Welcome the new year at Uptown Social. | Photo by Uptown Hospitality Events
With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, you probably want to make planstocelebrate soon. Luckily for us, there are plenty of things to do in Charleston for the holiday and we’re here to give you a guide to ringing in the new year with your friends, family, and loved ones. 🥂
Head to Center Street for the annual Flip Flop Drop to see the giant sparkly flip-flops descend to mark the stroke of midnight, followed by a fireworks show on the beach.
American Red Cross Blood Drive | Monday, Dec. 12 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston | Free | Firefly Distillery is hosting blood drives in the Firefly Room and all donors will receive a $10 Amazon gift card as a thank you.
Hamfish BBQ Nomadic Dinner | Monday, Dec. 12 | 8-10 p.m. | Munkle Brewing, 1513 Meeting Street Rd., Charleston | $100 | Join chefs Blair Machado and RJ Dye for a nomadic dinner featuring seven courses paired with Munkle Brewing beer.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Learn about turmoil in Iran | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 5:15-7 p.m. | The Citadel Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave., Charleston | $30 | Listen to a distinguished speaker with the World Affairs Council of Charleston describe how recent protests of young people, especially women, in Iran are challenging the country’s traditional regime.*
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Awendaw Green Barn Jam | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 5:50-10 p.m. | Sewee Outpost, 4853 U.S. 17 North, Awendaw | $10 | Join Awendaw Green every Wednesday at the Barn Jam, an outdoor concert event featuring five different bands performing original music each week.
Ugly Sweater Christmas-Themed Trivia | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | Islander 71, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms | Free | Throw on your ugliest Christmas sweater and test your knowledge of all things holiday — seats are limited.
Friday, Dec. 16
Miracle on Market Street | Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 10 a.m. | The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St., Charleston | Free | The Charleston Place will shut down Market Street this weekend and transform into a European-style holiday market featuring live performances, real snow, local retailers, food + beverages, and more.*
Saturday, Dec. 31
Veuve Clicquot Midnight Garden | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 7:30 p.m. | The Charleston Place, 205 Meeting St., Charleston | $225 | Celebrate the New Year in one-of-a-kind style at the inaugural Veuve Clicquot Midnight Garden Gala, which will feature caviar stations, chilled seafood displays, a live swing band + more.*
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.
Redefine what R+R means with this ultimate wellness pass
Synchronicity employees are on hand to guide first-timers through their experience — like this guest trying the cold-plunge. | Photo provided by Synchronicity
What will it be: cryotherapy, salt booth, infrared sauna, or the cold plunge? How about everything? đź‘€
That’s what the lucky person in your life will get when you gift them a one-month all access membership to Synchronicity — Charleston’s premier mind + body wellness center that’s committed to helping you foster a resilient mindset and find the wellness path that’s right for you.
An empty seat for District 6 of the Charleston County School Board is set to be decided in a special election on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The seat includes West Ashley and certain areas of North Charleston. Filing for the election closes today at noon. (The Post and Courier)
Open
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill hasopened its doors in Mount Pleasant. Head to the grand opening celebration this Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 4-7 p.m. for live music, prizes, and giveaways. The new spot at 3500 Park Avenue Blvd. is the second of eight planned locations in the Charleston area. 🥙
Coming Soon
Executive SessionMen’s Grooming Studio will hold its grand opening inWest Ashley on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The studio offers services including haircuts, hot shaves, beard trims, pedicures, and massages at 1646 Ashley Hall Rd. On opening weekend, Dec. 16, 17 + 19, guests will receive free mini spa treatments and refreshments. Call to RSVP.
Award
Drum roll please... the winners of the 2022 Eater Awards in the Carolinas are Vern’s for South Carolina Restaurant of the Year, Pink Bellies for Best Carolinas Restaurant Design of the Year, and Palmira Barbecue for Best Carolinas Barbecue of the Year. 🏆 (Eater Carolinas)
Cause
Last week,Operation Home in North Charleston + Greystar held their 12th annual Wheelchair Ramp Holiday Blitz, building custom wheelchair ramps for those in need. Over 100 volunteers built 14 ramps in two days. Volunteer with Operation Home. (WCIV)
State
At a press conference outside Columbia tomorrow, Gov. McMaster, electric vehicle maker Rivian, and state officials will unveil a program that will installelectric vehicle chargers at dozens ofstate parks in South Carolina. Stay tuned for more details. đźš™
A ~$6 million grant will fund the deployment of high-speed internet service in areas of need across South Carolina as part of the Internet for All initiative. The funding will also go toward developing digital skills training programs. (WCBD)
Featured Deal
The Francis Marion Hotel is hosting 12 days of Christmas giveaways. Follow along on their Instagram and enter to win free stays, dinner at local restaurants, gift cards, discounts + more.*
Health
Open enrollment for individual and family health insurance is now. An enrollment event is happening this week at The David M. Gilston Insurance Agency at 15-A Gamecock Ave. in Charleston on Tues., Dec. 13 from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. You must enroll by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage.*
Seasonal
Even if you have your very own Cousin Eddie on your hands, Lowes Foods makes it easy to get everything you need to have a stress-free holiday gathering.Here’s how. 👀 *
Plan Ahead
Looking for a new way to ring in the new year? Celebrate NYE with a weekend trip to Columbia, SC for festive events like “Party Thru the Decades” at Chayz Lounge and Tin Roof + the Senate’s massive block party. Whatever your style, there’s something for everyone. Plan your NYE.*
Sports
Now’s the time to buy the sports lover in your life a holiday present,because Fanatics is offering sitewide sales. Easily find licensed sportswear and collectibles like jerseys, hoodies, and outerwear for the world’s most popular sports teams and win the holidays.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
CAUSE
Sweeping the Holy City
Community litter sweep in Charleston, SC
Join local projects like these by signing up to volunteer. | Photo by Charleston Parks Conservancy
Joe Riley Waterfront Park is looking good. Volunteers including Mayor Tecklenburg joined the Charleston Parks Conservancy earlier this month for a litter sweep of the park and surrounding marsh.
The organization partnered with the SC Aquarium, Keep Charleston Beautiful, and Lowcountry Marine Mammals for the cleanup. In total, 4,014 pieces of debris were removed, weighing in at around 700 lbs. Scroll through before and after photos.
Get involved in efforts like these with the Charleston Parks Conservancy below. Note: The organization will be taking a break from volunteer events during the last two weeks of December and returning with opportunities in the new year.
Editor’s pick: Ever since spotting Darius Rucker before his performance at Riverfront Revival, I’ve been pretty starstruck.
Did you hear the country music star taught ABC News 4’s Trooper Bob how to play "Wagon Wheel” on guitar last week? Bob tweeted this as his Christmas wish in 2016 and this year it came true. Check out the video on WCIV.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Summerville turned 175 and we have the scoop, here.
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