13 South Carolina Christmas Waterfront Destinations You’ll Love This Season
South Carolina transforms into a coastal wonderland when December rolls around, with twinkling lights reflecting off calm waters and festive cheer filling the salty air.
The state’s stunning waterfront locations become magical holiday destinations where Christmas spirit meets breathtaking views.
Whether you’re craving shrimp boats adorned with colorful bulbs or historic harbors dressed in seasonal splendor, these thirteen spots deliver unforgettable memories that’ll warm your heart faster than hot cocoa on a chilly evening.
1. Charleston Waterfront Park – Charleston, SC
Picture this: harbor breezes carrying the scent of salt and pine while thousands of sparkling lights dance across the water like fireflies having a holiday party.
Charleston Waterfront Park transforms into a yuletide paradise each December, offering visitors front-row seats to some of the most spectacular Christmas displays in the South.
The famous Pineapple Fountain gets dressed up in its seasonal finest, while the pier stretches out over the Cooper River like a glittering runway into the night.
Families stroll along the pathways, snapping selfies with illuminated palm trees (because nothing says Christmas quite like festive palmettos!).
Downtown Charleston hosts numerous holiday events throughout the season, from carriage rides to caroling sessions that’ll have you singing all the way home.
Located at 1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401, this waterfront gem offers free admission and memories worth more than gold.
2. Shem Creek Boardwalk – Mount Pleasant, SC
Shrimp boats don’t usually scream “Christmas cheer,” but Shem Creek’s working vessels prove that holiday spirit floats on any tide.
These hardworking boats get decked out in colorful lights each December, creating a uniquely Lowcountry twist on traditional Christmas displays.
The boardwalk winds along the marsh, offering spectacular sunset views that paint the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple—nature’s own holiday light show.
December evenings here feel downright magical as the temperature drops just enough to make a light jacket necessary (Southern winter at its finest!).
Waterfront restaurants line the creek, serving fresh seafood while diners watch dolphins play in the channels between courses.
You’ll find this coastal Christmas treasure at 508 Mill Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, where maritime tradition meets festive celebration in the most charming way imaginable.
3. Murrells Inlet MarshWalk – Murrells Inlet, SC
When locals talk about the MarshWalk Wonderland of Lights, their eyes light up brighter than the displays themselves.
This isn’t just another Christmas light show—it’s a beloved tradition that turns the entire waterfront boardwalk into a dazzling spectacle of holiday joy.
Thousands of twinkling bulbs outline the marsh paths, restaurants, and railings, creating reflections on the water that look like liquid gold.
Couples hold hands while strolling past illuminated scenes, and kids press their noses against restaurant windows, equally excited about the lights and the prospect of hushpuppies.
The half-mile wooden walkway connects multiple seafood restaurants, so you can feast your eyes and your belly simultaneously (multitasking at its finest!).
Located at 3979 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, this waterfront wonderland proves that sometimes the best Christmas gifts don’t come wrapped in paper.
4. Broad Creek Marina – Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island doesn’t do anything halfway, and Christmas decorations at Broad Creek Marina prove this point spectacularly.
Yachts and sailboats bob gently in their slips, many adorned with lights that would make Clark Griswold jealous.
The marina’s waterfront restaurants go all-out with wreaths, garlands, and twinkling displays that create a festive atmosphere perfect for celebrating the season.
Harbor lights reflect off the calm creek waters, doubling the visual impact and making evening walks feel like stepping into a snow globe (minus the actual snow, thankfully!).
Diners enjoy fresh oysters and shrimp while watching the sunset paint the sky behind decorated masts and rigging.
The marina sits at 1 Marshland Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, where coastal elegance meets holiday warmth in a setting that’ll make your Instagram followers seriously question their vacation choices this year.
5. Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina – Hilton Head Island, SC
Calling Shelter Cove’s Christmas display “impressive” would be like calling the ocean “slightly damp”—a massive understatement.
This waterfront destination becomes one of South Carolina’s most photographed holiday spots each December, with enormous light installations that transform the entire harbor into a winter wonderland (Southern-style, naturally).
Towering Christmas trees sparkle alongside the water, while seasonal music drifts across the marina, creating an atmosphere that melts even the Grinchiest of hearts.
Families gather around the displays, hot chocolate in hand, snapping photos that’ll dominate their holiday cards for years to come.
The harbor’s shops and restaurants join the festivities, decorating their storefronts with wreaths, ribbons, and enough lights to probably be visible from space.
Located at 1 Harbourside Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, this destination delivers Christmas magic with a side of coastal charm that’s impossible to resist.
6. Georgetown Harborwalk – Georgetown, SC
Georgetown wears its history like a comfortable sweater, and during Christmas, that sweater gets embroidered with thousands of twinkling lights.
The Harborwalk stretches along the Sampit River, offering peaceful views of boats decorated for the season and historic buildings dressed in their holiday finest.
This charming waterfront town hosts boat parades that glide past like floating Christmas cards, complete with captains wearing Santa hats and deckhands tossing candy to shore-bound spectators.
Twinkling lights outline centuries-old structures, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that transports visitors to simpler times (when the biggest holiday stress was deciding which pie to eat first).
The pace here moves slower than molasses, which during the holidays feels like a gift itself.
You’ll discover this historic gem at 1001 Front Street, Georgetown, SC 29440, where Southern hospitality and Christmas spirit blend perfectly along the waterfront.
7. The Battery & White Point Garden – Charleston, SC
Charleston’s Battery doesn’t need much help looking stunning, but add Christmas decorations and you’ve got postcard perfection on steroids.
This iconic waterfront promenade offers sweeping views of Charleston Harbor while historic mansions along the street compete for “Best Dressed” honors with elaborate wreaths, garlands, and light displays.
White Point Garden’s ancient oak trees get wrapped in twinkling lights, their massive branches creating natural canopies of sparkle overhead.
Couples stroll hand-in-hand past Civil War monuments dressed in seasonal greenery, while photographers scramble to capture the perfect shot before the light fades.
The combination of historic architecture, waterfront breezes, and holiday decorations creates an atmosphere so charming it should probably be illegal.
Located at 2 Murray Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29401, this legendary spot proves that some places were simply born to celebrate Christmas in style that’d make Bing Crosby weep with joy.
8. Beaufort Waterfront Park – Beaufort, SC
Beaufort’s waterfront wears Christmas decorations like a Southern belle wears pearls—with effortless grace and undeniable charm.
The riverfront park gets transformed each December with festive displays that complement rather than overwhelm the area’s natural beauty.
During the famous Night on the Town celebration, the entire downtown comes alive with carolers, horse-drawn carriages, and enough holiday cheer to fuel Santa’s sleigh for a decade.
Spanish moss hanging from ancient oaks gets illuminated by strategically placed lights, creating an ethereal glow that looks straight out of a fairy tale.
Families spread blankets on the grass to watch boats decorated for the season drift past on the Beaufort River.
The park sits at 1106 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902, where small-town Christmas traditions meet waterfront beauty in a combination that’ll restore your faith in holiday magic faster than you can say “Merry Christmas, y’all!”
9. Lake Murray Dam & Waterfront – Lexington/Columbia, SC
Lake Murray proves that you don’t need ocean salt to create waterfront Christmas magic—freshwater works just fine, thank you very much.
The dam and surrounding waterfront areas glow with holiday lights each December, hosting special events that draw families from across the Midlands region.
December sunsets over the massive lake create spectacular backdrops for evening strolls, with the sky turning shades of crimson and gold that no artificial light could ever match.
Lakeside parks host seasonal celebrations where kids sip hot chocolate while parents admire both the natural beauty and the festive displays.
The dam itself becomes a landmark attraction during the holidays, illuminated in ways that showcase its impressive engineering while celebrating the season.
Located at 2184 North Lake Drive, Columbia, SC 29212, this inland waterfront destination delivers Christmas cheer with panoramic views that stretch for miles across South Carolina’s favorite lake.
10. Waterfront District – North Myrtle Beach, SC
North Myrtle Beach’s waterfront saves its best performance for the annual Intracoastal Christmas Regatta—a lighted boat parade so spectacular it’s become legendary along the coast.
Dozens of boats transform into floating holiday masterpieces, cruising the Intracoastal Waterway while spectators line the shores with cameras ready and jaws dropped.
Some vessels feature entire nativity scenes, others recreate Santa’s workshop, and a few just go absolutely bonkers with enough lights to power a small city.
The creativity and effort boat owners pour into their displays would make professional decorators weep with admiration (or maybe envy?).
Waterfront restaurants and bars fill with revelers toasting the parade with holiday cocktails and seafood platters.
The district stretches along Highway 17 and the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, where this famous regatta proves that Christmas on the water beats Christmas on land every single time.
11. Fishing Village Waterfront – McClellanville, SC
McClellanville doesn’t show up on many tourist maps, which honestly is part of its considerable charm—especially during Christmas season.
This quiet fishing village decorates its marshfront with understated elegance, favoring classic Southern Christmas style over flashy displays.
White lights outline historic buildings, wreaths hang on weathered doors, and the whole place feels like stepping back to a time when Christmas meant community rather than commerce.
The scenic marsh stretches endlessly, providing peaceful views that calm holiday stress better than any meditation app ever could.
Local shrimpers tie up their boats at the docks, some adding simple light strands that twinkle against the water like fallen stars.
Located along Pinckney Street and the waterfront in McClellanville, SC 29458, this hidden gem offers Christmas charm without crowds, proving that sometimes the best destinations are the ones nobody’s Instagramming yet (but probably should be!).
12. Port Royal Boardwalk & Observation Tower – Port Royal, SC
Port Royal’s boardwalk and observation tower offer something increasingly rare during the holidays—actual peace and quiet alongside your Christmas cheer.
The waterfront gets decorated seasonally with tasteful displays that enhance rather than overwhelm the natural coastal beauty.
Battery Creek stretches out below the boardwalk, its waters reflecting both the winter sky and whatever lights local businesses string up for the season.
The observation tower provides elevated views perfect for watching December sunsets paint the marsh in golden hues while holiday decorations twinkle to life below.
Families walk the boardwalk at a leisurely pace, pointing out dolphins when they surface and admiring how the Spanish moss seems to glow in the evening light.
You’ll find this peaceful retreat at 1501 Paris Avenue, Port Royal, SC 29935, where the Christmas season unfolds at a gentler pace that reminds visitors what the holidays should really feel like—calm, beautiful, and genuinely joyful.
13. Waterfront Park – Mount Pleasant (Old Village), SC
Mount Pleasant’s Old Village waterfront proves that sometimes the best Christmas displays are the ones that whisper rather than shout.
This charming park overlooks Charleston Harbor with understated holiday decorations that complement the area’s historic character perfectly.
Ancient oak trees frame views of the water, their branches occasionally adorned with simple light strands that twinkle like stars caught in the Spanish moss.
The ambiance here feels more like a classic Christmas card than a modern light spectacular, which depending on your taste might be exactly what you’re craving.
Neighbors walk their dogs along the waterfront paths, exchanging “Merry Christmas” greetings with the genuine warmth that small communities do best.
Located at 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, this peaceful waterfront spot offers beautiful harbor views and holiday ambiance that doesn’t require a GPS, crowds, or even a plan—just show up and let the season’s simple beauty work its magic.