CALENDAR, Nov. 27+:  Magnolia to feature lots of holiday events

Photo provided.

Staff reports  |  Magnolia Plantation and Gardens’ annual holiday children’s village is part of a month of yuletide events at the attraction.  The village will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily with several special events from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including:

Dec. 2: “Santa Paws” featuring pet adoptions with Lowcountry Lab Rescue, Sinbad Sadie Second Chance Rescue, Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, Pet Helpers, Greyhound Pets of America – Charleston, holiday crafts and a pet costume contest at 1 p.m.

Dec. 3: “Sleigh Bells” ring with pony rides, photos with Santa in his sleigh, holiday crafts and activities.

Dec. 9: “Let It Snow” with snow flurried fun and performances by Summerville Dance Academy and Kelly’s Dance Studio, holiday themed face painting, crafts and activities.

Dec. 10: “Winter Wonderland” with snow flurried fun and an inflatable ice castle, Christmas carolers, holiday themed crafts and activities.

Dec. 16: “Fairy Tale Christmas” featuring a visit from the Snow Queen, performances by Fort Dorchester High School Theatre department, holiday crafts and activities.  Fairy tale costume contest at 1 p.m.

Dec. 17: “An Old Fashioned Christmas” featuring the sights and sounds of yesteryear with Christmas carolers, face painting, and old fashioned holiday crafts.

• For more details, go to: magnoliaplantation.com.

Also on the calendar:

(NEW) A Christmas Carol.: Runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston.    The holiday classic returns again as Charleston Stage’s musical adaption features Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, will put you in the Christmas spirit with four spectacular new musical production numbers. For tickets and more information, go to CharlestonStage.com.

 (NEW) Candlelight vigil:  6:30 p.m., Dec. 1, Unitarian Church of Charleston, 4 Archdale St., Charleston.  The Charleston area World AIDS Day Community Candlelight Vigil will offer speakers and performances to spark dialogue about the HIV crisis facing the Charleston area. Participants will also honor the lives of those lost.  More: CharlestonWorldAIDSDay.org.

(NEW) Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings:  Shows are Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, Cabaret Theatre, Duvall Center, 2816 Azalea Drive, North Charleston.  Midtown Productions will offer the local premier of this musical comedy of doo=wop songs of the 50s and 60s featuring veterans Ryan Ahlert and Brandon Joyner.  For tickets, times and more, go to: Midtown Productions.

That Holiday Book Sale: Opens at 9 a.m. on Dec. 1 and 2, Mount Pleasant Regional Library, 1133 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant.  The Charleston Friends of the Library will have another great sale of used books, CDs, videos and more – all of which could be a perfect holiday gift.  More info.

(NEW) Candlelight tours:  6 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 2, 9 and 16, Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting St., Charleston.  The Historic Charleston Foundation offers candlelight tours of the historic house during the holiday, allowing participants to step back in time experience what it was like in a stately house before modern lighting.  This 45-minute visit uses LED candles.  Register online historiccharleston.org. 

Homegrown Holiday Bazaar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 2, Johns Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Road, on Johns Island, SC 29455.  The fourth annual event will feature more than 100 vendors and farmers – and it’s just in time for you to do your holiday shopping from local folks.  It will also serve as the farmers market for that day and is brought to you by the Johns Island Farmers Market and Sea Islands Chamber of Commerce.  Among the attractions are holiday carriage and hay rides; an antique tractor show, meet and greets with native horses, and pony rides.  And there will be a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking on site. More info.

(NEW) Old Christmas customs:  2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 3, the Ponds Schulz-Lotz Farmhouse, 324 Hundred Oaks Pkwy, Summerville.  The Ponds Conservancy presents this discussion of foods popular during the 19^th century as well as wreath-making using locally-harvested, natural materials. There is no charge to attend. Due to space limitations, reservations are required and can be made by via email to pondsevents@associa.us or via phone call to 843.900.8556.

(NEW) Charleston Gospel Choir:  7:30 p.m., Dec. 9, Burke High School auditorium, 244 President St., Charleston.  The 17^th annual Gospel Christmas will feature down-home traditional spirituals and gospel renditions including highly arranged toe-tapping compositions including Go Tell it on the Mountain, O Holy Night, Emmanuel, Silver & Gold and a special ode to the late Whitney Houston and several of her chart-topping hits from the film The Preachers Wife. Tickets: $35 adults; $30 seniors; $15 students with ID; discounted group rates for 10 or more.  More: Charleston Gospel Choir.

A Charleston Celtic Christmas: 7 p.m., Dec. 11, Circular Congregational Church, Meeting Street, Charleston.  Na Fidléirí and the Taylor Festival Choir will perform a program that continues to present a mixture of traditional holiday carols, instrumental jigs with a Celtic flavor and spiritual choral and instrumental segments.  Led by Mary and Robert Taylor, Na Fidleiri and the TFC will be joined by John Doyle, legendary Irish Guitarist and singer, as well as the exciting early music duo Bedlam. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at TMGCharleston.com

Early morning bird walks at Caw Caw:  8:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel.  You can learn about habitats and birds, butterflies and other organisms in this two-hour session.  Registration not required, but participants are to be 15 and up.  $10 per person or free to Gold Pass holders.  More:  http://www.CharlestonCountyParks.com.