There’s nothing quite like the holidays in the Holy City. | Photo by @bethhuntleycharleston
Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Charleston. From holidayperformancestofestive fêtes, winter is just around the corner for the Holy City.
Read: While you’re weathering this storm, get ahead on some holiday planning with this guide featuring 27 events happening between December and February.
Festivals
Holiday Festival of Lights | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr. | $15+ | Cruise along a three-mile display featuring an estimated two million lights.
Illumination Charleston | Thursday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 4 | Times vary | Venues vary | Prices vary | Peep the schedule for this joint celebration between Explore Charleston, Southern Living, and Historic Charleston Foundation kicking off the season with events focusing on Southern culture, preservation, and design inspiration.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival | Sunday, Jan. 29 | Boone Hall Plantation, 1235 Long Point Rd., Mount Pleasant | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | $23 | Dig into 60,000 pounds of oysters at the world’s largest oyster festival held right here in our backyard.
Holiday events
Aquarium Aglow | Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31 | Entry times vary | South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf | $26.95+ | Explore the South Carolina Aquarium in a whole new light — or tens of thousands of new lights — plus interactive displays + refreshments.
Holiday Events at The Charleston Place | Friday, Nov. 25-Monday, Jan. 2 | All day | The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St. | Free | You heard it here: The Charleston Place is transforming into a European holiday bazaar this season, featuring iconic holiday decor, a tree lighting ceremony on November 25, and snowfall twice nightly.
27th Annual Christmas Light Parade | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 5:30-8 p.m. | West Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant | Free | Grab your blanket and make your way to the 27th annual parade along West Coleman Boulevard that kicks off with a fireworks show.
Holiday performances
A Christmas Carol | Wednesday, Nov. 30-Wednesday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Historic Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. | $46.50-$85.50 | Explore colorful new sets and costumes and a new holiday score in this classic Charles Dickens production.
Tap the button below for 20 more holiday events happening this season.
Dessert with Death | Friday, Nov. 11 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Charleston Culinary Tours, 46 B State St., Charleston | $60 | Explore local ghost + horror stories and enjoy a five-course dessert menu.
What If? | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | College of Charleston Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun St., Charleston | $12-$20 | College of Charleston Opera presents popular selections from opera and music theater showcasing talented students.
Veterans Day Ceremony | Friday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | American Legion Post 166, 116 Howe Hall Rd., Goose Creek | Celebrate Veterans Day at a ceremony hosted by the City of Goose Creek and American Legion Post 166 — this event has been moved inside due to the weather.
Saturday, Nov. 12
20 Tips for Your iPhone or iPad | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Charleston Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston | Bring your iPhone or iPad (or come and watch) and practice 20 tips every iOS owner should know — registration required.
Alcohol Art Ink & Drink w/ WildHeart Art @ Snafu Brewing | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Snafu Brewing Company, 3280 Industry Dr., North Charleston | $38 | Create beautiful glass ornaments for the holidays with nationally-published artist Sherri Welser — all supplies included.
Sunday, Nov. 13
Free Yoga Class at Yoloha Yoga Studio to benefit Nurses | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Yoloha Yoga Studio, 1750 Signal Point Rd. 6 E, Charleston | Free with suggested donation | The Together While Apart Thank You Nurses Campaign has partnered with Yoloha Yoga Studio to hold a free yoga class led by instructor Katie Fey.
Living History Days | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd., Charleston | Free with admission | Interpreters + volunteers will demonstrate skills including carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery, laundry, cooking, cane pressing, indigo dyeing, and candle making.
Modern Punch Needle Workshop | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St., Charleston | $150-$180 | Come learn the art of punch needle with Redux studio artist, Daisy McClellan — no experience required.
Saturday, Nov. 19
Lights Up | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, in front of Belk, 1218 Belk Dr., Mount Pleasant | Free | Enjoy a laser light show, a 40-ft. Christmas tree lighting, two live musical performances, food + drinks, plus a visit from Santa himself — all benefiting Camp Rise Above.*
Please note events are subject to be postponed or canceled due to weather conditions. Be sure to check in with event hosts and businesses via social media to be aware of any cancelations or event updates.
Take your supply chain management skills to the next level 📈
CSCP certification can drive improvement in your organization and maximize the efficiency of planning and operations. | Photo provided by USC Office of Continuing Education and Conferences
ThisCSCP certificate preparation course utilizes the APICS CSCP Learning System and provides access to the latest and most comprehensive industry information, making it a great next step for Charlestonians wanting to deepen their knowledge of the most up-to-date supply chain management best practices.
The skills and expertise gained from the course and the distinction gained from CSCP certification benefits both professionals and employers by keeping you and your organization more competitive in today’s economy.
After earning CSCP certification, professionals will be able to:
Help a company reach its ideal supply chain state
Use data to link production, distribution, purchasing + service
Good news, Holy City:Pisco Mar, Charleston’s first Peruvian chef’s table, officially opens to the public today. Dig into eight courses of Peruvian coastal cuisine + enjoy pisco-centriccocktails at the restaurant located in Port of Call Food and Brew Hall at 99S. MarketSt. 🍴
Community
Many local schools are operating under an eLearning model today, with various cancelations for after-school activities. Take a look at this list for an overview of schedule changes and cancelations for schools, agencies,and events around town. (WCSC)
Number
$25,000. That’s the total COVID relief funding that eligible Charleston County small businesses could receive from the second round of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Find details on eligible applicants and virtual + in-personworkshops for interested businesses. Pssst: The next in-person workshop is on Tuesday, Nov. 15. 💰 (WCSC)
Award
Drum roll, please... DorchesterSchoolDistrictTwo has received a PurpleStardesignation, awarded to school districts that “meet the unique needs of military families.” A celebratoryceremony was held this week. Congrats, DD2. 🏆 (WCBD)
Arts
The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is looking for submissions from nationwide African American textile artists for an upcoming exhibition featured during the 2023NorthCharlestonArtsFest. The festival isscheduled for May 3-7. Artists are allotted fourentries with a $30entryfee. Learn more + apply. 🎨
Holiday
Local tiki-inspired bar Bonny’s Hideaway is bringing back its Sippin’ Santa pop-up holiday bar on Monday, Nov. 21, featuring signaturecocktails + festivedecor. Get into the spirit at 549 King St. and don’t miss the finale: The WinterWonderlandNewYear’sEveparty. 🥂
Pets
James Island restaurant Jalisco Taqueria is participating in Patrick Veterinary Clinic‘s Clemson/Carolina Pet Food Drive Contest. The community is encouraged to bring unopenedbags or cansofdogorcatfood to donate to local shelters between now + Saturday, Nov. 26. 🐾
Today Is
Veterans Day, a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Expect various closures related to the holiday. Heads up: Veterans receive complimentary general admission at MagnoliaPlantation&Gardens today with a military ID.
Looking to add (or gift) some flavor to your holiday dishes? SimpliThai is offering a holiday special on Thai cooking kits + sauce. Pro tip: Pick up at their local kitchen or farmers market or ship to friends or family nationwide. Snag 20% off with promo code 20%holiday. 🍽 *
Travel
Dreaming up a trip to the Bahamas? This Spanish Wells private cottagemight just be your new happy place. It’s steps from the turquoise water, fully air conditioned, and is rated five stars. Book it as a January getaway or the best holiday gift ever for $299 avg/night. 🌊*
Celebrate
We want to wish a happy birthday (on Saturday) to our teammate Stephanie, 6AM City Sales Executive. Happy birthday, Stephanie!
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THE BUY
Get a smile you’ll love in time for the holidays 🎁
You’ll receive regular virtual Smile Check-ins™ to touch base on your progress. | Photo by Smile Direct Club
Want a straighter smile?
SmileDirectClub can make it happen, with 22-hour-wear aligners and Nighttime Aligners™ that straighten teeth in as little as 60 days.
Here’s how it works:
Using an in-person scan or an at-home kit, SmileDirectClub creates a 3D image of your teeth that they use to assess your smile.
Then, they create a custom aligner treatment plan to straighten it — for 60% less than braces or Invisalign.
“As little as 60 days” claim is based on survey results with customers who were in treatment with SmileDirectClub 22 hour wear clear aligners where 80% said they saw movement within the first 60 days.
SmileDirectClub treatment is backed by their Lifetime Smile Guarantee™. Terms and conditions apply. See SmileDirectClub.com/guarantee for details.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Alexandra.
Editor’s pick:After sharing the scoop on all of these local holiday events, you could say I’m in the holidayspirit. Well, I have been, but now I’m in the holiday decorating spirit.
It may be too early, but it’s okay — I need something to look forward to now that daylight saving time has gone into effect and it’s darkat5 p.m.
This year I’m planning for a real tree and I want to know: Where’s the best local place to pick up a Christmastree? Share ‘em with me.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Take a look at your storm preparation guide, here.
Connect with us.
Editorial:Alexandra Garian, Tatum Jacaruso, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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