Christmas Eve Services in Charleston (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 8, 2026 · Checked weekly

11 churches in the Charleston area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 11 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far.
  • Earliest family service: 4:00 PM at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
  • Latest service posted: 11:30 PM at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
  • 4 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Charleston and Christmas train rides in South Carolina.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Charleston

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
4:00 PMCathedral of St. John the BaptistFamily
11:30 PMCathedral of St. John the BaptistService

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Charleston

Showing all 11 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

More Charleston area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Charleston

Churches whose tradition we have confirmed, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Anglican Christmas Eve services in Charleston (2)

Anglican services in other cities

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Charleston (1)

Catholic services in other cities

Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Charleston (6)

All Episcopal listings in CharlestonEpiscopal services across South CarolinaEpiscopal services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Charleston (1)

Presbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Charleston.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Charleston.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Charleston before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

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More Christmas Eve services near Charleston

All Christmas Eve services in South CarolinaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Charleston

Family Christmas plans in and around Charleston, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Charleston

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Charleston area hold services from the afternoon into the evening, and some hold a service at or near midnight.

How many churches in the Charleston area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 11 churches in the Charleston area with Christmas Eve services. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Charleston?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 4:00 PM at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Charleston?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 11:30 PM at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Which churches in Charleston have a family or children's Christmas Eve service?

Churches with a family or children's service posted for 2026 include Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Family services are usually earlier and shorter, often with a children's pageant or simple songs.

Which parts of the Charleston area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Daniel Island, Downtown and James Island. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Charleston?

The 11 churches on this page include 6 Episcopal, 2 Anglican, 1 Catholic and 1 Presbyterian. Episcopal: Calvary Episcopal Church, Church of the Holy Communion and Grace Church Cathedral. Anglican: St. Michael's Church and St. Philip's Church.

Which Charleston churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

Calvary Episcopal Church, Church of the Holy Communion, Grace Church Cathedral, Providence Church, Second Presbyterian Church, St. James Episcopal Church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, St. Michael's Church, St. Philip's Church and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

Which Charleston churches had a family Christmas Eve service last year?

Second Presbyterian Church held a family or children's Christmas Eve service last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

When do churches in Charleston post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there an Episcopal Christmas Eve service in Charleston?

Yes. This page lists 6 Episcopal churches in Charleston with Christmas Eve services, including Calvary Episcopal Church (Downtown), Church of the Holy Communion (Downtown) and Grace Church Cathedral (Downtown). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there an Anglican Christmas Eve service in Charleston?

Yes. This page lists 2 Anglican (ACNA) churches in Charleston with Christmas Eve services, including St. Michael's Church (Downtown) and St. Philip's Church (Downtown). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Charleston?

Yes. This page lists 1 Catholic church in Charleston with Christmas Eve services, including Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Downtown). Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has posted 2026 times starting at 4:00 PM.

Is there a Presbyterian Christmas Eve service in Charleston?

Yes. This page lists 1 Presbyterian church in Charleston with Christmas Eve services, including Second Presbyterian Church (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Charleston that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in South Carolina?

Our page for South Carolina lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Charleston?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Charleston lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

How early should we arrive for a Christmas Eve service?

Family and candlelight services are usually the busiest of the year. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early helps with parking and seating together, especially with young children.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
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Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Charleston (2026)
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