The Upcountry is a fabulous place to visit during the winter season for Holiday Light Shows. Here’s our list 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. 20th, 2026 – Jan. 2nd, 2027 (times vary by day). Drive through twinkling holiday lights throughout this almost 100-acre animal park! This drive-through holiday light show includes trips through Santa’s Village, the Enchanted Deer Forest, a makers market, and more!
41st Annual Festival of Trees – Date(s) & Times: Nov. 20th – Dec. 26th, 2026 (all day, every day!). Location(s): Courtyard by Marriott (50 W Broad St., Greenville, SC, 29601) and Hyatt Regency (220 N Main St., Greenville, SC, 29601). Details: Over 50 Christmas trees, decorated by local groups and organizations, will be on display in downtown Greenville, SC, a tradition since 1986!
Holiday Putt Through Light Show – Date(s) & Times: Nov. 20th – Dec. 27th, 2026 (5:30 – 8:30 pm start times). Location: Takeoff Mini Golf, 28 Airport Road Extension, Greenville, SC, 29607. Details: Enjoy thousands of holiday lights near the airport! Tickets include access to the light show and one round of mini golf (for ages 4 and older).
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. 26th – Dec. 25th, 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 – Date(s) & Times: Nov. 26th – Dec. 31st, 2026 (times vary by day). Location: District Park, 148 Crumpton Lane, Easley, SC, 29640. Details: This drive-through light show boasts 32 million lights, seven days a week, rain or shine!
Springwater Holiday Lights Festival – Location: Mineral Spring Park, Center St, Williamston, SC, 29697. Date(s) and Times: Dec. 1st – Jan. 5th, 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. Each year, local businesses, churches, civic groups, The Town of Williamston, and the Springwater Committee contribute by building original exhibits and placing 1000s of lights in Mineral Spring Park. A visit with Santa in the Boy Scout Hut is a treat for the children, and parents!
Christmas in Gaffney – Date(s) & Times: Dec. 4-6, 2026 (starting at 6 pm). Location: N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC. Details: This downtown Gaffney holiday festival includes a laser light show, parade, Christmas Market, and Tree lighting during the weekend. Free to attend.
Holiday Laser Shows – Date(s) & Times: Dec. 12th – 20th, 2026 (times vary by date). Location: Roper Mountain Science Center, 402 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC, 29615. Details: The planetarium gets festive with multiple holiday light shows, from “Laser Holiday Wonderland” to “Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas”!
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 through January 10. 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 our Chef Ambassador Trail for more adventures.
By: Sarah (Moore) Gross, Contributing Author