Charleston Events – Fun Things to Do in Charleston, South Carolina

Fish Fry Dinner Fundraiser
Benefits Rural Mission

Charleston Carifest
3-day Caribbean cultural festival includes carnival street parade, performers, music, food, symposium

Shaggin’ on the Square
Street dance with live band, classic car show, art and craft booths

Carolina Day
Commemorates America's first military victory on June 28, 1776

Isle of Palms Beach Run
10K and 5K beach run or walk

Fight for Air Climb Charleston
Climb 1,144 steps at the North Charleston Coliseum - proceeds benefit the American Lung Association

MegaDock Billfishing Tournament
Governor's Cup - 4-day marlin and sailfish tournament - benefit
Learn more about fishing in South Carolina

The Screwtape Letters
Theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view - appropriate ages 13+

Hooked on Life Fishing Tournament
Fish coastal waterways from Edisto Island to Bulls Bay - benefits LifePoint organ and tissue donation services

Half Rubber Tournament
Beach game played with half rubber ball and thin bat

Race for The ARK
5K benefiting services for families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia

Charleston Beach Music and Shag Festival
Classes, workshops, djs, and concerts
Learn about South Carolina Shagging

South Carolina International Trade Conference
Networking, education sessions

Conquer Chiari Walk Across America
Raising awareness and funds for Chiari Malformation

Charleston Scottish Games & Highland Gathering
Heavy athletics, dancing, music
Learn more about the history of the Scots-Irish in South Carolina

MOJA Arts Festival
Celebration of African-American and Caribbean visual and performing arts, traditional food

SHE Charleston
Featuring HGTV Star, Vern Yip! SHE is three days of fashion, beauty, cooking, entertaining, crafts, healthy living and shopping

Taste of Charleston
Contests, tastings, art walk - benefiting local charities

Aptalis CF Cycle for Life
Choose from two routes, benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Blackwater Ukulele Festival
Workshops, open mic, concert, vendors - benefits Friends of Cypress Gardens

MOJA Arts Festival
Celebration of African-American and Caribbean visual and performing arts - traditional crafts, food

Wine, Women & Shoes
Wine tasting, food, exclusive shopping, fashion show - benefit

Crowfield Plantation 5K Run / Walk
USATF certified course - benefits the Callen-Lacey Center for Children

Komen Race for the Cure
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - 5K run/walk

Children's Day Festival
Inflatables, games, pony rides, face painting, food, and more!

Shucking for Seniors
Oyster roast, music, chili cook-off, costume contest, silent auction - benefit

Coastal Carolina Fair
Live entertainment, amusement rides, exhibits, competitions, fireworks nightly

Coastal Carolina Fair
Live entertainment, amusement rides, exhibits, competitions, fireworks nightly

Harvest Fest
Bluegrass music, dancing, food, crafts, games

James Island Connector Run
10K run, 5K walk on certified course - benefits students with special needs and their families

Holiday Festival of Lights
3-mile drive, Santa's Village, Winter Wonderland & Enchanted Walking Trail

Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge
Raising awareness and monies to combat childhood obesity
Learn more about South Carolina obesity prevention resources

Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble
5K, children's fun run - benefits local charities

Holiday Festival of Lights
3-mile drive, Santa's Village, Winter Wonderland and Enchanted Walking Trail

Mount Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show
Locally grown produce, homemade goodies and crafts, children's activities

Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Along Coleman Blvd - more than 100 floats, plus tree lighting and fireworks

Happy New Year, Charleston
Alcohol-free, family-oriented New Year's Eve celebration

Charleston Boat Show
The largest boat show and sale in the Lowcountry! Hundreds of boats, thousands of accessories, fun for the whole family.

Lowcountry Oyster Festival
Contests, live music, kids' corner - benefits local charities

A Night in the Valley
Wine expo, dinner, auction - formal attire

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Art, exhibits, presentations, lectures - various sites

Lifepoint Gift of Life 5K/2K Run/Walk
Promoting awareness of the SC Organ and Tissue Donor Registry

Charleston Food + Wine Festival
Entertainment, education, culinary traditions - raising funds for charities and scholarships

Charleston Food + Wine Festival
Entertainment, education, culinary traditions - raising funds for charities and scholarships

ArtFest
Live performances, juried art exhibit, games, children's activities

Charleston Fashion Week
Marion Square - 5-day event includes runway shows with nearly 100 designers

Festival of Houses and Gardens
Historic Charleston Foundation - 7-10 properties per tour in 1 of 11 neighborhoods

Charleston International Antiques Show
Exhibitors showcase items from late 17th-20th centuries

Battle of Charleston
Civil War reenactment and living history demonstrations
Learn more about the Civil War in South Carolina

Pet Fest
Exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment - don't forget your pup!

Family Circle Cup
9-day WTA women's tennis tournament

Family Circle Cup
9-day WTA women's tennis tournament

Festival of Houses and Gardens
Historic Charleston Foundation - 7-10 properties per tour in 1 of 11 neighborhoods

Flowertown Festival
3-day event includes arts and crafts, Children�s Jubilee, food - supports Summerville Family YMCA

Cooper River Bridge Run
10K run/walk, wheelchair division, kids' run, finish festival
See beautiful pictures of the bridges of Charleston

Charleston Lowcountry Cajun Festival
Cajun and Creole food, Zydeco music, kids' activities, entertainment

East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival
Lectures, on-water classes, demonstrations for all paddler levels

Dragon Boat Charleston Festival
250-meter paddling races celebrate cancer survivors

Spoleto Festival USA
17-day international festival for performing and visual arts

Battle of Secessionville
Civil War living history and reenactment
Learn more about the Civil War in South Carolina

Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
Celebrate the shrimping industry including boat parade, contests
Learn more about shrimping in South Carolina

Blue Oyster Bash
Live music, food, auction - fundraiser for MUSC Children's Hospital

Catch the Leprechaun 5K
Post race party with live music and prizes - benefits Pattison's Academy

Charleston Bed Race
Hampton Park - come watch as decorated beds race down Mary Murray Blvd - benefits Camp Happy Days

Charleston Beer Garden
Craft brews from 10 breweries, food truck rodeo, music - benefit
Learn more about SC Beer and Breweries

Charleston Bluegrass Festival
2-day event with over a dozen acts - portion of proceeds benefit Awendaw Community Outreach Center

Charleston Brewvival
Breweries from around the country, food, live music
Learn more about the SC Beer and Breweries

Charleston Cup Steeplechase
Steeplechase and flat races, elegant picnics and tailgates

Charleston Dog Show
Demonstrations, exhibits - benefit
You can save an animal and help SC's animal rescue organizations

Charleston Forget-Me-Not Ball
Dinner, dancing, auctions - South Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association benefit

Charleston Green Fair
Environmental events including speakers, exhibits, farmers market
Learn more about green building in South Carolina

Charleston Honey & Bee Expo
Learn about bees, taste honey products, exhibits, movies

Charleston International Film Festival
Not-yet-released films, shorts, documentaries, plus workshops
Learn more about movies filmed in South Carolina

Charleston Lindy Exchange
Lindy hop, balboa, blues dancing at various venues - DJs and live music

Charleston Race Week
International sailboat regatta - inshore and offshore races
Learn more about boating in South Carolina

Charleston St. Patrick's Day Parade
Plus mass and raising of the Irish flag over City Hall

Charleston Tells Storytelling Festival
National and local storytellers with performances that reminisce about childhood, humor, significant times in history

Chefs' Feast
Benefits the Lowcountry Food Bank childhood feeding programs

Citadel Beautiful Bulldog Contest
See English bulldogs vie for top dog honors at the Citadel football spring game

Dig South
Interactive festival exploring the digital economy with conference sessions and keynotes

Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens
Different tour offered daily - visits include gardens, homes, churches, public buildings

Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens
Different tour offered daily - visits include gardens, homes, churches, public buildings

Fight for Air Run/Walk
5K, post-race party, Halloween costume contest - American Lung Association benefit

Fine Art Weekend
3-day event includes auctions, lectures - benefits fine arts programs
Find more South Carolina art galleries

Folly Beach Sea & Sand Festival
Street party, surfing competition, sand sculpting contest, live music, 5K run/walk, kids' activities

Gala Event and Golf Tournament
Benefits the REACH Program at the College of Charleston

Garden Club of Charleston House and Garden Tours
Visit historic homes and gardens South of Broad featuring exquisite floral arrangements

Goose Creek Fall Festival
5K race, music, games, door prizes - benefits Helping Hands of Goose Creek

Gowns for Giving
Bridal and formal ware sale to benefit Camp Happy Days

Holiday Craft Show
25-30 crafters on site plus baked goods and fresh cooked food

Holiday Parade of Boats
Decorate your boat with lights or just watch and enjoy!

Isle of Palms Connector Run and Walk for the Child
10K and 5K - benefits local children's programs

Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat
Classic cars, live music, food, drive through the island

Leukemia Ball
Gala and auction - benefits the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Lowcountry Festa Italiana
Featuring authentic Italian food, drink, merchandise, and music

Lowcountry Shrimp Festival & Blessing of the Fleet
Entertainment, art, kids' corner, food

Lowcountry Strawberry Festival
Fresh strawberries, amusement rides, live entertainment

MUSC Go Red! Heart 5K Run & Walk
Mount Pleasant - participants are urged to wear red

Mardi-Crawl-On-Shem-Creek
Benefits SC Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association

Money Rocks
Financial literacy event for teens and young adults

Mozart in the South
4-day event includes concerts, Little Mozart Circus, performances at various locations

North Charleston Arts Festival
9-day event includes over 40 performances, art exhibits, kids' activities, block parties, fireworks

North Charleston Christmas Festival
4-day event includes holiday market, parade, tree lighting, children events

North Charleston Christmas Festival
4-day event includes holiday market, parade, tree lighting, children events

Open Arts Expo
Experience a wide variety of visual and performance arts at interactive booths

Oxygen Ball
"Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars" to benefit American Lung Association

Park Day on Daniel Island
Games, food, live music - family event benefiting over 20 local organizations

Patriot Challenge
Paddling event open to several types of boats, choose 6-mile or 3-mile course - benefits wounded Veterans in the Lowcountry

Piccolo Spoleto
17-day local visual and performing arts events at various venues

Plantasia
Plant sale and "Real Yard Sale" - benefits the Charleston Horticultural Society

Putting for Parkinson's
Golf tournament, dinner, auction - raising awareness and funds to research Parkinson's Disease

Reindeer Run
5K run and walk, pet-friendly, benefits local charities, after party

Run for the Yorktown
5K run or walk, post-race party - benefits USS Yorktown education programs

Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour
Tour homes, sample treats prepared by Lowcountry chefs - for Dorchester Children's Center

Soul Food Festival
Live music, food, vendors

Southern Flame Food and Music Festival
BBQ competition, Bluegrass and rock bands - benefits Summerville Miracle League

Spring Bridal Show
Runway shows, style lounge with exhibits

Sweet Grass Music Festival
Start the day with a 5K then enjoy live music all day - benefit

The Chocolate Affair
Gourmet chocolate desserts and hors d'oeuvres, auction, black-tie optional

Total Health Fair Charleston
2-day healthcare and healthy living event - portion of proceeds to MUSC Children's Hospital

Trident United Way's Day of Caring
Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties - pitch-in and help with one of 380 projects

Undy 500 Motorcycle Charity Ride
100 mile ride benefiting Goodwill's homeless veterans program
Learn about other South Carolina resources for the homeless

iFive:K Run/Walk/Shuffle
Plus post-race celebration - benefits the Charleston Digital Corridor Scholarship