The Upcountry is a fabulous place to visit during the winter season for Holiday Light Shows. We’ve updated our list from last year with the biggest and best drivable (and walkable) ones to enjoy now until New Year’s Eve. These events are listed chronologically so your family and friends can pick the best times and dates to make the most of your winter adventures!
HollyWild Animal Preserve – The Magic of Lights – Location: 2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford, SC, 29385. Date(s) and Times: Nov. 22nd, 2024 – Jan. 4th, 2025, Monday – Sunday (5:30 – 9 pm). Drive through twinkling holiday lights throughout this almost 100-acre animal park! Don’t miss visiting Santa’s village and driving through the Enchanted Deer Forest, where you can hand-feed animals from the comfort of your car. Buy your tickets online for the best deal in advance. Kids two and under are free!
Night of Lights –Location: CCNB Amphitheater at Heritage Park, located at 861 SE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681. Dates and Times: Nov. 22nd–Jan. 3, 2025. Sunday through Thursday 5pm-9pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm-10pm. Nights of Lights is a magical experience transforming the night sky into a canvas of twinkling lights, colors, and joy. You’ll experience a walk-through light show, petting zoo, food vendors, a 65-foot Christmas Tree, and more!
The Magical Musical Holiday Light Show—Location: 300 Main St, Seneca, SC, 29678. Date(s) and Times: Nov. 22nd—Dec. 31st, 2024, Open Daily (5:30 – 10 pm). The City of Seneca brings you “The Magic of Christmas” with its twinkling holiday lights throughout Norton Thompson Park. There are new lights, more photo ops, and Santa Claus this year! It’s free to attend.
Anderson Christmas Lights Festival – Location: 150 Rose Valley Blvd., Anderson, SC, 29625 (main entrance is across from the Anderson Civic Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). Date(s) and Times: Nov. 28th – Dec. 25th, 2024, Open Daily (5:30 – 10 pm). This drive-through light display has over two miles of outdoor Christmas lights. It’s fun for the whole family with a magical Christmas village, hay rides and horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, and lots of holiday food and drinks! Tickets are $15 per car to enter or $30 per bus.
The Upstate Holiday Light Show at District Park – Location: 148 Crumpton Ln, Easley, SC, 29640. Date(s) and Times: Nov. 28th – Dec. 31st, 2024, Sunday – Thursday (6 – 10 pm), Fridays and Saturdays (6 – 11 pm). Bring the whole family to the biggest interactive LED light show in Easley! Don’t miss Santa’s Petting Zoo, a new indoor vendor market, and the Pony Corral. General admission tickets include the light show and petting zoo access. Premium parking, fast passes, corral tickets, carnival tickets, and concessions are all sold separately. You may also purchase tickets at the ticket booth when you arrive. Cash and cards are accepted.
Springwater Holiday Lights Festival – Location: Mineral Spring Park, Center St, Williamston, SC, 29697. Date(s) and Times: Dec. 1st, 2024 – Jan. 5th, 2025, Open Daily (6 – 10 pm). Mineral Spring Park is the second oldest public park in the country, and its free light show has been around since 1958. On Opening Day, Dec. 1st, the Williamston Christmas Parade will start the festivities from 5 – 7 pm; then the tree lighting and light show begins from 7-9 pm in the park! Don’t miss a host of characters with Santa and Mrs. Claus to caroling singers. From falling snow, a live nativity, and holiday movies to the mayor reading the “Night before Christmas,” there is much to see and do. Kids can look forward to free cookies, hot chocolate, and candy canes. Near and behind Town Hall, the whole family will enjoy horse and buggy rides, carnival rides, food vendors, and free parking.
Holiday Light Show – Location: Oconee State Park, 624 State Park Road, Mountain Rest, SC 29664. Dates and Times: from dark until 10 PM everyday from December 1, 2024 through January 10, 2025. Walk or drive through a forest filled with dazzling trees and wonderful displays. The Holiday Light Show is located in the Lake Loop of the Campground.
We hope this list has helped you pick some fantastic illuminating events for when you and your family are here with us. Don’t forget to check out one of our other excellent travel guides, like a “Weekend in Long Creek, SC – Where to Eat, Explore & Play” for more adventures.
By: Sarah (Moore) Gross, Contributing Author