Hey Charleston Parents,

The first full weekend of November is here and so is the holiday season, including Thanksgiving. Hopefully you are already in the holiday spirit!

It's a big weekend around Charleston, with the Holiday Festival of Lights kicking off at James Island County Park kicking off on Friday night.

Then there is the Holy Smokes bringing a whole lot of barbecue to Riverfront Park, and plenty of football-watching opportunities at Charleston Sports Pub.

We're also taking a moment to appreciate the dads who hold down the fort, especially the ones who step in, take over, and let mom get some much-needed rest when sickness strikes.

Whether you're looking for a festive family outing, a good meal, or just a little reminder that parenting is a team effort, we've got you covered this week!

Have the best week!

There is something about the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park that officially makes it feel like Christmas in Charleston. And if you ask me, one of the best times to go is before Thanksgiving, before the big Christmas crowds arrive.

The Holiday Festival of Lights opens November 13 and runs through December 31, and my advice is to head over just as the sun is setting. You'll get to enjoy the lights as the sky gets dark without feeling like you're arriving right in the middle of the holiday rush. Going earlier in the season also gives you a little more freedom to enjoy everything the festival has to offer.

Of course, there's the famous drive-through light display, but don't rush back to the car just yet! Get out and enjoy the rest of the park, too. You can gather around the fire, roast marshmallows and make s'mores, hop aboard the holiday train, take a spin on the carousel, and enjoy a few extra rides and attractions. There's plenty to keep the kids entertained beyond the lights themselves.

One of my favorite suggestions is to make two trips if you can swing it. Go once before Thanksgiving with just your immediate family. Let the kids explore, enjoy the rides, and take your time without trying to coordinate everyone else's schedule. Then, when the in-laws and extended family arrive for Christmas, make another trip together. It's a fun holiday tradition to share with visiting family, and you won't feel like you missed out on the experience because you already got your first visit in.

Whether you're looking for an easy family outing before Thanksgiving or a festive activity to add to your Christmas visitors' itinerary, the Holiday Festival of Lights is worth putting on your calendar.

The festival runs November 13 through December 31 at James Island County Park, located at 871 Riverland Drive. Plan to arrive around sunset, bring a few extra dollars for s'mores and rides, and give yourself time to enjoy more than just the drive-through display.

If your family loves barbecue, you'll want to put this one on your weekend calendar. Holy Smokes, the Lowcountry Barbecue Festival, returns to Riverfront Park in North Charleston on Saturday, November 14, for its sixth annual celebration of all things smoked, sauced, and slow-cooked.

This isn't your average barbecue festival. More than 50 of the country's best pitmasters and chefs will come together for an afternoon of seriously good food, live music, and plenty of opportunities to try something new. Your ticket includes all-you-can-eat access to four different barbecue villages: Traditional, Texas, New School, and Coastal. So whether you're partial to brisket, pulled pork, ribs, or something a little more adventurous, there will be plenty to sample.

Beyond the food, there will be live music from The Whiskey Biscuits and The Betsy Franck Band, with special guest Robert Chaffee. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket, find a spot near the music, and make an afternoon of it.

And while the barbecue is certainly the main attraction, there's an even better reason to go. Holy Smokes supports Hogs for the Cause, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, and families affected by pediatric brain cancer. The festival has raised more than $460,000 for its charitable beneficiaries since it began.

A few things to know before heading out: The festival runs from 11am to 4pm at Riverfront Park, located at 1061 Everglades Avenue in North Charleston. General admission is $95, children's tickets for ages 7–13 are $25, and children 6 and under are free. General admission includes unlimited barbecue and live music, while drinks are available for purchase.

There is nothing better than football season. Well, for me, it's really afternoon nap season! My oldest has started getting really into keeping track of each team and adding up the points. My daughter has even started recognizing some of the players, and my two-year-old now screams “TOUCHDOWN!” in his own little toddler language. Honestly, it's pretty fun watching them get into it. And as a mom, there's something wonderful about having everyone sit still for a little while, enjoy some food, and take a break from the usual running around.

If you're looking for a spot to catch a game, Charleston Sports Pub is a great place to put on your list. With plenty of TVs, a casual atmosphere, and a menu full of pub favorites, there's something for everyone. Think juicy burgers, wings, hand-cut fries, loaded waffle fries, fried green tomatoes, and giant soft pretzels with queso and honey mustard for dipping.

And the weekly specials are worth checking out! Mondays are BOGO Burger Night, with all burgers buy one, get one half off. Wednesdays are Wing Wednesday, with 20 bone-in wings for $17.99 for loyalty members. Tuesdays bring team trivia at 7pm, making it a fun excuse to get out during the week. They also offer weekend brunch with specials worth checking out.

Charleston Sports Pub has three convenient Lowcountry locations:

West Ashley: 1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407. Open Monday through Friday from 11am to 2am and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2am.

Mount Pleasant: 1909 N. Highway 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. Open Monday through Friday from 11am to 2am and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2am.

James Island: 1989 Maybank Highway, Charleston, SC 29412. Open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 2am, Saturday from 10am to 2am, and Sunday from 10 am to midnight.

Whether you're keeping score, cheering for your favorite team, or just looking for an excuse to let someone else do the cooking, Charleston Sports Pub is a fun spot to settle in for football season!

All three of my kids have been sick on and off for the past month and somehow the sickness skipped me. I thought I made it through, but this weekend I was hit with a bad cold. Being sick is hard. Being sick as a mom is even harder! Luckily, I stayed in bed for a day and a half thanks to my husband.

He handled the kids, the meals, the house, and all the little things that usually fall somewhere on my never-ending to-do list. And the best part? I didn't have to worry about a single thing.

I could just rest.

It made me especially grateful for the dads who show up, take initiative, and make family life a little easier for everyone. And it turns out, dads today are more involved than previous generations. Research from Pew shows that fathers have nearly tripled the time they spend caring for their children compared to the 1960s.

Of course, moms are still carrying a significant share of the day-to-day parenting responsibilities, but it's encouraging to see how much the role of fatherhood has evolved.

So here's a little shoutout to the dads packing lunches, making breakfast, handling bedtime, getting everyone out the door, and stepping in when mom needs a break.

Sometimes the greatest gift a husband can give his wife isn't flowers or a fancy date night. It's letting her climb into bed on a Saturday morning knowing that everything is taken care of.

And to the dads who make that possible, thank you. We see you, and we appreciate you.

Have the best week!

Love, Jenna