Charleston ranks as one of the biggest festival destinations in the Southeast, offering a diverse array of highly popular events that draw millions of visitors from near and far every year.
Notable events in the first half of the year include the Lowcountry Oyster Festival and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, the Charleston Wine + Food festival, spring house and garden tours, and the Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals.
Later on, visitors can enjoy the fall MOJA Arts Festival and another set of house and garden tours, and the Holiday Festival of Lights and New Year’s Eve fireworks displays during the holiday season.
Charleston’s event calendar is further enriched by various food, music, and arts festivals, taking place throughout the year both in downtown Charleston and in nearby communities.
Interested in a specific type of event? See Charleston’s calendars of upcoming:
– Concerts
– Comedy shows
– Musicals
– Food festivals
– Farmers markets
– Marathons, 5Ks and other races
See also:
– Things to do in Charleston
– The best time of year to visit Charleston
– Charleston’s weather by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November or December
– The Charleston Festival, March 13 - April 13 2025
Annual home and garden festival of the Historic Charleston Foundation, with tours of historic homes and gardens, walking tours, lectures and other history- and preservation-focused events. More details
– Summerville Flowertown Festival, April 4-6 2025
Big annual arts and crafts festival in downtown Summerville, timed to coincide with spring blooms. More details
– Lowcountry Strawberry Festival, April 4-6, 11-13 2025
Annual festival at Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, with carnival rides, live performances, children’s activities, shows, contests, petting zoo, arts and crafts vendors, pick-your-own strawberries and more. More details
– Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour, April 11 2025
Annual festival of films focused on environmental topics and the outdoors, at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
– Lowcountry Cajun Festival, April 12 2025
Annual Louisiana-themed food and music festival at James Island County Park, with Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole foods, other southern and festival foods, children’s activities and more. More details
– Woofstock: A Lowcountry Dog Music Festival, April 12 2025
Annual music festival at Hanahan Amphitheater. More details
– Founders Day Festival, April 12 2025
Annual living history event at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, with 17th-century re-enactors, and other programs and activities. More details
– Charleston Jazz Festival, April 24-27 2025
Annual festival of jazz music with concerts at several Charleston locations. More details
– Black Food Truck Festival, April 25-27 2025
Food festival at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds, Ladson and other Charleston venues, with 40+ local, Black-owned food trucks, live music, children’s activities, opening and afterparties and more. More details
– High Water Fest, April 26-27 2025
Annual music festival in Riverfront Park, North Charleston. More details
– Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival, April 27 2025
Popular annual food festival at Memorial Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant in celebration of the local seafood industry, with food from local restaurants, boat parade, live music, craft show, contest and other family activities. 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
→ See more April events in Charleston
– 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
– Charleston Greek Festival, May 9-11 2025
Big annual festival of Greek food and culture, with authentic Greek foods and wines, live music and dancing, vendors and more. 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
→ See more May events in Charleston
– 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
– High Tide, June 6-7 2025
Annual dance music festival at Riverfront Park, North Charleston. More details
– Women’s Adventure Film Tour, June 12 2025
Film festival focused on women’s outdoor pursuits from around the world, at the Charleston Music Hall. More details
→ See more June events in Charleston
– 4th of July Fireworks Show, July 4 2025
Annual fireworks show at Folly Beach in celebration of Independence Day. More details
– Sweetgrass Festival, July 26 2025
Annual festival in Memorial Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant, celebrating the basket-making traditions, history and culture of the local Gullah/Geechee people. More details
→ See more July events in Charleston
– Trail Running Film Festival, August 3 2025
Touring festival of films focused on trail running, at New Beginnings Community Church. More details
→ See more August events in Charleston
– 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
→ See more September events in Charleston
– 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
– 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
– 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
– Charleston Beerfest, October 25 2025
Annual beer festival at Riverfront Park, North Charleston, with craft beers, live music, food, games and more. More details
→ See more October events in Charleston
– 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
– Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival, November 6-9 2025
Annual festival of contemporary Italian film at Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Charleston Literary Festival, November 7-16 2025
Annual book festival at the Dock Street Theatre. More details
→ See more November events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more December events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more January events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more February events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more March events in Charleston