On the twelfth day of Christmas... 🎶

12 days of Charleston

The holiday season in the Holy City is something special. | Photo by @bethhuntleycharleston

It’s the time of year when the Festival of Lights is in full swing, tree lightings and parades are happening on every corner, and the Coburg Cow is festively decorated on her perch.

We thought we’d contribute to the seasonal festivities with our own semi-original holiday tune featuring our favorite topic.

Without further ado, we’re bringing you CHStoday’s 12 Days of Charleston.

Twelve hours in Charleston
Spend a quintessential Charleston day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Eleven dog-friendly bars + restaurants
No pet left behind. Grab your furry friend and head to one of these dog-friendly spots.

Ten SC songs
Jam out to these tunes that are sure to put Carolina on your mind.

Nine tapas restaurants
Grab a quick bite with a friend or enjoy a precursor to your meal.

Eight international markets
Venture into a new world of global fare while supporting local businesses.

Seven restaurants you’d bring back
Take a walk down memory lane in downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant + on Johns Island.

Six speakeasy-style bars
Check out one of these bars that act as a nod to the past for a change of pace from your usual happy hour spot.

Five record stores
Swing by one of these local music hubs to turn the tables on how you listen to music.

Four makerspaces
Get those creative + innovative juices flowing at one of these local spaces.

Three ghost stories
We all know Charleston has quite a few bone-chilling stories — how could you not with a history dating back to 1670?

Two editors
Learn a bit more about the brains behind the operation at CHStoday.

One Coburg Cow weather forecaster
You know her, you love her, and now you know this local landmark’s backstory.

We could fill 100 verses with things we love about the Lowcountry, but for now, we’re just sticking to one.

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Dec. 5

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation | Monday, Dec. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Charleston | $10 | Enjoy a showing of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” as part of the holiday film series.

Tuesday, Dec. 6

A Holiday Festival of Music 2022 | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston | Free, donations encouraged | Join Charleston Concert Band’s annual, family-friendly Holiday Festival of Music concert featuring seasonal music at the Summerall Chapel.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Service | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant | Free | Head to this free Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Service aboard the USS Yorktown featuring a wreath-laying, traditional gun salute, and tolling of a bell.
A Night at the Museum | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St., Charleston | $5-$10 | The museum is keeping its doors open late for an evening filled with art, antiques, shopping, and art making with local vendors.

Thursday, Dec. 8

MPCC Annual “Not Just an Oyster Roast” Holiday Party | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | Cotton Dock, Boone Hall Plantation, 1235 Long Point Rd., Mount Pleasant | $55 members, $75 guests | It’s time for the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday party — expect all you can eat oysters, barbecue, drinks, and live music.
Merrier with Moe’s: Holiday Fiesta | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Moe’s Summerville, 214 Azalea Square Blvd., Unit A., North Charleston | Free | Spice up your holiday season with kid’s crafts, music, photos with Santa + giving (bonus: bring an unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots and get $3 off your meal).*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Affinity Healthcare dba Palmetto Primary Care

It’s time to up your table game 🦪

A group of people eat off a table outside.

All tables are made to order + can be custom engraved. | Photo provided by Charleston Oyster Tables

Take your backyard hang-outs up a notch with Charleston Oyster Tables’ one-of-a-kind outdoor entertainment tables. 🌳

These beautiful + portable pieces are handmade-to-order by Charleston artisans and come in four (weather-proof) stains that elegantly highlight the grain of the wood. Sure to be the focal point of your next event, these multi-use tables are perfect for:

Oyster roasts
Clam bakes
Crawfish + low country boils
Charcuterie spreads
Beverage and service tables

Bonus: Each table includes optional custom engraving.*

MEET YOUR BACKYARD'S NEW BFF

Weather

65º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:06 a.m.
Set: 5:15 p.m.

Tide

Low: 12:01 p.m.
High: 5:47 a.m. + 6:07 p.m.

Civic

Disaster Recovery Centers have been established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Charleston, Georgetown, and Horry counties for Hurricane Ian recovery assistance. Representatives may help residents update FEMA applications + explain and apply for programs, though residents are asked to apply for FEMA assistance before visiting a site. ✍️ (WCBD)
Representatives from the Charleston Area Rapid Transit + the “Rethink Folly Road” Initiative are looking for the community’s input on a plan for the Folly Beach shuttle, or “Folly Trolly.” Share your thoughts in this 16-question survey to help the committee assess the community’s wants and needs for the resource. 🚌 (WCSC)

Number

$14.4 million. That’s how much steel + metal manufacturer Metal Trades, Inc. plans to invest to expand operations in Charleston County, including the construction of a new facility on its existing campus at 4194 Hwy. 165 in Meggett, SC. The growth is expected to create 64 jobs and may be completed by the second half of 2023. 💰

Plan Ahead

Tickets are now on sale for the 69th annual Carolopolis Awards on Thursday, Feb. 2, recognizing achievements in exterior + interior preservation, rehabilitation, and new construction projects in Charleston. DYK the Preservation Society of Charleston has awarded ~1,500 Carolopolis Awards? Peep last year’s winners. 🏆

Cause

The Charleston Area Regional Transporation Authority’s annual holiday bike giveaway is back + nominations are now open. Through this initiative, five people will be selected to win a refurbished bike from local nonprofit Second Chance Bikes. Send your nomination to CARTA on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram by Monday, Dec. 12 at 11:59 p.m. 🚲 (WCBD)
Explore Charleston + Dragon Boat Charleston have partnered to transform the Charleston Area Visitor and Reception Center into a winter wonderland for the third annual Festival of Trees. The event runs through Wednesday, Jan. 4, and supports cancer patients and survivors. Browse the tree selection and cast your bid. 🎄

Featured

Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles event recently landed a spot on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the 23 Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S., specifically in the Southeast region. ✨ (WCSC)

Seasonal

Your Monday morning holiday gift inspiration, courtesy of Etsy: For the person who loves bread. For the person obsessed with their pet. For the person who can take a joke. For the kid who loves to color. Plus, all you need is popcorn or all you need is marshmallows. 🎁*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Culture

Time to spruce things up

The bright, airy setting that Lebanon Tree Farm offers is magical. | Photo by @lmlord

Any real tree enthusiasts out there? We know we are. 👋

If you haven’t grabbed your holiday tree yet, it’s not too late. We’ve got you covered with a few spots to purchase your tree around Charleston.

Though a couple of these spots may require a bit of a drive, who knows? You may just discover your new holiday tradition. 🎄

Cardinal Tree Farms, locations vary | Shop a selection of fresh Fraser Firs from North Carolina.
Dreaming Farms, 1540 Camp Rd. | Don’t forget to shop for fresh greenery like wreaths and garlands.
Clawson’s Christmas Trees, 506 St. James Ave., Goose Creek | This lot receives fresh shipments weekly from Boone, NC.
The Mistletoe Tree Lot, 3408 Mistletoe Ln., Summerville | Since the lot is on Mistletoe Lane, it must be fate, right?
Center Bend Farm, 236 Center Bend Ln., Harleyville | Browse the selection at this small, family-owned farm in Harleyville.
Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm, 253 Needle Ln., Ridgeville | DYK this family-owned + operated farm has been around since 1985?

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alexandra.

Editor’s pick: By this point, I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m a holiday enthusiast. I love sharing all of the seasonal happenings around town — and participating, of course. Check out this reel for a glimpse into my experience at one of my favorite local traditions: The Holiday Festival of Lights.

Pro tip: Once you’re in the gates, you can drive through the display as many times as you want. I drove around three times and probably could’ve gone through a few more. Overkill? Maybe. The displays are just too good.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Get the scoop on the 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alexandra Garian, Tatum Jacaruso, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Stephanie Zapiecki | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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