Charleston Events

Wine and Food Festival
March 6 - 10, 2019

The annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival is a celebration of Charleston’s culinary excellence. Discover the distinctive flavors of the Lowcountry and uniquely Charleston experiences while interacting with and learning from the country’s best chefs, authors and beverage professionals.

Festival of Houses and Gardens
March 13 - April 18, 2019

The Festival of Houses & Gardens showcases Charleston’s distinctive architecture, history, and culture. The series of award-winning tours provide a rare opportunity for guests to go inside the private house and gardens of some of America’s most beautiful historic residences, dating to the 18th century. 

Charleston Antique Show
March 15 - 17, 2019

The Charleston Antique Show is a premier destination for collectors and enthusiasts of antiques. The show is a showcase of English, European, and American period furnishings, decorative arts and fine art, architectural elements, garden furniture, vintage jewelry, and silver--all late 17th to 20th centuries. 

St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 16, 2019

Residents and visitors are invited to come out and enjoy South Carolina’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This family-friendly event will kick off on Saturday morning at 10:00 am. Before the parade, St. Patrick’s Church will hold a celebratory mass.

Cooper River Bridge Run
April 6, 2019

The Cooper River Bridge Run is the 3rd largest 10K in the US and one of the largest in the world. It includes world-class competition in a unique setting with unparalleled participant satisfaction. The main goal of the event is to promote continuous physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. 

Lowcountry Cajun Festival
April 7, 2019

The Cajun Festival brings Louisiana living to the Lowcountry.  This full-day festival features Cajun and Creole foods, children's activities and more. After getting full on food, kick off your shoes and dance to live Cajun music performed on stage throughout the day. 

Mount Pleasant Blessing the Fleet & Seafood Festival

April 28, 2019

Mount Pleasant hosts its Annual Blessing of the Fleet. A safe and prosperous shrimping season is the sentiment of this community-supported benediction that dishes up fresh seafood and showcases local crafts, live music, kids activities, a boat parade, and lots of seafood will be present.

Greek Festival
May 10 - 12, 2019

Experience great food, wine, music, dancing, and fun at the Charleston Greek Festival at The Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. Guests will enjoy great tasting favorites including Gyros, Chicken Mousakka, Lamb, Finikia, Spanakopita, Baklava, Wine, Beer, and more. 

Spoleto Festival USA
May 24 - June 9, 2019

The Spoleto Festival USA is one of the largest festivals in Charleston with events showcasing both established and emerging artists in more than 150 performances of opera, dance, theater, classical music, and jazz. 

Piccolo Spoleto
May 24 - June 9, 2019

The Piccolo Spoleto focuses primarily on artists of the Southeast region offering visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts, and films. 

Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival
June 2019

The Sweetgrass Festival celebrates the rich Gullah Geechee culture and provides an extensive showcase of sweetgrass baskets in the Lowcountry. The event features an assortment of unique handmade arts & crafts, paintings, live performances, and documentary films. 

Patriots Point 4th of July Blast
July 4, 2019

Celebrate the Fourth of July on board one of the most historic warships in the United States. Once the sun sets in the Charleston Harbor, the Flight Deck of the Yorktown will offer a front row seat to the fireworks display, which will feature firework shells shot from a barge in the Cooper River. 

Charleston Restaurant Week
Sept. 4 - 15, 2019

Restaurant week is an eleven day celebration at participating restaurants.  From fine to casual dining, participating restaurants will feature special menu items, promotions, and discounts. Come out and savor the flavors of the Lowcountry. 

Pride Fest
Sept. 7 - 14, 2019

The Charleston Pride Festival is a celebration of the Charleston LGBT community. The week-long festival features drag shows, religious services, comedy shows, film screenings, and symposiums. The Pride Festival culminates with a parade through downtown and concludes with a Prism Party. 

MOJA Arts Festival
Sept. 26 - Oct. 6, 2019

The MOJA Arts Festival is a celebration of the many African-American and Caribbean contributions to western and world cultures. MOJA’s events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, crafts, ethnic food, and more.

Taste of Charleston
Date TBA

The Taste of Charleston is considered the Lowcountry's culinary event of the year. The three-day event, held at historic Boone Hall Plantation, features 50 of the Lowcountry’s favorite casual and fine dining restaurants serving sample size portions along with beer and wine. 

Charleston Festival of Lights
Nov. 9, 2019 - Jan. 1, 2020

The  Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is known for its three-mile driving tour decorated with thousands of lights. Visitors can also wander through festival shops, ride the festival train, make s’mores at the marshmallow roasting pits, and explore Santa's village. 

Christmas in Charleston
Nov. 29, 2019 - Jan. 1, 2020

The sway of the carriage transports you back several centuries. The professional guide points to the poinsettias flanking the front door of the antebellum mansion. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday festivities in one of America’s most historic cities.

Charleston Reindeer Run
Dec. 7, 2019

The Reindeer Run is a family-oriented, pet-friendly 5k run/walk through the lower peninsula of downtown Charleston. Proceeds from the event go to the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.

Charleston Christmas Parade
Dec. 8, 2019

The holiday tradition is better than ever as miles of bands, floats, marchers, and performers parade through downtown Charleston. 

Charleston Tree Lighting
Dec. 8, 2019

Join the holiday jubilee with a musical extravaganza featuring performances from musicians and arts organizations throughout Charleston. The celebration culminates in the lighting of the magnificent 64-foot Holiday Tree of Lights, the official City of Charleston Christmas tree in Marion Square. 

Holiday Parade of Boats
Dec. 14, 2019

The Charleston Holiday Parade of Boats, organized by the city of Charleston, is held yearly in Charleston Harbor.  Participants in the parade must register and decorate their boat from stem to stern while spectators view the parade from either Mt. Pleasant or Charleston along the harbor.

Happy New Year Charleston
Dec. 31, 2019

This community celebration offers a non-alcoholic and family-oriented alternative program to celebrate the New Year. This city wide, admission-free program has something for everyone: comedy, African dancing, many forms of music including classical, gospel and jazz, children’s activities and more. 

Charleston Mac Off
Jan. 12, 2019

The Charleston Mac Off is a family-friendly event that provides attendees the opportunity to enjoy the South’s best comfort food, live music, beer, cocktails, wine and other entertainment. 25 local restaurants, cafes, and caterers will also be competing for the Best Mac and Cheese in the Charleston Mac Off. 

Lowcountry Oyster Festival
Jan. 27, 2019

The Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the world’s largest oyster festival and has been named one of the “top 20 events in the southeast”. Highlights include the legendary “Oyster Shucking” and “Oyster Eating” Contests, live music, wine, and a selection of domestic and imported beers.