Charleston Events

Wine and Food Festival

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

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. 

Cooper River Bridge Run

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. 

Mount Pleasant Blessing the Fleet & Seafood Festival

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

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. 

Charleston Antique Show

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. 

Lowcountry Cajun Festival

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. 

African Market and Festival

The African Market and Festival is a celebration of African culture. The festival features African art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, dancers, drummers, and food. The African Market and Festival is a fundraiser for the African Community Exchange to benefit the Ann Sandell Independent School in Liberia.

Patriots Point 4th of July Blast

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. 

Spoleto Festival USA

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

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

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. 

MOJA Arts Festival

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.

Pride Fest

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. 

Taste of Charleston

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 International Film Festival

The Charleston International Film Festival has a mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through the art and science of film. The festival showcases over 70 short films, features, and documentaries from around the world. Attendees gather for five days to attend premieres, special events and an Awards Gala. 

Charleston Mac Off

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. 

Charleston Restaurant Week

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. 

Charleston Food Truck Festival

The Charleston Food Truck Festival features 30 trucks from Charleston and surrounding areas serving up the best street fare ever. This family-friendly event also features local musicians and hand crafted beer and wine. 

Christmas in Charleston

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.

Holiday Parade of Boats

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.

Charleston Christmas Parade

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

Charleston Reindeer Run

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 Tree Lighting

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. 

Charleston Festival of Lights

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. 

Happy New Year Charleston

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. 

Lowcountry Oyster Festival

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.