The Charleston Place has announced its holiday programming for the 2022 season. This year, the downtown hotel will transform into a holiday bazaar featuring festive décor and an array of activities for all ages. From the beloved holiday train and Teddy Bear Tea to a Santa's Workshop pop-up and nightly “snowfall” in the hotel's Market Street Circle, there’s something for everyone at The Charleston Place this winter.
“We're thrilled to welcome guests and locals to celebrate the holidays at The Charleston Place this year,” said Robert Megargle, managing director of The Charleston Place. “It is our hope that the thoughtful experiences we have arranged will spark joy and inspire connection during this magical time of year and into the new year.”
Below is a list of holiday activities taking place throughout the season. All experiences can be reserved by visiting www.CharlestonPlace.com/Experiences unless otherwise noted. All event descriptions were provided by The Charleston Place.
HOLIDAY DECOR AT THE CHARLESTON PLACE | DAILY
From Nov. 25 through Jan. 2, The Charleston Place will transform into a European holiday bazaar. Inspired by an article in a Charleston newspaper from the early 1900s, the hotel's iconic holiday décor rich in reds, golds, and creams will feature oversized toys and ornaments, hanging mirrored ornaments, and glistening stars that will transport guests to another time and place. Designed by local event design company The Drifter , more than 100 decorated trees will adorn the hallways and courtyards, along with a 40-foot tree in the center of Market Street Circle. The holiday train, one of the hotel's most memorable traditions, will return this year with new enhancements, traversing the grand lobby along 300 feet of track.
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY | NOVEMBER 25 | 6PM
With snow falling, carolers singing, and cocoa and cookies, of course, watch the holiday magic of The Charleston Place come to life with this spectacular tree lighting ceremony in Market Street Circle on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. This event is complimentary and open to the public, but reservations are required via the website .
LET IT SNOW | TWICE DAILY | 6PM and 8PM
From Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, snow will magically fall on Market Street Circle twice nightly at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., blanketing the holiday trees in a lovely sheet of winter white. Come witness the rare occurrence of snow in the Holy City! On Friday and Saturday nights in December, cocoa and sweet treats will be available for purchase from AP Flour and Little Peanut Pastries . This event is complimentary and open to the public, but reservations are required via the website .
TEDDY BEAR TEA | DECEMBER 3, 10, 17, and 24
Grab your little ones and don your holiday finery for a teddy-bear themed afternoon tea at the Thoroughbred Club! Back by popular demand, join us on December 3, 10, 17, and 24 for a spectacular Teddy Bear Tea from 12-2 p.m. A selection of sweet and savory treats for kids and adults will be served, and guests can add-on champagne service to their reservation. Each child will also receive a teddy bear to take home. This experience is for children 12 and under. Tickets are $49 per person and reservations are required via the website .
SANTA'S WORKSHOP + BUXTON BOOKS POP-UP | SELECT DATES
New this year, visitors can stop by Santa's Workshop for the treasured tradition of visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Located within the Meeting Street Retail Corridor of The Charleston Place, Santa's Workshop will also feature a special Buxton Books Pop-Up Shop this season. Events at the pop-up shop will include book signings with local authors, holiday story time for kids, and more. The Buxton Books Pop-Up will be open daily throughout December from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visits with Santa take place on the following dates: Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m.; Dec. 10 from 5-8 p.m.; Dec. 17 from 1-4 p.m.; and Dec. 23 from 4-7 p.m. Visits with Santa are complimentary and open to the public.
CAROLS AND CHEER | SELECT DATES | 5:30 to 8:30PM
Beginning on Nov. 26 , get into the holiday spirit with caroling in Market Street Circle at The Charleston Place. Visitors will enjoy the festive sounds of The Charleston Caroling Company as snow falls around them. Caroling takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the following dates: Nov. 26, Nov. 29, Dec. 2, Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 17, Dec. 20, Dec. 22, and Dec. 23. This event is complimentary and open to the public.
LETTERS TO SANTA AND MUSC PATIENTS | DAILY
Stop by The Charleston Place to mail a letter to Santa or hospital patients at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital . This special holiday mailbox will be located in the hotel directly across from Santa's Workshop and the Buxton Books Pop-Up Shop.
HOLIDAY COMFORTS | DAILY | 5PM
Get into the holiday spirit with signature cocktails that celebrate the season. Don't miss the exclusive “Spread Joy Spritz” cocktail that benefits Meeting Street Schools, a Charleston-based nonprofit network of public and independent schools. Sip and savor while enjoying festive sounds from the hotel's talented musicians. Live music starts nightly at the Thoroughbred Club at 5 p.m. and live jazz at the Charleston Grill on Wednesday through Sunday evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m. Open to the public.
STOCK UP ON STOCKING STUFFERS AT THE BOUTIQUE | DAILY
The Shops at The Charleston Place are a one-stop shopping destination for everyone's gift giving needs. This year, peruse the hotel's newly renovated signature shop, The Boutique, which is home to gifts and special custom lines from local favorites like Candlefish, Croghan's Jewel Box, J. Stark, Brackish, Raven Roxanne, Blakley Made and many more. The Boutique is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.
ARTIST COLLECTIVE MAKERS MARKET | DECEMBER 2, 9, and 16 | 10AM to 5PM This season, the Artist Collective Pop-Up Shop within The Charleston Place will host a special “Makers Market” every Friday throughout December. During the Maker's Market, visitors can mingle with artists in the studio, peruse a selection of wares from local creatives, and enjoy specialty tastings and demonstrations. There will also be an array of “Stocking Stuffer” small paintings available for purchase. These small original works make the perfect gifts for loved ones. The Artist Collective Makers Market takes place on the following dates: Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
HISTORIC HOLIDAY TOURS | DECEMBER 3, 10, and 17 | 3PM
Enjoy a curated holiday walking tour of Charleston's Historic District with the “Lid Lady,” Tyler Wright of Walk and Talk Charleston . During this two-hour tour, guests will learn about the city's treasured holiday traditions as they stroll past homes elegantly adorned in festive décor. The tours take place on the following dates: Dec. 3, Dec. 10, and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and reservations are required via the website .
THE RIVIERA ROCKIN' HOLIDAY SPECIAL | DECEMBER 1 and 2 | 8PM
This inaugural Christmas show at The Riviera Theater will bring holiday merriment to King Street with a performance from the spicy and soulful Southern band, T he Fabulous Equinox Orchestra . The band's heightened energy and phenomenal musicianship bring new life to Christmas classics. 20% of ticket proceeds from the show will benefit Meeting Street Schools, a Charleston-based nonprofit network of public and independent schools. The Riviera Rockin' Holiday Special will take place on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $29 to $69 and can be purchased by visiting TheRivieraCHS.com .
SKATE THE STADIUM | SELECT DATES BEGINNING DECEMBER 2
New this year, Credit One Stadium will offer “Skate the Stadium,” a custom-built rink for ice skating. Visitors are invited to come celebrate the season with skating, cozy firepits, a pop-up café, and other special holiday events like Ladies Night, Breakfast with Santa, Saturday Jazz Night and more. The Charleston Place will offer hotel guests transportation on the Daniel Island Ferry or the hotel shuttle to the stadium. Tickets are $10 per person, which includes skate rental and a 1.5-hour skating session. Skate the Stadium opens on Dec. 2 to coincide with the Daniel Island tree lighting, and will be open on the following dates during December: Thursdays and Fridays from 5-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. & Sundays 12 – 5 p.m. The rink will be closed on Friday, Dec. 30 and Christmas Day.
CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA STRING QUARTET | DECEMBER 7 | 5:30 to 6:30 PM Charleston Symphony Orchestra 's string quartet will host a special holiday performance in the lobby of The Charleston Place on Dec. 7 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Come sip a festive cocktail and enjoy traditional holiday music performed by this esteemed group. This event is complimentary and open to the public, but reservations are required via the website . Please note, this event is mostly standing room only. Limited seating will be available.
REINDEER RUN | DECEMBER 10
Presented by The Charleston Place and Half Moon Outfitters, the Reindeer Run is a family oriented, pet-friendly 5k run/walk will begin and end at The Charleston Place. Guests and participants will enjoy surprises and a post-race celebration in the Market Street Circle. All proceeds raised will benefit MUSC Children's Hospital. The event takes place on Dec. 10 beginning at 9 a.m. To register, please visit reindeerrun.org .
DEBBIE GIBSON'S WINTERLICOUS – AN EVENING OF HOLIDAY HITS | DECEMBER 10 Join singer, songwriter, actress and producer Debbie Gibson for an evening of holiday music. Gibson is the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a number one track on the Billboard Hot 100 — and she is still the youngest female to do so, to date. The event takes place on Dec. 10, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $37 to $87 and can be purchased by visiting TheRivieraCHS.com .
CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BRASS QUARTET | DECEMBER 13 | 6:30 to 7:30 PM Come enjoy the Charleston Symphony Orchestra 's brass quartet at The Riviera Theater on Dec. 13 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. during a special holiday performance. This event is complimentary and open to the public, but tickets are required. Please visit TheRivieraCHS.com to reserve tickets.
COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS WITH PHIL VASSAR AND DEANA CARTER | DECEMBER 15 Platinum-selling artist Phil Vassar is “Coming Home for Christmas” and bringing singer songwriter Deana Carter to The Riviera Theater for a special holiday performance. Guests are invited to come enjoy Christmas classics and original holiday music, including two original Christmas songs, “Coming Home for Christmas” and “Brand New Year.” The event takes place on Dec. 15, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $59 to $99 and can be purchased by visiting TheRivieraCHS.com .
MIRACLE ON MARKET STREET | DECEMBER 16-18
In partnership with Explore Charleston and the Post and Courier, The Charleston Place will be transforming Market Street into a European-like holiday market from Dec. 16-18. Visitors will enjoy live community performances, snowfall in the street, a pop-up market featuring Charleston retailers, delicious food and beverage offerings, family-friendly workshops, and 4D movies. A portion of the proceeds from the market will benefit The Post & Courier's Good Cheer Fund . Miracle on Market takes place on Friday, Dec. 16 from 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m . Open to the public.
THE GIVING MACHINE POP-UP | DECEMBER 18-22
This year, visit The Giving Machine to give back to those in need locally and internationally. Located across the street in the City's Pocket Park, the large Giving Machine kiosks function like vending machines, but offer meaningful selections like meals for a local food bank, sheep for a family in a third-world country, or a polio vaccine for a child in need. The Giving Machine will be available on Dec. 19 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., beginning with a kick-off event featuring the Mayor Tecklenburg and performance by the Plantation Singers . Open to the public.
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AND CHRISTMAS DINNER | DECEMBER 24 and 25 Savor the magic of Christmas Eve and Christmas night with a cozy, elegant dinner at The Charleston Grill. Both evenings will feature a special holiday menu. Reservations are required and can be made via the website .
CHRISTMAS DAY BRUNCH | DECEMBER 25
Celebrate Christmas morning with a festive brunch at The Palmetto Cafe, complete with holiday surprises, delicious cuisine, and mimosas. Reservations are required and can be made via the website .
NEW YEARS EVE JAZZ DINNER | DECEMBER 31
As 2022 draws to a close, toast to new beginnings with those who mean the most over a three course celebration at Charleston Grill. Savor a sophisticated multi-course experience as the soft sounds of live jazz serenade you into the new year. Reservations are required and can be made via the website.
VEUVE CLICQUOT MIDNIGHT GARDEN SOIREE | DECEMBER 31
Celebrate the New Year in one-of-a-kind style at the inaugural Veuve Clicquot Midnight Garden Soiree. Join us for this sophisticated event as The Palmetto Cafe will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with ice bars, caviar stations, chilled seafood displays, and much more. Listen to the sounds of a swing band as you mix and mingle during the reception from 7:30-10 p.m. Then from 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m., the bar and courtyard garden will remain open as guests toast to new horizons. Tickets are $175 per person and can be purchased by visiting the website .
