Where Does Santa Go on Vacation? Charleston, SC!

Kids often ask me how I know that Santa who visits us for the Castelo Charleston Santa Experience is the REAL Santa. Children are so smart--they know that Santa has helpers to make appearances for him during the Christmas season because even though he’s magic Santa can’t be everywhere all the time! 

Let me tell you a secret. I know he’s the real Santa because I met him when he was on vacation here in the Lowcountry! 

Santa visits Charleston, SC during the spring and the summer. He likes to take a break from the cold weather at the North Pole. So, he trusts his workshop with the elves, and heads South to enjoy vacationing in Charleston. Just like us, he enjoys time at the beaches at Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Kiawah. 

See our gallery of Santa portraits.

(If you’re lucky, you might even see him picking up trash around Isle of Palms County Park! Beach Santa, as people here like to call him, likes to help people even during his time off. And, yes, he does carry candy canes to give out to the children who see him.)

I’ve heard he loves to stroll through Historic Downtown Charleston, enjoy the breeze at the Battery, and marvel at the colorful houses on Rainbow Row. And, like any good Charleston tourist, he also loves the restaurants and our famous pecan pralines.

So whether you’re here all year round, or you like to visit Charleston just like Santa, be sure to ask him about his favorite places in our area. He has a special place in his heart for our beautiful town and the friendly children who he meets here.

We're doing our first Charleston Santa Experience of 2020 in September because we know Santa's planning a trip here! Let us know if you're ready to save your spot!