Charleston Events – Fun Things to Do

Carolopolis Awards
Celebrate the very best of preservation in Charleston with an awards program, in-person or via live stream

Charleston Jazz Festival
4-days of jazz performances by award-winning artists with events at multiple locations throughout downtown Charleston - CANCELED

A Night in the Valley
Four-course gourmet wine dinner and auction - formal attire - benefits the Culinary Institute of Charleston - CHANGED TO VIRTUAL

Lowcountry Oyster Festival
Contests, live music, children's area, food court showcasing a variety of local restaurants - benefits local charities - POSTPONED, DATE TBD

Colour of Music Festival
Events at various venues that highlight the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on culture - CHANGED TO VIRTUAL

Save the Light Half Marathon & 5K
Half marathon is a run only, the 5K is open to runners and walkers - benefits the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse

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

Bacon and Bourbon
Bacon & bourbon tastings, music, bull riding championship, laser skeet shooting, cigars - CANCELED

Cupid's Chase
Run, walk or roll this 5K - benefits Community Options support of people with disabilities

A Night for the Children Gala
Seated dinner, live music, dancing, live and silent auctions - black-tie optional - benefits Carolina Youth Development Center - CANCELED

Chefs' Feast
Nearly 30 area chefs will offer up delectable bites, bar, live band - benefits the Lowcountry Food Bank childhood feeding programs - CHANGED TO VIRTUAL

Lowcountry Irish Fest
Event features authentic Irish music and food, Irish dancing, children's activities and historical insight - CANCELED

Charleston Wine + Food Festival
5-day event includes demonstrations, classes, dinners, tastings, culinary traditions - raising funds for charities and scholarships - CANCELED

Festival of Houses and Gardens
Tour private houses and gardens of historic residences - presented by the Historic Charleston Foundation

Hippie Dash 5K
Don your best 70s attire to run or walk the 3.1 miles - dogs welcomed - benefits Palmetto Goodwill - CANCELED

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

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

Swamp Fox Adventure Race
Cover approximately 55-60 miles, with a finishing time between 10-12 hours, solo and teams will paddle, bike and run through the Francis Marion National Forest

Festival of Houses and Gardens
Tour private houses and gardens of historic residences - presented by the Historic Charleston Foundation

Charleston Race Week
International sailboat regatta - inshore and offshore races

Kiawah Art and House Tour
Tour homes on Kiawah Island - benefits local children's art programs

iFiveK
Run and tech networking event, post-race party with food, drinks, awards - benefits CODEcamp scholarships and other education related programming

Red, White and Blue Jean Ball
Wear your favorite pair of blue jeans and enjoy live entertainment, local food and drinks - benefits Palmetto Warrior Connection

Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
Celebrate the shrimping industry including boat parade, music, activities

North Charleston Arts Fest
5-day event includes live performances, art exhibits, kids' activities

Wine, Women & Shoes
Designer shopping, food and wine tastings, fashion show - benefits Florence Crittenton Programs of SC - CHANGED TO VIRTUAL

Charleston Greek Festival
Celebrating Greek culture with food, wine tasting, church tours, and entertainment - benefits local charities

AtomaCon
A family friendly, literary, gaming, sci-fi, fantasy, science and technology convention for fans by fans

Lowcountry Splash
6 mile or 2.4 mile open-water swim in the Wando River and Charleston Harbor - benefits LAPS provides water safety and swimming instruction to K-2 children

Piccolo Spoleto Festival
17-day celebration of the arts includes live performances, exhibits, kids' activities, and more!

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

Grace Church Tea Room and Boutique
Lunch served 11:30 to 2:00 - proceeds are used to support outreach efforts

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

Piccolo Spoleto Festival
17-day celebration of the arts includes live performances, exhibits, kids' activities, and more!

Grace Church Tea Room and Boutique
Lunch served 11:30 to 2:00 - proceeds are used to support outreach efforts

Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival
Family-friendly event celebrates Caribbean food, culture, and music - features a "Jerk Wing Eating Contest"

Soar Gala
Live music, drinks, dancing, live and silent auctions - black-tie optional - 21+ event - benefits Lowcountry Orphan Relief

Cooper River Bridge Run
10K run/walk, wheelchair division, kids' run, finish festival

Isle of Palms Connector Run and Walk for the Child
10K run and 5K run/walk, post race party - benefits local children's programs

Charleston Beer Fest
Craft brews, live music, home brewers, beer games - benefits Palmetto Community Care

Cars on Kiawah
Classic to current automobiles, test drives, vendors - benefits Barrier Islands Free Medical Center

Rockabillaque
Live music, classic car and vintage bike show, block-party plus pin-up, tattoo, beard & mustache contests - benefits Valiant Animal Rescue

St. Patrick's Day Block Party
Parade, live music on three stages, local food vendors & trucks, art, kid's zone with inflatables

4th of July Festival
Live music, children activities, food trucks, craft vendors, and fireworks show

ArtFest
Live performances, juried art exhibit, games, children's activities - hosted by Town of Mount Pleasant

Atlantic Cup
This Class 40 sailing race has three-legs with the first from Charleston to Brooklyn, NY

Avondale 5K Run and Walk
Run or walk the 5K with after-party with music, food and drinks - benefits the Charles Webb Center special needs daycare

Bohicket Half Marathon and 5K
Half marathon or 5K run/walk - benefits the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club and the Charleston Running Club

Charleston Beer Week
50+ different events over 10 days highlighting the tri-county craft beer community

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

Charleston Child Trauma Conference
To encourage dialogue among front-line professionals in the child maltreatment field and researchers - hosted by the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center

Charleston Duck Race
Adopted rubber ducks race across Smythe Park Lake with prizes awarded for the first 7 ducks - benefits 30 charities

Charleston HarborFest
3-day event includes ships from around the world, demonstrations, live music - benefits local maritime organizations

Charleston Honey & Bee Expo
Learn about bees, taste honey products, exhibits, speakers, presentations, Children's Corner with games, arts and crafts

Charleston Outdoor Fest
Learn about and try canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, slacklining, mountain biking, archery, and disc golf

Charleston STEM Festival
Indoor/uutdoor event with exhibitors providing hands-on activities, live performances, interactive demonstrations, and family-oriented STEM entertainment

Charleston Scottish Games
Heavy athletic, pipe band, and highland dancing competitions plus Scottish country dancing, border collie demonstrations

Charleston's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Parade begins the corner of Radcliffe and St Phillip Streets with the best viewing on King Street - hosted by the Charleston St Patrick's Day Parade Committee

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

Coastal Carolina Fair
Live entertainment, over 60 amusement rides, exhibits, competitions

Coastal Carolina Fair
Live entertainment, over 60 amusement rides, exhibits, competitions

Cobblestone Quilters Guild Quilt Show
The Theme: A Celebration of Quilts - several categories, plus vendors and appraisals

Corks for Kids
Curated wines, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, music, silent auction - benefits Camp Happy Days

Crowfield Plantation 5K Run / Walk
USATF certified 5K wooded, paved trail course, walk or run - benefits the Callen-Lacey Center for Children

Crowfieldfest
Family fun with car and motorcycle show, jump castle, kids' activities, local emergency services booths

Dog Day Afternoon
The pools, shallow wading areas, and lazy rivers will only be open for dogs, no humans pass knee-deep in water - click link for important info

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

Dream Girls Conference
Speakers, workshops, entertainment, food, fun and more for middle and high school girls - hosted by by Youth Empowerment Services

Edisto & Beyond Tour
Tour historic churches, graveyards and plantations
Learn about other South Carolina Plantations

Front Beach Fest
Family street festival with live beach music, food and craft vendors, children's activities - CANCELED

Fur Ball
Gala with cocktails, heavy hors d'ouvres, sit down three-course dinner, wine, live entertainment - benefits Pet Helpers

Goose Creek Fall Festival
Local entertainment, crafters, exhibitors, food vendors, kids' activities - hosted by the City of Goose Creek

Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival
Cultural celebration with entertainment, presentations - benefits Gullah/Geechee Land & Legacy Fund

Half Rubber Tournament
3 and 4 person teams - a City of Isle of Palms event

Harvest Fest
Bluegrass music, food, craft market, games, hay rides, pumpkin decorating

Holiday Festival of Lights
3-mile drive plus sand sculpture, Santa's Sweet Shoppe, holiday train, Victorian carousel, giant greeting cards

Holiday Festival of Lights
Driving tour through millions of twinkling lights with magical surprises along the way

Holiday Parade of Boats
Decorate your boat with lights or just watch and enjoy - hosted by America's Boating Club Charleston

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

James Island Connector Run
10K run or 5K run or walk with post-race festival - benefits the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation to assist students with disabilities

Joint Base Charleston Air Expo
Military and commercial aircraft will be on display in the air and on the ground plus the Navy Blue Angels will perform

Kidz Bash
Games, crafts, vendors, music - hosted by Crowfield Plantation HOA

Komen Lowcountry More Than Pink Walk
Raises funds and awareness of breast cancer, celebrates survivors and honors those who have lost their battle

Landmark Conference
Tours, sessions, awards dinner, silent auction, networking - open to public - hosted by SC Confederation of Local Historical Societies

Latin American Festival
Salsa and Merengue music, authentic food and crafts, and plenty of activities for families

Lowcountry Cajun Festival
Cajun and Creole food, Zydeco music, kids' activities and rides, entertainment, crawfish-eating contest

Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars Oxygen Ball
Gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions - local celebrities dance with paired professional dancers - black-tie optional - benefits American Lung Association

Lowcountry Jazz Festival
Enjoy live performances by acclaimed jazz artists - benefits Closing The Gap in Health Care

Lowcountry Shrimp Festival & Blessing of the Fleet
Live bands, art, kids' corner, lots of shrimp and other food - benefits Cape Romain Environmental Education School

Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon & 5K
Run the trails of Johns Island County Park followed by an awards party with music, food, and beer

Lowcountry Walk for Life
Walk the scenic paved path at Wannamaker County Park - benefits Lowcountry Pregnancy Center and affiliates

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

Mardi-Crawl-On-Shem-Creek
Music, food and drink specials, games, prizes, shuttles and boat taxis to travel between venues - benefits SC Alzheimer's Association and Pet Helpers - CANCELED

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

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

Mullet Haul Trail Run & Walk
5K and 10K runs on the trails of the Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, post-race party with food, cold beverages, and live music

Oktoberfest Charleston
German food and drink, polka dancing, children's games - benefits Community Outreach Center

Patriots Point Fireworks Blast
Enjoy the firework show from the unique venue of the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, live music - folding chairs encouraged

Paws & Pearls Oyster Roast
Oysters, beer, wine, auction, live music - benefits Dorchester Paws

Paws in the Park Walk and Fun Run
After race enjoy oysters, food, music, beer, wine, pet vendors, family fun - benefits the Charleston Animal Society's Medical Fund

Pipe-Major Sandy Jones Invitational
Grade 1-5 indoor bagpiping contest held annually at The Citadel Military College - proceeds for scholarships

Plantasia
Shop an array of unusual plants plus traditional favorites - Friday night ticketed preview party - hosted by the Charleston Horticultural Society

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

Race & Roast
5K trail run (optional), all-you-can-eat oysters, chili, hot dogs, local beer, hay rides, kids' activities and more - benefits East Cooper Land Trust

Race for The ARK
5K run/walk and 1 mile fun run benefiting services for families dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia

Reindeer Run
5K run and walk, pet-friendly, after party - benefits MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital and the Charitable Society of Charleston

Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour
Tour homes while enjoying gourmet treats, local musicians, and beautiful floral arrangements - benefits Dorchester Children's Center

Summerville Italian Feast
Authentic Italian cuisine and wines, entertainment, local artists celebrating Italian culture and heritage - benefits Dorchester District 2 Educational Foundation

Taste of James Island
Lots of food, cooking competition, live entertainment, raffles, kids' activities - benefits James Island Outreach

Tea Room & Gift Shop
Features Tomato Pie and She Crab Soup, as well as salads, sandwiches, and homemade desserts plus hand-crafted items - benefits St Paul's

The Chocolate Affair
Gourmet chocolate desserts and hors d'oeuvres, auctions, black tie optional - benefits Communities in Schools

The Cinderella Project
Gathers donations of gently worn formal gowns, shoes and accessories for disadvantaged high school students - click link for donation and boutique details

The Fall Tours
Tour the private interiors of some of the nation's most exceptional historic houses - proceeds benefit the Preservation Society of Charleston

The Fall Tours
Tour the private interiors of some of the nation's most exceptional historic houses - proceeds benefit the Preservation Society of Charleston

The Hat Ladies Easter Promenade
Hat Ladies members and their families dressed in their Easter best gather at the corner of Meeting and Broad Streets and stroll down Broad at 11:00 am

Trident United Way's Day of Caring
Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties - pitch-in and help with a project

Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble 5K
Plus post-race party with food, beverages and live music, children's fun run and activities - hosted by the Knights of Columbus in support of local charities

Walk for Autism-Charleston
Family friendly walk, with refreshments, live music, jump castles, silent auction - benefits autism development programs

YALLFest: Charleston Young Adult Book Festival
Dozens of the country's top young adult authors host presentations and signings at various locations