Another Christmas has come and gone. We have welcomed in another New Year. Are we happy about this? Relieved, maybe? To be honest, the holidays are not the best time for me and I usually try to ignore them. Between a little loneliness and seasonal depression, they just don’t tend to spark joy. But… last year I went to a little festival that brought a smile to even this Grinch’s face. It really did and I have to say, it felt damn good. Today I wanted to share this magical festival with you and get it on your radar for next year. Here’s my guide on how you can make the most of Christmasville in Rock Hill, SC and why you need to experience it at least once!
How To Make The Most Of Christmasville In Rock Hill, SC
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
The basics
2025 dates
December 4-7, 2025.
Where is it located?
Rock Hill, South Carolina. This was about a 9 hour drive from Destin.
Who is it suited for?
Families, couples, friends. Not the most suited to solo travelers in my opinion.
Where to stay?
What to bring with you?
- Wear clothing that will keep you warm as it is an outdoor festival.
- Comfortable shoes for walking around all day.
- On the go hand wipes to clean up after eating the fun food.
- You really don’t need much else!
What is Christmasville?
Christmasville is an entire festival for all things Christmas.
And there is a certain magic in the air here. I don’t know if it was watching the fake snow flutter against the backdrop of the blue sky, hearing the sounds of Christmas music fill the streets, or seeing the smiles light up kids faces as they experienced the activities. Whatever it was, the energy and ambiance is special and full of Christmas cheer.
During this festival the town of Rock Hill is transformed into a winter wonderland. The streets are lined with different displays, interactive activities, food trucks, games, performances, and there’s even a beer garden.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Christmas festival without the big guy in red and yes, Santa does make appearances over the weekend as well as the Grinch. The Grinch even had a story time activity last year!
With about 70 different events and activities going on, there is plenty to keep you busy for the weekend and something for everyone.
What is there to see at Christmasville in Rock Hill?
I’ll break down the sections for you so you have an idea of what to expect. Let’s start towards the back and work forward.
There was a large, grassy area at the back full of games and fun for the kids. If you need to get some energy out of them between events, this is where to go. There was a couple of bouncy houses, slides, and inflatable axe throwing to name a few but plenty of fun for the kids to enjoy.
Next to the play area was a stage area by the beautiful water fountain. At the stage you can find performances from local bands and community groups like dance studios.
Then you have a street lined with food trucks. I have to say, I loved the pizza I got and there was also a cool pickle food truck that deserves a special mention. You’ll also find things like funnel cake, fresh lemonade, BBQ food, tacos and more.
Then you walk up the Main Street and this is where the magic really begins. The street is lined with activities like stacking Christmas presents, decorating cookies, creating ornaments, petting ‘baby reindeer’, and watching ice sculpture demonstrations. There’s a lot going on! You’ll also find another stage here with more local performances.
Inside the buildings off the Main Street you can also find different events like the gingerbread decorating contest which you can vote on, and other activities like ornament painting and themed brunch.
Travel tip: I recommend visiting the official festival website before you go to find any extra events that you might want to attend, as some of them require registering in advance.
When you want to relax with a cold one, there is a beer garden with live music. However if you want a cold one on the go, there was also a beer truck nearby. If they have the Apple Pie Cider on tap – try it and thank me later. It’s phenomenal.
There is also a craft market which had a bunch of local vendors selling their locally made food and crafty items. I actually did all my Christmas shopping there which made it easy for me!
Lastly, I can’t forget the horse drawn carriage rides.
Where to park to attend Christmasville?
As you would expect, the main festival area is blocked off for the festival but luckily you can find nearby parking around town.
There is a trolley that will take you into the festival from these four areas:
- York County Back Lot (Black St/Elk Ave)
- Wells Fargo Lot
- Vendor Market
- Elizabeth Avenue (near horse and carriages)
Parking at one of those areas and taking the trolley would be the most convenient and there is more information with a map on the official festival website. Personally, I also found it easy to head to the main area and park wherever I could find a spot around the town.
Wherever you park, I recommend going early as it gets busier as the day goes on.
Where to stay for a weekend in Christmasville
If you are making a weekend trip out of this, I recommend Cambria Fort Mill. This is where I stayed and I thought it was a wonderful place to stay.
It was about 15 minutes from the festival, so it would be best if you have a car. The rooms were cozy and comfortable (the faux brick was aesthetic was super cool), there was plenty of parking, the staff were great, and the lobby area had a really nice lounge and bar space for the evenings.
Wherever you stay, I recommend searching on Booking.com. This is my go-to website for booking accommodation because I always manage to snag a good deal on there.
Other things to do nearby
Christmasville is going to keep you busy, but in the downtime I recommend taking a break and exploring the local area.
On the last day I did a little exploring and here is what I found. Mostly food related because it was cold and I like to eat 🙂
- Knowledge Perk is an awesome local coffee shop (they even do an iced coffee flight!)
- Tega Cay is another cozy, coffee shop I liked.
- Slow Play Brewery was a fun local brewery with really cool ambiance and tasty ciders.
- Shrimp and Grits you’ll never forget at FM Eatery.
- Visit the Pump House for a delicious dinner in a unique setting with gorgeous water views.
Travel tip: To make the most of your time at Christmasville and see a bit of the local area, I recommend batching your time there around the activities you want to do. That way you will have more free time in chunks to see the local area.
Overall thoughts on Christmasville in Rock Hill, SC
Overall, I would absolutely recommend visiting Christmasville because it was a magical weekend away. Like I said, I struggle with the holidays but being around so much happiness and cheer did make them a little easier and gave me something to just be in the moment and enjoy.
You just can’t beat seeing kids faces light up when they experience it and I’m sure many kids there made memories that they will one day tell their own kids about.
For more information:
I recommend checking out the official festival website for more information and current updates.
Other guides you might enjoy
- How To Spend A Weekend In Helen, GA – Your Detailed Travel Guide
- Ultimate Guide On How To Spend A Weekend In Montgomery AL
- What You Need To Know About Watching Sunrise At The Pretty Place
If you found this useful, return the favor by sharing it or following me on Instagram!
No Comments