🌴 Holiday gifts with hometown flair

Welcome to CHS Happenings, where Charleston connects with what’s new, what’s next, and what’s worth your time.

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Happy Friday morning, Charleston! I’m taking a holiday break from publishing for the next 2 weeks. By the time you read this, I’ll have been in Prague for a day. Probably jet-lagged, but enjoying one of the world’s great cities. A week there, and a week in Vienna. Rubbing elbows—probably many—at some of the world’s best Christmas Markets.

I’m just sad we’ll have missed the Krampus Festival, where participants dress as Krampus—a horned, demonic figure from pagan Germanic folklore—to accompany St. Nicholas. While St. Nicholas rewards good children with gifts, Krampus punishes the naughty ones by swatting them with birch branches or chains, symbolizing the binding of evil spirits.

I was way too ambitious and gave myself nowhere near the time needed to produce a holiday gift guide. It’s such a busy time of year, one in which retailers and cafes do a ton of business. I’ll make sure to get going next year right after the Halloween decorations come down.

In the meantime, I’ve rounded up some terrific local spots below where you can knock out your holiday shopping.👇🏼

Congrats to Bruce D. of Mount Pleasant who guessed correctly in last week’s “Where Are We?” That very blue building was recognizable to many of you—probably because you love outstanding Mexican food like I do. Torres Superettes, at 843 Rutledge Avenue downtown, is a classic bodega. That happens to have a grill in the back serving up delicious food.

There’s no seating, but do like I do: grab a pork carnitas burrito, walk down to Hampton Park, sit on a bench and eat every last bit.

Friday 57° / 45° ☀️ 💧3%

Saturday 66° / 50° ⛅ 💧5%

Sunday 67° / 29° ⛅ 💧7%

Jingle Shell 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run I 3 PM I Sanctuary Beach Access, Kiawah Island | Celebrate the season with Kiawah's Jingle Shells 5K-a festive 1-mile and 5K beach run

Krampusnacht Night Market | 6 - 10 PM | Wyrd Sisters Taphouse & Brewery, Park Circle | Forget the sugar-sweet cheer—at Wyrd Sisters, we embrace the shadows of the season for a Krampusnacht market you won't soon forget!

FAME Performing Arts presents ELF JR The Musical | 6 - 7:20 PM | FAME Performing Arts, Mount Pleasant | Elf The Musical JR. is a must-produce holiday musical that can easily become an annual tradition for any theatre.

SC Stingrays vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits I 7:05 PM | North Charleston Coliseum | Bring your holiday cheer and enjoy festive carols, hockey action, and seasonal fun. A night filled with community spirit, music, and joyful memories together featuring Santa himself!

A Christmas Story I 7:30 PM | Queen Street Playhouse, Downtown | Based on the 1983 classic holiday film, A Christmas Story follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas.

Charleston Farmer's Market - Holiday Market | 9 AM - 3 PM | Marion Square, Downtown I Featuring local farmers, food vendors, and juried artisans offering seasonal produce, flowers, handmade gifts, and holiday-themed goods, all set to live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

DECEMBER 2025 CHARLESTON AREA TRAIN SHOW I 9 AM - 3 PM | Citadel Mall, West Ashley | Featuring operating model train layouts, vendor booths with trains and accessories, and interactive displays.

Broken Leash 1-Year Anniversary Party | 10 AM - 9 PM | Broken Leash Dog Park & Bar, North Charleston | Featuring featuring Kickin’ Country on site, live music in the evening, Dogtown Hotdogs serving all day, giveaways, drinks, and plenty of dog‑friendly fun for pups and their people.

2025 Holiday Market and Craft Show | 11 AM - 4 PM | Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion | The annual Holiday Market & Craft Show combines all the goodies from our traditional food market such as locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, hot food and homemade preserves.

SantaCon Charleston | 7 PM - 3 AM | Burns Alley Tavern, Downtown | Where people dress in Santa and festive Christmas outfits for a late-night party in downtown.

Celtic & Classical Christmas | 7 - 8 PM | Circular Congregational Church, Downtown | Whether you prefer serene carols sung by a choir, powerful operatic soloists, or toe-tapping Celtic instrumental offerings - this concert celebrates the Holiday season with something for everyone.

2025 BIG Lowcountry Boil | 11 AM - 3 PM | Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston | Get ready for one of the Lowcountry’s most anticipated traditions—our 7th Annual BIG Lowcountry Boil at Holy City Brewing in North Charleston!

Annual Book Sale | 1 - 5 PM | Charleston Library Society, 164 King Street, Charleston | Back by popular demand, we are pleased to announce the return of our beloved and now expanded Book Sale!

The 2025 Summerville Christmas Parade I 2 PM , 100 S. Main Street | Designed to promote positivity throughout the Town of Summerville while capturing the spirit of the Christmas holiday.

Charleston Men's Chorus Christmas Concert I 4 PM | First Scots Presbyterian Church, Downtown | Celebrate the beauty of the Christmas season with the Charleston Men’s Chorus, joined by the Singing Buccaneers from Charleston Southern University, for an afternoon of powerful voices.

Chanukah in the Square | Marion Square, Downtown | 4 - 6 PM I Live music, hot traditional foods like latkes and donuts, kids’ activities, and a giant menorah lighting.

For more events than you can imagine, click that button below.

Charleston’s overflowing with giftable goodness, and these four spots deserve a spot at the top of your holiday hit list. From sweat-it-out barre classes to bold, joyful accessories, beautifully crafted paper goods, and a downtown café that feels like a warm hug, here are a few places guaranteed to delight the people you love (and make you look like you really nailed it this year).

Barre South (Coleman Boulevard, Carolina Park, Downtown)

Skip the boring sweater — give the gift of strength and swagger with Barre South. Their barre classes sculpt thighs, glutes, and core with low-impact, high-intensity moves women love, all across three Charleston-area studios. Right now you can snag gift cards at 20% off using promo code CHSCHEER — holiday muscles await. Don’t wait: your gift-recipient will thank you all through 2026.

The Tiny Tassel (46 Spring Street, Downtown)

Downtown’s go-to for bold tassels, bright dresses, and joy-infused accessories: The Tiny Tassel brings the rainbow to Cannonborough-Elliotborough with handmade jewelry, clothes and gifts created for all sizes (XS–3XL). The boutique is run by the unstoppable duo Mimi Striplin and her mom — a Black & Japanese–owned business that’s spotted in Southern Living and larger national press. This holiday, use promo code CHSH20 to grab 20% off in-store or online through 12/31. Skip the blah — these gifts make you look like you nailed it.

City Lights Eastside (12 Line Street, Downtown)

If you haven’t been to City Lights Eastside yet, you’re missing one of downtown’s warmest neighborhood gems. Gregg (the Springbok) and Candace (the artist with the Barbie-core bathroom flair) revived the beloved City Lights name with a bright, soulful café at Line & Hanover — killer coffee, legit good food, a patio you’ll actually want to linger on, and nighttime pop-ups that bring the block to life.

Through 12/31, mention CHS Happenings at the counter and score 15% off your coffee order. And don’t forget to buy a gift card!

The Paper Canopy (93 Spring Street, Downtown)

If you’ve never stepped inside The Paper Canopy, you’re missing out on Charleston’s coziest paper & pen paradise. Founded by former art-history wanderluster turned creative enthusiast Casey Berry, the store on Spring Street is stacked with wax seals, fine stationery, fountain pens, greeting cards, and hand-made paper goods sourced globally and from local makers. Through the end of the season: buy a Wax Sealing Kit and you’ll get a second seal free — the perfect add-on for elegant gift wrap, letters, or place cards. Treat your friends (or yourself) to some analog magic before it’s gone

Charleston Running Club is the O.G. of Chucktown running clubs. In the 70s, the club helped start two of our largest races, the Cooper River Bridge Run and the Kiawah Marathon.

And for the 41st year, the annual Charlie Post Classic 15K/5K takes place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 8:30 AM at the Sullivan’s Island Fish Fry Shack, located at 1424 Hennessy Street.

This race honors the memory of Dr. Charlie Post, a well-known Charleston runner, triathlete, and family physician who volunteered his time and medical talents to the running community. Dr. Post served as head of the College of Charleston’s student health services and was the team’s sports physician.

Registration includes a chip-timed 15K run or 5K run/walk, finisher’s medal, shirt, refreshments, and the satisfaction of knowing that you helped College of Charleston student athletes.

Race options include a 5K run and walk, and for you longer distance athletes, a 15K route. That’s 9.3 miles on our imperial system. 😆

Sign up at this link.

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It’s all about holiday music this weekend, from the Coliseum to the Music Hall to Pour House. Check it all out below. 👇🏼

Got 15 seconds? Let us know what you thought about today’s newsletter by voting in the poll below (you’ll be done MUCH faster than cars on Johnnie Dodds at 4:00 PM on a Friday). 👇