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
– Front Beach Fest, March 7 2026
Annual community festival at Front Beach, Isle of Palms, with craft vendors, food from local restaurants and vendors, live music and more. More details
– Charleston by Design, March 12-15 2026
Annual festival of preservation and design, with lectures, tours and other events across Charleston. More details
– Kids Are Cool Family Festival, March 14 2026
Annual event at Woodlands Nature Reserve with child vendors,artists and performers, nature-based activities and family camping. More details
– 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 Bluegrass Festival, March 20-21 2026
Annual bluegrass music festival at Woodlands Nature Reserve. Camping available. More details
– Flowertown Festival, March 27-29 2026
Very popular annual arts and crafts festival in Summerville to benefit the Summerville Family YMCA, with local arts and crafts vendors, local food trucks, performances, children’s activities and more. 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
– The North Charleston Smooth and Gullah Jazz Music Festival, April 10-11 2026
Annual festival of jazz music with concerts and Gullah food event. More details
– Woofstock, April 11 2026
Pet-friendly music festival at Hanahan Amphitheater. 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
– High Water, April 18-19 2026
Annual music festival at Riverfront Park, North Charleston. 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
– Black Food Truck Festival, April 24-26 2026
Annual family-friendly food festival showcasing local Black-owned businesses, with food trucks serving a variety of cuisines, live local musicians and more. More details
– North Charleston Arts Fest, April 29 - May 3 2026
Popular annual arts festival featuring regional and local artists and performers at venues across North Charleston. More details
→ See more April events in Charleston
– North Charleston Arts Fest, April 29 - May 3 2026
Popular annual arts festival featuring regional and local artists and performers at venues across North Charleston. More details
– Charleston Dragon Boat Festival, May 2 2026
Annual dragon boat races to benefit local cancer survivors. More details
– Charleston Airshow, May 2-3 2026
Free annual air show at Joint Base Charleston, with aerial demonstrations, military displays, vintage aircraft, exhibits and more. More details
– Charleston Greek Festival, May 8-10 2026
Popular annual festival of Greek culture at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, with traditional foods and drinks, live music and dance performances, craft vendors and more. More details
– Isle of Paws Music Fest, May 21 2026
Annual pet-friendly festival at the Isle of Palms Recreation Department, with live music, pet-related vendors, dog show, food trucks, pet adoptions and more. More details
– Spoleto Festival USA, May 22 - June 7 2026
Big annual performing arts festival with performances across Charleston. More details
– Piccolo Spoleto Festival, May 22 - June 7 2026
Popular annual arts festival featuring a variety of visual and performing arts events across the city. More details
→ See more May events in Charleston
– Spoleto Festival USA, May 22 - June 7 2026
Big annual performing arts festival with performances across Charleston. More details
– Piccolo Spoleto Festival, May 22 - June 7 2026
Popular annual arts festival featuring a variety of visual and performing arts events across the city. More details
– High Tide, June 5-6 2026
Annual dance music festival at Riverfront Park, North Charleston. More details
→ See more June events in Charleston
– Sweetgrass Festival, July 25 2026
Annual festival at Memorial Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant, celebrating the crafts and culture of the Gullah Geechee people, with sweetgrass basket artists, craft show, educational exhibits, performances and more. More details
→ See more July events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more August events in Charleston
– MOJA Arts Festival, September 24 - October 4 2026
Popular annual festival of Black arts and culture, with a wide range of visual and performing arts events at venues across Charleston. More details
→ See more September events in Charleston
– MOJA Arts Festival, September 24 - October 4 2026
Popular annual festival of Black arts and culture, with a wide range of visual and performing arts events at venues across Charleston. More details
– Mermaids & Mateys, October 3 2026
Annual fall festival in Folly Beach, with local arts, crafts and food vendors, live music, costume contest and more. More details
– Latin American Festival, October 4 2026
Annual festival of Latin and Caribbean cultures at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, with live Latin/Caribbean music, folk arts and crafts, traditional foods and more. More details
– Children’s Day Festival, October 18 2026
Annual family festival in Mount Pleasant, with carnival rides, pony rides, games, live entertainment and more. More details
– Charleston Beer Fest, October 24 2026
Annual beer festival in Riverfront Park, North Charleston, with craft beers, live music, food, games and more. More details
→ See more October events in Charleston
– Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival, November 4-8 2026
Annual festival of contemporary Italian filmmaking at the Queen Street Playhouse. More details
– Charleston Literary Festival, November 6-15 2026
Annual book festival at the Dock Street Theatre, with talks with a wide range of fiction and nonfiction authors plus other events. More details
– Harvest Festival, November 7 2026
Annual fall festival at Johns Island County Park, with bluegrass music, pumpkin decorating, southern food, craft market, hayrides and more. More details
– Heritage Fire, November 22 2026
Annual food festival at The Refinery featuring local chefs. More details
→ See more November events in Charleston
– Holiday Street Festival, December 5 2026
Annual holiday festival at Front Beach, Isle of Palms, with arts and crafts, food and other vendors, Santa visits, tree-lighting ceremony, live entertainment, children’s activities and more. More details
→ See more December events in Charleston
Events this month to be confirmed.
→ See more January events in Charleston
– Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, February 12-14 2027
Big annual sporting lifestyle festival with events across Charleston including wildlife art exhibitions, chef demonstrations, animal demonstrations, and more. More details
→ See more February events in Charleston