Light the Lake WHAT
WHEN
Kick the holiday season off with the Charleston Parks Conservancy's 10th annual Light the Lake at Colonial Lake. This year includes special holiday performances, a hot chocolate and cookie bar, carolers, reindeer food making and much more. The Lake will be aglow with 1,000 beautiful luminaries and as always, the highlight of the evening is when Mayor Cogswell lights the tree in the middle of Colonial Lake, kicking off the holiday season in Charleston. Light the Lake is a free community event supporting our mission to connect people to their parks.
Friday, December 5, 2025 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to connect with their parks and together create stunning public spaces and a strong community. With expert staff and a passionate corps of over 2,000 volunteers, we work to rejuvenate parks and bring people in the community together through fun and engaging programming.
WHERE
Colonial Lake, Ashley Ave. Charleston, SC 29401
FUN FACT It takes six people, a truck, and a boat three hours to put the iconic electric tree in the middle of Colonial Lake each holiday season. It takes about seven and a half hours to light all the luminaries surrounding the Lake - thank goodness for our fabulous volunteers!