October is one of the best months of the year to visit Charleston, with weather that is warm but not too hot, and a great variety of things to do.
Music festivals such as the MOJA Arts Festival (continuing from September); Oktoberfest and Folly Beach’s annual street party, Follypalooza; several charity road races; and the Fall Tour of Homes bring thousands of people to the city.
Interested in a specific type of event? See Charleston’s calendars of upcoming:
– Concerts
– Comedy shows
– Musicals
– Food festivals
– Farmers markets
See also:
– October weather in Charleston
– Visiting in fall and ideal activities
– Free things to do in Charleston
– Charleston’s biggest festivals
– Things to do near Charleston
!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.
– MOJA Arts Festival, September 25 - October 5 2025
Big annual festival celebrating African-American and Caribbean arts and culture, with a wide range of music, dance, theatre, spoken word and other performances plus art exhibitions, traditional crafts, food and more. More details
– John Cleese and the Holy Grail, October 2 2025
Film screening and talk event at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Step Afrika!, October 2 2025
Dance performance at the Gaillard Center. More details
– ArtWalk, October 3 2025
Monthly first Friday art walks in downtown Charleston galleries. More details
– The Steeldrivers, October 3 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Elvis Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, October 3 2025
Concert at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Chamber Music 1, October 3-4 2025
Concert at the Charleston Library Society. More details
– The Mousetrap, October 3-19 2025
Play at the Queen Street Playhouse. 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
– Lowcountry Trail, October 4 2025
Half marathon, 5K and children’s races at Johns Island County Park. More details
– Isle of Palms Connector Run, October 4 2025
Annual 5K and 10K races across the IOP Connector and post-race festival, to benefit local organizations for the prevention of child abuse. More details
– The Steeldrivers, October 4 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Mermaids & Mateys, October 4-5 2025
Annual festival in Folly Beach with sand sculpting contest, food and drink, live music on several stages, children’s activities, arts and crafts and more. More details
– Latin American Festival, October 5 2025
Annual festival of Latin and Caribbean food, music and culture at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, with music and dancing, folk art and crafts, authentic foods, and more. More details
– The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, October 5 2025
Tribute concert at the Gaillard Center. More details
– John Mulaney, October 5 2025
Comedy show at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– The Bridge City Sinners, October 5 2025
Concert at the Music Farm. More details
– Orleans & Firefall, October 5 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– The Mousetrap, October 3-19 2025
Play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Buena Vista Orchestra, October 10 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Legends of Laughter, October 10 2025
Comedy show at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– CSO Masterworks 2: New World Symphony, October 10-11 2025
Concert at the Gaillard 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
– Cast Off Fishing Tournament, October 11 2025
Fishing tournament at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. More details
– Kids Are Cool Family Festival, October 11 2025
Family festival at Woodlands Nature Reserve with child vendors, games and other activities. More details
– Matt Mathews, October 11 2025
Comedy show at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Neko Case, October 11 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– The Mousetrap, October 3-19 2025
Play at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Everclear, October 14 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!, October 15 2025
Children’s performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Varietopia with Paul F Tompkins, October 15 2025
Variety show at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Kevin Gates, October 15 2025
Concert at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Colony House, October 15 2025
Concert at the Music Farm. More details
– Isle of Palms Farmers Market, October 16 2025
Monthly summer to fall farmers market in Isle of Palms with produce, food vendors, live music and more. More details
– Eric Johnson, October 16 2025
Concert 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
– Autumn Leaves, October 18 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Children’s Day Festival, October 19 2025
Free annual festival at Park West Recreation Complex, Mount Pleasant, with carnival rides, inflatables, games, live entertainment, pony rides and more. More details
– Saint Motel, October 20 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Momix: Alice, October 23 2025
Theatrical performance at the Gaillard Center. More details
– Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, October 23-26 2025
Family ice skating performance at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Lawrence, October 24 2025
Concert 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
– Cast Off Fishing Tournament, October 25 2025
Fishing tournament at the Mount Pleasant Pier. More details
– Charleston Beerfest, October 25 2025
Annual beer festival at Riverfront Park, North Charleston, with craft beers, live music, food, games and more. More details
– GenX Takeover Comedy Tour, October 26 2025
Comedy show at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. More details
– Brian Culbertson, October 26 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– The Addams Family, October 29 2025
Musical at the Gaillard Center. More details
– South Carolina Ballet Presents: Dracula – Ballet with a Bite, October 30 2025
Ballet performance at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Halloween Carnival, October 31 2025
Annual Halloween event in Isle of Palms, with golf cart parade, drive-through haunted house, food vendors, inflatables and more. More details
– South Carolina Ballet Presents: Dracula – Ballet with a Bite, October 31 2025
Ballet performance 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
– Harvest Festival, November 1 2025
Annual fall festival at Johns Island County Park, with live bluegrass music, pumpkin decorating, southern food, children’s activities and more. More details
– Chili 10K & 5K, November 1 2025
Annual 10K, 5K and children’s races at Laurel Hill County Park, with chili and refreshments. More details
– Gaillard Gala, November 1 2025
Fundraising event at the Gaillard Center, with dinner and cocktails, auction and live performance. More details
– The Magical Music of Harry Potter – Live in Concert, November 2 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– The Music of LOTR, The Hobbit & Rings of Power – In Concert, November 2 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– The Music of Hans Zimmer amp; Others – A Celebration of Film Music, November 2 2025
Concert at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Choir! Choir! Choir!, November 2 2025
Participatory concert at the Gaillard Center. More details