Charleston SC Events November December 2016

Tickled to Death

Nov 1 - Dec 31

This time it's personal - because the next victim might just be ... you! The Black Fedora Theatre itself is under siege by harried henchman-for-hire tasked with a simple takedown, but as mystery guest after guest becomes murder victim after victim, even they fear they will fall prey to a serial killer with a silly sense of humor before they can understand the real reason they ... or you ... are here. Featuring the roles for volunteer audience members you've come to expect and a surprise ending that will leave mystery fans ... Tickled to Death! 843-937-6453, charlestonmysteries.com

Charleston Night Market

Nov 1 - Dec 31

Spend your weekends at the market with more than 75 artisans, music, and artists! Open Friday and Saturday nights from through December. The Night Market provides the opportunity to discover unique, local and handcrafted items, and is one of the largest and most diverse Artisan markets stretching 3 blocks. Join us each weekend with live music, exciting artists and a whole lot of Charleston. 6:30-10:30pm. thecharlestoncitymarket.com

Charleston International Film Festival

Nov 2 - 6

The festival provides a premier showcase for all aspects of filmmaking: the art, the filmmaker, talented directors and actors, and the film-lover in all of us. Multiple locations. 843-817-1617, charlestoniff.com

3rd Annual Folly Jazz Festival

Nov 5 - 6

This Musical Event will be Free to the public and be centered around The Cultural and Educational attributes of Jazz in the Lowcountry. From Gershwin penning the ever popular "Summertime" in 1935 to the Big Bands that graced the Old Folly Beach Pier in the 40's, Folly Beach and the surrounding areas are steeped in a Musical Heritage that we will celebrate proudly. follyjazzfestival.com

Party for the Parks

Nov 5

The Charleston Parks Conservancy’s largest fundraiser is back this fall. Hundreds of party-goers will fill Cannon Park to celebrate Charleston’s parks with food, drinks, music, live entertainers and auction items at the Conservancy’s fifth Party for the Parks, all in a street-party atmosphere. The previous events have been at Colonial Lake, which is undergoing a major renovation scheduled to be completed in early 2016. $85 for general admission, which includes food, beverages and entertainment. 6-10pm, Colonial Lakes, partyfortheparks.com

5th Annual Lowcountry Hoedown

Nov 5

Suit up in your best plaid and prepare for a boot stompin' good time at the 4th annual Lowcountry Hoedown. Sip on bourbon and whiskey cocktails from a dozen distilleries. Enjoy craft brews and nosh on BBQ, brisket & tasty Southern treats from Lowcountry restaurants and artisan food vendors. Live bluegrass music. Charleston Visitor's Center Bus Shed, 7-11pm. 843-412-6122, lowcountryhoedown.com

Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run & Walk

Nov 9- 10

Get a sneak peek of the festival’s 750+ illuminated displays and festival’s amenities, including gift shops, marshmallow roasting, train and carousel rides, and more. Advance registration is required for this preview. James Island County Park, 6:30 pm. 843-795-4386, ccprc.com/funrun

Yall Fest

Nov 11 - 12

The fifth annual festival brings 63 acclaimed authors, including 39 New York Times bestsellers, to Charleston. The largest and most renowned festival in the country specifically geared toward Young Adult and Middle Grade Literature, with over 5,000 international fans expected to attend. A highly-anticipated annual event for booklovers of all ages. Various venues. 843-722-2666, yallfest.org

5th Annual Smoke on the Harbor BBQ Throwdown

Nov 11 - 12

This State Championship will feature two days of barbeque competition within a large competitor and vendor village centered around The Lookout Pavilion. Public sampling of chicken wings and pork butts will be available for purchase, along with numerous options for food and refreshments. Enjoy live music performances, a cocktail competition, and a Kids Zone, all within a family friendly, casual and fun atmosphere. Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. 843-284-7022, smokeontheharbor.com

Beneath the Sweetgrass Moon

Nov 12 - 13

"Beneath the Sweetgrass Moon" is based on authentic, traditional South Carolina African-American folktales, songs, games and ghost stories. Like a Lowcountry Hansel and Gretel, youngsters Mary and Jack set out on an adventure into the haunted Lowcountry woodlands where they encounter whimsical folk characters such as Ring-Tail-Raccoon, Foxxy Fox and Persimmon Possum, discover a forest of riddle trees and fall into the clutches of the evil Boo Hag. 3pm. Dock Street Theatre, 843-577-7183. charlestonstage.com

Plantation Days at Middleton Place

Nov 12 - 13

Middleton Place invites visitors to see what life on a Low Country plantation was like in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors will immerse themselves in Plantation Days, an annual event reflecting the activities of a Charleston plantation during the harvest season. Each day, the Middleton Place Stableyards will be abuzz with demonstrations on cooking, textiles, blacksmithing, coopering, and hands-on activities such as pottery, cotton and rice processing, candle making, sugarcane pressing and cooking, gourd making, basket weaving, and leather tanning. 843-556-6020, middletonplace.org

Art on the Beach & Chefs in the Kitchen

Nov 13

Come out for a tour of Sullivan's Island homes, an art sale, chef demonstrations, and tastings. The eagerly awaited annual fall fundraiser features an afternoon house tour on Sullivan’s Island from 1- 5pm, over twenty-five artists selling their creations, live music and chef demonstrations and tastings. All proceeds benefit Charleston Pro Bono Services which provides free legal aid to over 800 people in our community each year. charlestonprobono.org

27th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights

Nov 14 - Jan 1

Let the spirit of the season embrace you as James Island County Park comes alive with illumination at Charleston’s most beloved nighttime event. Gather family and friends to capture the magic of the holiday season. A three-mile driving tour with over 750 shining displays, plus experience exciting attractions, custom-designed for holiday cheer including live music, Train Rides, Enchanted Walking Trail, Gingerbread House displays, Gift Shops, Climbing Wall, and photos with Santa. 795-7275. ccprc.com/1546/holiday-festival-of-lights

Distinguished Speaker Series

Nov 17

The Friends of Drayton Hall are pleased to present the third season of the Drayton Hall Distinguished Speakers Series. Beginning with the opening event of the 2016 season, you’ll experience a range of thought-provoking presentations related to American history and culture by some of today’s most respected historians, archaeologists, and curators. Speakers will also highlight the connections of Charleston and Drayton Hall to their research interests and answer questions from the audience. All programs will be held at South Carolina Society Hall. 5:30pm wine and cheese reception; 6:30pm presentation begins. 843-769-2600, draytonhalldistinguishedspeakers.org

Sip and Stroll

Nov 17 and Dec 15

Join us for a monthly Sip & Stroll from 4:00-7:00 pm! Visit participating stores for light snacks and sips while enjoying special events, sales, and promotions inside the shops. The event will be held the 3rd Thursday of the month in November & December. Freshfields Village, 843-768-6491. freshfieldsvillage.com

Charleston's Holiday Market

Nov 18 - 20

Charleston Holiday Market is your complete holiday experience! Offering food and fashion, gifts and glitter, music and magic – everything to make the holidays bright. This exciting Christmas extravaganza kicks off the season with specialty gift stores, fashion jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods, decorations and ideas, home accessories and décor, food and wine sampling, arts and crafts, and of course, Santa! Charleston Area Convention Center. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

Fourplay: The 25th Anniversary Tour

Nov 19

Longevity among jazz groups is a surprisingly rare commodity. With relatively few exceptions, a run of a few years, at most, is standard; for a collective of jazz musicians to stick together for a decade or more is almost unheard of. That puts Fourplay, who celebrates their 25th anniversary this year, in a league of their own. Since 1990, bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Chuck Loeb (who joined five years ago) and drummer Harvey Mason have continued to explore together, their efforts resulting in what All Music Guide called one of "the most intuitive, forward-thinking and focused groups in modern jazz." 8pm. Charleston Music Hall, 843-853-2252. charlestonmusichall.com

Ultra Chili 50K

Nov 19

After a successful inaugural year, Charleston County Parks’ ultramarathon race will return to Laurel Hill County Park for its second year. The Ultra Chili race will be 50K in length, which equates to approximately 31 miles. The continuous loop 50K course is open to individuals as well as teams of two to four participants. Think you have what it takes to run the distance? Registration is open now. The Ultra Chili 50K will begin at 8 a.m. The course will take runners through the majestic moss-draped trails of Laurel Hill County Park during this multi-loop race. Laurel Hill County Park is over 745 acres in size, with unpaved trails winding through a variety of landscapes that traverse an oak alley, large open meadows, a small lake, and gorgeous scenery. The park is located in Mount Pleasant near the Park West subdivision and Highway 41. Individuals and teams are encouraged to enter and compete in the race, which will be held via 10 laps of a 5K loop on the park’s trails. Teams must be composed of two to four participants with one team manager, and participants may compete in the race in a relay style. The race course will feature a water station every 1.5 miles. Participants are also encouraged to carry a water bottle. Following the 50K, a post-race party and awards ceremony will feature delicious hot chili provided by Ladles. 843-795-4386, charlestoncountyparks.com

9th Annual Charleston Basket Brigade

Nov 22

The Charleston Basket Brigade is a Charleston area nonprofit on a mission to serve local families in need at Thanksgiving. Piggly Wiggly is the official 2016 food partner. The 2016 goal is to raise $105,000 to feed 3,500 Charleston Tri-County families this year for Thanksgiving. The CBB will take place at the Charleston Area Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C, at 7:00 am. The CBB is a grassroots effort and 100% of donations are utilized to purchase food. A full list of volunteer and fundraising opportunities are available online at charlestonbasketbrigade.com, or call 843-377-8450, ext. 103.

39th Annual Turkey Day Run & Goggle Wobble

Nov 24

A holiday tradition, the course takes participants through historic downtown Charleston and the Battery before returning to Marion Square for a post-race party. Runners will enjoy free food and beverages as well as live music and awards ceremony. A Children’s Fun Run and activities ensure that this is a fun event for any age. Marion Square, 9am. turkeydayrun.com

White Christmas

Nov 30 - Dec 18

This heartwarming musical adaptation, based on the classic film featuring seventeen Irving Berlin hit songs, follows the romantic and hilarious adventures of Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis who have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including "Blue Skies," "Love a Piano," "How Deep Is the Ocean" and the perennial favorite, "White Christmas." With an array of stunning costumes, "White Christmas" is an uplifting and delightful way to spend your holiday season. Times vary. 843-577-7183, charlestonstage.com

Artwalk

Dec 2

Experience the Charleston Gallery Association Artwalk with over 40 Art Galleries participating. 5-8pm. charlestongalleryassociation.com

Christmas 1860

Dec 2, 9

Celebrate a Victorian holiday season by candlelight at the Edmondston-Alston House; decorated for the holidays as in 1860. Costumed interpreters will present dramatic scenes exploring Charleston's last yuletide before the start of the Civil War. Performances given continuously from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Afterwards, visitors can enjoy hot cider in the courtyard. 843-556-6020, edmondstonalston.org

Melissa Etheridge's Holiday Trio

Dec 2

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has attained status as one of America's favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. Melissa stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as "Bring Me Some Water," "No Souvenirs" and "Ain't It Heavy," for which she won a Grammy in 1992. 8pm. Charleston Music Hall, 843-853-2252. charlestonmusichall.com

Wine Under the Oaks

Dec 4

One of the premier holiday special events in the Lowcountry, the event will again be presented on the back lawn of Boone Hall Plantation with an expanded variety of over 100 fine wines being featured, gourmet foods, a champagne and desserts tent, ice sculptures, wine and food pairings, and added this year will be exciting wine and cooking demonstrations.  The Plantation will be decorated in holiday décor and it is the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season. 1-5pm. 884-4371, boonehallplantation.com

City of Charleston Holiday Parade

Dec 4

The Parade will begin at 2pm starting at Broad and Barre Street. The parade proceeds down Broad Street making a left onto King Street, and will end with Santa’s arrival at Marion Square on the corner of Calhoun and King Street. 843-724-7305, charleston-sc.gov

Holiday Farmers Market & Craft Show

Dec 10

The annual Holiday Farmers Market & Craft Show combines all the goodies from traditional food market such as locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, hot food and homemade preserves with handcrafted gifts created by local artisans. Come see this year’s wonderful assortment of Christmas ornaments, glasswork, whimsical crafts, and a wide variety of original art by locally recognized potters, artists, craftsmen and photographers. Moultrie Middle School. 11am-4pm. comeonovermp.com

Holiday Parade of Boats

Dec 10

The 35th Annual Holiday Parade of Boats will be held in Charleston Harbor. Participate in the parade by simply registering, decorating your boat from stem to stern with lights, and joining on the water. Captains and crews will be invited to the Captain’s Party and Awards Ceremony at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Begins near the Mt. Pleasant side and ends in the Ashley River. 5-7:30pm. 843-724-7414. charlestonparadeofboats.com

39th Annual Kiawah Island Marathon

Dec 10

The 38th Annual Kiawah Island Marathon and Half Marathon is a Boston Qualifying race featuring live music throughout the course, spectacular course views and an incredible after party with food, beer and awards. 843-768-2780, kiawahmarathon.com

21st Annual Christmas Light Parade & Tree Lighting

Dec 11

More than 100 floats will march down Coleman Boulevard as the Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade sets sail. The tree lighting and fireworks display will begin at approximately 5:30 pm at Moultrie Middle School, immediately followed by the parade beginning at around 5:45 pm. The parade starts at the intersection of Coleman Boulevard and Pelzer Drive. 884-8517. comeonovermp.com

Nexton Cocoa Cup 5K

Dec 17

Start planning your holiday fun now by registering to run or walk in the third annual Nexton Cocoa Cup 5K. Runners and walkers are invited to race the "fastest 5K course in greater Charleston" through Summerville's Nexton community“ complete with post-race fun for all featuring DJ Natty Heavy. Families who register in advance, can enjoy the free, one-mile kids/family fun run starting at 9am. Runners and walkers of all levels can compete in the certified 5K starting at 9:30am. The top five overall finishers and the top three winners in each age/gender group will medal. The post-race party will be full of fun and treats from local vendors. All participants will receive a signature mug to enjoy hot cocoa after the race. Post race, head to Carolina Ale House for the official "after-party" featuring food specials and drink specials. 843-900-3200, nexton.com

Yorktown Countdown

Dec 31

Bring in the New Year with Charleston's largest annual New Year's Eve celebration. Charleston’s premier aircraft carrier ball drop party will provide multiple admission level options, great music, premium spirits, special appearances and entertainment, with magnificent views for the holiday festivities. Live bands and DJ’s from all genres, including funk, rock, dance, and Top 40 Billboard hits. USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in Mount Pleasant. 9pm - 1am. yorktowncountdown.com