Christmas Charm in Lake Hartwell Country
- Lake Hartwell Country
- 5d
- 5 min read
The holidays are a magical opportunity to get together with friends and family, soaking in the season and enjoying quality time with loved ones. That’s especially true here in Lake Hartwell Country: our countless small towns each have their own unique, Southern charms (and calendar of events), so the festive fun lasts all month long! This December, we challenge you to explore Christmas events all across Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties, and try to visit some towns you’ve never been to before! You’ll never have to ask, “what Christmas activities are near me?” again.
Christmas in Anderson County
Home to nine municipalities, Anderson County has no shortage of Christmas fun. From tree lightings and parades to drive-through lights and shows, here are some must-dos in Anderson County.
Known for its beautifully decorated downtown, the City of Anderson is ringing in the season with lights, decorations, and even carolers! At Ice in the Park, you can skate on real ice at Carolina Wren Park from Dec. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2025. If you attend the tree lighting on Dec. 5, you can even see professional figure skater Olivia Pellerin perform on the ice.
One place we love to get some Christmas shopping done is Belton’s Holiday Craft Market. Visit the Belton Center for the Arts from 5-8pm on Dec. 9, 2025, to shop an array of quality, hand-made items from local crafters (and meet a very special holly-jolly guest). You can also wrap up your shopping at the Pendleton Christkindlmarkt. Pendleton’s Village Green transforms into a traditional European-style outdoor market with gifts and goodies for the whole family – visit between 4pm-8pm on Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6, and 12-13, 2025.
The Honea Path Festival of Trees is a favorite annual tradition of many residents, taking place from 12-3pm on Dec. 6, 2025. Music and entertainment, delicious food and desserts, kids’ crafts and prizes, Christmas tree displays, and more can all be found at the Watkins Community Center in Honea Path. Another beloved attraction where you can immerse yourself in Christmas cheer is Anderson’s Lights of Hope, a drive-through light show near the Anderson Civic Center that supports area charities. From trees to lights, surround yourself in the spirit of the season!
Christmas in Oconee County
Oconee County is known for hosting events year-round – from musical maestros at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center to weekly Jazz on the Alley jams in Seneca – so residents and visitors expect a lot from their Christmas festivities! Luckily, they more than rise to the occasion.
Ram Cat Alley in downtown Seneca is a fun place to explore any time of the year, with an array of painted cats hidden through nearby streets – each painted by a different artist and each with their own history. But in the winter, the Ram Cat scavenger hunt is even more fun, as Norton Thompson Park next to the Alley is decked out in lights, garlands, tinsel, and much more for The Magical Musical Holiday Light Show. We recommend grabbing a meal in downtown Seneca, then bundling up the family for a walk to Ram Cat Alley: after all, an immersive light show with an accompanying soundtrack is a dreamy post-dinner surprise!
Chattooga Belle Farm offers gorgeous landscape views, house-made wines and liquors, and delicious bistro food, but they also offer Christmas on the Farm for a rustic take on the Christmas craft market. From 11am-3pm on Dec. 13, 2025, the farm offers local vendors and shopping, a cozy hot cocoa bar, lunch, and even a visit from Santa. Located in Long Creek, a trip to and from Chattooga Belle is also a great time to bask in a scenic drive with your family.
Christmas in Pickens County
Beautiful Pickens County has something for everyone, combining the university hustle-and-bustle of Clemson and Central with ravishing natural scenery in the northern part of the county. With such a diverse group of residents and municipalities, Pickens County is sure to offer a Christmas celebration perfect for you!
Clemson may be known for its university students, but this year, the city is offering a brand-new Christmas event for a younger demographic. The first-ever Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt will take place at 5:30pm and 7pm on Dec. 11 and 12, 2025, at Nettles Park. Kids can decorate treat bags, dig into Christmas cookies, meet Santa, and search for candy canes in the cool evening air. This event requires registration, though, so make sure your kiddos don’t miss out on what is sure to become a cherished tradition!
Pickens and Easley are full of holiday attractions, and we like the ease of all-in-one events like the Upstate Holiday Light Show! Load up the car (it’s $35 per car, so bring all your friends and family) for a drive-through light show, one of the biggest in the area. Now located at Easley’s District Park, the show features synced-up holiday music, dynamically changing displays, and the chance to drive the loop as many times as you want. When you’re ready to park, you can hop out, stay, and play with a petting zoo and carnival rides.
Up in Pickens, you can learn a new skill and walk away with a truly one-of-a-kind gift: your own newly made Christmas ornament. Historic Hagood Mill offers blacksmithing classes, and some of December’s classes teach you how to make an ornament. This intensive 9am-5pm class teaches attendees the basics of blacksmithing, including safety, history, and creativity, and students end the day with an incredible (and festive) takeaway. Classes require pre-registration and can be taken Nov. 29, Dec. 3, Dec. 13, and Dec. 19, 2025.
Just like Santa, we made this list and checked it twice, but even Santa would struggle to note all the holiday festivities happening in Lake Hartwell Country. We recommend checking your closest city or town’s website and social media pages to learn more about events not mentioned here, including parades and tree lightings, or any changes to their event schedules.
From the Lake Hartwell Country family to yours, we hope you have an incredible holiday season here in our beautiful corner of South Carolina.
