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
– Mountainfilm on Tour, January 29 2025
Annual film festival at the Charleston Music Hall, with documentary short films focused on environment and the outdoors. More details
→ See more January events in Charleston
– Lowcountry Oyster Festival, February 2 2025
Very popular annual food festival at Boone Hall Planatation, with steamed oysters by the bucket plus other foods and drinks, eating and shucking contests, live music, children’s activities and more. More details
– Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, February 14-16 2025
Big annual festival of wildlife and sporting and outdoors activities, with events across Charleston, including wildlife-themed fine art and crafts, animal displays, sporting demonstrations, wildlife and conservation education, and more. More details
→ See more February events in Charleston
– Charleston Wine + Food, March 5-9 2025
Big annual food festival with a wide variety of events at various Charleston locations. More details
– Overland South, March 6-9 2025
Camping festival at Woodlands Nature Reserve, with demonstrations and activities, short film festival and nature activities. Tents and all camping vehicles welcome. More details
– 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
– Charleston St Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17 2025
Annual St Patrick’s Day parade through downtown Charleston. More details
– The Charleston Show, March 21-23 2025
Annual antiques, design and fine art show at Charleston Festival Hall, with antiques vendors from the US, UK and Europe. More details
– Mount Pleasant Artfest, March 22 2025
Annual arts festival at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, with local musicians, dancers and artists, juried art show, children’s activities and more. More details
– House and Garden Tours, March 27-29 2025
Annual tours of the Garden Club of Charleston, visiting selected local gardens not usually open to the public. More details
→ See more March events in Charleston
– 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 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
– Charleston Jazz Festival, April 24-27 2025
Annual festival of jazz music with concerts at several Charleston locations. 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
– 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
→ See more June events in Charleston
– 4th of July Drone Show, July 4 2025
Lighted drone 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
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ 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
→ See more October events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more November events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more December events in Charleston