The island’s holiday schedule is packed with performances, tree lightings, festivals, markets, and more! We’ve collected some of the most anticipated events happening on Hilton Head leading up to the end of the year. We’ll keep an eye out for more events and update this list throughout the month.
On the hunt for the best Christmas lights on the island? Read our guide now!
- The Nutcracker
- Santa & Shopping Day
- Harbour Town Lights Official Tree Lighting
- Santa Mail
- Jevon Daly's Kid Show & Pictures with Santa
- Holiday Station Lighting Event
- Holiday Pops
- Winter Wonderland Festival
- Town of Hilton Head Island's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
- Nutcracker 5K
- Holiday Nights & Lights
- Santa's Visits to Hilton Head
- HHI Jingle Jingle 5K & 10K
- Community Shabbat and Hanukkah Celebration
The following list is in order by date.
The Nutcracker
Nov. 15-17 & 22-24 | Various Times
Seahawk Cultural Center at Hilton Head Island High School
Hilton Head Dance Theatre presents, “The Nutcracker.” Get into the holiday spirit and buy tickets for one of six live performances at the Seahawk Cultural Center. Adult tickets are $30, Seniors are $25, and Students are $20 plus processing fees. Doors will open 30 minutes before each performance.
Santa & Shopping Day
Nov. 29 | 11:00am-2:30pm
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
All are welcome to join in on the holiday fun at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Starting at 11am, sing along to holiday music, jump on a bounce house, and enjoy a train ride around the marina! The first 250 kids will be given a gingerbread cookie kit provided by the Hilton Head Social Bakery. Holiday sales and dining specials at participating stores and restaurants will be happening all day.
At noon, Santa will arrive aboard a fire truck, and he’ll be available for pictures at Neptune’s statue until 2:30pm. In addition to Santa, Buddy the Elf and his toy makers will be making a special appearance!
This is a free event, however we’d like to spread the holiday cheer, so bring an unwrapped toy or canned items for the Deep Well Project. Learn more about this local non-profit.
Harbour Town Lights Official Tree Lighting
Nov. 29 | 7:00pm
Harbour Town Lights: Nov. 29th-Jan. 1st
Harbour Town
Stroll along the harbour and enjoy the illuminated seasonal figures, including the centerpiece attraction–a towering Christmas tree! The perfect place to spend the holiday season with your family, Harbour Town will be bustling with activities and entertainment.
The official tree lighting will take place just prior to the Gregg Russell concert at 7:30pm on Friday, November 29.
While you’re enjoying the holiday season, help the Deep Well Project make a difference in someone’s life. Drop off a couple of canned goods or a new, unwrapped child’s toy in the well by the Liberty Oak Stage.
Santa Mail
Nov. 30th-Dec. 18th
Every HHI Fire Station
Need to mail your Christmas list to Santa? We have a list of special mailboxes around town that will get your letter directly to the North Pole ASAP! Mail your letter by the 18th and you’ll get a response. He sure would hate to not have time to write back after that date, but Santa’s a busy guy this time of year!
More Information
Here’s a list of where to find the mailboxes:
Station 1: 70 Cordillo Parkway
Station 2: 65 Lighthouse Road
Station 3: 534 William Hilton Parkway
Station 4: 400 Squire Pope Road
Station 5: 20 Whooping Crane Way
Station 6: 12 Dalmatian Lane
Station 7: 1001 Marshland Road
Headquarters: 40 Summit Drive
Jevon Daly’s Kid Show & Pictures with Santa
Nov. 30 & Dec. 7, 14, 21-23, 28 | Concert: 11:30am-1:00pm, Santa: 1:00-2:0pm
Coligny Center Stage
Every Saturday in December plus additional dates, head to Coligny Plaza for kid-friendly live entertainment with a chance to meet Santa to follow! Jevon Daly will be at Coligny’s Center Stage to perform a holiday version of his Kid Show, a kid-centric storytelling adventure. He’ll be on stage from 11:30am-1:00pm, but make sure to stick around to take pictures with Santa starting at 1pm.
Holiday Station Lighting Event
Nov. 30 | 5:00pm-7:00pm
Fire Station 3, 534 William Hilton Parkway
The lighting of Station 3 will take place around 6pm, but feel free to arrive earlier to enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, arts and crafts, and other fun for the whole family! Santa will be stopping by, and he’d love to take pictures with you! This event and holiday light display is free, but donations to the Hilton Head Firefighter’s Association (that helps support this light display and other community programs), as well as bringing new, unwrapped toys or non-perishable food items that will benefit the Deep Well Project.
Holiday Pops
Dec. 1 at 4:00pm & Dec. 2 at 7:30pm
First Presbyterian Church
A favorite family tradition, Holiday Pops returns Thanksgiving Weekend, with Hilton Head Dance Theatre joining the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra to perform Act 2 of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Broadway star, Meredith Inglesby will make her HHSO debut to perform the finale of Lalo Cello Concerto alongside HHSO Chorus and Hilton Head Concerto Competition winner, Jaia Alli. You can find more information about the event on HHSO’s website.
Winter Wonderland Festival
Dec. 6 | 4:00-7:00pm
Shelter Cove Community Park
For a major dose of holiday family fun, head to the Annual Winter Wonderland Festival at Shelter Cove. This event doesn’t require tickets, and includes free bounce houses, DJ and more family fun! Food and drinks, along with a few other family-friendly activities will be an additional cost. There will also be a Golden Candy Cane Hunt at 5:30pm. Santa has RSVP’d to this event, so make sure to bring your camera!
Town of Hilton Head Island’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 7 | 5:00-7:00pm
Lowcountry Celebration Park
The actual tree lighting will be at 6:30pm, but make sure to arrive early for cookies, coffee, and cocoa, as well as a laser light show set to music from local bands. Don’t miss Santa, who’s set to arrive at 5:45pm, and will be glad to meet you until 7pm. Admission is free, and additional parking will be at the USCB campus and includes a trolley service throughout the event.
Nutcracker 5K
Dec. 7 | 8:00am
Hilton Head Running Company
The Nutcracker 5K not only allows participants to either run or walk the course in the beautiful island weather, but you’ll also be able to celebrate the holiday season with a post-race party and performances by the Hilton Head Dance Theatre at the start and finish on the course. The post-race party is catered by the island’s very own, Java Burrito, and don’t forget to bring a toy for the toy drive organized by the Deep Well Project so you’ll be entered into a drawing for special prizes. Find the toy list and more information on the race’s website.
Holiday Nights & Lights
Dec. 7-9 | 6:00-8:00pm
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
See this dazzling light and holiday display at the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. In its fifth year, the park will once again be transformed, welcoming cars filled with cheery visitors looking for some holiday magic and Christmas lights. Grab some hot cocoa to-go, turn on a radio station with some Christmas music, and join in on the fun!
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. This is a popular event, so if you’d like to avoid long waits, plan to line up on Beach City Road at about 5:45pm.
Santa’s Visits to Hilton Head
Nov. 29th & 30th | 12:00-2:00pm
Dec. 6th | 5:00-7:00pm (Winter WonderFest)
Dec. 21st & 24th | 12:00-2:00pm
Shelter Cove Towne Centre
Santa will be making various visits to Shelter Cove Towne Centre this holiday season, making it easy for your kiddos to see the jolly fellow. You’ll find him close to the store, Francesca’s, but on specific dates like the December 6th and 24th, Santa will be located in the Community Park. Bring Fido on the 21st for Pet Visits with Santa!
HHI Jingle Jingle 5K & 10K
Dec. 22 | 8:00am
Crossing’s Park
Join in on Hilton Head’s holiday tradition since 1992, and participate in either the 5K run or the 10K Road Race hosted by Bear Foot Sports. While the courses start and finish at Crossing’s Park, everyone will run over Broad Creek on the Cross Island Expressway. While you’ll also receive a long-sleeved custom t-shirt along with jingle bells, participants are encouraged to get in the spirit of the season by wearing elf, Santa, or other holiday-inspired costumes. Stick around for the award ceremony for refreshments, music, and door prizes after the race. Who knows, Santa might even stop by! Register online and find more information on the race’s website.
Community Shabbat and Hanukkah Celebration
Dec. 27 | 5:00-8:00pm
Lowcountry Celebration Park
All are welcome to celebrate the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, at this community event. Rabbi Brad L. Bloom of Congregation Beth Yam will be leading the Menorah lighting ceremony, and attendees will be able to enjoy traditional holiday food like latkes and sufganiyot, as well as music, dreidel games, and more. This event is free to attend.
