Hilton Head Christmas Lights
Where to see Christmas lights on Hilton Head: Harbour Town, Shelter Cove's harbour, a lit wagon ride and the Town's tree.
- Season: Harbour Town Lights runs Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, to Friday, Jan. 1, 2027; Shelter Cove's harbour lights run from Thanksgiving week into early January
- Where: Harbour Town in Sea Pines, Shelter Cove Harbour, Heritage Farm for the wagon ride, and the Town's tree at Lowcountry Celebration Park
- Best time: After dark, once the lights are on. Harbour Town's tree is lit at about 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 27
The island's best Christmas lights are in two harbours: Harbour Town in Sea Pines, with its tree and illuminated figures around the water, and Shelter Cove, where the boardwalk and the boats in the marina are lit. Both are easy to walk, and both have restaurants open for dinner before or after. Add a wagon ride through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve and the Town's own tree and you have a full evening or two.
For concerts, markets, Santa and everything else that happens at Christmas, see Hilton Head Christmas.
Harbour Town Lights
Harbour Town Lights
Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, to Friday, Jan. 1, 2027
Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Road, Sea Pines
Illuminated seasonal figures and a large Christmas tree around Harbour Town, with live entertainment and holiday activities through the season. Sea Pines collects canned goods and unwrapped toys for the Deep Well Project.
Tree lighting and Gregg Russell concert
Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Liberty Oak, Harbour Town
The official tree lighting comes just before Gregg Russell's free Thanksgiving concert under the Liberty Oak. Santa visits from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Gregg Russell returns for a Christmas concert on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Shelter Cove Harbour's holiday lights
Holiday lights on the harbour
Thanksgiving week into early January
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, 13 Harbourside Lane
Lights along the boardwalk and around the harbour, and boats in the marina decorated for Coastal Christmas, with seven waterfront restaurants and the harbour's shops open in the evening. Santa arrives by fire truck on the day after Thanksgiving.
A lit wagon ride through the Forest Preserve
Holiday Lights Wagon Ride
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2026, 5 to 6 p.m.
Heritage Farm, 185 Greenwood Drive, Sea Pines
An illuminated wagon through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve with a holiday sing-along, hot chocolate and treats. The preserve itself isn't decorated, to protect wildlife, so the lights are the wagon's.
The Town's tree and neighbourhood displays
Town of Hilton Head Island tree lighting
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue
The Town's community Christmas tree stands in the park across from Coligny, and the lighting ceremony is the first Saturday of December.
Fire Rescue Station 3 holiday display
During the holiday season
534 William Hilton Parkway
The Town's Fire Rescue station on William Hilton Parkway sets up a holiday light display with a toy and food drive. A drive-by display you can see without leaving the car.
Many island neighbourhoods and resorts decorate for the season, but most are gated and private, which makes Harbour Town and Shelter Cove the displays open to everyone. Want lights hung at your own home or rental? That is a job for a local holiday-lighting installer; ask your property manager or search for one on the island.
More winter holiday guides
Harbour Town's two ball drops, a dinner cruise and the Polar Bear Swim.
Harbour Town Lights in Sea Pines run nightly from the Friday after Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Tree lighting date, free concert, Santa and gate fee.
Harbour Town Christmas is a year-round ornament and nutcracker shop on Lighthouse Road in Sea Pines. Hours, address, phone and what shoppers say.
Restaurants on Hilton Head Island open for Christmas Eve and Day: Links' prix fixe dinner, Bowdie's and HH Prime. What each serves and how to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see Christmas lights in Hilton Head?
Harbour Town in Sea Pines and Shelter Cove Harbour are the two main displays. Sea Pines also runs a Holiday Lights Wagon Ride through the Forest Preserve, and the Town lights its community tree at Lowcountry Celebration Park.
When do the Christmas lights go up at Harbour Town?
Harbour Town Lights runs from Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, to Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, with the official tree lighting at about 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, just before Gregg Russell's Thanksgiving concert.
Are there Christmas lights at Shelter Cove?
Yes. The boardwalk and harbour are lit and boats in the marina are decorated, from Thanksgiving week into early January. The waterfront restaurants and shops stay open in the evening.
Is there a Christmas lights wagon ride on Hilton Head?
Yes: the Holiday Lights Wagon Ride leaves Heritage Farm in Sea Pines on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2026, from 5 to 6 p.m., with a holiday sing-along and hot chocolate.
Who hangs Christmas lights on Hilton Head homes?
Local holiday-lighting installers do. This guide is for seeing the island's displays; for a home or rental, ask your property manager or search for an installer on the island.
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