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 and walk, pet-friendly, costume contest + virtual option - 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

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

Charleston Half Marathon
Half marathon, youth marathon, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charleston Race Week
International sailboat regatta - inshore and offshore races

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AfroSouth Film Festival
3-day event includes outdoor movie, film competition, workshops, master classes, movie screenings

Ag + Art Tour
Self-guided tour of farms featuring local artisans, farmer's markets, and live music

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 Newport, RI

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

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

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

Bohicket Half Marathon and 5K
Half marathon or 5K run with after-party - benefits the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club and the Charleston Animal Society

Celebration of Green
Events on various days including lecture, Plantasia Green Market, and garden tour - hosted by the Charleston Horticultural Society

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

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

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

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 Literary Festival
10-day event with novelists, historians, biographers, scientists, artists, human and civil rights activists and commentators on issues of universal importance

Charleston Pride Week
8-days of events celebrating LGBTQIA+ and allied communities with the Charleston Pride Festival on Saturday

Charleston STEM Festival
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 King Streets with the best viewing on King Street - hosted by the Charleston St Patrick's Day Parade Committee

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

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: Southern Hospitality - several categories, plus vendors and appraisals

CreateAthon
TRIO's marketing all-nighter for charity, open to nonprofits from the Myrtle Beach area to Hilton Head - applications due July 31

CreateAthon
TRIO's marketing all-nighter for charity, open to nonprofits from the Myrtle Beach area to Hilton Head - applications due July 31

Dog Day Afternoon
Swimming will only be open for dogs, no humans pass knee-deep in water - click link for important info

Dog Day Afternoon
Swimming 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

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

Fall Festival
Live music, vendor market, locally-curated silent auction, and lots of activities and games, tiny bike shenanigans - benefits Second Chance Bikes

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

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

Getting Saucy BBQ Sauce Competition
Tasting of BBQ and sauces, live entertainment, kids activities, additional food trucks plus beer and wine will be available - benefits the ARC of the Lowcountry

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

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

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

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

Harvest Fest
Bluegrass music, festival foods, craft market, games, pumpkin decorating

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

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

Hope Rocks
Outdoor concert - 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
10K run or 5K run or walk with post-race festival - portion of profit benefits 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
Activities, games, vendors, music - hosted by Crowfield Plantation HOA

LOWVELO Bike Ride
Choice of 10, 25, 55, or 100 mile cycling routes, plus virtual option - benefits the Hollings Cancer Center

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

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 with Friday night party event - benefits Closing The Gap in Health Care

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

Lowcountry Shrimp Festival & Blessing of the Fleet
Live bands, art, 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 ceremony

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

Mermaids & Mateys
2-day event with Friday night dance then Center St will be closed on Saturday for kids area, live bands, local food, vendors, pageants

Mullet Haul Trail Run
5K and 10K runs on the trails of Johns Island County Park

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

Nuovo Cinema Italiano Film Festival
4-day event showcases the most artistically significant films of contemporary Italian cinema

Oktoberfest Charleston
German food and drink, polka dancing, children's games - benefits Community Outreach Center of St Matthew's Lutheran Church

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, tables

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Slave Dwelling Project Conference
This year's theme is The Stono Rebellion and the Atlantic World - conference seeks to examine not only the 1739 rebellion but also its lasting impact

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

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

St. Paul's Garden Club Tour
Enjoy beautiful private gardens located on charming rivers and lakes, an old country church, and the historic Ravenel Depot

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 & Master Series
Enjoy a rare glimpse into Charleston with piazza and garden tours or the new Master Series - proceeds benefit the Preservation Society of Charleston

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

Turkey Day Run
5K, 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

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

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