The Fountain Inn, SC Christmas season is truly magical! With carriage rides, hot chocolate, and lots of holiday spirit, you’ll find your Christmas spirit. Here’s what happens in Fountain Inn and why you should make a trip there this holiday season.
Find all of the wonderfully magical things going on throughout the Upstate this season with our Kidding Around® Holiday Guide!
Fountain Inn is such a cute little town, with small businesses lining Main Street, a farmers market during the summer, a splash pad, and family-friendly events all year. But Christmas is something special, and a bit enchanting. The entire Christmas experience in Fountain Inn runs from December 3rd – 17th, 2026, excluding December 8th and 14th. They have special events throughout this fun holiday season so read on. The carriage rides (and nightly Santa visits) are based at Commerce Park and the Farmers Market Pavilion on Depot Street in downtown Fountain Inn, while the tree lighting and parade take place on Main Street.
Fountain Inn Carriage Rides 2026: Quick Facts
- What: Christmas “INN” Our Town, the City of Fountain Inn / Main Street Fountain Inn holiday series
- Carriage rides: December 3–17, 2026 (no rides December 8 or 14), 5–9 pm
- Where: Check in at the Fountain Inn Farmers Market Pavilion, 110 Depot St., Fountain Inn
- Tickets: $15 per person; private carriage $125 (fits up to 4). Tickets must be bought in advance through Main Street Fountain Inn
- Ride length & ages: About 30 minutes; all ages
- Also this season: Tree Lighting Tuesday, Dec. 1 (5–8 pm); Christmas Parade Wednesday, Dec. 2 (5:30 pm); free Santa photos on carriage-ride nights; Merry Market Saturday, Dec. 5 (10 am–4 pm)
- Contact: Main Street Fountain Inn, 864-531-0644
Holiday Events in Fountain Inn, SC
Fountain Inn Christmas Parade
The annual Fountain Inn Christmas Parade is Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026 – 5:30 pm in Downtown Fountain Inn on Main Street.
Tree Lighting
Fountain Inn celebrates Christmas with their annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1st, from 5 pm – 8 pm. Santa will stop by, and you can enjoy live music during the event.
Things to Do to Celebrate Christmas in Fountain Inn, SC
Cocoa and Cookies with Santa – Friday, December 4, 2026
Village Play is offering a special Christmas experience. Children will enjoy play time, cocoa, cookies, and a visit with Santa! Each family will have a few minutes to EXCLUSIVELY visit with Santa and take photos. You and your family will have time to visit with Santa in the private classroom with a special photo backdrop.
Friday, December 4th from 5:30-7 PM
$25 per child. Adults are always free. Children 6 and under. No charge for siblings under age 1. Socks are required for anyone wishing to enter the play area. They do sell socks in case you forget.
Carriage Rides
Perhaps the best-known Christmas activity in Fountain Inn is the carriage rides, which happen daily from December 3rd-17th, 2026 (excluding the 8th and 14th) from 5 – 9 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance, reservations are required, and availability is limited (tickets went on sale November 2, 2026). You can reserve your tickets at the Fountain Inn events website. Tickets are $15/person. Per the City’s carriage ticket policy, every guest, including children and infants, must have a ticket and be counted in your reservation.
The carriage ride is about 30 minutes long and it goes through the historic downtown Fountain Inn. Check in at the Fountain Inn Farmers Market Pavilion on Depot Street, and plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your ride time. You can also choose to book a private carriage ride on the same website for $125 (a private carriage fits up to 4 people).
Santa INN Town
Each night of the carriage rides (December 3rd-17th, 2026, 5 – 9 pm), Santa will be on the Commerce Park Stage on Depot Street taking wish lists. Photos with Santa are free, so bring your own camera or phone.
Yuletide Unicorn Festival with Santa
Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm hosts its Yuletide Unicorn & Meet Santa Christmas Event every Saturday and Sunday, December 5th – 20th, 2026, 11 am – 4 pm (gates close at 3:45 pm). Kids can visit the unicorns, meet Santa, roast marshmallows, and make Christmas memories. Admission is $14 for everyone ages 3 and up (adults too) and free for ages 2 and under. Pony and unicorn rides are $10 each and animal feed is $5. Tickets are sold at the gate.
Shopping
Start your holiday shopping with the Merry Market on December 5th, 2026 from 10 am – 4 pm at the Pavilion on Depot Street where you can shop local vendors.
Commerce Park
110 Depot Street, Fountain Inn
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Fountain Inn Christmas Carriage Rides FAQ
When are the Fountain Inn Christmas carriage rides in 2026?
Nightly from December 3–17, 2026, 5–9 pm, except December 8 and 14.
How much are Fountain Inn carriage rides?
Tickets are $15 per person. A private carriage is $125 and fits up to 4 people.
Do I need reservations?
Yes. The City says tickets must be purchased in advance, reservations are required, and availability is limited. Book through Main Street Fountain Inn.
Where do the carriage rides start?
Check in at the Fountain Inn Farmers Market Pavilion, 110 Depot St., at least 10 minutes before your ride.
Can we see Santa in Fountain Inn?
Yes. Santa is on the Commerce Park Stage on Depot Street every carriage-ride night, 5–9 pm, and photos with Santa are free.
Have you been to Fountain Inn for any Christmas events?
I just went to the Christmas Parade! 🙂 Gallery is on the website link below.
How do I get tickets? What is the phone number?
Click the link to go to Fountain Inn’s website. You can buy tickets there and the phone number is there as well.
Will there be ice skating this year ?
They don’t have ice skating.
When is the Christmas parade
It was early December