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Today’s Forecast

66º | 45% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:17 a.m. | Sunset 5:16 p.m.

High tides 6:45 a.m. + 6:50 p.m. | Low tide 12:57 p.m.


📚 On your bookmarks

Hampton Park in the sunshine. A big tree hangs overhead and a white gazebo is in the distance. The photo is slightly filtered, giving a nostalgic feel. No one is around. It looks peaceful.
Do you know where this is? | Photo via City of Charleston
A cool breeze, some vitamin D, and a good book. Does it get much better than that?

If you ask a resident of South Korea’s capital city, Seoul, the answer would probably be a resounding “no.” The city’s innovative Outdoor Library concept recently drew in a million visitors in just three months, and has attracted 6 million since launching in 2022.

What is it?

“The Seoul Outdoor Library is designed as a vibrant space where people can freely read books and engage in cultural activities outside the traditional library setting,” according to the official city website. The space features chairs, rentable books, and multiple locations.

Where would one go in Charleston?

Our vote? Hampton Park. Across its 60 acres, there’s plenty of tree cover to find a shady spot in the South Carolina summer heat, and open spaces to maximize sunlight in the winter. Couple that with beautiful flora for the perfect visual backdrop, and the gentle sounds of the lake, you’ve got a page-turning haven.

Where would you put one? Let us know.

Events

Thursday, Dec. 18

December Promotion | 6 a.m. | TBC Locations, Piedmont | Free | Let’s sleigh this season — donate blood, unwrap a holiday sweatshirt + $30 in TBC Rewards this weekend.*

Oyster Roast: Restore at Carolina Park | 3-6 p.m. | Restore at Carolina Park, Mount Pleasant | Free with reservation

Summerville’s Third Thursday | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Hutchinson Square | Price of reservation

Bingo | 6-7:30 p.m. | Two Blokes Brewing, Mount Pleasant | Free

Thursday Night Euchre | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Edisto River Brewing Company Llc, Johns Island | Free

The 2025 Christmas YARN Ball | 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Pour House | $24+

Friday, Dec. 19

Live Music: Everette Bigbee | 5-8 p.m. | Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub & Restaurant | Free

“Charleston’s Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Sottile Theatre | $40+

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party | 8 p.m. | Bay Street Biergarten | Free

Saturday, Dec. 20

Cocoa Cup 5K with Fleet Feet | 9-10:30 a.m. | Brown Family Park, Summerville | Free

Charleston Holiday Market in Marion Square | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Marion Square | Price of purchase

South Carolina Stingrays vs. Orlando Solar Bears | 6:05 p.m. | North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, North Charleston | $26+
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash
Charleston Medical Spa

Help shape our new business newsletter

Charleston, SC

Charleston is moving up, and so are we. | Photo by @jonathan.mcrae

CHStoday is gearing up to debut The Brief, a new weekly business newsletter designed to keep you in the know without weighing you down. Think: the most relevant local business intel — news, podcasts, events, commercial listings, jobs, promotions, announcements, and more — all in one tidy, scroll-worthy place.

But before we hit “go,” we want to make sure we’re building something you actually want to read. Please take roughly 2 minutes (give or take a coffee sip) to answer a few quick questions and help us shape The Brief.

And because our products will always be free (we think paywalls are bad for biz), we’re opening up just FIVE industry-exclusive launch partnerships. If you want the inside track, email rjohnston@6amcity.com for details.

Asked

Want in on The Brief, our new weekly business newsletter?

Take the quick 2-minute survey below to help shape it — and if you’re interested in an exclusive launch partnership, email rjohnston@6amcity.com.
Help shape The Brief
The Mills House Curio Collection by Hilton

News Notes

Community

Officials are looking for long-term solutions for the Isle of Palms’ erosion issue. Scientists say the city is losing sand at an unsustainable rate, and engineering consultants will propose plans to fix the problem in the new year. When we know more, you’ll know more. (Post and Courier)

Award

The Charleston Open just won a prestigious award for the fourth consecutive year, taking home the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year. With exactly 100 days until the next tennis extravaganza in the Holy City, now’s the perfect time to get tickets. Pssst — they’d also be a great gift.

Mailbag

Anne P. wrote in to tell us about the snowfall of February 2010, recalling a rare winter wonderland. “We woke up early Saturday morning to a winter wonderland of snow (not icy) that was deep. To our surprise, snowmen all over the street were already built by 7:30 a.m. and kids were back in the house warming up.”

List

Summerville, Beaufort, and Mount Pleasant are among the finalists for Parade Magazine’s America’s Favorite Small Towns. Voters can help decide the winner.

Watch

It might be the holiday season, but keeping Charleston beautiful doesn’t happen by magic. Meet the city’s Environmental Services team, who are getting in the festive spirit. Suggestion: Drop them a nice comment to show them how appreciated their hard work is.
Funny animals have long been internet favorites. Now, there’s an award for them. Over 10,000 entries were submitted for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, with these 16 snaps chosen as the best. You can hone your photography skills at a local birding spot, and maybe you’ll be among next year’s winners. (Business Insider)

Drink

Last week, we teased the O-Bar’s holiday cocktails. This week, we’re revealing the fan favorite. Wondering which drink is the biggest hit so far? Find out.*
12 days. 12 daily specials. Charleston Medical Spa is unwrapping a new one-day-only deal each day through Saturday, Dec. 20 during their 12 Days of Christmas promo. Read: the perfect way to glow this holiday season. Check out the deals.*

Real Estate

Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty has been named the exclusive broker for The Inlet at Seabrook Island, an intimate enclave of 11 luxury townhomes blending refined design with the island’s natural heritage. Backed by global reach and local expertise, The Inlet represents Lowcountry living at its most elegant.*

Fact or Fiction

This popular credit card is offering 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases until 2027, as well as an enticing $250 bonus. Fact. Explore more perks + apply. *

Shop

If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? We’re talking deals on everything from travel to tires.*

Shop

Last-minute gift picks

A collection of stamps and the text "Gifts that ship fast."
Including pjs and a fun card game. | Graphic by 6AM City
Behind on holiday shopping? We’ve all been there. These thoughtful gifts should arrive just in time.

Genuine leather wallet | $31.88 | Upgrade their worn-out wallet to this stylish + functional one that boasts RFID blocking technology.

Owala FreeSip | $29.98 | This 4.7-star rated water bottle is loved for its patented FreeSip design.

Herd Mentality card game | $24.99 | This udderly hilarious + family-friendly card game is a perfect stocking stuffer.
More gifts that ship fast

The Buy

A 2026 planner to keep track of your events, to-dos, goals, and more. We love this best-selling weekly option that includes 12 months of monthly and weekly pages for easy planning + scheduling. Or, opt for this flower-adorned daily planner with monthly tabs, metal cover protectors, and a page for expense tracking.
More worth The Buy
CHStoday Games

The Wrap

I’m asking for a teeny-tiny, extra miniature favor. With Christmas only a week away, could someone please buy me this stocking stuffer?
A picture of editor Patrick smiling in front of a blue background.

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