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
– 4th of July Fireworks Show, July 4 2025
Annual fireworks show at Folly Beach in celebration of Independence Day. More details
– North Charleston July 4th Festival, July 4 2025
Big fireworks show, live music and more at Riverfront Park 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
– Lowcountry Jazz Festival, August 29-31 2025
Annual Labor Day festival of jazz music at the Charleston Gaillard Center. More details
→ See more August events in Charleston
– Summerville Sweet Tea Festival, September 20 2025
Annual festival in downtown Summerville in celebration of sweet tea, with street fair, food trucks, artisanal vendors, sweet tea tastings and contest, entertainment and more. More details
– 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
– Oktoberfest Charleston, October 11 2025
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at St Matthew’s Lutheran Church, with authentic German cuisine, live music, biergarten with local craft beers, children’s activities and more. 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
– 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
– Lowcountry Nosh Jewish Food & Heritage Festival, November 9 2025
Annual festival of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, with traditional Jewish foods, music, sanctuary tours and more. More details
– Yallfest, November 14-15 2025
Annual festival of young adult literature in downtown Charleston. More details
→ See more November events in Charleston
– Holiday Street Festival, December 6 2025
Annual holiday festival at Front Beach, Isle of Palms, with arts and crafts vendors, food, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. More details
→ 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
– The Charleston Festival, March 18 - April 11 2026
Annual festival of history and architecture, with house and garden tours and other events across downtown Charleston. More details
→ See more March events in Charleston
– The Charleston Festival, March 18 - April 11 2026
Annual festival of history and architecture, with house and garden tours and other events across downtown Charleston. More details
– Charleston Jazz Festival, April 13-19 2026
Annual jazz festival featuring concerts by international artists to local musicians at a variety of Charleston venues. More details
– Charleston Cocktail Week, April 20-26 2026
Annual festival featuring special prices on cocktails and food pairings at selected Charleston bars and restaurants. More details
→ See more April events in Charleston
– Charleston Dragon Boat Festival, May 2 2026
Annual dragon boat races to benefit local cancer survivors. More details
→ See more May events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more June events in Charleston