Charleston in May is very warm, sunny and typically vibrant, and this is one of the best times of year to visit the city.
May weather is perfect if you don’t mind some heat. The average daily high temperature in May is in the low 80s, with highs frequently getting into the 90s on the hottest days.
The biggest Charleston events in May are the Spoleto Festival and its cousin, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, both beginning over the Memorial Day weekend, and the North Charleston Arts Fest, usually held at the start of the month.
Other May events in Charleston include the Charleston Greek Festival, special Mother’s Day events, Charleston’s popular weekly farmers market in Marion Square, spring events at local attractions, races, plus other food, arts and music events, and the ongoing selection of concerts and performances at the city’s arts venues.
Things to do in Charleston in May are abundant and varied. This is a great time for outdoor sightseeing, activities and attractions — parks, historic cemeteries, plantations, visits to nearby Morris Island and its lighthouse, kayak tours of scenic Shem Creek, and other natural and historic sights near the city.
Many May days are hot enough for the beach, with the several beaches near Charleston attracting plenty of visitors on sunny weekends. Historic house tours and local museums are a draw year-round, and there is also a wide range of historical tours, focused on topics such as Black history, Charleston’s ghosts and folklore or its food culture.
Interested in a specific type of event? See Charleston’s calendars of upcoming:
– Concerts
– Comedy shows
– Musicals
– Food festivals
– Farmers markets
See also:
– Free things to do in Charleston
– Things to do in Charleston
– Charleston’s biggest festivals
!Event dates, venue and other details can change at short notice. Please check all information at the official website before making plans to attend an event.
– Legally Blonde, April 9 - May 4 2025
Musical at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. More details
– Pleasure Never Lies, April 10 - May 3 2025
Musical at the Cannon Street Art Center. More details
– Into the Woods, April 18 - May 4 2025
Musical at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– North Charleston Arts Fest, April 30 - May 4 2025
Popular annual arts festival featuring a range of visual and performing arts performances, concerts, exhibitions, demonstrations, and more. More details
– Ballet Hispánico, May 2 2025
Ballet performance at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Intocable, May 2 2025
Concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– ArtWalk, May 2 2025
Monthly first Friday art walks in downtown Charleston galleries. More details
– Charleston Farmers Market, Saturdays April through November 2025
Very popular weekly farmers market in Marion Square, with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts, and live performances. More details
– Dragon Boat Charleston, May 3 2025
Annual dragon boat races on the Ashley River to benefit local people who have had cancer. More details
– Garden Tour, May 3 2025
Annual tour of the St Paul’s Garden Club, visiting selected private gardens in Meggett, Ravenel, Hollywood and Yonges Island, plus plant sale and lunch. More details
– Jim Gaffigan: Everything is Wonderful!, May 3 2025
Comedy show at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– AtomaCon, May 3-4 2025
Annual sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal culture convention and film festival at Trident Technical College, North Charleston. More details
– Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, May 9 2025
Comedy show at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Charleston Farmers Market, Saturdays April through November 2025
Very popular weekly farmers market in Marion Square, with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts, and live performances. More details
– Les Misérables, May 13-18 2025
Musical at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Charleston Farmers Market, Saturdays April through November 2025
Very popular weekly farmers market in Marion Square, with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts, and live performances. More details
– Charleston RiverDogs: Run Charlie Run 5K, May 18 2025
Annual 5K race at Joseph P Riley Jr Park. More details
– Spoleto Festival, May 23 - June 8 2025
Very popular annual festival of the arts, with performances at various Charleston locations. More details
– Piccolo Spoleto, May 23 - June 8 2025
Annual arts festival running alongside the international Spoleto Festival, featuring hundreds of events across the city by local and regional artists and performers. More details
– Charleston Farmers Market, Saturdays April through November 2025
Very popular weekly farmers market in Marion Square, with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts, and live performances. More details
– Spoleto Festival, May 23 - June 8 2025
Very popular annual festival of the arts, with performances at various Charleston locations. More details
– Piccolo Spoleto, May 23 - June 8 2025
Annual arts festival running alongside the international Spoleto Festival, featuring hundreds of events across the city by local and regional artists and performers. More details
– Charleston Farmers Market, Saturdays April through November 2025
Very popular weekly farmers market in Marion Square, with produce, prepared foods and other goods from local vendors, arts and crafts, and live performances. More details
→ See more June events