CALENDAR: Chanukah in the Square set for Nov. 28

From the 2017 celebration. Photo provided.

Staff reports  |  Live entertainment, food stations and children’s activities will be part of the 14th annual Chanukah in the Square, which will be held 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at Marion Square in Charleston.

The celebration, the largest annual Jewish event in the state according to a press release, is offered by the College of Charleston Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program and Chabad of Charleston – Center for Jewish Life have partnered with the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs and many other community organizations to host the largest annual Jewish event in the state of South Carolina. It is sponsored by the Norman J. and Gerry Sue Arnold Foundation and the City of Charleston.  More info.

Also on the calendar:

Keeping it local: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 4, Johns Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Rd., Johns Island.  The 8th annual Homegrown Holiday Bazaar will include about 75 vendors from whom you can get all of your holiday shopping, according to the Sea Island Chamber of Commerce.  In addition to great gifts, there will be a kiddie train ride, horse rides and a special visitor from the North Pole.  Food trucks will be available as well as local craft beer, wine and music.  

North Charleston art show:  Through Nov. 24, Park Circle Gallery, 4820 Jenkins Ave., North Charleston.  Mount Pleasant painter Brad Carroll and Johns Island artist Lee Garrard will be featured in this exhibition of paintings by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department. Admission is free. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 pm. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Holiday Festival of Lights: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m, through Dec. 31, James Island County Park.. Visitors can drive through the impressive three-mile light spectacle with more than 750 illuminated displays. The festival also includes other holiday activities like train rides, marshmallow roasting, a climbing wall and more. There also will be a Winter Wonderland, which features the area’s largest holiday sand sculpture made from more than 50 tons of sand. You and your family can also explore the shops, an enchanted walking trail and the amazing dancing light display. Tickets  It is recommended that visitors purchase tickets in advance online.  

Elf the Musical returns:  Dec. 1-19, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston.  The popular musical, sold out in Charleston in 2019, returns for several holiday performances by actors at Charleston Stage.  Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, the musical tells the story of Buddy the Elf who is transported from Santa’s Workshop to New York City.   Click here for times and tickets, which range from $32 for students to $36 to $75 for adults..  

Winter Wonderland exhibit.  Through March 27, 2022, Lowcountry Image Gallery, The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston. This exhibit showcases colorized photographs of remarkable snow days captured by residents of Charleston dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. More on tickets and hours.

Birds of Prey flight demonstrations: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 Highway 17. Awendaw.  The center has reopened its doors to visitors after closing due to the COvID-19 pandemic, inviting people to once again come and explore the world of raptors through an outdoor program and flight demonstration. Tickets: . $20/adult; $15/children age 3-17. 

Bird-watching at Caw Caw. Every Wednesday and Saturday — particularly through the end of February — you can see a plethora of birds at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel as they make their way through the Lowcountry.  The two-hour regular walks, which start at 8:30 a.m., are through distinct habitats that allow participants to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.  A paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Max. 10 participants.   Fee: $9; free for Gold Pass holders.  Open to all ages.  More: Caw Caw Interpretive Center. 

• For more events, see this calendar.

Farmers markets

Closing in November

Charleston Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday, Marion Square, 329 Meeting St., Charleston.  More.  Tentative closing Nov. 27.  Holiday market to open temporarily in December. 

Closing in December

Holy City Farmers Market:  4 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Holy City Brewing, North Charleston. vendors rotate weekly to provide shoppers with a tiny but mighty shopping experience. vendors will be selling a range of products from specialty foods, home and body care to arts and crafts. More info.  Closes Dec. 18 with holiday market.

Open year-round

West Ashley Farmers Market: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Ackerman Park, 55 Sycamore Avenue, Charleston.  More.

Sunday Brunch Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday, Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island. While the market is discouraging people from spending too much time hanging out during the market, everyone is invited to shop their local vendors. More info.

Sea Island Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., every Saturday.  Charleston Collegiate Campus, 2024 Academy Rd., Johns Island. More.

Goose Creek Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday, 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd., Goose Creek. More. 

• If you have any online events, drop us a line (editor@charlestoncurrents.com) and make sure to put “Online event” in the subject line.  Similarly, if you’ve got cool ideas for stuff to do while in isolation at home, send them our way.

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