Wedding & Event Venue Near Hilton Head Island, SC

Don’t forget to take a look up at the sky this weekend or you may miss the Geminid meteor shower.

The annual Geminids is one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, according to NASA. The 2024 shower will produce the greatest number of meteors on Dec. 13 and 14 in the Lowcountry.

The Geminid meteor shower began on Nov. 19 and is expected to continue lighting up the sky until Christmas Eve. Peak activity will happen this Friday night into Saturday morning when 120 meteors per hour are possible to see under the right conditions.

According to the American Meteor Society, the peak of the Geminid meteor shower this year will arrive with a 90% illuminated Waxing Gibbous moon, with the full moon occurring just a few days later on Dec. 15. This means that viewers have a chance to see up to 150 meteors per hour at peak times if there are clear skies.

The American Meteor Society states that the Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and the one major shower that provides good activity before midnight.

The Geminids are often bright and intensely colored, most commonly yellow.

A nearly full moon can reduce the number of meteors seen, but if the skies are clear, you can still see many bright meteors by facing in a direction with the moon at your back.

To see the Geminid meteor shower, look toward the northeast, in the direction of the constellation Gemini.

The best way to spot meteors is to find a dark spot away from city lights.

The ideal time to watch the Geminid shower pass overhead in the Lowcountry is between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. The entire northern hemisphere is expected to get a good view of these meteors.

Hunting Island: 2555 Sea Island Parkway

What better way to way to watch the meteor shower than at one of the most popular parks in South Carolina? At night there are no landmarks to block your view unless you count the Hunting Island Lighthouse.

Edisto Beach State Park: 8377 State Cabin Road

Known for its rich history, enjoy the views of the Geminids from this perfect island oasis. You can even stay on the nearby campgrounds to make stargazing a true outdoor adventure.

Capers Island: 50 41st Avenue

Just 15 miles from Charleston, Capers Island is a great spot to see the sky. Being an island only accessible by boat, you’re bound to have a clear view.

Burkes Beach: 60 Burkes Beach Road.

Relax on the beach while gazing at the stars at Burkes Beach. It’s the ideal spot because there’s nothing to block your view.

Coligny Beach: 1 North Forest Beach Drive

As one of the most popular beaches in Hilton Head, Coligny Beach offers a good view of the night sky for avid beach-goers.

For more information about South Carolina park locations, visit their website.

Temperatures in Beaufort County are expected to feel close to freezing Wednesday night after possible thunderstorms beginning in the morning, according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston office.

Forecasts show a 99% chance of rain at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with a smaller chance of showers in the early afternoon. Total rainfall amounts will likely be less than a half-inch.

Potential wind gusts up to 40 mph will make Wednesday night’s cold front feel even chillier. Temperatures will drop into the low 40s and high 30s beginning at 8 p.m., with expected wind chill as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

But the large high-pressure system looming over the Southeast U.S. is forecast to retreat north later this week, causing temperatures to rebound for the weekend. Daytime highs are predicted to moderate between the upper 60s and lower 70s in the Hilton Head Island area, with a continued risk of scattered showers Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday: A slight chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Breezy. Temperature falling into the mid 50s this afternoon. South winds 15 to 25 mph, becoming west 20 to 25 mph this afternoon. Gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

Wednesday night: Clear. Much cooler with lows in the upper 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening.

Thursday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s, except around 40 near the coast. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

Saturday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 50s.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.

Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

Monday night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 50.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

Join the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Heritage Trust for a free guided tour of Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve as they conduct an archaeological survey of the property.

The archaeological survey will take place from Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, through Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

All tours are guided by an archaeologist and will include experimental archaeology demonstrations.

Tours are free and limited to 15 participants. Pre-registration is encouraged to secure your spot. You can register for tours and reserve your spot through Eventbrite.

Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is located at 99 Squire Pope Road.

This preserve features an embankment made of shells with radiocarbon dating back to 1335 BCE.

This embankment is predominantly made up of discarded shells and includes artifacts such as pottery that bear unique decorations. These pottery decorations include complicated paddle-stamped designs, incising, markings and appliques.

Based on research from other similar sites, the Green’s Shell Enclosure likely provided defensive protection for a village, with walls, palisades and ditches. This site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Learn more about Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve in the story map of Skull Creek Chronicles here.

Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is located on the edge of a marsh beside Skull Creek on Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County.

The SCDNR Heritage Trust Program and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreations and Tourism acquired this 3-acre preserve in 1991 to protect and preserve the cultural site left by the Indigenous people who once lived here.

It’s constructed of discarded shells and other materials that give insight into the area’s history. The Town of Hilton Head and SCDNR maintain joint ownership of this preserve that Heritage Trust manages.

Learn more about the early history of the Heritage Trust Program here.

Every holiday season, streets and homes across the country come alive with Christmas lights, each neighborhood offering its twist on the age-old tradition.

From grand displays that span entire lawns to simple wreaths glowing on front doors, the tradition of decorating with Christmas lights brings a new kind of holiday cheer.

Here is a guide to some of the best light displays across the Lowcountry this Christmas.

Holiday Nights & Lights

Take a mesmerizing drive through the fourth annual Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Holiday Nights & Lights event, 40 Harriet Tubman Way. This drive-through lights show is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. The display is open nightly from Saturday, Dec. 7 through Monday, Dec. 9 from 6-8:00 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Holiday Lights at Fire Station 3

Visit the annual Holiday Lights at Fire Station 3, 534 William Hilton Pkwy, for a fun and festive display. In the spirit of the season, Fire Rescue will be collecting non-perishable food items and new unwrapped toys for Deep Well. New unwrapped toys should be for ages 1-12 and can be dropped off until Dec. 15. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off through January.

Hilton Head Island Christmas Tree Lighting

The Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue, will be aglow this Saturday, Dec. 7, for the lighting of the 30-foot-tall Christmas Tree. Watch a magical laser light show, enjoy local music, food trucks and more. The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and the Christmas tree lighting is set for 6:30 p.m.

Town of Bluffton Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kick off the holiday season with The Town of Bluffton during the 53rd tree lighting ceremony, this Friday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. in Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St. A miniature train will be available at the tree lighting from 6-8 p.m. to ride around Martin and DuBois Parks. Following the ceremony, you can enjoy the movie “Polar Express” and explore Santa’s Workshop at DuBois Park’s Pavilion.

To keep the festivities going, the Bluffton Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. through Bluffton’s Historic District.

The Town is also hosting its second annual Menorah Lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park. All of these events are free and open to the public.

Aquarium Aglow

Visit the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, 100 Aquarium Wharf, to enjoy an incredible light display with larger-than-life installations, festive photo ops and the most unique visit with Santa. The event is held on select evenings from Nov. 23 through Dec. 30 and tickets are $21.95-$29.95 and available to purchase on their website.

Celebrate the Season

Pack the whole family in the car and turn on your favorite Christmas songs to enjoy the dazzling path through Moncks Corner Holiday Lights Driving Tour, 1 Riverwood Dr. This festive light display is open Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, 6-9:00 p.m. It costs $10 per vehicle and all proceeds benefit local charities.

Holiday Festival of Lights

Don’t miss the 32nd annual Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr. Enjoy over 750 light displays on a three-mile driving tour that includes the newly rebuilt Cooper River Bridge display. This event also includes train rides, marshmallow roasting, gift shops and more. It is open until December 31 and tickets start at $15 per vehicle.

College of Charleston Light Show

From Dec. 14 through Jan. 1, transport yourself into a winter wonderland at College of Charleston’s historic Cistern Yard and Randolph Hall, 66 George St. The lights string across the campus’ famed live oaks and the event includes a hot chocolate stand on weekends. The light show is free and starts hourly from 6-9 p.m.

The Lights around Park Circle and Christmas Tree Lighting

Watch the 40-foot Christmas Tree light up with Mayor Burgess on Friday, Dec. 6, 6-7 p.m. at Park Circle Community Building grounds, 4800 Park Circle. This event will have live music and free hot cocoa. After the lighting, be sure to enjoy the beautiful lights and displays around the park. This event is free and the lights will be available to tour until New Year’s Day.

Mount Pleasant Towne Center

Visit the Mount Pleasant Shopping Center this Christmas season to check off your holiday shopping and enjoy the sparkling chandeliers, giant lighted reindeer, canopies of lights and a 40-foot tree. The decorations are ongoing through the holidays, 1218 Belk Drive.

Bee City Zoo

If you’re looking for an all-day Christmas adventure, visit the Bee City Zoo and enjoy the zoo at night with dazzling lights. The lights will be available until Dec. 30 and tickets are $14 per person. Children under two are free, 1066 Holly Ridge Ln. Cottageville, SC.

3241 Morningdale Drive, Ivy Hall, Mount Pleasant

Homeowner Kelli Frazier Miller is known for her amazing and elaborate holiday decorations in the Ivy Hall neighborhood. Her Christmas display runs 24/7 in December then switches over to a Winter Wonderland in January. Its a must-see in North Mount Pleasant.

Park Crossing Drive & Sailmaker Street, Daniel Island

For some fun home holiday cheer, visit these two streets for festive decorations. One home even has a mailbox for letters to Santa, so make sure your kids bring their wish lists with them.

Walking in a Woodlands Wonderland, Morrow Lane, North Charleston

Visit this charming Christmas light show every Sunday through Thursday until the New Year. The show begins nightly at 6:00 p.m. Visit their Facebook page for more details or tune in on 93.9 FM.

Wonderland of Temuco Lane, 104 Temuco Lane, Plum Creek Neighborhood, Summerville

Come enjoy the lights and sounds of Christmas in this beautiful home display. The family is partnering up with Lowcountry Orphan Relief, so don’t forget to bring items on their donation wish list to leave in the donation box at the end of the driveway. The show will run until Jan. 1, Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

Santa on Santino, 105 Santino Court, Goose Creek

For twinkling lights, blow-ups and a lighted arch over the driveway visit this house on Santino Court. The arch features 334 feet of PVC pipe, 250 zip ties, 72 feet of rebar and 1,800 lights. This display is ongoing through the holiday season.

Cadd Family Christmas Lights, 66 Springfield Road

David and Amanda Cadd brighten the neighborhood cul-de-sac with their dazzling display of lights. Their display includes synchronized lights and music, a snow machine and a Santa sleigh. Their display is guaranteed to make your season merry and bright.

Other popular neighborhoods to visit for holiday lights include:

Parlor Doughnuts, a craft doughnut and coffee chain with shops sprinkled across the country including a growing footprint in South Carolina, is opening its first shop in Beaufort County — and it’s just getting started in the Lowcountry.

Lee and Amanda Hicks of Beaufort are franchisees for the Parlor Doughnuts whose territory includes Beaufort, Hilton Head and Savannah. The couple plans to open the first of at least three shops it is planning in the Beaufort-Hilton Head-Savannah region during the first quarter of 2025. That shop will be located in Okatie Center at 201 Okatie Village Drive, across from the road from the Food Lion and right next to Sun City.

The Okatie location will mark Parlor Doughnuts’ first location in Beaufort County and its third in South Carolina. The existing shops are in Greenville and Pawleys Island. Additional shops are planned in Johns Island and Summerville.

Parlor’s doughnuts are different and so is the atmosphere of the shops.

Parlor is known for its famous “layered doughnuts” with layers of buttery dough fried to a crisp on the outside but light and fluffy on the inside, and more than 20 toppings.

“It’s really a different doughnut,” Lee Hicks says.

More than 20 toppings range from maple bacon to bourbon caramel to honey glazed to Hicks’ favorite “chocolate chocolate.” “The toppings,” Hicks says, “are amazing.”

The shops are different, too. The Parlor name comes from the well-furnished “parlor” rooms in many 1900s Victorian homes where people received guests and talked. Parlor describes its shops as “a vintage American space that feels like a ‘parlor’ but with a modern twist.”

Besides layered doughnuts, specialty coffee and and artisanal breakfast treats, the menu will include various vegan, gluten and keto-diet friendly options.

Parlor started in Evansville, Indiana, in 2019 when Darrick Hayden, his son Noah, and restaurateur Josh Tudela combined a passion for high-quality doughnuts and specialty coffee. Parlor now operates 59 shops in 14 states and has been approved to franchise in all 50 states.

The Okatie shop is under construction, Lee Hicks said, and “it’s moving forward pretty quickly.”

The couple moved to Beaufort in June 2023 specifically to open at least three new doughnut shops in the region.

“I think it will be a big hit,” said Hicks, who grew up in Greenville. “They have a great brand, great product. They do extremely well in coastal communities.”

Lee and Amanda, Georgia residents at the time, were introduced to Parlor doughnuts while vacationing in South Carolina at Pawleys Island, which is 23 miles south of Myrtle Beach. They were looking for a career change and contacted Parlor Doughnuts and learned that the Beaufort-Hilton Head-Savannah territory was one of the last remaining markets left for franchises in South Carolina. The couple decided to go for it. “We thought it was a great market,” Hicks said.

This story was originally published December 5, 2024, 11:26 AM.