The Charleston Santa is a family holiday experience presented by Explore Charleston and the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. Hosted at the Best Friend Train Museum in downtown Charleston, it combines a festive visit with Santa with an opportunity to discover the story of the Best Friend of Charleston, America’s first passenger locomotive, which debuted on Christmas Day in 1830.

Families can reserve a free, timed visit to meet Santa and receive a complimentary photo. Reservations are required because space is limited, with visits scheduled in 15-minute slots on selected dates during November and December. Photo packages are also available for purchase, and finished photos can be picked up at the Charleston Visitor Center.

The experience encourages visitors to support Toys for Tots by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to help “fill the train.” Guests may also purchase a toy to donate from the nearby Explore More Store. Those purchases are sales-tax-free and support the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry’s community outreach efforts, making the event a way to celebrate the season while giving back.