Ringing in the New Year: Here Are the Best Ways to Celebrate New Year’s in Charleston, SC

If you are planning to celebrate in Charleston, SC, you’re in for a very special treat! With elegant black-tie dinners and dazzling fireworks displays, no place does New Year’s Eve better than the Holy City. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly outing or an intimate date night idea, here are some great ways to spend New YearEve in Charleston 

No matter how you decide to celebrate, you'll be glad that you chose to do it in Charleston! For more incredible ways to spend your time in the Lowcountry, make sure to download our free Sea Island Vacation Guide. They are full of recommendations about the best local dining, historic sites, entertainment, and more.  

New Years Eve in Charleston, SC


  • 11th Annual Charleston Wonderland NYE

8:30 pm to 1:00 am on December 31, 2024

Festival Hall - 56 Beaufain Street, Charleston, SC 29403

The 11th Annual Charleston Wonderland is Charleston's best New Year's Eve Celebration, including live bands & DJs, cirque performances, variety acts, and more!

The Wonderland NYE offers a red carpet experience with the best countdown to 2025 in Charleston, SC and a massive balloon drop, a champagne bar, a cigar bar, and specialty photo booths.

  • Aquarium Aglow:  New Year's Eve Celebration

Ring in the New Year early at the South Carolina Aquarium's family-friendly event! Enjoy the Aquarium Aglow experience, a DJ, stilt walkers, face painting, and more. Perfect for families with young children. 

5:50 pm to 9:30 pm on December 31, 2024

New Years in Charleston Yorktown Countdown
  • Marion Square New Years Celebration

Enjoy a super family-oriented celebration. The fun starts early with alcohol-free activities, food trucks, and festivities!

This event typically runs from 4 pm to 10 pm.

  • Folly Beach Flip Flop Drop

Folly Beach celebrates the new year with a street party on Center Street and the annual Flip-flop Drop. Center Street will be closed to auto traffic as revelers enjoy local restaurants and family-friendly festivities. The fun culminates when the sparkly flip-flops descend to mark the stroke of midnight and the beginning of 2025.

  • New Year's Eve at The Watch Rooftop Bar

Enjoy a night of celebrating under the stars and ring in the New Year at Charleston’s most scenic rooftop, complete with a live DJ and champagne toast at midnight. Located on Wentworth Street atop the Restoration Hotel, The Watch delivers views overlooking Charleston’s famed historic district. Grab your friends and spend an evening raising a toast to the new year!

December 31, 9 pm – Midnight

The Watch at The Restoration Hotel

75 Wentworth Street

  • Circa 1886 New Year’s Eve Dinner 

Circa 1886 celebrates 2024 with a New Year’s Eve dinner on December 31. Enjoy celebrating with a festive six-course prix fixe dinner prepared by Chef Collins and staff.  The Wentworth Mansion is the site for this memorable evening.

Cost: $195.00 per person, $295 paired with wine. Tax, gratuity, and beverages are additional.

Reserve a table here. 

Where to Ring in the New Year on Kiawah Island


  • New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at Night Heron Park 

Watch the sky light up as you ring in the new year at Night Heron Park! You can enjoy a full a la carte menu and fantastic live entertainment. This family-friendly event has something for everyone, including jump castles and lawn games for the kids. You can expect a menu with such favorites as roasted oysters, barbecued chicken, collard greens, and Hoppin’ John (a Southern tradition!).

Stay tuned for event details

  • Polar Bear Plunge 

The Polar Bear Plunge is an event for the brave. Although this is South Carolina, and the water may not be as frigid as some Polar Bear Plunge events up north, it’s still challenging! So, wear a crazy outfit and head to the water for this fun New Year’s Day event. It’s a refreshing start to the New Year.

Stay tuned for more information on this local tradition.

New Year's Dining at Freshfields Village


  • Heges Restaurant

Join Hege’s for a special New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday, December 31, beginning at 5:30 p.m.! Guests will enjoy a four-course menu featuring amuse bouches, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Seatings will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., and reservations are required. 2024 menu and options not yet published.  Check back for updates or contact Heges directly. 

For reservations or additional information, contact the restaurant at 843-768-0035. A full menu is available here.

  • Forty-Eight Wine Bar

Forty-Eight Wine Bar and Restaurant serves a delicious 3-course pre-fix dinner with seatings beginning at 5:00 pm.  Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival.

New Year’s Eve 3-Course Menu:

1st course: (choice of)

Butternut Squash Soup
Classic Caesar Salad
Spinach and Bacon Salad
Warm Crab And Artichoke Dip
PEI Steamed Mussels With Garlic Crostini
Pan-Seared Scallops

2nd course: (choice of)

Bucatini Shrimp Scampi
Sautéed Crab Cakes
Sesame Marinated Swordfish
Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Andouille Sausage Flatbread
Steak Frites (Filet Mignon)

Dessert: (Choice of)

Key Lime Pie With Housemade Whipped Cream
Seasonal Berries with Berry Coulis
Liqueur Flavored Chocolate Truffles
Housemade Chocolate Date Pecan Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream

Book your reservation early to ensure the best availability!  Book here: 

 

Book Your New Year’s Eve Getaway Today! 

Welcome the New Year alongside the great Atlantic Ocean and relax beneath a starry winter sky. 

Another fabulous way to celebrate the new year is with an intimate beach getaway among family and friends. 

If you’d rather stay in for New Year’s Eve, get cozy in an upscale vacation rental and spend quality time with the ones closest to you. 

New Years Rental Home near Charleston SC

When you choose a luxurious Kiawah Island or Seabrook Island rental, you can always look forward to uncrowded beaches, upscale amenities, and a Charleston getaway you won’t ever forget. 

Turn your Holiday Visit into a Lifetime of Island Joy

Are you planning a holiday getaway to our beautiful islands? Make the most of your visit by exploring the potential of island living. Contact Pam Harrington Exclusives Real Estate to schedule a personalized real estate tour.

Our experienced agents will guide you to the island's amenities and stunning properties, from cozy scenic cottages to luxurious oceanfront estates. Discover the perfect island home to create lasting memories and embrace the island lifestyle. Take advantage of this opportunity to turn your dream of island living into reality.

Looking for more ways to enjoy during your winter vacation in Charleston? Read our blog on the Lowcountry’s best winter activities!