting. This moment always feels like a scene from a movie, and signals that Christmas time has arrived in Beaufort!
Saturday December 3, 2022
Port Royal
8am to 11am 3rd Annual Truckin' It 5K with Santa and Kids Fun Run.
Hosted by the Junior Service League of Beaufort, this event in the historic Town of Port Royal is all about community and family fun! The run is both stroller and pet friendly, so all members of the family can run, walk, see fun trucks and meet Santa! Funds raised directly benefit the community.
Beaufort, SC Waterfront Park
11am The Gullah Taste of Christmas
This event showcases vendors and performances by the Gullah Kinfolk Traveling Theater and local artists. The highlight of the day is always the Rice Cook-off with professional Gullah Geechee chefs, caterers, restaurateurs, and home cooks.
5:30pm The Lighted Boat Parade
You won’t want to miss the boat parade in the bay waters. Local boaters decorate their boats in magical (and sometimes hilarious) lights and put on an incredible show for viewers lined up along the Henry Chambers Waterfront Park.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
3pm Annual Christmas Parade
Watch the floats, marching bands, golf carts, and personal cars and trucks march down Bay Street to celebrate the holiday season. Keep your eye out for Santa himself with the Beaufort Fire Department.
3pm-5pm The Kingdom Christmas Concert ( Toys For Tots )
Keep the holiday spirit alive and enjoy a festive family concert benefiting Toys for Tots. Located at 801 Carteret St, the Kingdom Christmas Holiday concert will feature Motown, gospel, pop, and Christmas hip hop tunes for all ages! Buy a ticket 🎟 for $10 and Donate a Toy 🧸 for $5