Charleston is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas, and there is no shortage of activities to choose from in these next 10 days leading up to Christmas Day! The kids are counting down the days until Christmas break, and the kids-at-heart are looking for ways to celebrate every day. We've put together a calendar of to-do's from December 15th through December 25th. Take a look at all of the fantastic events happening in Charleston and fill the next ten days with tons of holiday magic.
Monday, December 15th
Celtic Christmas
What: Join Na Fidleiri and the Taylor Festival Choir in a Celtic celebration of Christmas, featuring Irish Uilleann piper Cillian Vallely and Irish guitarist John Doyle.
Where: Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street
When: 7:30-9pm
25th Annual Singing Christmas Tree
What: An exciting evening of music and fun featuring a 35-foot tree, 28-piece orchestra, and 85-voice choir.
Where: Summerville Baptist Church, 417 Central Avenue
When: 7:30pm
Tuesday, December 16th
ELF at the Johns Island Library
What: Watch a holiday favorite film, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel.
Where: Johns Island Library, 3531 Maybank Highway
When: 4pm
Wednesday, December 17th
Holiday Centerpieces
What: Renee Devane teaches you how to create beautiful floral arrangements for your holiday parties and gatherings. Each participant will take home a floral centerpiece. Snacks provided. ($50 per person includes materials)
Where: Southern Season, 730 Coleman Boulevard
When: 5-8pm
Jinglebang!
What: Local musicians perform beloved Christmas songs.
Where: Tin Roof, 1117 Magnolia Road
When: 8pm
Thursday, December 18th
CSO: Holy City Messiah
What: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah.
Where: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad Street
When: 7:30pm
Friday, December 19th
Holiday Magic: Visit with the Clauses
What: Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy other activities going on in Marion Square.
Where: Marion Square, 329 Meeting Street
When: 12-5pm
The Nutcracker
What: The Charleston Ballet Theatre presents its presentation of this beloved Christmas classic.
Where: Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street
When: 10am and 7:30pm
CSO: Holy City Messiah
What: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah.
Where: St. Theresa the Little Flower Church, 1101 Dorchester Road
When: 7pm
Saturday, December 20th
Christmas Village at Magnolia Plantation
What: Bring the whole family and enjoy a candy factory, Santa's workshop, gingerbread house, Santa's post office, chapel, general store, elf's bunk house, Santa's train, family and individual holiday portraits, Christmas choirs, and a school called the "elfementary."
Where: Magnolia Plantation, 3550 Ashley River Road
When: 8:30am til 4:30pm (Performances end at 4pm)
Toys for Tots Drive
What: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the South Carolina Aquarium and receive $5 off general admission.
Where: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf
When: 9am to 4pm
White Christmas Sing-Along
What: Sing along to the Bing Crosby classic without fear of annoying your fellow movie-goers!
Where: Olde Village Community Center, 4820 Jenkins Avenue
When: 7pm
Frozen Winter Wonderland
What: Dress the kids in their favorite Frozen costume, make crafts, share snacks, and watch Disney's Frozen.
Where: St. Andrew's Regional Library, 1735 North Windermere Drive
When: 11am
Sunday, December 21st
The Christmas Village at Magnolia Plantation
(see above)
A Christmas Carol
What: Charleston Stage's production of the traditional favorite, Dicken's A Christmas Carol. This year's production is full of special effects, new stage sets, and beautiful costumes!
Where: Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street
When: 3pm
Santa Claus in the Great Ocean Tank
What: See Santa SCUBA diving in the Aquarium's Great Ocean Tank. While you're there, see if you can spot Finzy, the Aquarium's Shark on the Shelf. If you find him, you'll win a holiday prize!
Where: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf
When: 11am and 3pm
Old South Santa "Sleigh" Ride
What: Take a ride in a specially decorated carriage driven by Santa Claus himself. Enjoy a 20-minute ride through downtown, complete with hot cocoa, cookies, and carols.
Where: Old South Carriage Company, 14 Anson Street
When: 6-7:30pm
Monday, December 22nd
The Little Match Girl
What: Uned!ted Artists in collaboration with Chamber Music Charleston and the Charleston Dance Institute present The Little Match Girl.
Where: Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street
When: 7:30-9:30pm
Santa Claus is Coming to California Dreaming
What: Visit with Santa and take a picture with a donation of $5 to Camp Happy Days
Where: California Dreaming, 1 Ashley Point Drive
When: 5-8pm
Tuesday, December 23rd
The Little Match Girl
(see above)
25th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights
What: Charleston's most popular holiday event! Drive through a three-mile loop featuring an estimated two million shimmering lights. Also featured: an up-close look at the lights on the holiday train, treats from Santa's Sweet Shoppe, handmade gingerbreak houses, giant greeting cards creating by local students, Victorian carousel, 50-ton sand sculpture, and holiday shops.
Where: James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive
When: 5:30-10pm Sun-Thurs, (runs through January 1st)
Wednesday, December 24th
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
What: The Moscow Ballet presents a gorgeous production of this Christmas favorite with Clara, the Nutcracker, the SugarPlum Fairy, the Tin Soldier, et al.
Where: North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive
When: 4-6pm
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Kwanzaa from the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company!
