Best Festivals In Charleston SC (2025 and 2026)

Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most popular destinations in The United States. It is a perfect place to be outside most of the time with great weather throughout the year. Because of these things, some of the best festivals come to this southeastern destination. The festivals in Charleston SC are diverse, cultural, and a lot of fun to experience.

Festivals are spread throughout the Charleston and Lowcountry areas. You will get festivals from the beaches, downtown Charleston, and the many towns that make up the Charleston area. Charleston embraces all the festivals that its hosts and invites everyone in with open arms and true Southern hospitality.

The festivals in Charleston SC will cover everything from food, beer, culture, and music. It is almost impossible to find a festival that you will not truly enjoy. Welcome to festivals in Charleston SC, one of the perfect places to host festivals.

A Guide to the 30 Best Festivals in Charleston SC

Charleston hosts festivals all year long. Anytime that you come and visit the area, more than likely you can find a festival to go to. A lot of visitors come to Charleston just to be a part of some of the festivals.

Some of the best festivals will last a day, whereas others will go for weeks. A couple of the most popular festivals that people travel all over the country and world for are the Charleston Food + Wine Festival and Spoleto Festival. For these two, the entire city area takes part in it and has great pride in Charleston.

I am highlighting the best festivals in Charleston SC for you to visit and enjoy. The dates of the festivals are always being updated, so check back often. Of course, there are many more festivals in Charleston SC but these are the 30 best ones for you to see. Come and take part in what Charleston has to show the world with its festivals.

Spring Festivals in Charleston SC

Spring is the start of the new year. Everything is in rebirth and growth. People are coming out of their houses to enjoy the area after winter. Flowers are blooming and the pollen is heavy and strong.

The weather is really lovely during spring in Charleston. The temperature is starting to warm up into the 70s and early 80s from the mild winter. Humidity has not kicked in yet and it is very comfortable. The rains come and go but it is before the true rainy season kicks in.

Springtime is one of the best times for festivals in Charleston SC. As you will see, you will have plenty to choose from during the 3 months of spring.

Charleston Wine + Food Festival

When: March 5th – March 9th, 2025

Location: Downtown Charleston and North Charleston’s Riverfront Park

Price: Tickets from $95 to $650

The Charleston Wine + Food Festival takes place in a couple of locations around Charleston. This festival is a collection of artists, culinary visionaries, craftsmen, purveyors, delivery drivers, farmers, events staff, wine pros, sanitation assistants, security guards, sommeliers, mixologists, writers, musicians, bartenders, brewers, prep chefs, servers, restaurateurs, and Charlestonians. This is an event not to miss and is everything Charleston.

The main attraction for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival is The Culinary Village. This has been the cornerstone of the festival for a long time. The Culinary Village is where you will find bites + sips, chef demos, live music, shopping, and much more. You will find The Culinary Village at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. You will be able to take in the beautiful views of the water while enjoying the festival.

With the purchase of a ticket, the events are all-inclusive. Meaning that all the food and beverage samples and all experiences are included with the purchase of your ticket. Check out the different options for how many days and lengths you would like to purchase for your ultimate experience.

Get your tickets here for The Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Tickets do and will sell out fast. There are many different events for each ticket, so check out the schedule to get the perfect experience that you are looking for. Cheers, Skål, Prost, and Salud!

Front Beach Fest Isle of Palms

When: March 1, 2025

Location: Isle of Palms

Price: Free

Front Beach Fest Isle of Palms is the city’s kick-off to officially start spring. This is a street festival that is on Ocean Boulevard and is fun for the whole family.

The festival is an early afternoon event that will have live bands that usually play by The Windjammer. Besides music, there will be eating, drinking, and dancing. You will be able to find lots of local crafts and handmade art from over 40 vendors.

There will be plenty of food to try from many local Isle of Palms vendors and other vendors from the Charleston area.

As for the kids, there are plenty of things for them to do too! They will enjoy bungee trampolines, face painting, balloon and spin art, and much more.

Festival of Houses and Gardens

When: March 13th – April 13th, 2025

Location: All over historic downtown Charleston

Price: Tickets from $55 to $150

The Festival of Houses and Gardens is a beautiful festival that lasts a month that is hosted by the Historic Charleston Foundation. This amazing festival will take you around beautiful houses and gardens around the historic area. They will be guided by speakers that will give you all the great information about the locations.

Enjoy the Sip and Stroll Tours which provide guests with exclusive entry into some of the best private gardens in the area. While strolling along in the garden, sip on some wine while you take in the guided speaker’s story. This is an activity that you do not want to miss while taking part in the festival.

The Festival of Houses and Gardens will have a lot of options for you to do during the month-long celebration. There will be morning history walks, touring specific areas and streets, unique Gullah cultural events, and much more. Make sure to bring your camera to get some of the best picture locations in Charleston.

Make sure to go here for tickets for the Festival of Houses and Gardens. Take a look at all the options so that you get to do the perfect tour for yourself. Hopefully, you will find multiple tours to do and take advantage of the whole festival. If tickets are not available yet, make sure to sign up with their email list so that you will be notified when they go on sale.

Charleston Bluegrass Festival

When: March 28th – 29th, 2025

Location: Woodlands Nature Reserve – 4279 Ashley River Rd

Prices: Prices to come – In 2024 they were $69 for a single-day pass and $109 for a weekend pass

Discover some of the best Bluegrass musicians and bands while hanging out on the pristine 6,000-acre grounds of the Woodlands Nature Reserve. This festival usually has many bands that will perform throughout the 2 days. If you are a fan of bluegrass music, this is a festival you do not want to miss.

The Charleston Bluegrass Festival takes place over 2 days. They do offer camping overnight to those who would like to do that. There are plenty of vendors with local food and drinks for everyone to enjoy. Festival goers will enjoy many outdoor events happening throughout the grounds as well.

Check here for updated information on the dates and for when tickets go on sale.

Charleston Antiques Show

When: March 20th – 23rd, 2025

Location: Festival Hall – 56 Beaufain St.

Price: $20 per person at the door and $17 per person online

The Charleston Antiques Show is a new festival of sorts in the area. They have been around for under 5 years. This show brings together over 30 vendors from The United States, England, and mainland Europe. The Charleston Antiques Show is produced by the Antiques Council, which is a professional association of art and antique dealers.

At this show, you will get to see period work from mid-century furniture, traditional and contemporary art and ceramics, and much more. Enjoy as you discover antiques from jewelry, maps, and architectural works. You will get a glimpse into the past of Charleston with many pieces from Charleston’s past.

If you are into antiques, this is the place for you to be. Make sure to check out the website to get an early showing a day before at Drayton Hall. To purchase tickets, click here to go to the website.

Cooper River Bridge Run

When: April 5th, 2025

Location: Start Line is on Coleman Blvd, Mount Pleasant

Price: $45 to $150 Based on when you register

The Cooper River Bridge Run isn’t really a festival but one of the largest events in Charleston. This bridge run brings in athletes from all over the world to compete in the world-class 10K race. The race starts in Mount Pleasant, crosses the Ravenel Bridge, and ends in historic downtown Charleston.

This event is an entire Charleston event. You will have entertainment, vendors, food, drinks, and souvenirs throughout the day. The Cooper River Bridge Run promotes continuous physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through education and opportunity.

Every year The Cooper River Bridge Run draws more than 40,000 runners from all over the world. Each year the race gets larger with more participants since its beginning in 1978. The event raises funds for public education on the importance of exercise and generates a spirit of community for all Charlestonians.

There will be places set up to be shuttled to the start line and finish lines since Charleston closes many roads during the event. Besides just running, you can walk the race and there is even a competitive wheelchair race.

Make sure to check out the website here to register for the race. You will want to register early so that you get the best price for the race. This event is one of the most prideful events that you will see in Charleston and among its citizens.

Lowcountry Cajun Festival

When: April 12th, 2025

Location: James Island County Park

Price: Adults (13+) – $15 and Kids – Free

The Lowcountry Cajun Festival is a day when Charleston brings Louisiana to the Lowcountry. This is a fun festival full of Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole food, kid activities, and everything that is Cajun-inspired.

Take in the flavors of Louisiana with authentic Cajun and Creole foods. Enjoy some jambalaya, alligator, etouffe, andouille sausage, and crawfish. Besides just Cajun treats, there will be plenty of Lowcountry favorites to go around as well such as seafood and southern BBQ.

While enjoying the food, there will be two stages set up with Cajun and Louisiana-style bands. This will be a great way to spend the day with the family with some amazing food.

Make sure to check out the website to learn about the rules.

Charleston Jazz Festival

When: April 21st – April 29th 2025

Location: Multiple Locations throughout Charleston

Price: $10 – $64 per person

The Charleston Jazz Festival is a celebration of Charleston’s rich jazz history in the Lowcountry. But not just the history and heritage of it, but also the thriving jazz scene that is going strong. This amazing festival brings in fans from all over the world to see acts in jazz.

Some of the previous performers for The Charleston Jazz Festival include Rene Marie and Experiment in Truth, Joshua Redman Group, Arturo O’Farrill Latin Jazz Quintet, and many more. This is a multi-day festival that you do not want to miss if you enjoy jazz music.

Make sure to check out the website here to see the up-to-date schedules and performers. You will want to sign up for the newsletter to receive the news faster. Also, once tickets go on sale, you will be able to purchase them here too.

High Water Festival

When: April 26th – 27th, 2025

Location: Riverfront Park in North Charleston

Price: 1 – 2 Day pass available from $135 – $1750

High Water Festival is a great haven of music, water, and sun along the beautiful Riverfront Park in North Charleston. You will be able to find amazing live shows from bands and not miss an act with the alternating stages. You will find this to be a musical oasis.

In between the music acts, stop by The Refuge and grab a bite of food from some of the best local vendors in the Lowcountry. Before the next act comes on, head over to The Porch for a cold craft beer or a perfect cocktail.

You will also be able to take home plenty of souvenirs while you shop at The Market. The Market is a vendor-style shopping area set up to provide guests with the best from local vendors.

Make sure to check out their website here for lineup information, purchase tickets, and see the schedule when it is all released. Sign up for the newsletter to get all the information first.

Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival

When: April 27th, 2025

Location: Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant

Price: Free

The Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival is one of the time-honored traditions of Mount Pleasant and Charleston. It is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year and pays tribute to Mount Pleasant’s local shrimping and fishing industries.

The participants for treated to a boat parade and ceremonial blessing of the shrimp and fishing fleet. They will be able to sample some of the great seafood from many Mount Pleasant restaurants. Enjoy all the food that comes from the local fishermen and support all the local businesses.

Guests will be able to enjoy live music, craft shows, shag dancing competitions, and shrimp-eating contests. Enjoy all the work from the local craft makers and get yourself a great gift for yourself or a loved one. This is a great festival that truly kicks off spring in the Lowcountry.

You will want to check the website here for extra information. The big thing is that there will be free shuttles to the festival from many locations in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Summer Festivals in Charleston SC

Summertime in Charleston is the heart of the tourist season. Everything and everyone is alive in the city. You will see lots of people on their boats and downtown will be full of people walking around. All the flowers are in full bloom with lots of beautiful colors all around.

The weather is a bit of a beast in Charleston during the summer. The temperature is hot. You will find it to get up into the high 90s and low 100s during the summer. And if you find that hot, then you get to kick in the true Southern humidity. You can expect the heat index to be anywhere between 104 to 110 on a daily basis in the summer. Make sure you have plenty of water to drink as you walk around Charleston.

The rainy season has kicked into its full force during the summer. You can expect daily thunderstorms or rain showers every afternoon. But the rain will never stop the festivals in Charleston SC.

Still though, even through the heat, Charleston will put on great festivals and the people come out for them. The heat is just a part of the South and everyone learns how to live with it and in it. There is truly nothing like summer in the South and it is amazing to experience it.

North Charleston Arts Festival

When: April 30th – May 4th, 2025

Location: Multiple Locations around North Charleston

Prices: All Events are Free

The North Charleston Arts Festival is a 5-day event that highlights regional and local artists and performers. You will be able to watch these performers and artists in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literature. This is a multi-venue, multi-disciplinary arts festival for everyone who lives and visits North Charleston.

The North Charleston Arts Festival has something for everyone. You will find concerts, theatre presentations, dance performances, children’s programs, demonstrations, exhibits, and much more. You will be able to find all these great performances in libraries, businesses, community centers, and parks.

The North Charleston Arts Festival started in 1982 as a 1-day celebration in Park Circle and has now blossomed into a 5-day event that spans all of North Charleston. In 2018, the festival was selected as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.

This is a free event for the entire 5 days. Make sure to check their website here for information. It will have a calendar for each event at certain times and days. And if you have artistic talent, make sure to enter their Poster Design Competition and your work could be the next poster!

Greek Fest

When: May 9th – 11th, 2025

Location: The Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity

Price: General Admission – $5, Seniors and Students – $3, and Children under 12 – Free

Opa! The Charleston Greek Festival is a celebration of everything Greek. The Greek Festival is the oldest festival in the Charleston area dating back to 1970. It is also the third-largest festival in the Lowcountry with an annual attendance of over 35,000 in one weekend.

At The Greek Festival take in all things Greek with the culture, beer and wine, and music with dancing. But, one of the best parts of this festival is the food. Greek food is some of the best food in the world. Some of the favorites that you will find are Gyros, Spanakopita, Chicken Mousakka, and much more. Grab some authentic desserts such as Baklava, Finikia, Kataifi, and Loukoumades.

Enjoy strolling through the vendors that are selling their beautiful works of art, jewelry, food, and many other items. Take some time to walk through the church and learn about Greek history in The Holy City.

There is not a lot of parking around the area. So check the website here for tickets and shuttle information. This is one of my favorite festivals in Charleston SC, so please make sure to check it out.

Charleston Food Truck Festival

When: March 1st – 2nd, 2025

Location: 2302 Noisette Blvd, North Charleston, SC

Price: Admission is Free but the food is charged per Food Truck

The Charleston Food Truck Festival is a one-day event in North Charleston. It brings together over 25 of the best food trucks with diverse and creative food options for everyone to enjoy.

There is always the main bar that will have beer, cocktails, and mimosas. Along with the main bar, there are two satellite bars with plenty of drink options. Drink tickets will be available to purchase ahead of time and you must be 21 to drink at the festival.

The Charleston Food Truck Festival is one of the largest food festivals in Charleston. It is encouraged that you bring chairs, blankets, and towels, to spend the day enjoying all the food and drinks. There is live music mixed in with a DJ and some interactive performances.

Check the website here for updates and the timetable. Most of all, enjoy some of the best food. Charleston is a huge food truck city and you really see its pride of it at this festival.

Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto

When: May 23rd – June 8th, 2025

Location: Multiple locations throughout Charleston

Price: Ticket prices vary per show and event

Spoleto Festival USA was founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti in 1977. He sought to create an American counterpart to the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. He looked for a city that would provide the charm of Spoleto as well with plenty of theaters, churches, and other performance locations. Menotti selected Charleston as the ideal location.

Spoleto Festival USA is one of America’s major performing arts festivals. This multi-day festival showcases more than 150 performers in the arts of opera, dance, theater, classical music, and jazz. The performers are from all over the world and bring their passion to Charleston for the festival.

Piccolo Spoleto was created in 1979 by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs. They wanted to create a festival very much like Spoleto Festival USA but showcasing the talent of Charleston and the Lowcountry. Besides the events from above, you will always see poetry readings, children’s activities, craft shows, and film screenings. These two festivals go hand in hand with one another.

Piccolo Spoleto prioritizes accessibility for artists and performers by presenting the highest standard of work. While doing this, they are still able to have about half of Piccolo’s events admission-free, with the rest being tickets at an affordable price.

Check the Spoleto Festival USA website and the Piccolo Spoleto website to see when certain acts and performances will be performed. You will be able to purchase your tickets to all the events from the website as well. The two Spoleto festivals are probably the two most popular festivals in Charleston SC.

Charleston Carifest

When: June 13th – June 16th, 2024

Location: Brittle Bank Park in Charleston and other locations

Price: $15

The Charleston Carifest is a Caribbean Carnival that honors and celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month. This festival is a three-day event of food, fun, music, and costumes while educating in their culture.

Charleston has a strong history with many of the Caribbean islands and cultures. The Charleston Carifest is organized and run by South Carolina Caribbean Culture and Heritage, INC. They were organized and started in 2006 and promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the Caribbean.

During the three-day festival, there will be a grand Mardi-Gras-style Street Parade that travels through the streets of downtown Charleston. There is the main area at Brittle Bank Park called Carnival Village where the highlights of the festival take place.

The South Carolina Caribbean Culture and Heritage understands awareness of the Caribbean Culture in Charleston and the Lowcountry. Each year they showcase the arts, culture, and education while embracing diversity by showcasing a different Caribbean Country at their cultural festival.

Make sure to check the website here for up-to-date information on tickets and line-up performers.

Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival

When: July 26th , 2025

Location: Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

Price: Free

The Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival is an annual festival that takes place in Mount Pleasant. This festival promotes and brings attention to the contribution of the Gullah Geechee people’s history, culture, and traditions.

One of the traditions is their sweetgrass basket art which originated in Mount Pleasant and continues to exist there and in the surrounding Lowcountry. This festival provides the opportunity for local basket makers to showcase, market, and promote their sweetgrass merchandise and educate on their culture.

The Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival gives an opportunity for people to engage, interact, and have exposure to the Gullah Geechee culture. You will be immersed in music and food from the long history of the Gullah Geechee culture.

Make sure to check out the website here for information on the performance line-up and schedule updates.

Fall Festivals in Charleston SC

Fall in Charleston is a great time of the year. The Autumn season is a great time for bonfires and football season in the South. You will see people spending time outside a little more with the cooler weather.

The weather is great in Charleston. Temperatures are starting to cool from the hot and humid summer. Some days it will still be in the 80s and some be in the low 70s with much cooler temperatures at night. Humidity is still strong in the first part but dies down a lot by mid-September. What better weather could you ask for to celebrate festivals in Charleston SC?

The rains come and go but they are not as often as in the summer. Charleston is still technically in hurricane season and can see hurricanes and strong storms well into October.

Fall is a great time for festivals in Charleston SC. As you will see, you will have plenty to choose from during the 3 months of Fall.

Lowcountry Jazz Festival

When: August 30th – September 1st, 2024

Location: The Charleston Gaillard Center

Price: Prices are not available yet – One and Two Day passes will be available

The Lowcountry Jazz Festival is an annual festival that takes place around Labor Day weekend. It will feature world-class jazz brought to you by some of the best jazz musicians around.

During the festival, experience southern charm, history, culinary delights, shopping, jazz cruises, and four amazing nights of contemporary jazz.

There is little known about the Charleston jazz legacy. It is overshadowed by the granddad of jazz, New Orleans. But, it is to be believed that Charleston may predate New Orleans on the jazz front. Going with the history of African slaves in The United States with the mixture of European arts, there is a huge chance that it was blended together before New Orleans. If this could be true, then it will make Charleston a big pillar in the jazz world.

Make sure to check the website here for up-to-date information on the musicians and times for their performances.

Charleston Restaurant Week

When: January 9th – 19th, 2025, and September 7th – 17th, 2023

Location: Many Charleston Restaurants

Price: Different prices per restaurant (reservations are a must)

Charleston Restaurant Week is one of the biggest events in Charleston. So much so that it happens twice a year. This event brings together many restaurants around the Charleston area to celebrate their hard work with the patrons of the area.

Charleston Restaurant Week offers visitors and locals the opportunity to experience the world-famous cuisine of Charleston chefs. They do this by prefixing the lunch and dinner menus for the guests. Doing this allows the patrons of the restaurant to indulge in the amazing cuisine and experience for an affordable price.

You will be able to have a plethora of choices throughout the multi-day event. There are usually over 50 restaurants that participate in Charleston Restaurant Week. This is a great way for locals and visitors to try many different restaurants from around the Charleston area. Charleston is a culinary hotspot in The United States and this event helps you experience why it is.

The restaurants usually sell out fast during Charleston Restaurant Week. I suggest checking the website here to see which restaurants participate in the event. Here you will be able to make reservations and see the menu for what they will be serving during the week.

Beer Fest

When: October 25th, 2025

Location: Riverfront Park in North Charleston

Price: $25 – $45

A beer drinker’s heaven! Beer Fest is a 1-day event that is located at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Every year the festival is expanding and growing with more breweries, music, acts, food, and games. Proceeds usually go to help out with local organizations.

During the day enjoy over 50 different breweries with over 100 different beers to drink. There will be plenty of food trucks at the festival to help you with your hunger needs. Make sure to participate in the beer games throughout the day.

There are three different admission categories: General, VIP, and Designated Driver. Charleston likes to make sure people have fun and get home safely.

Make sure to check out the website here for the latest up-to-day information, which breweries will be participating, and which food trucks will be available.

So raise a pint and have a great time. Cheers, Skål, Prost, and Salud!

Charleston Pride Fest

When: September 21st, 2024

Location: The Refinery

Price: General Admission – Free and VIP – $65

The Charleston Pride Fest takes place during Charleston Pride Week. Charleston Pride, which organizes Pride Fest, serves, empowers, and promotes the well-being and visibility of LGBTQIA+ and allied communities.

During the event, there will be a large selection of live entertainment, specialty drinks, local food trucks, and vendors. There will be plenty to do for all ages during the festival.

Charleston Pride runs for an entire week. During the week there will be parades, literary discussions, karaoke nights, happy hour drag shows, and much more. Multiple events are happening on each day during Pride Week.

Make sure to check out the website here to stay up-to-date on all the events for Charleston Pride Fest and Charleston Pride Week. You will be able to see venues and which event is taking place where. If any event requires ticket purchases, you will be able to purchase them from the website as well.

Latin American Festival

When: October 5th, 2025

Location: Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston

Price: $10 for General Admission, $5 discount for students and military with a valid ID

The Latin American Festival brings together Charleston’s amazing Latin and Caribbean cultures for a day of fun, dancing, food, music, and much more.

Enjoy activities through non-stop merengue, reggaeton, bachata, and salsa music. Enjoy many acts from live music and DJs performing many Latin American hits. Make sure you join or watch the salsa competition that takes place.

Check out over 15 great vendors that specialize in Latin American cultural food from flavorful empanadas to tasty arroz con pollo. Make sure to come hungry for all the amazing food.

There will be children’s games and educational areas presented by Charleston County Public Library.

MOJA Arts Festival

When: September 25th – October 5th, 2025

Location: Multiple Locations throughout Charleston

Price: Some events are free and some have a price

The MOJA Arts Festival is a celebration of Caribbean and African-American arts. This festival always has an exciting lineup of events that show a rich variety of traditional favorites. MOJA Arts Festival has been selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for many years.

The word “Moja” is Swahili meaning “One” and is the appropriate name for this festival of celebration of harmony among all people of the community. MOJA’s extensive events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, R&B music, poetry, storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, ethnic food, traditional crafts, and much more. This festival highlights many African-American and Caribbean contributions to Western and world cultures.

This multi-day event is spread out and includes many performers. The event usually kicks off with a large “Opening Day Parade” that goes throughout downtown Charleston. During the week, the events will take place in the evening but they will be a full day on the weekends.

Make sure to check the website here to stay up-to-date on all the events, times, and performers. Times and locations will be updated on the site as well as purchasing tickets for select shows.

Charleston Beer Week

When: October 24th – November 2nd, 2025

Location: Multiple Breweries and Pubs

Price: Varies between locations

Charleston Beer Week is a haven week for all those who love beer. The nation has been booming in the craft beer industry and Charleston is no different. Charleston Beer Week will highlight the wide variety of craft beer brands that are enjoyed in the area and many unique events to go along with them.

The event will host over 35 breweries and brewpubs, craft beer-focused pubs, restaurants, and retail stores. It is a welcomed week for those who love beer, especially craft beer. We truly live in a golden age for beer. This is not your grandpa’s beer.

Charleston Beer Week usually takes place around Halloween, so you get some great activities mixed in. Some of the great activities are pub crawls, haunted houses, zombie escape rooms, costume contests, and the unveiling of new taps. Be on the lookout for plenty of parties taking place with all your favorite and newly discovered beer.

Make sure to keep an eye on the website here to find out which breweries and pubs are participating. You will also be able to see which events are taking place at certain locations. Charleston Beer Week wants to celebrate Charleston’s craft beer community, from brewer to bartender and from keg to pint glass.

Charleston Harvest Festival

When: November 1st, 2025

Location: John’s Island County Park

Price: Adults – $10 and Children (12 and under) – Free

The Charleston Harvest Festival takes place at John’s Island County Park and helps ring in the fall season. Enjoy some toe-tapping local bluegrass bands, kids’ crafts, pumpkin decorating, hayrides, archery, and much more. You will be able to enjoy a great fall feast with Carolina barbeque, kettle corn, and all your fall favorites.

Enjoy the many local craft vendors as you walk off all the food. Bring your dog along to enjoy all the people and festivities. But they must be leashed.

If your child is between the ages of 8 and 17, let them save Thanksgiving for your family. Both male and female contestants can join an archery tournament. The highest score in each category will win a frozen turkey.

Check the website here for updates and for a list of the local vendors that will be at the Charleston Harvest Festival.

Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering

When: November 2nd, 2024

Location: Riverfront Park in North Charleston

Price: General Admission – $35/ Day of $45 and other packages available

The annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering have been going strong in Charleston for over 50 years. These games have been going on since 1971, making it the second oldest event in the Southeast. The Scottish people have had a large impact on South Carolina’s history by helping it become the state that it is today.

Celebrate the grand history and culture of Scotland with a large range of activities from live music to athletics. Some of the activities to enjoy are athletic competitions, scotch tasting, pipe bands, Border Collie Demonstrations, highland dancing competitions, and much more. Enjoy the sounds of bagpipes playing as you watch or compete in the games.

There will be over 45 clans represented at the Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering. You are able to register with your clan on their website. Enjoy lots of great food, drinks, and crafts that bring pride to Scottish history.

Check out their website here for more information on the schedule for each event. You will be able to see a full vendor list as well. Enjoy the festival with over 8,000 guests and participants.

Winter Festivals in Charleston SC

Winter in the South is a whole different thing. Palmettos trees wrapped with Christmas lights, hearing holiday songs when you can still wear shorts, and still green outside with the trees.

The tourist season has calmed down for the most part. Though, it is a great time to visit and see everything. It is also a great time to enjoy the winter festivals in Charleston SC.

The weather in Charleston in the winter is mild. The temperature is cooler but not too cold. There will be about a week when it will get down to the 30s but the majority of winter it is in the mid to low 50s during the day. The rains come and go but it isn’t too bad. Every now and then you will get flurries or snowfall but don’t plan on it, usually once every 10 years or so.

Winter is a time for the holidays in Charleston SC. There are some great festivals that happen in the winter. In fact, during the winter festival season, you get 3 of the bigger festivals of the year.

Holiday Festival of the Lights at James Island County Park

When: November 15th – December 31st, 2024

Location: James Island County Park

Price: By the vehicle – Standard Size Vehicle: Regular Nights – $15 in advance/$20 at the gate. Peak Nights – $25 in advance/$30 at the gate. Larger Vehicles – 16-30 guests – $50 per vehicle and 31+ guests – $150 per vehicle.

The Charleston Holiday Festival of the Lights at James Island County Park is a Charleston staple for the Christmas season. This is Charleston’s most popular event during the holidays for families to come and see. There are an estimated two million lights that bring the joy of the holidays to many.

The Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights is mostly known for the 3-mile driving tour that you tune your radio to and enjoy the show. Besides the drive, there is also the 50-ton sand sculpture, a holiday train, a Victorian carousel, and an enchanted walking trail.

No holiday or Christmas festival is complete until you meet Santa Claus. Make your way to Santa’s Village and experience all types of food including burgers, funnel cakes, hot chocolate, and much more. Stop by the Reindeer Workshop and build your very own reindeer. Once you are finished, make sure to stop by Santa himself and tell him what you want for Christmas.

Make sure to check their website here for information, times for events, and to purchase tickets.

Charleston Restaurant Week

When: January 9th – 19th, 2025, and September 2025

Location: Many Charleston Restaurants

Price: Different prices per restaurant (reservations are a must)

Charleston Restaurant Week is one of the biggest events in Charleston. So much so that it happens twice a year. This event brings together many restaurants around the Charleston area to celebrate their hard work with the patrons of the area.

Charleston Restaurant Week offers visitors and locals the opportunity to experience the world-famous cuisine of Charleston chefs. They do this by prefixing the lunch and dinner menus for the guests. Doing this gives the patrons of the restaurant the opportunity to indulge in the amazing cuisine and experience for an affordable price.

You will be able to have a plethora of choices throughout the multi-day event. There are usually over 50 restaurants that participate in Charleston Restaurant Week. This is a great way for locals and visitors to try many different restaurants from around the Charleston area. Charleston is a culinary hotspot in The United States and this event helps you experience why it is.

The restaurants usually sell out fast during Charleston Restaurant Week. I suggest checking the website here to see which restaurants participate in the event. Here you will be able to make reservations and see the menu for what they will be serving during the week.

Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival

When: February 2nd, 2025

Location: Boone Hall Plantation

Price: General Admission – $22 and VIP Admission – $175 and Children 10 and under – Free

The Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival is an oyster lover’s dream. Welcome to the world’s largest oyster festival. How does 60,000 pounds of oysters sound to you? When you get into the area, you will just see tables and tables for shucking and thousands upon thousands of people enjoying oysters.

Besides eating all the oysters you will be entertained by live music, have plenty of beer and wine options, and have activities going on. For those of you who don’t like or want to participate in eating oysters, there are also local food trucks there so you can enjoy food as well.

If you are a fast shucker and a fast oyster eater, make sure to sign up for the contests to prove you are the fastest at each event.

Please note that The Annual Oyster Festival is a cashless event and all tickets for food and beverages will be purchased at a satellite tent with your debit or credit cards.

Please check their website here to keep up-to-date with information on entertainment and what times certain events will take place. Enjoy the Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival as it is one of the largest festivals in Charleston SC in a single-day event.

Southeast Wildlife Expo (SEWE)

When: February 14th -16th, 2025

Location: Multiple Locations around Charleston

Price: General Admission is $40 – $85 and Tickets will vary per event

The Southeast Wildlife Expo is an event about all that is wildlife and nature. Take part in the nation’s premier celebration of wildlife art and the great outdoors. This is where craftsmen, collectors, artists, and sporting enthusiasts come together to celebrate the outdoor lifestyle and connect.

The Southeast Wildlife Expo is the unofficial kickoff to Charleston’s tourism season. SEWE is a large festival that hosts around 500 artists, exhibitors, and wildlife experts. The festival will generally bring in about 40,000 participants and generate a revenue of $50 million for Charleston each year.

Each year you can expect to see many different events such as a fine art gallery, live demonstrations, and a sporting village. There will be lots of music, food, and drinks to go around at each event. Don’t leave your best friends at home, especially if they are the 4-legged kind. Charleston is a huge dog-friendly city and SEWE is no different. Make sure to sign your dog up for the DockDogs competitions.

Make sure to check their website here for all the information on the event. It will let you know when events are taking place and how to purchase tickets for each event. Enjoy one of the best festivals in Charleston SC as it takes you all around Charleston.

Folly Beach Sea and Sand Festival

When: February 22-23, 2025

Location: Folly Beach

Prices: $15 at the door

The Folly Beach Sea and Sand Festival is Folly Beach’s longest-running festival. This festival takes place on Center Street and will include an artisan and food-focused event. Look for local vendors and craft artists on display.

As the name suggests, this festival does include the sea and sand. Get ready for a giant sandcastle-building contest that takes place on the beach in front of The Tides Hotel.

The Folly Beach Sea and Sand Festival will have live bands, other contests, food, kids’ areas, and much more. Check the website here for update-to-date information on times and performance acts.

How to Get to the Festivals

There are a few ways to get to festivals in Charleston SC. An easy way to go is to carpool with friends or family. There is usually limited parking at the festivals, so be prepared to walk after you park with everyone.

As you have read above, many festivals have the option to be shuttled in. You will just park in a designated area and then take the shuttle to the festival. This is a great way to get to the festivals that off this great service.

The best way to go is by using rideshare. Charleston is a great city that always has plenty of rideshare options. The only thing that I will warn you though, look out for the surge charges during festivals.

I would stick to these options getting you to all the festivals in Charleston SC. It is better to be safe for everyone around.

Other Activities to do in Charleston

Charleston is one of the most visited cities in the country. There are so many different things to see and do. Take advantage of the time you have in Charleston and see as much as you can. Use this pass to save money by seeing some of the most iconic places in Charleston.

To get an idea of some amazing things to do while in Charleton, check out some of my other posts below about Charleston.

Have Your Bags Picked Up While You Explore With Charleston Bag Valet

Don’t want to haul your luggage all around Charleston while waiting for your flight to leave or for your hotel to be ready? Good News! Charleston Bag Valet will help you out with that. As they say, you explore, they store.

Charleston Bag Valet will pick up your bags curbside anywhere in Charleston and secure each item with a customizable tamper-proof lock. They will store your bags in an insured and secured climate-controlled environment while you explore. When you are ready, they will deliver your bags to you where you want them and when you want them. You can even have them delivered to the airport for your ease.

Where to Stay in Charleston

Charleston has so many great places to stay while visiting. With the festivals all spread out throughout the city, finding the perfect hotel location can be difficult. I have a couple of options for you that should help.

  • The Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Mills House is in a historic building also in the heart of historic downtown Charleston on Meeting Street. You will be within walking distance of many amazing restaurants on Queen Street. This location will put you around several historic landmarks that are not to be missed.

  • Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview

Another great place to stay is at the Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview. This is a great hotel on the water next to the city marina. You are in a great location to get to Folly Beach as well as being just minutes away from downtown Charleston.

Make sure to also check out my post on other hotel options – Where to Stay in Charleston SC: Best Hotels and Locations for the best places while visiting Charleston

Festivals in Charleston SC: In Conclusion

As you can see, there are so many options for the festivals in Charleston SC. There really is not a bad time to come and visit and find a festival to go to. There is a festival for just about everyone for just about every event in Charleston.

Whether you are searching for art, food, music, or culture, you will find it in Charleston. You will truly enjoy any festival that you go to while in Charleston. Hopefully, you will be able to make it to more than one of the festivals in Charleston SC. Come on out and enjoy a city that knows how to do festivals.

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