
Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 25 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour worth booking?
Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour is a 3.5-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $35 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 25 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (25)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $35 per person
Immerse yourself in the enchanting sights of the Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights on this magical trolley tour. Starting from the Charleston Visitor Information Center, enjoy a scenic ride to James Island, where ove
What you get
About this experience
Immerse yourself in the enchanting sights of the Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights on this magical trolley tour. Starting from the Charleston Visitor Information Center, enjoy a scenic ride to James Island, where over 700 dazzling displays and 2 million twinkling lights await. After a 40-minute drive, you'll have 1.5 hours to roam the festival, savor delicious holiday treats, shop for unique souvenirs, and even meet Santa Claus. For added fun, hop on the Festival Express train or join a Reindeer Workshop to create your own furry friend. - Enjoy a 3.5-hour holiday experience with a festive surprise gift for each passenger. - Explore the festival at your own pace after the bus tour. - Ideal for families and holiday enthusiasts, with activities for all ages. - Daily departures at 5pm from the Charleston Visitor Information Center located at 375 Meeting Street.
What's included
Included
- • There will be a Holiday Themed 'surprise' gift for each passenger
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
James Island
Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Charleston
Charleston Visitor Information Center
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Charleston Visitor Information Center
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Historic Tours Of America
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Service animals are permitted. Emotional support animals and pets are not admitted
- Please contact operator ahead of time for any ADA related needs such as an ADA vehicle
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
25 verified traveler reviews for Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The have and the have more
The Charleston tour was so amazing the festival of lights just as amazingThey did not have many food choices so people need to know to bring their own snacks
via Viator
Lord Harvey the Christmas Tour Guide is the Best
We took our tour with Lord Harvey. He was fantastic! Filled with the Christmas spirit literally from the moment he checked us in until the moment he dropped us off. I’ve never seen someone put so much effort into a tour. He was friendly, funny, knowledgeable, punctual, flexible, and festive. It was like being toured around by Buddy the Elf. The park was great. Lots of fun light sculptures. Recommend for young children
via Viator
Great time, short time
Great time but ended an hour earlier than posted so we had over paid for parking. Parking should be included with the tickets.
via Viator
Fun. Informative. Great...
Fun. Informative. Great time. I would definitely do it again. Lights were great, fun very festive. Driver funny and a lot of interesting facts
via Viator
Great way to see the...
Great way to see the holiday lights without worrying about traffic! There was more than enough time to see the sights in Santa’s Village - one hour instead of an hour and a half would have been ideal.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.
How much does Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour cost?
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Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Charleston usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Charleston is not rushed.
Is Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 25 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Charleston can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Charleston and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Charleston Festival of Lights Holiday Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Charleston within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Charleston?
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Charleston's best experiences are small: house museum tours with an architectural historian, Gullah heritage walks, harbour sails at sunset and Lowcountry food crawls through the market district. Plantation day trips vary enormously in how honestly they handle the history, and our ranking factors that in directly. On Outty we rank every Charleston experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
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March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Charleston?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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