Arts + Music | A la carte | Event Calendar

Bayberry candle dipping

Traditionally, bayberry candles were reserved for use around the holidays as they were believed to bring wealth and prosperity in the New Year. In celebration of the festive season, guests are invited to dip their own specialty bayberry candles during this drop-in style program held between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Reserve your slot online.
Dec. 26 through Dec. 30. Noon to 2 p.m. Free. Middleton Place. 4300 Ashley River Road. West Ashley. middletonplace.org

Charleston New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl

As the clock counts down to midnight, there’s no better place to be than on an adventure through the city’s hottest bars and venues, each adding its unique flavor to the experience. Celebrate the new year with friends or that special someone and dive into an unforgettable night of excitement, laughter and cheers. Ticketholders get waived cover fees, drink specials and a digital map to each venue along the way.
Dec. 31. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. $25/person. Meet at Grand Bohemian Charleston. 55 Wentworth St. Downtown. pubcrawls.com

Aquarium Aglow

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the South Carolina Aquarium after dark, transformed by dazzling displays of light and color. From the icy starlight of the mountains to the neon lights of the coast, let wildlife lead the way to celebration this holiday season. Make memories to last a lifetime as you wave to Scuba Claus and capture frame-worthy moments at multiple photo ops.
Weekends in December. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices vary. South Carolina Aquarium.
100 Aquarium Wharf. Downtown. scaquarium.org

Winter Camp at Young Chefs Academy

Beat the winter blues and warm up with delicious cooking fun at Young Chefs Academy Culinary Camp. Join the team as they create irresistible recipes that melt in your mouth like a snowflake. The magic comes alive as young chefs put their culinary skills to the test to produce their own mouth-watering sweet and savory creations. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early. Call to receive discounted rates for siblings.
Dec. 29 through Dec. 31. 9 a.m. to noon. One day: $85/child. Young Chefs Academy.
729 Long Point Road. Mount Pleasant. charlestonsc.youngchefsacademy.com

Sunday Brunch Farmers Market

Head to the Pour House on James Island for a 100% local market brimming with more than 40 local farmers and artisans, a deck bar, live music, good eats and all kinds of amazing area-made goods. Cap off your weekend by kicking back, enjoying the local tunes and stocking up on unique goodies. This farmers market is open year-round.
Sundays. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. The Pour House. 1977 Maybank Highway. James Island. sundaybrunchfarmersmarket.com

Arts + Music

Celebrate Emancipation Day at IAAM on Jan. 1

Join the International African American Museum, in partnership with the Emancipation Proclamation Association and the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, for the 2026 Emancipation Day Celebration. First, the annual Emancipation Day Parade departs at 11 a.m. Jan. 1 from Burke High School, followed by a full afternoon, from noon to 5 p.m. at the museum, 4 Wharfside St., featuring free admission, family-friendly activities and interactive experiences.
More: iaamuseum.org

JAZZ

Dec. 26, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Sinatra: Nothing But The Best rolls out iconic Sinatra songs like “Fly me to the Moon” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Forte Jazz Lounge, 477 King St. More: fortejazzlounge.com

MUSICAL GAMES

Dec. 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Music Bingo is on offer at High Score Brewing, the family-friendly brewery and arcade. 8120 Windsor Blvd. Suite 203, North Charleston,
More: highscorebrewing.com

MUSIC

Dec. 27, 7 p.m.: Winyah, Music Farm
Dec. 27, 7 p.m.: Blue Dogs Homecoming Celebration, Charleston Music Hall
Dec. 27, 8 p.m.: Baby Fat, The Windjammer
Dec. 30, 7 p.m.: Corey Smith, Music Farm
Dec. 30 and 31, 7 p.m.: Futurebirds, Charleston Music Hall
Dec. 31, 7 p.m.: Nashville New Year’s Eve with Nashville Nights, Music Farm
Dec. 31, 9 p.m.: The Psycodelics, Pour House
Dec. 31, 8 p.m.: A Retro Royal New Year’s Eve with DJ United, Royal American
Dec. 31, 8 p.m.: New Year’s Eve with Weird Science, The Windjammer
Jan. 2, 5 p.m.: Wymberly, Pour House

A la carte

WHAT’S NEW

Babas expansion: Popular café Babas has launched its third location at 115 Wentworth St. Open Tuesday through Sunday, visitors can find the same coffee, pastries, snacks, sandwiches, caviar, cocktails and wine available at its Cannon Street and Meeting Street locations.
More: babasoncannon.com

All-day dining: Quarter French, a new all-day dining restaurant, will open in spring 2026 at 40 Broad St. Led by Charleston natives Mike and Kathleen Shuler along with business partner and sommelier Nathan Wheeler, the concept introduces a quintessential neighborhood bistro in the heart of Charleston’s French Quarter.
More: quarterfrenchcharleston.com

Spirit of giving: Hamby Catering and Events has surpassed its goal of 30,000 meals sponsored through its longstanding Thanksgiving partnership with the Lowcountry Food Bank. The initiative has provided 32,800 meals over the past 11 years. Each Thanksgiving, Hamby sponsors meals on behalf of customers who purchase its popular Thanksgiving to-go packages. For every package ordered, a family in need receives support through the Lowcountry Food Bank.
More: hambycatering.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Oyster hour: Sullivan’s Fish Camp is launching “oyster hour,” happening weekly from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The menu will change each week, and will feature a selection of Executive Chef Jason Stanhope’s signature high-low mashups like redneck caviar service with hushpuppy tots and caviar, oyster specials, $10 martinis and rotating wine specials.
More: sullivansfishcamp.com

Dumpling happy hour: Xo Brasserie has introduced a “dumpling hour” offering all specialty cocktails for $10, all dumplings for $10 and $6 Sapporo beers. Cocktails include the “mandarin moon,” light and dark rum, mandarin, lime and miso and the “spirit of Mogwai,” mezcal, mango, lime, ginger beer and orange bitters. Dumplings include the Xo wonton with pork, shrimp, bamboo, onion and chili soy and the crab rangoon with blue crab, provolone, ricotta and duck sauce.
More: xobchs.com

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