When and what is happening in December, 2019 on Hilton Head and the LowCountry

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When and what is happening in December on Hilton Head and the LowCountry
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Ongoing: Learn how to play Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the country, with daily clinics and round robins at the Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center in Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Pickleball is a sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played with oversized ping pong paddles and a softball-sized plastic perforated ball that travels at about one-third the speed of a tennis ball. Courts and equipment available to rent. Reservations are recommended, call (866) 242-3169 or visit www.palmettodunes.com.
Ongoing: The First Tee of the Lowcountry is open to the public daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Amenities include a 6-hole, par 3 golf course, driving range, 2 USGA greens, short game practice area, 9-hole Disc Golf Course and stocked fishing pond. Admission includes unlimited use of the facility. 151 Gumtree Rd. (843) 686-2680 or www.thefirstteelowcountry.org.
Ongoing: Alligator & Wildlife Boat Tour with H2O Sports in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Get an up-close view of indigenous plant and animal life, including the American alligator, on a one-hour guided boat tour. Reservations are required, call (843) 671-4386 or visit h2osports.com.
Ongoing: The Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum is open daily. Explore Hilton Head Island’s rich history and learn the story behind its famed lighthouse in this unique museum-like setting. Admission is $4.25 per person, complimentary for children ages 5 and younger. 149 Lighthouse Rd. (843) 671-2810 or www.harbourtownlighthouse.com.
11/29-12-1 BEST SALE OF THE YEAR! Black Friday Gear Sale is happening Friday November 29th through Sunday December 1st at the Outside Flagship Store in the Plaza at Shelter Cove. Get here early for the best selection and snag the perfect gift for the adventurers in your life! Great holiday deals on new and used kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, electric bikes, boats and accessories. For more information call 843-686-6996 or visit shopoutside.com.
Ongoing: Golf Croquet on the lawn adjacent to the Harbour Town Clubhouse in The Sea Pines Resort, 10 a.m. Equipment is available throughout the day. 11 Lighthouse Ln. (843) 842 1979 or www.seapines.com.
Ongoing: Trail Rides through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve with Lawton Stables. Meander through the preserve on horseback for the true feel of the untouched Lowcountry. Trail riders must be at least 8 years old. Reservations are required. (843) 671-2586 or www.lawtonstables.com.
11/29-2/31: Enjoy the Harbour Town Lights! Stroll along the harbour and enjoy the illuminated seasonal figures, with the centerpiece of the display being a towering Christmas tree. Harbour Town is the perfect place to be this holiday season with live entertainment and activities.
While you’re enjoying the holiday season, you can help Deep Well make a difference in someone else’s life, too. While visiting the Harbour Town Lights, bring a canned good or two, or a new unwrapped child’s toy and drop them in the “Well” by the Liberty Oak stage. Sponsors: The Shops in Harbour Town, Hargray, Crazy Crab, PSAV, The Greenery. Call The Sea Pines Resort Recreation Department at 843-842-1979. www.seapines.com.
December 1-7: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Please join us for our annual Festival of Trees event taking place at the Sonesta Resort! We will display beautiful Christmas trees and décor that will be available for purchase. During the two week display, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the trees with all proceeds to benefit the Hilton Head Preparatory School Tuition Assistance Program for local students. Stay tuned for a listing of performances by members of the Prep community as well as others from the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton communities. The Festival of Trees wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! 843-715-8536 or go to the Facebook page.
Mondays: Immerse yourself in the fascinating Civil War history of Hilton Head Island with a visit to Fort Mitchel. The site contains the remains of a coastal defense battery erected in 1862 to protect the Port Royal Sound by way of Skull Creek from incursions by Confederate gunboats based in the Savannah River. Costumed characters and an expert tour guide will demonstrate the vital historic importance of this place and the role the fort and its namesake, General Mitchel, played in shaping Hilton Head history, including historic Mitchelville. This tour is located at Ft. Mitchel in Hilton Head Plantation, 65 Skull Creek Dr. $15 adults, $10 children. 10 a.m. Registration required. Click HERE! (843) 681-2386 or visit www.heritagelib.org/tours.
Mondays: “Where Does the Power Come From?” complimentary golf clinic and exhibition led by former PGA Touring Pro Doug Weaver on the Robert Trent Jones Course in Palmetto Dunes, 4 p.m. (843) 785-1138 or palmettodunes.com.
Farmers Market – Tuesdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Take home fresh local produce, pasture raised chicken, free range rabbit, pork, seafood, salsa, fresh sausage, cookies, breads, she crab soup, and more. Have your knives sharpened while shopping. Free Parking. (Closed Dec 25 and Jan 1). Shop local, meet new friends, strengthen our community, and rebuild our local food economy! Farmer Vendor application here. Food Vendor application here. The Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island.
Dates below: Art League presents beaded jewelry and more from four local artists in time for the holidays.
Four local jewelry designers will showcase their beaded works in Artful Adornment: Jewelry and Beyond, held at Art League Gallery this December. The show celebrates the variety and beauty found in beadwork, from Caroline Alderman’s whimsical necklaces and Linda Raih’s highly complex designs to Carol Romano Geraghty’s sculptural pieces and the architecture-inspired work of Nancy Apy.
Techniques and forms include beaded sculptures, jewelry and embroidered art pieces fashioned with thread or wire. “Each piece is unique; you can clearly see the inspirations and personalities of the artists represented in the artwork,” says Kristin Griffis, Gallery Manager. “And, of course, with the holidays coming, any one of these pieces would make an elegant gift for yourself or someone special.”
Artful Adornment: Jewelry and Beyond is on display December 3-31, 2019. An artist reception will be held Wednesday, December 11, 5-7 p.m. There will be a Meet and Greet with the Artists on Tuesdays, December 3, 10 and 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., where you can learn more about the artists’ work, techniques, inspirations and more.
Exhibit: Tuesday, December 3 through Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Art League Gallery now open every day: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance.
Artist Reception: Wednesday, December 11, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and meet the artists. Free and open to the public.
Meet and Greet: Tuesdays, December 3, 10 and 17, 5-7 p.m. Meet the four jewelry artists and learn more about their work, techniques
December 4: The Coastal Discovery Museum will host Kristen Mattson on December 4 at 2 p.m., as we learn of the status of osprey in the lowcountry. During the presentation you will learn why ospreys are important sentinels of environmental health and better understand their life history including nesting, migration, and feeding. Summary data from 10 years of local osprey breeding observations will be presented as well.
Mattson is an environmental educator for the LowCountry Institute and Spring Island Trust. She has a background teaching biology in higher education and holds a master’s degree in ecology from the University of Florida.
Cost is $7 per person and reservations are required by calling 843-689-6767 ext. 223. The museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island.
December 4 – 29: Revived on Broadway earlier this year, Kiss Me, Kate sizzles with musical comedy magic. Kiss Me, Kate combines spectacular song featuring the music of Cole Porter blended with dazzling dance in a “Too Darn Hot” blockbuster that will have audiences falling in love. It’s a story of romance, strong wills, and comedy about a fiery couple (and former husband and wife) who are also co-stars, feuding onstage and off.
Preview single tickets for adults are $50; Full priced single tickets are $60. (Infants and children under the age of 5 are not admitted unless otherwise stated.) Daily 8 p.m. Sunday Matinees, 2 p.m.
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane. Box Office: 843-842-ARTS(2787) or http://www.artshhi.com/ or purchase tickets at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35023/production/1013546.
The Winter Wonder Festival will be held at Shelter Cove Community Park on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 from 4-8 p.m.
The festival provides a safe environment for families to start their Holiday celebrations! Everyone is welcome! There will be carnival games, children’s parade, golden candy cane hunt, and much more. Don’t forget that we will be joined by Mr. & Mrs. Claus!
Free admission, donations welcome. Concessions, trampoline bungee, and rock wall sold separately. For more information about the Winter Wonderland Festival, call the Island Recreation Center at (843) 681-7273 or go to events.islandreccenter.org.
December 6-9: Historic Holidays on Hilton Head Island, a weekend of Sea Island traditions. December 6-9th, 2019. Featuring authentic food, historic church experiences, holiday market, trolley and bike tours, ancestry research and a community tree lighting.
This weekend of events is presented as a partnership with the Heritage Library, Mitchelville Preservation Project, Coastal Discovery Museum, Gullah Museum, the Hilton Head Island Land Trust, and the Town of Hilton Head Island’s Office of Cultural Affairs. www.heritagelib.org.
December 6: The Winter Wonder Festival will be held at Shelter Cove Community Park on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 from 4-8 p.m.
The festival provides a safe environment for families to start their Holiday celebrations! Everyone is welcome! There will be carnival games, children’s parade, golden candy cane hunt, and much more. Don’t forget that we will be joined by Mr. & Mrs. Claus!
Free admission, donations welcome. Concessions, trampoline bungee, and rock wall sold separately. For more information about the Winter Wonderland Festival, call the Island Recreation Center at (843) 681-7273 or go to events.islandreccenter.org.
Every Thursday, farmers, cooks, jam- and salsa-makers and all kinds of artisans meet locals on Calhoun Street for the Farmers Market of Bluffton from 1-6 p.m., (or Dusk if earlier!) With an assortment of farm fresh produce, including strawberries, carrots, onions, spinach, varieties of lettuce, broccoli, mushrooms, beets, potatoes and more, the Farmers Market bound to have something for every kind of guest.
Plus, in addition to the local honey, eggs and cheese, there’s also all kinds of prepared foods, from BBQ, gumbo, fried oysters and shrimp, she crab soup and crab cakes to crepes, empanadas, fresh baked pastries and breads, coffee, kettle corn and chocolates. Also for sale are herbs, plants and flowers. Picnic tables are out, so guests can enjoy their goodies at the market and there is almost always live entertainment to entertain crowds, as well as a chef demonstration, so attendees can learn how to make healthy dishes.
There is an Artisan Showcase on the first Thursday of every month to highlight a handful of local artists and their incredible Lowcountry craftsmanship
Not open Thanksgiving Day.
For more information, call (843) 415-2447 or go to Farmers Market of Bl
Friday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. (Town of Bluffton Christmas Tree Lighting). Saturday, December 7, at 10 a.m. (Town of Bluffton Christmas Parade). The public is invited to the 2019 Bluffton Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Parade Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, Bluffton’s Historic District
The Tree-Lighting ceremony will take place Friday at DuBois Park located at 67 Lawrence Street in Bluffton’s Historic District at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Lisa Sulka will announce the grand marshal of the Bluffton Christmas Parade, the Michael C. Riley Elementary school chorus will sing and Town leaders will light the Bluffton Christmas Tree. Finally, cookies and refreshments will be served under the Pavilion where Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a pre-Christmas visit.
The Bluffton Christmas Parade will begin Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m. at the corner of Bridge and Pritchard Streets. Parade participants will make their way along the parade route and end in Bluffton Park at the corner of Pin Oak Street and 8th Avenue.
843-706-4534 or townofbluffton.com.
December 11: The Coastal Discovery Museum is hosting Doreen Cubie on December 11 at 2 p.m. to speak about hummingbirds. Cubie will talk about her research with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds focusing on her banding study of wintering hummingbirds near Charleston SC. She will also discuss her research with Rubythroats from Manitoba to British Columbia, where she learned about the northern and western limits of the breeding range of Rubythroats and investigated whether South Carolina’s wintering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate to Canada for the summer.
Cubie is a master bird bander, one of only about 400 hummingbird banders in the US and Canada.
Cost is $7 per person and reservations are required by calling 843-689-6767 ext. 223. The museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island.
December 12: 5:00 to 7:00, Village Cove Assisted Living and Hospice Care of the Lowcountry will host Merry Meals – the 10th Annual Chili Cook-off. For just $10 per ticket, Merry Meals will help to provide holiday meals for local seniors. There will be several types of chili, a hot cider station, desserts, raffle prizes, and a cash bar. For those who are busy, we will have a Grab & Go area with chili ready to take home for dinner! The Chili Cook-off will benefit Deep Well Project. Deep Well has long-fulfilled the basic need for food, a need that can occur at any time of the year. Please help Santa to provide a holiday meal for our local seniors in need. Click here to get tickets.
Saturday, December. 14: Ryder Cup Challenge Golf Tournament at Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes, 12 noon. $65 per person. Tournament includes range balls, 18 holes and 2 drink tickets. 18 Hole event: 1st-6th scramble, 7th-12th best ball, 13th-18th alternate shot. Prizes for: closest to the pin, longest drive and overall winner. Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Registration deadline is Monday, December 9. Visit https://www.palmettodunes.com/RyderCupChallenge for more information and to sign up.
December 18: Come join us at the Coastal Discovery Museum on December 18 at 2 p.m., as we hear from Associate Professor Michael Williamson will discuss different types of whales that inhabit the North Atlantic, their biology, and basic research techniques used to learn more about their natural history. Some hands-on specimens will be used.
Williamson founded WhaleNet in 1993 to excite students about match, science, the environment, and technology (STEM). He is also Vice-president of the Mingan Island Cetacean Study, which has conducted the longest continuous research program on blue whales in the world, since 1979.
Cost is $7 per person and reservations are required by calling 843-689-6767 ext 223. The museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on
December 21: Polar Pines Express Holiday Wagon Ride
Hop aboard our festive wagon and arrive at our North Pole. Bring the kids to hear the classic story, ‘The Polar Express,’ create a paper conductor’s hat, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Reservations required; please call our recreation department at (843) 842-1979. $16/adult, $13/child (ages 12 and younger). www.seapines.com.
December 22: Brunch with Santa. Join us at Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar on Sunday, December 22 from 10am-2pm for our first ever Brunch with Santa! Choose items from our special buffet and most importantly, included with your meal is a photo with Santa by the fireplace! $32++ per adult | $15++ per child. (Includes fresh juices, coffee, tea & a hot chocolate station).
Items in the buffet will include:

• smoked salmon display
• seasonal mixed greens salad with garden vegetables
• cheese display
• applewood smoked bacon & pork sausage links
• scrambled eggs & vegetable ricotta frittata
• croissant french toast
• roasted butternut squash soup
• fried chicken & cheddar Belgian waffles
• cherry cola glazed ham
• herb roasted prime rib carving station
• chicken tenders
• mac n cheese
• desserts and more!
  Visit www.alexandersrestaurant.com or call 866-921-6639 after noon daily to make a reservation

December 22 – 30 Happy Hanukkah
December 23: Gregg Russell Christmas Concert
Relish the spirit of the holidays with an evening in Harbour Town. Listen as Gregg Russell plays his guitar and sings songs of the season for children and adults. Before and after the concert, enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus from 5:30-7 p.m. and 9 p.m! Complimentary. www.seapines.com.
December 24: Hilton Head Hospital Jingle Jingle Run
The 28th Annual Hilton Head Hospital Jingle Jingle Run and Health Walk is Tuesday, December 24th at 8 a.m. The Family 5K Run & Health Walk will follow a course on and around the Hilton Head Hospital Campus and Main Street. The race features a colorful seasonal theme and provides participants a chance to burn off some extra holiday calories.
A FREE Children’s Fun Run follows the 5K. The Children’s Fun Run is for kids 6 & under. The race is broken into two heats 3 & under ( 25 yrd. run ) and 4-6yr olds ( 100 yrd. run ). Runners and volunteers get in the spirit of the season and wear elf, Santa or other holiday costumes.

The first 600 participants to sign up will receive a long sleeve event t-shirt, jingle bells, and a candy cane. An award ceremony, featuring a visit from Santa, refreshments, hot cocoa, cider, music, and door prizes will be held following the race. Holiday prizes presented to the top three overall male and female finishers. Top three in each age category receives unique holiday awards.
A percentage of proceeds from the Hilton Head Hospital Jingle Jingle Run will benefit The Sunset Hilton Head Rotary Club and another local charity. For more information or to register visit bearfootsports.com or call Bear Foot Sports at 843/757-8520.
December 24: Merry Christmas
December 26-January 1: Happy Kwanzaa
December 27,28 & 29: Holiday Fun in Harbour Town
Gather with us around the Liberty Oak to watch classic holiday movies, roast marshmallows and enjoy train rides and activities. Movie and marshmallow roasting start at 6 p.m. Complimentary with the donation of a canned food item for the Deep Well Project. Train rides $5/passenger. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.
December 31: 19th Annual Polar Bear Swim
Show your adventurous side with the other “polar bears” by taking an invigorating dip in the Harbour Town Pool on a chilly winter day. Warm up after your plunge with hot chocolate and refreshments. Complimentary. (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com.


As always, many thanks to friends Jane and Glenn Handley!