Charleston is known for its fantastic climate… warm, balmy temps in the summer that make ocean swimming a delight. Spring is fabulous, and fall is, too - warm, but without as much of the humidity.
When winter rolls around, you may get some chilly days, but more often than not it’s quite temperate. People walk around in shorts and flip flops. Citrus, avocados and bananas all grow here on the Isle of Palms. In our yard, we have trees of grapefruit, mandarin oranges and lemons all thriving and producing luscious fruit.
Every once in a while the temps might dip below freezing, but it’s pretty rare. So when word gets out that there’s snow falling in Charleston, it’s BIG NEWS. Grab the kids! Go check it out! Seeing the white stuff is pretty darn exciting for us locals, and it sure is a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit.
Snow is Falling in Downtown Charleston, on the Regular
Charleston Place is an anchor of the peninsula’s commercial district. Located between Lower Meeting and Lower King Streets near the Public Market, its development in the mid-1980’s kicked off the renaissance of downtown Charleston. It proved to be the spark that ignited the Holy City into becoming the #1 destination to visit in America, and beyond.
Charleston Place is a world-class hotel. It boasts top-notch dining, cocktail lounges, spa, and retail shops, and is the setting for conferences and conventions, weddings, galas, and special events like the SEWE Festival. Once part of the Orient Express and Belmond families, it is now independently (and locally) owned, and proudly so. The new owners are bringing some fun and exciting energy to the place.
Case in point: they are making it snow in the Holy City - every night during the holidays!
Let It Snow
In fact, they’re doing it twice each night – at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – from late November through New Year’s Eve, in an event they call “Let it Snow.” Come watch the snow fall in front of Charleston Place’s Market Street Circle, the site of their grand Christmas tree.
The nightly snowfall is open to the public, and it’s absolutely free. You have to make reservations ahead of time, though, to book your spot. Reserve your date and time here.
To add to the holiday ambiance, they’re also hosting the Charleston Caroling Company on certain nights. You can catch them performing live on November 25 and 29, and December 2, 6, 8, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, & 23 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sweet treats will be available for purchase from popular vendors like Little Peanut Pastries and AP Flour.
Outdoor Ice Skating comes to the Lowcountry for the First Time
Over on Daniel Island, there’s something else very cool - literally! - family-friendly, and absolutely perfect for the holidays.
Come lace up your skates and hit the ice at a brand-new outdoor ice skating rink. It’s like Rockefeller Center came south to Daniel Island’s Credit One Stadium - without all the hassle of Manhattan traffic and crowds.
“Skate the Stadium” happens Thursdays through Sundays during the month of December. Just $10 will get you a rental of a pair of ice skates and a whole hour to play and twirl on the ice. They’ll even give you a discount if you donate a toy for Marine Toys for Tots.
It kicks off Friday, December 2nd and runs through Friday, December 30th (closed Christmas Day). It’s open Thursdays & Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to10:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m.
There’s not only skating, but also fire pits and festive drinks & nibbles (hot cocoa, cider, full bar with beer & cocktails, s’mores kits, cinnamon sugar pretzels, cookie samplers, etc.).
They’ve also planned a whole list of special events like visits with Santa, Holiday Carolers, Lighting of the Big Tree, Ladies Night/Bubbles on Ice, 90’s Glow Night, and Jazz Night and Bourbon Tasting.
Get more details and book tickets on the website.
There’s a common link here. Both of these new snowy/icy appearances in the Lowcountry are the brainchild of Ben Navarro, businessman and philanthropist extraordinaire. Charleston Place and the Credit One tennis stadium are part of his new Beemok Hospitality Collection, which “aims to inspire and connect people through extraordinary experiences at our portfolio of interwoven world-class hotels, fine restaurants, unique entertainment venues and marquee events throughout the Charleston, SC metropolitan area.”
Bravo, Ben! Thanks for bringing snow and ice skating to the South.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger