A red door with a wreath on it

December 2–5, 2021

A weekend of inspired design, Southern culture, and holiday décor in Charleston, SC.

This three-day event will be a gathering of the South’s (and beyond!) most exciting tastemakers, designers, artisans, and personalities, as well as a celebration of the creative and welcoming spirit of Charleston. Join us for demonstrations, tours of historic houses, a market featuring the Southern Living Tastemakers, inspired vignettes at the historic Aiken-Rhett House, engaging talks from some of the brightest stars in the design world, and fabulous nighttime gatherings!
COVID-19 Protocols

Presented By

Schedule
of events

Thursday, December 2

An old parlor with oil paintings, couches and a chandelier.

Opening Night Party

Hosted by Historic Charleston Foundation

Thursday

Cocktails and light bites at the historic Aiken-Rhett House. Design vignettes from Southern designers will set the tone for the weekend as we showcase contemporary design and style while honoring Charleston’s unparalleled historic spaces.

Friday & Saturday, December 3-4

The front of the Second Presbyterian church

Designer Vignettes + Aiken-Rhett House Admission & Design in Mind Speaker Series

Friday & Saturday

Drawing upon their own bodies of work, a roster of seven all-star designers will install vignettes at the historic Aiken-Rhett House. The Design in Mind Speaker Series features talks by highly celebrated design industry experts at the historic Second Presbyterian Church.
Kardea Brown standing in a kitchen

Southern Living Early Access Shopping & Cooking Demo Hosted by Kardea Brown

Friday

Join us for a first-look at the Tastemakers Holiday Market held at the Charleston Visitor Center. This preview event includes access to a special cooking demonstration hosted by Celebrity Chef Kardea Brown.
Appetizers and champagne on a white table

Southern Living Luminaries Cocktail Party

Friday

Join Southern Living Editors for a one-of-a-kind cocktail party hosted alongside our Tastemakers – the luminaries of the South. Event will take place at the Charleston Visitor Center and feature hors d'oeuvres prepared by local Charleston Chefs, crafted cocktails, live music and meet and greet with Celebrity Chef Kardea Brown.
The tastemaker holiday markey

Tastemakers Holiday Market

Saturday

Southern Living will transform the Charleston Visitor Center into the ultimate Holiday Market featuring pop-up shops hosted by the Southern Living Tastemakers. Visitors will be given the chance to start (and finish!) their holiday shopping lists with a unique offering of one-of-a-kind gifts. Market attendees will receive Southern Living shopping bags and light refreshments.
Ivy Odom standing in a kitchen

Southern Living Demonstrations & Seminars

Saturday

Join us on the Tastemakers Holiday Market mainstage as Southern Living Editors, such as Ivy Odom, team up with notable Charlestonians to host a variety of cooking and entertaining demonstrations.
Ranky Tanky band

Ranky Tanky Concert

Saturday

Celebrate the festive holiday weekend with an outdoor concert hosted at the Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed. Event will feature the sounds of the Grammy Award winning, Charleston, SC-based quintet, Ranky Tanky. Concert ticket includes BBQ from local pit masters, plus beverages provided by local craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Sunday, December 5

A dining table with plants on it

Coffee & Tour of the Historic Nathaniel Russell House

Sunday

Start your Sunday morning with coffee, light breakfast bites, and a tour of the Nathaniel Russell House, circa 1808, which will be beautifully decorated for the holidays. One of the finest homes in Charleston, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of the mercantile elite who flourished in the late Colonial and early Federal period, the artisans and craftspeople they hired to build and adorn their opulent homes, and the enslaved men and women whose forced labor made possible their lavish lifestyles.

Packages
& Tickets

All Access

  • Opening Night Party
  • Tastemakers Holiday Market Pass with Early Access Shopping (Friday and Saturday)
  • Luminaries Cocktail Party
  • Designer Vignettes + Aiken-Rhett House Admission
  • Historic Home Tours
  • Celebrity Cooking Demo
  • Design in Mind Talks
  • Ranky Tanky Concert

Southern Living VIP

  • Tastemakers Holiday Market Pass (Friday and Saturday)
  • Luminaries Cocktail Party
  • Celebrity Cooking Demo
  • Designer Vignettes + Aiken-Rhett House Admission

Design In Mind

  • Tastemakers Holiday Market Pass (Saturday Only)
  • Design in Mind Talks
  • Designer Vignettes + Aiken-Rhett House Admission

General Admission Package

  • Tastemakers Holiday Market Pass (Saturday Only)
  • Designer Vignettes + Aiken-Rhett House Admission

A la carte

Opening
Night Party

Hosted by Historic Charleston Foundation

Saturday
Ranky Tanky Concert

Design In Mind Speaker
Alessandra Branca

Design In Mind Speaker
India Hicks

Design In Mind Speaker
Ashley Whittaker

Design In Mind
Panel Discussion:
Preservation as Inspiration

TOUR HISTORIC NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE

Preferred
Hotels

view of the Belmond Charleston Place

Belmond Charleston Place

Belmond Charleston Place evokes the feeling of a grand, 17th century residence, from lush personal suites to the Italian marble lobby with a signature Georgian Open Arm staircase and 12-foot crystal chandelier. Belmond Charleston Place is the perfect place for guests to experience the unrivaled charm of Charleston in a setting unlike any other.
Belmond.com (843) 722-4900
view of the Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District

Located in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District, the Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District is prominently situated on the corner of Meeting and Calhoun streets and adjacent to Historic King Street Boutique shopping. Enjoy our expansive hotel rooms with high tech amenities and unwind on our wrap around porches.
www.marriott.com (843) 805-7900
view of the Emeline

Emeline

Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, a visit to Emeline is marked by layers of experience, thoughtful surprises, and an unmistakable sense of place.
hotelemeline.com (843) 577-2644
view of the Harbourview Inn

Harbourview Inn

HarbourView Inn is an intimate waterfront retreat in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District that sets the stage for unforgettable adventures in the Holy City. This former 1930’s indigo cotton warehouse turned boutique hotel just unveiled a $1 million interior refresh of the inviting communal spaces, guestrooms and private rooftop terrace.
harbourviewcharleston.com (843) 853-8439
view of the Hotel Bella Grace

Hotel Bella Grace

Bridging nearly 200 years of history and architecture, Hotel Bella Grace tells a story like no other. The circa 1830 Delaney House offers a personal connection to Charleston’s layered history and is in beautiful combination with our 50 new build modern guest rooms, arrival lobby, and a fitness center.
hotelbellagrace.com (843) 990-7500
view of the Kings Courtyard Inn

Kings Courtyard Inn

One of the city’s most beloved and captivating historic hotels, the Kings Courtyard Inn charms Charleston visitors with its trio of intimate interior courtyards and beautifully furnished guest rooms and suites, all layered with warm hospitality.
KingsCourtyardInn.com (800) 845-6119
view of the Renaissance Charleston

Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel

Experience southern charm at Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel, located steps from King Street. Our hotel blends eclectic local artwork with boutique amenities to create a unique destination in downtown Charleston.
www.marriott.com (843) 534-0300
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Mention "Illumination Charleston"
WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR STAY TO HEAR ABOUT SPECIAL EVENT WEEKEND BENEFITS PROVIDED BY OUR HOTEL PARTNERS.

Meet the
Tastemakers

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Meet the
Design In Mind Speakers

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