Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Charleston. From holiday performances to festive fêtes, winter is just around the corner for the Holy City.

Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 27 events happening between December and February.

City Editor Lexa can never say no to a good oyster roast. | Photo by @lowcountryoysterfestival

Festivals

Illumination Charleston | Thursday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 4 | Times vary | Venues vary | Prices vary | Peep the schedule for this joint celebration between Explore Charleston, Southern Living, and Historic Charleston Foundation kicking off the season with events focusing on Southern culture, preservation, and design inspiration.

Holiday Street Festival | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 2-7 p.m. | Front Beach, Isle of Palms | Free | You're never too old for a visit from Santa Claus who plans to be in attendance for this street fest offering food vendors, artisans, and live entertainment on Isle of Palms.

Christmas Festival & Parade | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 4-8 p.m. | Felix C. Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Cir., North Charleston | Free | Stroll over to Park Circle to share the joy of the season through festive food and decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, and a parade.

Last year's Aquarium Aglow experience was enlightening. | Photo by @chstoday

Holiday events

Aquarium Aglow | Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31 | Entry times vary | South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf | $26.95+ | Explore the South Carolina Aquarium in a whole new light — or tens of thousands of new lights — plus interactive displays + refreshments.

Holiday Events at The Charleston Place | Friday, Nov. 25-Monday, Jan. 2 | All day | The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St. | Free | You heard it here: The Charleston Place is transforming into a European holiday bazaar this season, featuring iconic holiday decor, a tree lighting ceremony on November 25, and snowfall twice nightly.

Charleston Strolls Holiday Walking Tour | Thursday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 9 a.m. + 3 p.m. | Mills House Hotel, 115 Meeting St. | $45 | Our team loves to "ooh" and "aah" at the seasonal decorations around town, and now we have the opportunity to join like-minded individuals while learning about the Holy City's history.

Christmas Made in the South | Friday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 4 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. + 11 a.m-5 p.m. | The Exchange Park/Fairgrounds, 9850 US-78, Ladson | $9 | Get your holiday shopping done at this award-winning three-day market featuring handcrafted work, gourmet food, and entertainment celebrating its 29th anniversary.

Charleston Holiday Parade | Sunday, Dec. 4 | 3 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Join the City of Charleston in this celebration starting on Broad Street at Rutledge Avenue and concluding on Calhoun Street at Meeting Street with a tree lighting to follow in Marion Square.

Christmas Parade | Saturday, Dec. 10 | Time details to come | Center Street, Folly Beach | Free | Who doesn't love a good old holiday parade? Head to the annual Folly Beach parade to sleigh the season alongside floats, marching bands, and community associations.

We can't wait to catch a holiday performance at Dock Street Theatre. | Photo by @james_simpson_photography

Holiday performances

Holiday Swing: A Charleston Jazz Tradition | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 5 p.m. | Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. | $25+ | Don't be elfish: Get into the holiday spirit with winter classics during this family-friendly Charleston Jazz tradition with Maestro Robert Lewis and the Charleston Jazz Orchestra.

Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 7 p.m. | North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston | $22+ | It wouldn't be the holidays without a Pentatonix performance, right? Alexa, play "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 3 + 7 p.m. | North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston | $30+ | Join in on the fun during the 30th-anniversary tour of this holiday tradition featuring stars of Ukraine ballet.

Stay tuned for upcoming content on New Year's Eve parties and holiday light displays. 👀