While visiting the beautiful and historic city, don’t forget to set aside time for great events in Charleston! Check out the latest Charleston events below:
Christmas Parade
December 2nd, 2012The holiday tradition is better than ever as bands, floats, marchers and performers parade through downtown Charleston. The parade begins at the intersection of Calhoun and Meeting Streets, and then proceeds down King Street to Broad Street to Lockwood Blvd.
French Quarter Art Walk
December 6th, 2012This event is FREE and open to the public
Four times a year, the buzz of art and the taste of wine takes over the French Quarter, as all of the Galleries open their doors and offer wine, food, and amazing art. Art walks are a local tradition, and now have become re-owned amongst visitors from all around!
Sandlapper Water Tours first Holiday Harbor Boat Cruise
December 6th, 13th and 21st, 2012Enjoy Charleston Harbor at sunset while listening to the fascinating history of the city during the holidays, as well as the history of the holidays in our beautiful city. Many Christmas traditions that we practice today began in the South.
Did you know one of our first printed images of Santa Clause comes from the Civil War? Did you know the first daily passenger train in US history launched from Charleston on Christmas Day in 1830? Learn about all of this and more along the soothing waters of our harbor. It’s a wonderful experience for the whole family.
Curl up with your loved ones, have a warm drink, view the historic homes decorated along the water front, and share in the nostalgia of the most popular time of year in the Holy City! Join us for our first Holiday Harbor Boat Cruise.
Jim Brickman on a Winter’s Night
December 9th, 2012Jim Brickman continues to wow audience members year after year with his intimate and beloved holiday tour. Performing live in one spectacular concert, Jim Brickman On A Winter’s Night arrives in North Charleston at the Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 9th at 3:00pm.
The best-selling piano artist and his special guests will delight the audience with classic and contemporary holiday music, fan favorites and songs from Brickman’s latest CD, Believe. Dazzling solo piano, vibrant vocals, warmth, and humor make this an ideal winter’s night celebration.
Ann Caldwell and the Magnolia Singers present:
“Praise House”
December 11th, 2012Ann Caldwell and the Magnolia Singers is an a capella group that performs spirituals, Gullah poetry and stories indigenous to the Lowcountry. The group is in its eighth season of performing at Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
Holiday Dining & Entertaining Tours
December 11th, 2012Inspiration for holiday entertaining can be found at the Charleston Museum’s Heyward-Washington House with special 18th century Dining & Entertaining focus tours on November 27, December 4 & 11 at 4:00 p.m.
See elaborate table settings and period appropriate faux food throughout the various entertaining spaces within the house. Tour the c. 1740 kitchen building and learn about open hearth cooking. Visit the laundry area, servants’ quarters, and auxiliary kitchen herb garden.
Admission is $10/adult and $5/child 3-12 (free for Charleston Museum members and children under 3). Reservations are not required. Please note: this time slot is not available for group tours.
Christmas Traditions Tour at the Joseph Manigault House
December 11th and 19th, 2012Every year, the Garden Club of Charleston decorates the Joseph Manigault House for the holidays. Join Chief Interpreter Melanie Wilson to tour the beautifully decorated Adam-style house and learn about the Christmas meals, songs, games and stories enjoyed by the Joseph Manigault Family, as well as other Christmas traditions that would have been popular during the antebellum era.
Holy City Messiah
December 18thHallelujah! A few excerpts are familiar to almost everybody and Messiah remains Handel’s best known work. There is no better time of year to enjoy Handel’s sacred oratorio that has long been associated with good will and charity.
West Side Story
December 18thMore than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it’s back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.” As the Associated Press says, “WEST SIDE STORY remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.”
Sound of Charleston, Special Holiday Edition
December 21stConcerts are staged at the beautiful and historic Circular Church at 150 Meeting Street. All concerts are from 7:00 – 8:15 pm.
Come experience the sounds that define Charleston and its rich musical heritage, from gospel to Gershwin, including selected holiday songs of the period. Historic Circular Congregational Church will be festively decorated for Christmas to provide a beautiful backdrop for this enchanting evening. Join the cast for hot wassail and cookies after each performance
Tickets range in price from $28 for adults, $25 for seniors over 62, students with ID and active duty military, and $16 for youths. Group rates are available upon request. Tickets are available at the Charleston Visitor Center at 375 Meeting Street as well as at the Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Kiawah Island Visitor Centers; by going to www.soundofcharleston.com or by calling the box office at (843) 270-4903.
Holiday Festival of Lights
November 9th- January 1st, 2012More than two million enchanting lights adorn James Island County Park. Come experience the three-mile driving tour and see a wide array of dazzling designs for the holidays. Create your own light display at the Lakeside Lights activity center or take a leisurely stroll through the Enchanted Forest. The Festival of Lights was ranked on the 2006 AmericasBest.com Top 10 list
4th Annual Charleston Restaurant Week
January 10-20, 2013“The next installment of Charleston Restaurant Week is set for January 10-20, 2013! The event, executed by the Charleston Restaurant Association (CRA), is one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area. It is an opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry as participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus consisting of three items for one price. 3 items for $20, $30 or $40.”
For more information: (843) 577-4030 charlestonrestaurantassociation.com
30th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival
January 27, 2013“The Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the world’s largest oyster festival and has been named one of the “top 20 events in the southeast” by Southeastern Tourism Society. Highlights include the legendary “Oyster Shucking” and “Oyster Eating” contests, live music on the main stage, wine, a selection of domestic and imported beers. There is also a Children’s Area complete with pony rides and jump castles and a “Food Court” showcasing a variety of local favorite restaurants to satisfy everyone’s taste.”
For more information: (843) 577-4030 Charleston Restaurant Association
31st Annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE)
February 15-17, 2013“The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is recognized as the “nation’s largest wildlife art and nature event, SEWE showcases 120 artists and welcomes over 35,000 attendees each year. First and foremost, SEWE is a juried fine art show; however, the exposition offers a myriad of other informative and recreational activities, including flight demos from the Center for Birds of Prey, conservation exhibits, appearances by celebrity zookeeper Jack Hanna, DockDogs competitions and Retriever demonstrations.” For more Information: (843) 723-1748 www.sewe.com
8th Annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival
February 28 – March 3, 2013“The annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival®, February 28 – March 3, 2013, is a celebration of excellence in food, wine and Charleston’s renowned culture for the benefit of local culinary scholarships.” For more information: (843) 727-9998 charlestonwineandfood.com
