|
Festivals & Events
The Charleston area is home to a rich history of cultural festivals and exciting events.
Enjoy the arts, the history, and the beauty of these local, annual attractions. The following are some of
the most prestigious of the area:
January
Charleston Annual Boat Show
Location: Charleston Area Convention Center.
Attractions: Access to incredible boats from all areas of the country, food, live entertainment, and
activities.
(864) 250-9713
www.TheCharlestonBoatShow.com.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival
Location: Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant.
Attractions: Names one of the top 20 tourist attractions by Southeast Tourist Society, this annual
festival offers all the oysters you’d ever want to eat, barbecue, chili, entertainment and activities
for all ages.
(843) 577-4030
www.CharlestonRestaurantAssociation.com.
February
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Location: Marian Square, Downtown Charleston.
Attractions: A three-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence. Host of
the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, conservation research and environmental education.
The event attracts more than 400 artists and exhibitors from around the world and draws more than 40,000
attendees.
(843) 723-1748
www.SEWE.com.
March
Charleston Food & Wine Festival
Location: Marion Square & Various Venues around Charleston
Attractions: A showcase of unique recipes and traditions at a variety of venues and events. Seminars,
food tastings, a dine-around and culinary village are highlights of the weekend.
(843) 722-5549
www.CharlestonFoodandWine.com.
Festival of Houses and Gardens
Location: Downtown Charleston
Attractions: Explore the interiors and gardens of eight to ten private properties dating from the American
Colonial period through the antebellum and Victorian years of architecture to the early 20th century.
(843) 722-3405
www.HistoricCharleston.org.
Charleston Fashion Week
Location: Marion Square, Downtown Charleston
Attractions: The latest designer fashions are flaunted in enclosed tents on Charleston’s
historic Marion Square.
www.CharlestonFashionWeek.com.
April
Flowertown Festival
Location: Azalea Park, Summerville
Attractions: Hundreds of artists and crafters will display their work for thousands of visitors who
converge on Summerville for this annual festival. Live entertainment, food, children’s activities, tennis
tournament and Flowertown Festival Run.
www.SummervilleYMCA.org/Flowertown.
Cooper River Bridge Run
Location: Ravenel Bridge / Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant
Attractions: World-class 10K footrace featuring thousands of walkers and runners making their way across
the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. The race promotes continuous physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
(843) 937-4183
www.BridgeRun.com.
World Grits Festival
Location: St. George
Attractions: The only World Grits Festival where you can enjoy grits meals, arts and crafts, a corn toss,
the Sweetwater Cloggers, and a grits-eating contest.
(843) 563-7943
www.WorldGritsFestival.com.
Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival
Location: Alhambra Hall, Mount Pleasant
Attractions: This unique shrimping festival celebrates the Mount Pleasant shrimping industry and features
local shrimp boat captains partaking in an annual preseason tradition, the blessing of the shrimping fleet.
Visitors enjoy family-friendly entertainment and sample local seafood.
(843) 849-2061
www.TownofMountPleasant.com.
The Family Circle Tennis Cup
Location: Family Circle Tennis Center, Daniel Island
Attractions: One of 10 Tier-I events on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, this event has a roster of past
champions that includes some of the biggest names in the history of women’s tennis.
(843) 856-7900
www.FamilyCircleCup.com.
May
Spoleto Festival USA
Location: Downtown Charleston
Attractions: : For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic
theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with more than 120 performances by renowned artists, as well as from
emerging performers in opera, theater, music theater, dance, chamber music, symphonic music, choral music,
jazz, and the visual arts.
(843) 579-3100
www.spoletoUSA.org.
Piccolo Spoleto
Location: North Charleston
Attractions: Focusing primarily on artists from the Southeast, Piccolo Spoleto is a complement to the
international scope of the parent festival of Spoleto USA. The traditional program offerings include many
of the same attractions as the Spoleto Festival USA.
(843) 724-7305
www.piccoloSpoleto.com.
June
Shagging on the Pier
Location: Folly Beach Pier
Shag to beach music at the end of Folly Pier. Enjoy fun, music, dancing, and cold drinks at this
great event.
843.795.4386
Reggae Evening Nights Summer Concert Series
Location: James Island County Park
Attractions: Enjoy Reggae sounds from the old and new along with drinks and food from local vendors.
(843) 795-4386
July
4th of July in Charleston
Location: Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant
Attractions: Celebrate the independence of our country and a spectacular fireworks display over
the Charleston Harbor from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.
August
Boone Hall Bluegrass & BBQ Festival
Location: Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant
Attractions: Enjoy local bluegrass musicians and delicious lowcountry BBQ.
The festival has great food, games, and music.
Irving House Vineyards Grape Stomp
Location: Irving House Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island
Attractions: The Charleston Grape Stomp is hosted by the Irving House Vineyards with live bluegrass,
savory cuisine, and their muscadine grapes.
September
MOJA Arts Festival
Location: Downtown Charleston
Attractions: This festival features the music, arts, and heritage of the African American and
Caribbean culture.
Fall Candlelight Tours of Homes & Gardens
Location: Downtown Charleston
Attractions: Tour some of the most beautiful estates of Charleston thanks to
the Preservation Society of Charleston.
Scottish Games and Highland Gathering
Location: Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant
Attractions: Bring your quilts and watch Scottish strongmen compete in traditional Scottish games.
See Scottish country dancing, piping, drumming, and fiddling competitions.
October
Festival Hispano
Location: Wannamaker County Park, North Charleston
Attractions: This event features dancing, a crafts market, and global education booths. The event offers
hands-on zone for children and adults to learn about and celebrate Hispanic heritage.
(843) 795-4386
www.CCPRC.com.
Park Day: A Day of Giving
Location: Daniel Island
Attractions: This day of giving has become a fall tradition with games, food, and live music.
The event raises money and awareness for more than 20 are nonprofit organizations.
www.DanielIslandParkDay.com.
Taste of Charleston
Location: Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant & Culinary Institute of Charleston
Attractions: Sample food from 40 of the area’s finest restaurants. Enjoy entertainment, exceptional food,
and children’s activities. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House, Hollings Cancer Center, and
Charleston County School District.
(843) 577-4030
www.CharlestonRestaurantAssociation.com.
Charleston Garden Festival at Middleton Place
Location: Middleton Place Plantation, West Ashley
Attractions: Celebrate the preservation of the natural world through the life cycle of change. Stroll
the gardens at Middleton Place, take part in family-oriented activities, view the exhibit gardens and
take horticultural tours.
(843) 556-6020
www.CharlestonGardenFestival.org.
ChazzFest
Location: Brittlebank Park, Charleston
Attractions: The Charleston Music & Heritage Festival, better known as ChazzFest, features a diverse
schedule of musical genres and artists playing on four stages. Jazz, gospel, reggae, bluegrass, and beach
music performers will take the stage.
(843) 554-6060
www.ChazzFest.com.
November
Coastal Carolina Fair
Location: Exchange Park, Ladson
Attractions: The fair features entertainment, rides, food and activities. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo,
a farm animal exposition, live music from nation performers, traditional carnival rides, and great games.
This is the only place you can get a deep fried Twinkie and top it with a deep fried snickers bar.
(843) 572-3161
www.CoastalCarolinaFair.org.
Re-Enactment of the Battle of Secessionville
Location: Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant
Attractions: The Battle of Secessionville, fought on James Island on June 16, 1862, was the first major
Union effort to take Charleston during the Civil War. The battle re-enactment is the featured centerpiece
of Living History Weekend every year at Boone Hall Plantation.
(843) 884-4371
www.booneHallPlantation.com.
December
Holiday Festival of Lights
Location: James Island County Park
Attractions: More than 600 light displays are located throughout the park, in such shapes as a shrimp boat,
a lighted Charleston Row House, storybook sea creatures, and glittering dinosaurs. Enjoy marshmallow roasts,
train and carousel rides, or tour the 500,000-light display from your car.
(843) 795-4386
www.CCPRC.com.
Christmas Made in the South Show
Location: Exchange Park, Ladson
Attractions: Creativity abounds as hundreds of artists and crafters gather to demonstrate and sell their work.
www.CarolinaShows.com.
Charleston Parade of Boats
Location: Mount Pleasant to Charleston
Attractions: Lighted and festive boats will float down the Cooper River, through Charleston Harbor and
into the Ashley River. The event culminates in a brilliant fireworks display over the harbor.
(843) 724-7305
www.CharlestonCity.info.
Annual Reindeer Run
Location: Front of Southend Brewery, Downtown Charleston
Attractions: This 5K run/walk through the streets of downtown Charleston is open to runners,
walkers, dogs, strollers, and scooters. Proceeds benefit the Medical University of
South Carolina Children’s Hospital Fund.
(843) 345-6906
www.ReindeerRun.org.
|
|
|
|
|