Tree Lighting at The Charleston City Market (Free Public Event!) 2024

Story by Market Editor
November 26, 2024

Join us around the Christmas Tree in Anson Square,
center of the Market, December 7th

The Charleston City Market 2024 Grinch Tree Lighting
(View photos from Christmas past.)

Join us for an evening that will be a “Not
So Silent Night” when the Charleston City Market holds its annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Anson Square on Saturday, December 7th, @7PM. All four buildings, including the enclosed Market Hall Shops, of this historic, downtown landmark, will host shoppers amid an array of holiday activities.


Prior to that magic moment when the tree comes alive with lights, live music throughout 4 blocks, and you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing. If you love singing, you can join in with the roaming carolers from Charleston Caroling Company.
And of course, Good Ole’ Santa will be out and handing out some goodies for the Children.


You won’t want to miss the Grinch as he is up to his old, and some new, tricks.


As carolers stroll through the Market, toys being donated for needy children, families taking “selfies” around the tree with Santa and the Grinch, and the Dickens-era choir filling our ears with songs of “Christmas Past”, the buildings on either side of Anson Square will become the canvases for a graphic and colorful laser light show as the entire market venue takes on a multi-faceted appearance of a live Christmas card. Live music on each corner will welcome visitors while offering unique shopping opportunities well into the night from both the merchants in Market Hall Shops as well as the hand-crafted artisans in the open-air sheds.


The City Market is open every day at 9:30 a.m., except Christmas day and the Night Market is open every Friday and Saturday through December 16th from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. when it then closes for the winter season. All buildings will be open for this Special Holiday Market.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

  • 6:30 pm COC Trippintonez a capella Group – Performs around The Beautiful Christmas Tree in Anson Square
  • 6:30pm Caroling with The Charleston Caroling Company throughout the market
  • 6:30 pm located throughout 4 blocks of the Market there will be Sounds of the Holidays by: Local Favorite- Molly Durnin Earl White, Savannah’s favorite Saxophonist Shades of Blue Jazz Band
  • 6:45 pm You may find Santa can be found strolling the market and snapping selfies
  • 6:45 pm Help us spread Holiday Cheer by donating a new, unwrapped toy or book to Toys for Tots. Free hot cocoa and cookies for the first 50 people who donate on this evening
  • 7:00 pm The Grinch arrives in a horse drawn carriage, provided by Palmetto Carriage COmpany
  • 7:30 – 9:15 pm Accompanied by Holiday music there Meet & Greet with Santa Claus who will remain around the tree for selfies. The Grinch will be available for selfies also but will stroll through the market.,

Following the Tree Lighting, shopping and music will continue until 10 pm. Market Hall Shops will close at 9 pm.

Parking Voucher

This year, residents will be able to use their mobile devices as their parking voucher. Find the voucher here.
How to Scan: 

  1. Pull a ticket from one of the participating garages.
  2. Upon exiting, insert ticket.
  3. Once the ticket is inserted, scan the parking voucher’s QR Code at the reader located on the upper right-hand corner of the machine.
  4. As the voucher covers 2 hours, pay any remaining fees. 

Need Help? Press the blue call button at the top of the machine for assistance. Don’t worry! If you don’t have a smart phone or just prefer a hard copy, we have a printable version available here.