
Major Events & Festivals in Charleston, South Carolina, United States
1. Spoleto Festival USA
An annual 17-day performing arts festival showcasing music, theater, dance, and visual arts from around the world.
- International Performers: Features artists from various countries, providing a diverse cultural experience
- Unique Venues: Performances take place in unique and historic locations throughout Charleston
- Community Engagement: Involves local artists, students, and community members in the festival's productions
2. Charleston Wine + Food Festival
A culinary event celebrating Lowcountry cuisine, wine, and spirits with a focus on education and tastings.
- Exclusive Events: Offers exclusive dinners, tastings, and seminars led by renowned chefs and beverage experts
- Community Involvement: Partners with local farmers, wineries, and restaurants to showcase Lowcountry produce and products
- Educational Workshops: Provides workshops and seminars on various aspects of food and beverage production
3. Charleston Music Hall Concerts
A venue offering a variety of live music performances, including local and national acts.
- Intimate Setting: A smaller, more intimate venue that offers an up-close experience with artists
- Diverse Lineup: Hosts a wide range of genres from blues to rock, country to electronic music
- Historic Venue: Located in a renovated historic theater, preserving the city's rich architectural heritage
4. Charleston Greek Festival
A celebration of Greek culture featuring food, music, dance, and art.
- Authentic Cuisine: Offers traditional Greek dishes like gyro, moussaka, and baklava
- Folk Dancing Performances: Features traditional Greek folk dances by performers in authentic costumes
- Art Exhibitions: Showcases paintings, pottery, and other traditional Greek artwork
5. Charleston Restaurant Week
A bi-annual event showcasing the city's culinary scene with prix fixe menus at participating restaurants.
- Variety of Cuisines: Showcases a wide variety of cuisines, from Lowcountry to international dishes
- Affordable Prices: Offers prix fixe menus at reduced prices, making fine dining more accessible
- Participating Restaurants: Features popular and emerging restaurants in the city, allowing visitors to try new places
6. Charleston Fashion Week
A fashion event showcasing local and national designers, runway shows, and networking opportunities.
- Designer Showcases: Features collections from both established and emerging designers
- Networking Opportunities: Offers opportunities for attendees to connect with industry professionals and designers
- Interactive Workshops: Provides workshops on various aspects of fashion, such as styling, makeup, and photography
7. Charleston Maritime Festival
A celebration of the city's maritime history with boat tours, demonstrations, and exhibits.
- Maritime Demonstrations: Features shipbuilding and sailing demonstrations by local experts
- Boat Tours: Offers boat tours of Charleston's historic harbor and waterways
- Exhibits and Presentations: Provides exhibits on the city's maritime history, including ship models, artifacts, and presentations
8. Charleston Food and Wine Festival
A celebration of Lowcountry cuisine and wine with tastings, workshops, and culinary demonstrations.
- Local Ingredients: Highlights local produce, seafood, and ingredients in the dishes
- Interactive Workshops: Offers hands-on workshops focusing on various aspects of food preparation and presentation
- Wine Tastings: Provides wine tastings featuring local and regional wines, as well as international selections
9. Charleston Restaurant Festival
A celebration of the city's culinary scene with special menus, events, and chef collaborations.
- Chef Collaborations: Brings together local and visiting chefs for collaborative dining experiences
- Special Menus: Offers special menus showcasing unique dishes from participating restaurants
- Community Engagement: Involves the local community and supports various charitable causes
10. Charleston Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens
A self-guided tour showcasing historic homes and gardens in the city.
- Historic Homes: Showcases a variety of historic homes, many dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries
- Garden Tours: Offers tours of beautiful private gardens not normally open to the public
- Architectural Details: Highlights the intricate architectural details and design elements found in these historic homes
11. Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights
A holiday light display featuring millions of twinkling lights, animated scenes, and Santa's Village.
- Light Displays: Features millions of twinkling lights and animated displays
- Santa's Village: Includes Santa's Village with holiday activities, photos with Santa, and a train ride
- Food and Music: Offers food vendors and live music performances throughout the festival
12. Charleston Beer Festival
A celebration of craft beer with tastings, local brewery tours, and food trucks.
- Craft Breweries: Showcases a variety of local and regional craft breweries
- Brewery Tours: Offers tours of participating breweries, allowing attendees to see the brewing process
- Food Trucks: Features a variety of food trucks offering delicious local eats
13. Charleston Taste of the Nation
A culinary event raising funds for No Kid Hungry, featuring food and beverage tastings from top restaurants.
- Fundraising Event: Raises funds for No Kid Hungry, a campaign to end child hunger in America
- Top Restaurants: Features top restaurants from the city and surrounding areas
- Benefiting Charity: Proceeds go to No Kid Hungry, a campaign by Share Our Strength
14. Charleston Wine + Food Classic
A culinary event featuring food and wine tastings from top chefs, winemakers, and mixologists.
- Food and Wine Tastings: Offers tastings of dishes and wines from top chefs and winemakers
- Educational Seminars: Provides educational seminars on various aspects of food and wine
- Culinary Demonstrations: Features live culinary demonstrations by top chefs
15. Charleston Greek Independence Day Parade
A celebration of Greek culture and independence with a parade, music, dance, and food.
- Parade: Features floats, marching bands, dancers, and performers
- Greek Food: Offers traditional Greek dishes like gyro, moussaka, and baklava
- Folk Dancing Performances: Features traditional Greek folk dances by performers in authentic costumes