Well, now that Thanksgiving has passed, holiday festivities (think: tree lighting, lake lighting, parade) are in full swing near the Isle of Palms. Get set for a trio tree lighting, one taking place each day of this first weekend of advent. Sunday’s tree lighting is also coupled with one of the biggest local parades of the year. So there’s a plethora of merriment sure to put you and your loved ones in the holiday spirit.
Light the Lake
First up, tonight - Friday, November 30th - is a relatively new holiday tree lighting in Charleston. It’s called “Light the Lake,” and it takes place at the newly renovated and quite lovely Colonial Lake downtown. Sponsored by the Charleston Parks Conservancy, it will happen from 5:30 till 7:30 p.m. They’ll light up the beautiful new Christmas tree in the middle of the lake, which was recently replanted with lush new landscaping. In fact, it was part of a $5 million renovation/restoration project on this 150-year old beloved Charleston park. Also on hand will be a DJ spinning favorite holiday tunes along with food trucks with plenty of eating and hot beverage options. Be sure to wear something festive so you can take a photo on the picturesque open carriage for your Christmas card. Here’s more from Count on 2 News. And this is the official website. Colonial Lake is located on Broad Street between Rutledge and Ashley Avenues downtown, an easy drive from our rental homes South Carolina.
Light up the Isle with an IOP Tree Lighting
Then on Saturday, it’s Christmas, “island style.” You don’t even have to leave the IOP for holiday fun. It’s the 7th annual Isle of Palms Holiday Street Festival and Tree Lighting, and it will happen this Saturday, December 1st from 2:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. You really oughta check it out. It’s about as local as you get. The fun happens at Front Beach on the IOP. There will be plenty of live music, craft vendors, food and beverage options from local restaurants and the like. Kids will enjoy the free carnival rides, jump castles, mechanical bull, balloon artist, and face painting, as well as visits with Beach Santa, who’ll be there from 4:00-6:00. Then to top it all off, they’ll light the 24-foot tall Christmas tree at 5:45. Here’s the live music schedule:
- 2:00 - Sullivan’s Island Elementary Chorus;
- 2:30-4:30 p.m. Shem Creek Boogie Band;
- 5:00-7:00 p.m. Blackwater Rhythm and Blues Band.
It’s all free, and there’s also free parking at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Pavilion Drive, in the Municipal Lot. Here’s more from the Island Eye News. And this is from the IOP’s website. It’s centered around Ocean Boulevard. If you’re staying on the Isle of Palms, you might just want to walk or head over on a golf cart and check it out.
Downtown Charleston gets its Christmas on
Then this Sunday, December 2nd, the downtown holiday season is officially launched with a combo of events. First it’s the Charleston Holiday Parade, beginning at 3:00 p.m. near Colonial Lake. The parade route will travel up Broad Street to King Street, then up towards Calhoun Street and Marion Square. There will be plenty of marching bands, holiday music, floats and special appearances, culminating with the big guy himself, Santa, bringing up the tail end. Then, at 4:30 at the parade’s endpoint in Marion Square, it’s the Holiday Tree of Lights jubilee, going on from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. There’ll be plenty of live music and performances, after which they’ll light up the 64-foot official City of Charleston Christmas tree (along with many others in Marion Square). It’s always a lot of fun and great for all ages. Here’s more on downtown’s holiday events. You can get a voucher for two free hours of parking in several City lots. Here’s a link to print out a voucher. So enjoy a weekend full of tree lightings lighting the Lowcountry for advent. And when you are looking for a beach house Charleston, be sure to call EP for the best selection. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger