CALENDAR, Dec. 5+: Lots of holiday events, more

Here are some coming holiday events:

Holiday Festival of Lights:  Continues nightly through Jan. 1, James Island County Park, James Island.  The 27^th presentation of the annual festival features an estimated two million shimmering lights.  It’s one of the top 10 holiday light shows in the nation.

Holiday market in Marion Square:  9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18, Marion Square.  A wide assortment of art, crafts and holiday gift items will complement the regular Charleston Farmers Market vendors during the holiday markets. Bring your wish lists to the North Pole mailbox and cameras for a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Kwanzaa Kinara lighting:  5 p.m., Dec. 26, Marion Square.  Charleston marks the first night of Kwanzaa with a special ceremony lighting the first candle of the Kwanzaa Kinara in a celebration for the entire community. Participants will enjoy the music and movement of drummers and dancers alongside readings and remarks from Lowcountry Kwanzaa leaders.

Chanukah in the Square:  4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 29, Marion Square.  A free, festive party for everyone; featuring music, dancing, and the lighting of the nine foot Menorah by Charleston’s Holocaust survivors. Visitors can enjoy crafts and treats, including latkes and other traditional Chanukah foods. 

Happy New Year, Charleston!  4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Dec. 31, Marion Square.  This free to the public celebration offers a family friendly, non-alcoholic event featuring kid friendly activities, including karaoke. The program continues after dark with high-energy performances from local bands and unique lighting displays to help ring in 2017.

Also on the calendar:

White Christmas:  Through Dec. 18 on Thursdays through Sundays, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston.  Enjoy the holiday classic with tickets for adults starting at $31.  More.

Nuncrackers.  The Footlight Players will offer “Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical: Through Dec. 18 at the Footlight stage, 20 Queen St., Charleston.  Tickets range from $15 for children to $35 for adults.  More.

Book launch: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Buxton Books, 2 Cumberland St., Charleston.  Local attorney and historian Thomas Tisdale will launch is latest book, “Carolina Sunrise, at this event.  The book is a collection of stories told against the backdrop of S.C. history.  More.

Jazz guitar performances: 7 p.m. on Dec. 8-10, How Art Thou Jazz Café, James Island.  Virtuoso Jack Wilkins, a widely acclaimed jazz guitarist, will perform with a variety of musicians at the café, which is at 1956 Maybank Highway on James Island.  Reservations are recommended.  More.

Underneath the Lintel:  Dec. 9 to 23, 477 King St., Charleston.  PURE Theatre will offer “Underneath the Lintel” as its holiday production in lieu of another production.  The story:  Tickets are $25 for adults.  More.

(NEW) Charleston Progressive Network: 7 p.m., Dec. 19, ILA Hall, 1422 Morrison Dr., Charleston.  Since the election of Donald Trump to be the next president, progressives say they’re seeing a lot more interest in this network group.  More info on Facebook.

If you have an event to list on our calendar, please send it to editor@charlestoncurrents.com for consideration.  The calendar is updated weekly on Mondays.