Ways to stay warm in Charleston, SC

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Table of Contents

It’s cold, Charleston. Here are some ways to stay warm + have fun this holiday season.

From the warmth of your car or home

Holiday Festival of Lights | Nightly through Thurs., Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr. | $20+/vehicle

Moncks Corner Holiday Lights Driving Tour | Nightly through Wed., Dec. 30 (Closed Dec. 24-25) | 6-9 p.m. | 1 Riverwood Dr. | $5/vehicle | Proceeds benefit local charities.

Stream “A Christmas Carol” presented by Charleston Stage

Watch a classic Christmas play while supporting a local theater company. With a $10 donation to the Curtain Up Fund, you will receive a ticket to the virtual showing of “A Christmas Carol”, available for viewing through Thurs., Dec. 31.

Click here for more places to see lights this holiday season.

Restaurants with outdoor heating

📍Cru Café | 18 Pinckney St.

🔥 This cafe serves up dishes like its famous four cheese macaroni and Thai seafood risotto.

📍Basic Kitchen | 82 Wentworth St.

🔥 This restaurant uses seasonal + local produce to create healthy meals such as cauliflower wings and a “good burger.”

📍Lewis Barbecue | 464 N. Nassau St.

🔥 Get your BBQ fix here with their prime beef brisket and cowboy pinto beans.

📍Kwei Fei | 1977 Maybank Hwy

🔥 This restaurant features dishes from Western China like their crescent dumplings and “Biang Biang” noodles

📍 Taco boy | 217 Huger St.(downtown) + 106 Front St. (Summerville)

🔥 This popular taco spot serves Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas + margaritas and cocktails.

📍Loggerhead’s Beach Grill | 123 W. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach

🔥 This grill serves crab dip, macho nachos, and a crab leg feast.

📍Bonefish Grill | 5041 International Blvd., North Charleston

🔥 Try their Bang Bang Shrimp, Imperial Dip, and Atlantic Salmon.

📍Page’s Okra Grill | 302 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant

🔥 This grill serves fried green tomatoes, country fried steak + more.

Click here for more restaurants listed by the Post and Courier around the Lowcountry serving up some heat while you eat.

Warm food + drinks

Hot cocoa donut from Bked Shop

Christmapolitan from Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails

Christmas cookies from Little Southern Bakes

Warm your soul

Homeless Warming Shelter Serve Opportunity | Through Sun., Dec. 13| 6 p.m.-8:30 a.m. | Arthur W. Christopher Community Center, 265 Fishburne St. | Free | When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, volunteers come together to create the Warming Center, where those experiencing homelessness can escape the cold weather + have a warm meal. In order to offer this service, the center needs volunteers.

Holiday Canned Food Drive | Through Dec. 31 | 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Rd. | $20 | With the donation of a canned food item for the Lowcountry Food Bank, receive a free general admission ticket with the purchase of a general admission ticket.

Click here for more ways to give back.

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