Charleston, SC Festivals 2021
Charleston is one of the southeast’s biggest festival destinations, with a wide range of hugely popular events attracting visitors to the city from far and wide each year.
Regional highlights include the Lowcountry Oyster Festival and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition early in the year; the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, house and garden tours, and the Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals in spring; the MOJA Arts Festival and a second round of house and garden tours in fall; and then the Holiday Festival of Lights during the festive period.
Charleston’s event calendar is rounded out by a variety of other food, music and arts festivals, some in downtown Charleston and some in neighboring communities.
For more local events, see: Charleston in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December.
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
January
→ See more January events in Charleston
February
– Lowcountry Oyster Festival, February 6 2022
Billed as the largest oyster festival in the world, this annual event at Boone Hall Plantation is one of the highlights of Charleston’s food calendar. Enjoy buckets of steamed oysters and other lowcountry food, shucking and eating contests, live music, children’s activities and other entertainment. More details
– Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, February 17-20 2022
Big annual festival devoted to rural pursuits, featuring wildlife and working animal displays, wildlife art, chef demos, and other exhibits and demonstrations of varied aspects of rural culture. More details
– Color of Music, 2022 event TBC
Annual classical music festival celebrating black composers and performers, at several Charleston locations. More details
– Lowcountry Irish Fest, 2022 event TBC
Annual one day festival of Irish culture, celebrating lowcountry Irish heritage through music and dance. More details
→ See more February events in Charleston
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March
– Charleston Wine + Food Festival, March 2-6 2022
Festival celebrating the cuisine and food culture of Charleston and the lowcountry. More details
– Festival of Houses and Gardens, March 16 - April 9 2022
The Historic Charleston Foundation’s annual spring tour of homes and gardens. More details
– Annual House and Garden Tours, March 24-26 2022
The Garden Club of Charleston’s annual tour of selected homes and gardens. More details
– (Summerville) Flowertown Festival, 2022 event TBC
Three-day arts and crafts festival organized around the flowers of the South Carolina spring, with food, children’s activities and other entertainment. Benefits health programs at the Summerville Family YMCA. Free admission. More details
→ See more March events in Charleston
April
– Festival of Houses and Gardens, March 16 - April 9 2022
The Historic Charleston Foundation’s annual spring tour of homes and gardens. More details
– (North Charleston) Air & Space Expo, April 9-10 2022
Aircraft show with military and commercial aircraft and aerial display by the US Air Force Thunderbirds, at Joint Base Charleston. Free admission. More details
– Charleston Jazz Festival, April 21-24 2022
This annual winter jazz festival features some of Charleston’s best jazz artists plus performers from across the country, working in a variety of jazz styles. Ticket prices vary. More details
– Lowcountry Cajun Festival, 2022 event TBC
Lowcountry, Cajun and Creole food and music festival, with crawfish and other regional specialties, kid’s activities and more at James Island County Park. More details
– Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival, 2022 event TBC
Annual festival celebrating Mount Pleasant’s shrimping and fishing industries, with a boat parade, food, live music, craft show and other entertainment. Free admission. More details
– Lowcountry Strawberry Festival, 2022 event TBC
Annual family-friendly strawberry festival at Boone Hall Plantation, with carnival rides, strawberry picking, animal shows, and other children’s activities. More details
→ See more April events in Charleston
May
– North Charleston Arts Fest, May 4-8 2022
One of South Carolina’s biggest arts festivals, celebrating southern and national artists and performers in the visual and performing arts and literature, in the city of North Charleston. More details
– Spoleto Festival USA, May 27 - June 12 2022
The foremost performing arts festival in the United States, running for more than two weeks each year in Charleston. More details
– North Charleston Arts Fest, 2022 event TBC
One of South Carolina’s biggest arts festivals, celebrating southern and national artists and performers in the visual and performing arts and literature, in the city of North Charleston. Many events free, some require reservations or ticket purchase. More details
– Charleston Greek Festival, 2022 event TBC
Festival of Greek food, music and culture at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. More details
– Piccolo Spoleto Festival, 2022 event TBC
The southern counterpart to the international Spoleto Festival, focused on performers, artists, writers and filmmakers from the Southeast. More details
→ See more May events in Charleston
June
– Spoleto Festival USA, May 27 - June 12 2022
The foremost performing arts festival in the United States, running for more than two weeks each year in Charleston. More details
– Piccolo Spoleto Festival, 2022 event TBC
The southern counterpart to the international Spoleto Festival, focused on performers, artists, writers and filmmakers from the Southeast. More details
– Charleston Carifest, 2022 event TBC
Festival celebrating the food, music and culture of the Caribbean, with carnival and parade. More details
→ See more June events in Charleston
July
– Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival, 2022 event TBC
Annual celebration of Gullah-Geechee heritage at Mount Pleasant, with sweetgrass basket demonstrations, arts and crafts, entertainment and children’s activities. Free admission. More details
→ See more July events in Charleston
August
→ See more August events in Charleston
September
– Lowcountry Jazz Festival, 2022 event TBC
Annual jazz festival, in downtown Charleston. More details
– MOJA Arts Festival, 2022 event TBC
Week-and-a-half-long African-American and Caribbean arts festival, with music, dance, arts and crafts, food and more. Admission to many events is free. More details
→ See more September events in Charleston
October
– MOJA Arts Festival, September 30 - October 10 2021
Week-and-a-half-long African-American and Caribbean arts festival, with music, dance, arts and crafts, food and more. More details
– CANCELLED Charleston Pride, October 3 2021
Charleston’s annual LGBT pride festival. More details
– Fall Tour of Homes, History & Architecture, October 7 - November 6 2021
Tours of selected private homes and gardens in Charleston, plus walking tours and other events. More details
– (Summerville) Flowertown Festival, October 8-10 2021
Three-day arts and crafts festival organized around the flowers of the South Carolina spring, with food, children’s activities and other entertainment. Benefits health programs at the Summerville Family YMCA. Free admission. More details
– DRIVE-THROUGH ONLY Charleston Greek Festival, October 8-10 2021
Festival of Greek food, music and culture at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. More details
– Coastal Carolina Fair, October 28 - November 7 2021
Annual fair with fairground rides, live music, arts and crafts and animal displays at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds in Ladson. More details
– Follypalooza, returning in 2022
Street festival at Folly Beach with live music, art contest and auction to benefit people with cancer. More details
→ See more October events in Charleston
November
– Fall Tour of Homes, History & Architecture, October 7 - November 6 2021
Tours of selected private homes and gardens in Charleston, plus walking tours and other events. Ticket purchase required. More details
– Coastal Carolina Fair, October 28 - November 7 2021
Annual fair with fairground rides, live music, arts and crafts and animal displays at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds in Ladson. Ticket purchase required. More details
– Scottish Games & Highland Gathering, November 6 2021
Scottish heritage festival with sports, dancing, live music, and other entertainment. More details
– Fall Garden Tour, November 7 2021
Annual fall garden tour organized by the Charleston Horticultural Society, visiting private gardens not usually open to the public. More details
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 12 - December 31 2021
One of the most popular holiday lights shows in the southeast, at James Island County Park. More details
→ See more November events in Charleston
December
– Holiday Festival of Lights, November 12 - December 31 2021
One of the most popular holiday lights shows in the southeast, at James Island County Park. More details
– Holiday Parade of Boats, 2021 event TBC
Annual lighted boat parade in the Charleston harbor. More details
– Chanukah in the Square, 2021 event TBC
Popular annual family-friendly holiday event, with menorah-lighting ceremony, food, live music and dancing. Free admission. More details
→ See more December events in Charleston