It’s Friday once again, which means it’s time for a brand new edition of the Friday Five, our weekly roundup of five fun events happening in the greater Charleston area this weekend. Attend a parade (or two), get in some Christmas shopping at a holiday market, learn about holidays around the world, and more. As always, no matter what you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company hope you have a very happy and safe weekend!

The North Charleston Christmas Festival takes place this Friday and Saturday at the Felix C. Davis Community Center in Park Circle. Join the City of North Charleston to celebrate the season with live musical entertainment, kids’ activities, a marshmallow roasting pit, hayrides, an artists’ market, a petting zoo, visits with Santa Claus, a parade, festive food, and thousands of twinkling lights. The event begins on Friday evening at 6pm with the lighting of the 40’ Christmas tree. Festivities resume on Saturday at 4pm with the Christmas Parade, which starts at the intersection of Mixson Avenue and East Montague, goes around Park Circle, then heads back down East Montague toward the starting point. The festival continues with musical entertainment from New Galaxy, Wayne Daws, and the Charleston Caroling Company in Victorian dress. Visits with Santa will take place in the Felix Davis Auditorium following the parade (approx. 5:30pm) until the end of the festival at 8pm. Admission and parking are free for this rain-or-shine event, and there is ample parking available on the islands around Park Circle. 

People all over the world celebrate holidays in their own special and unique ways, from America to Scandinavia to China and beyond. The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry invites children and families into the museum this Saturday morning for a Holiday Extravaganza, a “holiday tour” of traditions happening around the globe throughout the year, but particularly during the month of December. Celebrate the Chinese New Year, play traditional Swedish games, parade throughout the museum with traditional Middle Eastern instruments… Each exhibit will feature a local group and will include décor and hands-on activities to honor holiday rituals and festivals. The Children’s Museum’s Holiday Extravaganza is a free event this year, thanks to a generous anonymous donor, but pre-registration is required at the link above. 

The Exchange Park in Ladson, Charleston’s Alternative Venue, will be transformed this weekend into a wonderland to showcase artwork from some of the best artists and artisans in the nation. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the 27th annual Christmas Made in the South welcomes hundreds of artists and makers from 28 states exhibiting spectacular work in a broad spectrum of mediums. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, artists will exhibit their work in photography, jewelry, sculpture, woodworking, personalized ornaments, pottery, stained glass, folk art, and many others. Each maker will be present at their booth for the entire weekend, presenting the rare opportunity to personally meet the creators of the work, ask questions, and discover what motivates them. With prices ranging anywhere from $10 to $2,000, there’s something for everyone at this unique holiday market. Old Saint Nick himself will be on hand to hear your Christmas wishes too! 

Bay Street Biergarten is putting on their first Christkindlmarkt this weekend, their very own take on a German Christmas Market. Biergarten’s Christmas Market will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 4pm both days. There will be live music from the Emily Curtis Duo (Saturday) and the Jenna Feeney Duo (Sunday), visits with Santa, face-painting, gluhwein, and various local vendors on hand to help you get into the Christmas spirit and fulfill your Christmas shopping/wish lists all in one weekend. Vendors registered for the event include Charleston Slate Works (stone/slate designs), Leaf Me Alone (plants), Juliana Fisher (paintings), The Look by Lucy (pop-up clothing boutique), Simply Charleston (soy candles), Moonlight Naturals (handmade soaps), Thistle and Thatch (jewelry), Summerville Sweets (baked goods), Casey Little (Charleston-themed Holiday cards), live screen printing with Link Ink, and many more. 

Pack your chairs, blankets, snacks, and a candy-gathering bag and join Summerville Dream for the 2019 Summerville Christmas Parade! Residents and visitors will line the streets of Summerville this Sunday to watch this year’s Christmas parade, which begins at 2pm. This year’s parade theme is “All Aboard!” Businesses, sports teams, clubs, churches, charities, scouts, and many others will march to fulfill the mission of the Summerville Christmas Parade, which is to promote positivity throughout the Town of Summerville while capturing the spirit of the Christmas holiday for all to enjoy. There will also be a food truck rodeo on Little Main Street along Hutchinson Square! Check the link above for a complete map of the parade route and accommodations such as port-o-lets and reserved seating.