Charleston Events – Fun Things to Do

Holiday Festival of Lights
3-mile drive of twinkling lights plus Santa's Village, Winter Wonderland, holiday train, carousel, sand sculpture

Reindeer Run
5K run/walk, pet-friendly, costume contest - benefits MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital

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

Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Along West Coleman Blvd - more than 100 floats with fireworks before the parade

Chanukah in the Square
Live music, food and refreshments, Chanukah novelties giveaways, giant Menorah lighting, children's entertainment

New Year's Eve Flip-Flop Drop and Fireworks
Celebrate the new year with family-friendly festivities with huge, sparkly flip-flops descending at midnight followed by fireworks over the beach

Charleston Half Marathon
Half marathon and 5K, post race party - benefits Engaging Creative Minds

A Night in the Valley
Cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres followed by a dinner and auction - formal attire - benefits TTC students

Bo's Roast and Chili Cook Off
All you can eat oysters, chili tasting, live bands, kids' activities - benefits Islands Against Cancer and Sara's Cure

Lowcountry Oyster Festival
Live music, children's area, food court showcasing a variety of local restaurants - benefits local charities

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

Charleston Stage's Speakeasy Soiree
Live music, from 12 piece band, with dancing, cocktails, and elegant dinner and dessert stations - benefits Charleston Stage's educational programs

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

South Carolina's Nonprofit Summit
Workshops, seminars, breakout sessions, networking and more about social issues that impact SC's nonprofit community and citizens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charleston Race Week
International sailboat regatta - inshore and offshore races

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

Black Food Truck Festival
Regional food trucks, kid-friendly activities, local bands and musicians will be performing

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace Church Tea Room and Boutique
Lunch served plus gift shop - proceeds are used to support outreach efforts

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

Grace Church Tea Room and Boutique
Lunch served plus gift shop - proceeds are used to support outreach efforts

Park Circle Pride Festival
6-day event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with events at various locations including kick-off party, live entertainment, workshops, lectures, youth fest

Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival
Family-friendly event celebrates Caribbean food, culture, and music - bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the festivities

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

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

Latin American Festival
Merengue, reggaeton, bachata and salsa music, authentic food and crafts, and plenty of activities for families

Riverfront Revival
2-day music festival featuring rock'n'roll, country, Americana music, food vendors - benefits MUSC Children's Hospital, Just Be You

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

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

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

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

Animals, Art & Automobiles
Car show, silent auction, vendors, food trucks, adorable dogs and more - benefits Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

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

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

Awendaw Blue Crab Festival
Buckets of crab, live music, vendors, food trucks, beer, wine, kids area, hayrides, pontoon boat rides

Battle on the Bricks
28 boxers, male and female, square off in three-round matches - hosted by Charleston Boxing Foundtation - benefits MUSC Children's Hospital & COC Athletic Fund

Behind the Garden Gate
Self-guided tours of five different private gardens - hosted by the Garden Conservancy and the Charleston Horticultural Society

Behind the Garden Gate
Self-guided tours of four different private gardens - hosted by the Garden Conservancy and the Charleston Horticultural Society

Black Expo Charleston
2-day event with Taste of Black Charleston on Friday and expo with seminars, workshops, live entertainment, youth activities, vendors on Saturday

Black Ink Festival: African American Book Festival
Book festival features dozens of African American authors, workshops for authors and programs for readers

Carolopolis Awards
Celebrate the very best of preservation in Charleston with an awards program followed by a reception with live music

Cars at Kiawah River
Classic to current automobiles, test drives, vendors - benefits Barrier Islands Free Medical Center, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Celebrity Paws in the Park
Walk for Animals, followed by canine activity zones, live music, demonstrations, craft beer, hot air balloon rides - benefits Charleston Animal Society

Charleston Beer Fest
Craft brews, live music, beer games, food trucks, craft vendors - benefits Palmetto Community Care

Charleston Beer Week
50+ different events over 9 days highlighting the tri-county craft beer community

Charleston Bluegrass Festival
Live bluegrass music, plush camping options, local food and craft vendors, and outdoor activities

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

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

Charleston Duck Race
Adopted rubber ducks race across the pond at Guggenheim Terrace with prizes awarded for the first 7 ducks - hosted by the Rotary Club to benefit charities

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

Charleston Honey Bee Expo
Learn about bees and celebrate local bee keepers - honey tastings, live music, presentations, children's activities

Charleston Jewish Filmfest
Showcases the best Jewish films from around the world

Charleston Jewish Filmfest
Showcases the best Jewish films from around the world

Charleston Pride Festival
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ and allied communities with live entertainment, local food trucks, vendors and more

Chefs' Feast
Area chefs will offer up delectable bites, bar, live band + virtual option - benefits the Lowcountry Food Bank childhood feeding programs

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

Cobblestone Quilters Guild Quilt Show
Judging in several categories, plus vendors and appraisals

Colour of Music Festival
4-days includes events at various venues that highlight the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on culture

CreateAthon
TRIO's marketing all-nighter for charity, open to nonprofits from the Myrtle Beach area to Hilton Head - applications due July 30

CreateAthon
TRIO's marketing all-nighter for charity, open to nonprofits from the Myrtle Beach area to Hilton Head - applications due July 30

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

Folly Beach 4th of July Fireworks
The pyrotechnics will be launched from 3rd Block West and will start at sundown

Folly Beach Wahine Classic
Empowering surfer girls of all ages with surf competition, camaraderie, and fun, while raising awareness and money for water-related nonprofits

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

Fur Ball
Evening with dinner, dancing, and fun - benefits Pet Helpers

Golden Gala
Enjoy a fun and uplifting evening of dinner and entertainment while celebrating the children, families and Mission of Beautiful Gate Center

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

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

High Tide Festival
DJs playing EDM, food and drink, health & fitness activities, wear your favorite summer fashion - in support of Palmetto Community Care

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

Hope Rocks
Outdoor concert with food, local craft beer, wine, games - benefits Camp Happy Days

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

Isle of Palms Connector Run
10K run and 5K run/walk, post race party + virtual option - benefits the Exchange Club's support of local children's programs

James Island Connector Run/Walk
8K run or 5K run or walk with post-race festival - benefits Gavalas Kolanko Foundation and Charleston Animal Societ

Jenkins Orphanage Blue Crab Festival
Live music, food trucks, beer and wine, art and retail vendors, kids area - feel free to bring chairs and blankets - benefits Jenkins Orphanage

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, lots of shrimp and other food - benefits Cape Romain Environmental Education School

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

Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon & 5K
Run the trails of Johns Island County Park followed by an awards ceremony

Mardi-Crawl-On-Shem-Creek
Music, food and drink specials, games, prizes at various venues - hosted by Lowcountry Parrot Head Club - benefits local Lowcountry charities

North Charleston Harvest Festival
Live music, an artist market, costume contests, trick-or-treat on the street, a petting zoo, children's activities, food trucks

Oktoberfest Charleston
Live music, German cuisine, biergarten with local craft beers, German bakery, kinderzone - benefits St Matthew Lutheran Church Community Outreach Center

Oyster Roast
Oysters, live music, dancing, and bidding in silent auctions - benefits Dorchester Paws

Palmetto Goodwill Open
18 hole, captain's choice, scramble, golf tournament with proceeds benefiting Palmetto Goodwill's educational, training and employment programs

Palmetto Park Jam
Outdoor event with live music, food trucks, craft vendors - attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets

Patriots Point Fireworks Blast
Enjoy the firework show from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown or landside with live music, food trucks - bring your folding chairs and blankets

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

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

Pinwheel Gala
Live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, silent auction - cocktail attire - benefits Dorchester Children's Advocacy Center

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

Plantasia
Children's garden and activities, garden vendors, food trucks, yard sale - hosted by the Charleston Horticultural Society

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

Putting for Paws
Golf tournament with lunch and bloody mary bar - benefits Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Race for The ARK
5K run/walk and 1 mile fun run, youth challenge, corporate challenge - benefits services for families dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia

Run Like the Devil 5K/Fun Run and Fall Festival
5K trail run, fun run plus farmers market, fall festival games, live music, food trucks - benefits the Charleston Collegiate School

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

Sea and Sand Festival
Saturday's event includes live bands, kids' area, vendors with sand sculpting competition on Sunday

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

St. Paul's Garden Club Tour
Showcasing the gardens and landscapes of the Younges Island, Meggett, Hollywood, and Ravenel communities

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

Sweetgrass Festival
Learn about the Gullah Geechee people's history, culture, traditions and their sweetgrass basket art form with activities and entertainment

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
Enjoy a rare glimpse into Charleston with piazza and garden tours - proceeds benefit the Preservation Society of Charleston

Trident United Way Day of Action
Trident United Way coordinates service opportunities to benefit and support older adults (65+) in the tri-county community