Featured Press Releases

Use this library of press releases written by the Charleston Area CVB media relations department to mine for story ideas, stay abreast of what is new in the destination and learn about the special events that take place throughout the year.

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For Immediate Release, November 2008
Charleston Celebrates The 2008 Holiday Season

With mild temperatures and value rates, there’s no better time to experience the rich history of the Charleston area than during the holiday season. Plan to celebrate with the annual “Christmas in Charleston” festival where you will be welcomed to the season of beauty, lights and magic that surrounds the entire Charleston area in November and December. Charleston offers history, culture, splendid shopping, unique tours and delicious holiday dining. This is the place where Santa has a tan.

The Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) has updated the Christmas in Charleston website, www.ChristmasinCharleston.com, packed with extensive information needed in planning a holiday trip to the Charleston area.

Here are just a few of the trimmings sure to make this year’s holidays merry and bright:

- Gourmet Sunday Brunch aboard Innisfail - Beginning September 7, Innisfail will offer a gourmet Sunday champagne brunch aboard a historic vessel that was once used as a presidential yacht. The Innisfail was recently restored and fitted with museum-quality antiques from the 1920s and 1930s. Each Sunday from 11:30 AM – 2 PM, the chefs of Charleston Place Hotel will serve a four-course signature brunch including champagne, Mimosas and white wine. Location: Charleston City Marina; cost $95 per person. For more information or for reservations, please call: 843-937-8722 or visit: www.yachtinnisfail.com.

- Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association Hosts Tenth Fine Art Annual - The Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association (CFADA) rolls out the red carpet for avid art collectors and nationally renowned artists in celebration of its Tenth Fine Art Annual. The event features more than 25 leading artists from around the nation who will exhibit and sell their artwork at CFADA member galleries. This year’s Fine Art Annual will take place November 7 - 8, 2008. Learn more at www.cfada.com.

- 19th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights - More than a million enchanting lights adorn James Island County Park. Come experience the three-mile driving tour and see a wide array of dazzling designs for the holidays, November 14, 2008 – January 4, 2009. Create your own light display at the Lakeside Lights activity center or take a leisurely stroll through the Enchanted Forest. The Festival of Lights was ranked on the 2004 AmericasBest.com Top 10 list. For more information, please call (843) 795-4FUN.

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- Charleston's Holiday Market - This exciting Christmas extravaganza (November 21st – 23rd, 2008) kicks off the holiday season with specialty gift stores, fashion jewelry, clothing, speciality foods, holiday decorations and ideas, home accessories and decor, food and wine sampling, one-of-a-kind treasures from artisans, and of course, Santa is there to hear every child's Christmas Wish List whispered in his ear. There is something for everyone on your holiday shopping list as well as yourself! Location: North Charleston Area Convention Center. For more information, visit: http://www.gilmoreshows.com/craftsmens_classics_charleston_christmas.shtml.

- Towne Centre Christmas Tree Lighting - Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is hosting the annual tree lighting ceremony for the kick-off to the holiday season on Saturday, November 22nd at 6pm. The ceremony will be located in front of the Belk Department store. This event is partnered with WEZL radio station, and the morning show talent Gary, will host the event. The American Red Cross will be having a Blood Drive from 4-6pm in conjunction with the Tree Lighting. Horse Drawn Carriage rides will start this weekend. There will be live holiday music played during the event.

- Woodlands Resort & Inn Thanksgiving Dinner & Dessert Buffet – November 27, 2008 - Enter Woodlands’ stately Dining Room whose columns echo those on the mansion’s magnificent veranda. Gather with family to enjoy a delicious three-course menu complete with a bountiful buffet of desserts and confections. Seating is available beginning at 12:00 PM. For more information or for reservations, please call 843-308-2115 or visit: http://www.woodlandsinn.com.

- Third Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Market Pavilion Hotel – Among the most inspirational events of the season promises to be Market Pavilion Hotel’s Third Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony that will take place in the hotel lobby on Friday, November 28 at 5p.m. with hotel guests, neighbors and friends of the hotel all welcome. In addition to Santa arriving via horse-drawn carriage and “checking in” to the hotel for the holiday season, representatives from The Salvation Army also will be present. All attendees will be invited to bring an unwrapped child’s toy as well, which will be donated to The Salvation Army. With egg nog, spiced cider, roasted chestnuts and a sumptuous display of holiday “Sugar & Spice” for all to enjoy, the evening promises to be very festive.

- Christmases of Yesterday – Come experience Christmas at two of Charleston’s premier historic house museums – The Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting Street, and the Aiken-Rhett House, 48 Elizabeth Street, will be dressed for the season from November 23, 2008 - January 2, 2009. Exhibits at the Nathaniel Russell House will portray Christmas in 1808, the year the Federal-era mansion was completed. Natural foliage will adorn the house and a grand dining table will be laden with treats as if awaiting the arrival of the Russell’s holiday guests. Meanwhile, a Victorian Christmas in the South will captivate visitors to the Aiken-Rhett House. Decorations will hearken back to the time of Charles Dickens and the first use of Christmas trees. Exhibits in the outbuildings, where slaves both lived and worked, will emphasize their unique traditions. For more information, please call (843) 724-8481.

- Plantation Christmas - Visit one of Charleston’s several historic plantations during the holiday season. America’s oldest landscaped gardens are decorated with colorful camellias and holly trees, and the 18th and 19th century buildings are adorned with pine swags, mistletoe, and wreaths. These lavish seasonal decorations will put you in the holiday spirit. Call (843) 853-8000 for more information.

- Charleston Sleigh Ride Aboard The Thriller - In the month of December, THRILLER will transform itself from a fast thrill ride to a leisurely holiday excursion perfect for couples and families looking to spend some time together. The Sleigh Ride will begin after sun set and will travel around the harbor viewing the lights along James Island, Mt. Pleasant, Daniel Island and Charleston. While underway, the couples will be cuddled under a blanket for warmth, sipping hot chocolate from a spill proof mug, and listening to Christmas carols on the stereo system. Stories about Christmas in Charleston and holiday traditions will be shared. For more information or for reservations, call 843-276-4203 or visit: www.thrillercharleston.com.

- The Christmas Holiday Walking Tour by Charleston Strolls- Charleston Strolls invites you to enjoy Charleston's holiday spirit and decorations. Join our festive stroll during December 2008. You will visit St. Michaels Church, historic highlights and see private neighborhoods dressed in their holiday finery. This is a fascinating tour with stories and traditions that reveal Charleston's rich history and colorful past. Throughout December, the finale for this special tour are light holiday refreshments. For more information or reservations, call (843)766-2080, email: [email protected] or visit: http://www.CharlestonStrolls.com.

- 23rd Annual Progressive Dinner - The Progressive Dinner offers visitors a nighttime tour and carriage ride of downtown Charleston accompanied by fine cuisine at three of Charming Inns' historic and elegant hotels - the Kings Courtyard Inn, Circa 1886 and the John Rutledge House Inn -- all decorated in grand style for the holiday season. The dinner is $90 per person, tax and gratuity included, but excluding beverages. December 1 – 23, 2008. For more information, please call 843-853-7828 or visit: http://www.circa1886.com.

- Heyward-Washington House Celebrates the Holidays – Special 18th Century Wining & Dining focus tours will be held Thursdays during the month of December 2008 (December 4, 11. and 18). Tours begin at 4:00 p.m.; reservations are not required. Admission is $10/adult and $5/child (free for Charleston Museum members). The Heyward-Washington House is located at 87 Church Street. For more information, please call 722-2996 ext. 235. Please note: these December focus tours are not available to tour groups.

- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens’ Camellia Christmas – December 4-31, America’s most extensive outdoor camellia display will be in full bloom. The plantation house is decorated for the season. A Nature Train and guided Plantation House Tour is available at an additional cost. Call (843) 571-1266.

- “It’s Lovely Weather for Shopping Together- Wild Dunes Resort” - Ladies, shop the boutique mecca of the South, then escape the holiday hustle and bustle at Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms. Stay in luxury at The Boardwalk Inn and enjoy breakfast before being whisked downtown for a day of shopping. Then come back and pamper those toes with a peppermint pedicure before retreating for a good night's sleep by the sea. (Package available for Fri-Sun stays December 5-21). For more information, please visit http://www.charlestoncvb.co/xmas/packages.html?id=903.

- 16th Annual Christmas Made In The South - Christmas Made in the South is an event unlike no other. Amazing craftspeople, outstanding art, unique gourmet food, and diverse entertainment to wet and satisfy every demanding appetite. Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs populate the booths that fill the festival. From leather and silk wearables to fabric bags, from dichroic glass jewelry to close-up photography of nature’s funniest and fiercest creatures. December 5 – 7, 2008 at the Ladson Fairgrounds. To preview the show, get discount admission coupons, detailed directions and more information, visit www.Carolinashows.com or call Carolina Shows, Inc. at 704-847-9480.

- Christmas 1860, A Candlelight Tour - Friday, December 5 & 12, 6 - 8 pm. Experience history by embracing the sights and smells of a 19th-century Christmas season. Enjoy an evening candlelight tour of the historic Edmondston-Alston House dressed for the holidays with festive greenery and decorations. Interact with costumed interpreters as they share the different Christmas traditions of the 1860s. Tickets may be purchased the night of the event or by credit card. For additional information, please call (843) 722-7171.

- “Family Holiday Get-Away” at Market Pavilion Hotel-Families will enjoy a new holiday tradition with The Market Pavilion Hotel’s children and family offerings. This package includes young guests’ (ages 4 and above) participation in the hotel’s Children’s Christmas Cookie Decorating Classes, featuring old-fashioned cookie decorating and gingerbread house-making with Executive Pastry Chef Gerry Elliot. A visit with Santa will also take place in the gorgeously decorated hotel lobby, featuring a photo of the children with Old Saint Nick as a keepsake. Families will also enjoy a complimentary horse-drawn carriage ride. Packages run from December 5 through December 21, 2008. For more information, please call 877-440-2250 or visit: www.marketpavilion.com.

- Reindeer Run - A jolly jog or jaunt (5K - 3.1 miles) through the streets of downtown Charleston on December 6, 2008. This event is for reindeer of all fitness levels and all ages and benefits MUSC Children's Hospital. Whether it's running or walking the course, be sure to dress in your best holiday costume to win fabulous prizes. The Reindeer Run is for everyone including runners, walkers, dogs, strollers, & scooters. Run starts at the Front of Southend Brewery. For more information or to register, please call 843-278-5277 or visit: http://www.charlestonlowcountry.com/specialpages/reindeerrun.html.

- City of Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Join Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and Santa Claus in lighting the magnificent 60-foot Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas Tree at Marion Square on Dec. 6th. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. For the entire month of December, the park will be beautifully lighted and decorated for the holidays, including a larger than life Hanukkah menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinari. Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston offers family oriented activities and performances that capture the holiday spirit for everyone in the community. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.

- 29th Annual Parade of Boats – On December 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., get on board with a Lowcountry holiday tradition as this display of lighted and festive boats proceeds from the Cooper River, through the Charleston Harbor and into the Ashley River, culminating in a brilliant fireworks display over the harbor. View the procession along Charleston’s waterfront or decorate your own boat and join the parade. The festivities begin along the shores of Mount Pleasant and viewing from the downtown peninsula begins at 6:30.

- Ninth Annual Gospel Christmas with the Charleston Symphony Orcestra - December 6, 2008. Ninth Annual Gospel Christmas with the Charleston Symphony Orcestra at the Gailliard Municipal Auditorium at 8 PM. For more information, call 843-554-6060 or visit: http://www.csogospel.com.

- Daniel Island Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Festivities - The Daniel Island Holiday Festival returns to the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center this holiday season - great holiday shopping, entertaining performances and tons of food and beverages. The Holiday Festival will come alive with bargains galore and a vast assortment of unique gifts for the whole family! Visitors will have the opportunity to complete all of their holiday shopping in one convenient location. There will also be dance and musical performances throughout the day, including evening performances by Robin Harris & Friends and Plane Jane. Event date: Saturday, December 6, 2008. For more information, please visit: http://www.danielislandholidayfestival.com.

- Annual North Charleston Christmas Lighting, Festival and Parade – Saturday, December 6, 2008 visit Park Circle in North Charleston to experience a Christmas festival in the original garden community. Admission is FREE. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. and activities last until 9 p.m. Entertainment on three different stages, hayrides and tree lighting will be enjoyed by all. For more information, please call (843) 745-1087.

- Holiday Farmers Market – Each Saturday (8 AM – 4 PM) and Sunday (10 AM – 4 PM), from Dec. 6th – Dec. 21st, one can find brightly colored tents at Marion Square where vendors will offer everything needed to deck the halls for the holidays and fill the pantry with baked delights. Natural wreaths, fresh greenery, special breads, cookies, fresh vegetables, as well as the best assortment of art, crafts and holiday gift items are available. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.

- Decking the Halls of the Joseph Manigault House – From December 6-31, 2008 the Joseph Manigault House will be decorated for the holidays. Each year, the Garden Club of Charleston uses this magnificent house as a backdrop for their creative arrangements, using only live plant materials that would have been available in the Lowcountry during the first quarter of the 19th century. This year's theme is "Celebrating the Holidays with the Manigault Family."

- Holiday Storybook Tea with Mrs. Claus at Kiawah Island Resort - Join Mrs. Claus at The Sanctuary as she reads a children’s classic to good boys and girls visiting Kiawah Island. A special children’s tea buffet of miniature sandwiches (including PB&J) and holiday cookies accompanied by decaffeinated tea and lemonade will be served prior to story time. Parents will enjoy their own selection of finger sandwiches and southern favorites such as Benne Wafers and Pecan Tassis accompanied by our signature loose-leaf tea selections. Saturday, December 6, 13 & 20, 2008 at 2:30pm in The Morning Room. For more information, please call 843-768-6253.

- 28th Annual Charleston Christmas Parade - This holiday tradition is better than ever as bands, floats, marchers and performers parade through downtown Charleston on December 7, 2008 from 2 – 5 PM. The parade begins at the intersection of Calhoun and Meeting streets on and is sponsored by the Tri-County Fire Chiefs Association. For more information, please call (843) 720-1981.

- The Charleston Christmas Special - All new for 2008, this 2 hour musical spectacular is constantly compared with Radio City Music Hall’s famed Christmas show. Filled with all your favorite holiday songs and dances, it stars Broadway veterans Brad and Jennifer Moranz and a cast of the country’s most talented singers, dancers, and musicians, all backed by the Tommy Gill Orchestra. Shows run from December 12 – 21, 2008. For more information or for tickets, please call 843-416-8453 or visit: http://bradandjennifermoranz.com.

- Mount Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show – Saturday, December 13th. Offers a combination of locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, hot food and homemade preserves. Hand crafted gifts by more than 75 local artisans will include Christmas ornaments, glass work, lighthouses, whimsical holiday crafts, doll clothing, and original art by locally recognized potters, painters and photographers. Live entertainment with a holiday twist will flow through the market. Children activities will include face painting, a jump castle and a visit with Santa Claus. Santa will ride a 1941 Ford fire engine to the market where he will listen to Christmas wishes and hand out candy canes from the back of the fire truck.

- Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade - More than 100 floats will march down Coleman Boulevard on Sunday, December 14, as the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade set sails to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. Immediately following the Fireworks and Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 PM, the parade will begin at 5:45 PM at the intersection of Coleman and Pelzer Drive. It will continue past Shem Creek to conclude at the Sea Island Shopping Center around 7:15 PM.

- Annual Spirituals Concert at Drayton Hall - Drayton Hall presents African-American spiritual music with three concerts by Ann Caldwell and The Magnolia Singers on December 13 & 14, 2008. The Magnolia Singers are an a capella vocal ensemble dedicated to the preservation and performance of early southern music and spirituals. These concerts are a rare opportunity to gather in the candlelit great hall and hear music that could have been heard centuries ago in the fields and praise houses that surrounded Drayton Hall. Concert tickets include a reception and informal tours of the house given by Drayton Hall's professional museum guides. Reservations required. Call 843-769-2605 for information and reservations. www.draytonhall.org.

- “Hollyfest” in Summerville - Celebrate the holidays with strolling carolers, hot cider & cookies and late shopping on Dec 13th. On Saturday Dec. 13th & 20th from 12 – 4 PM find Santa in Town Square’s “Elf Central” and entertainment at various downtown locations. Bring your own camera or have pictures taken by the Elves. The Christmas parade is on Sunday, December 14th at 2 PM. For more information, please call (843) 821-7260.

- Family Yuletide –December 13th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Middleton Place will welcome families to enjoy storytelling around a warm fire, Christmas caroling, and ornament and wreath making. See craftspeople working in their shops by candlelight, and a live nativity scene featuring many of the Plantation’s animals. Hot cider and seasonal refreshments included. Reservations are required. Call 843-556-6020.

- Wine Under the Oaks at Boone Hall – Wine Under the Oaks on December 14th is a casual and elegant affair that welcomes patrons to sample fine wines from Boone Hall Farms and delicious gourmet foods from Lowcountry chefs. Featuring live music, specialty gifts, a fine selection of wines, and edible delicacies, guests can complete their holiday shopping on the majestic front lawn of Boone Hall Plantation. For more information on specific dates and times, please call (843) 884-4371.

- Dickens Dinner - December 17, 6:30 PM, Circa 1886 will take guests back to Victorian England for a storyteller's lively retelling of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" while they enjoy a four-course dinner inspired by the novel. The dinner is $70 per person, excluding tax, gratuity and beverages. To complement the dinner, Wentworth Mansion® will offer a special "A Christmas Carol" package for two guests, including the Dickens Dinner (tax and gratuity included, but excluding beverages) and one night's accommodation. For more information, please visit: http://www.circa1886.com.

- Charleston Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert at The Citadel- The Charleston Men’s Chorus will present its 14th annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 20, 2008, at 5:00 PM at the Summerall Chapel at The Citadel. The concert will be a combination of sacred music as well as joyful holiday lyrics. For more information, please call 843-720-8505 or visit: http://www.cmchorus.com.

- A Child's Christmas In Wales - Come out and experience "A Child's Christmas In Wales" Tuesday, December 23 at 7pm. This special event is a co-production of Chamber Music Charleston and Actors Theater of South Carolina. Location: Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street. For more information, please call 843-763-4941 or visit: http://www.ChamberMusicCharleston.org.

- Poogan's Porch Christmas Dinner - Come celebrate Christmas with fine Poogan cuisine on December 25. For more information, please call 843-577-2337 or visit: http://www.poogansporch.com.

- Spend the Holidays at Magnolias, Blossom and Cypress - Magnolias will be open for Christmas dinner. Executive Chef Don Drake and his staff invite you to enjoy a holiday feast including classic Christmas dishes as well as signature menu items. Dinner service will begin at 12:00 noon and serve continuously until 8:00 P.M. Please reserve your table early, as space will be limited. Also, please join us for our special Thanksgiving dinner, which we will be serving from 11:30 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. at Magnolias and Blossom, and 5:30 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. at Cypress. In addition to our signature menu items, each restaurant will feature a traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings and other holiday favorites. We will also feature special menus on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve that promise to be extraordinary. Please visit http://www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com for more information.

- Moscow Ballet Presents Its Great Russian Nutcracker - Moscow Ballet will present its Great Russian Nutcracker at the North Charleston Coliseum PAC on December 26th at 3:00 and 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the box office: (843) 554-6060 or on-line at www.nutcracker.com.

- Charleston New Year at Market Pavilion Hotel – This 5-night package is wonderful for couples to launch a divine ’09! Featuring luxury Concierge Floor accommodation for five nights beginning December 30, package includes access to First Night Charleston (a clean but wild, non-alcoholic, party without any of the usual unpleasantries; held at nearby Marion Square in the heart of the historic district and focusing on a variety of performance arts; First Night entertains right up to the New Year's Eve fireworks display which cap off the festival; a lovely gourmet (adult-only) New Year’s Eve dinner for two in Grill 225; ensuite holiday decorations and a bottle of champagne; breakfast in bed on New Year’s Day, complimentary carriage ride for two, daily European style breakfast with traditional American entrees, afternoon tea and evening hors d’ oeuvres served in the 4th floor Concierge parlor; and use of the cordless Panasonic Extreme Phone. For more information, please call 877-440-2250 or visit: www.marketpavilion.com.

For a complete “Christmas in Charleston” festival schedule with events and packages, visit: www.christmasincharleston.com or call 1-800-868-8118.

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