Planning a trip to Charleston this year? Why not plan your visit around one of our fabulous, annual Charleston events in 2023. Whether a girls weekend to taste the flavors at Charleston Wine and Food, or a group tour to see the festival of home and gardens, or a festive weekend to explore the holiday markets, I’ve got your covered on all the best upcoming events to plan into your Charleston itinerary this year!
Upcoming Charleston Events 2023
I’m breaking down all the big events by month so you can plan your trip accordingly. I’m also including a local’s tips and tricks to making each one an incredible experience. Let’s get started with this Charleston events calendar….
January 2023
January is a great time of year to be in Charleston, SC. It is not quite tourist season and the weather is much cooler making it perfect to explore the city and crack open some oysters.
Charleston Restaurant Week – January 12-22, 2023
Charleston Restaurant Week is the perfect time to head downtown and try that new restaurant on your radar. Check out all of the best restaurants and their special menus created just for this event. I love the restaurant week menus because you get to try a little of everything.
Taste of Folly – January 14, 2023
📍 Folly Beach
Head out to Folly Beach for this annual festival that celebrates the local flavors. Enjoy live music, food vendors and drinks while you socialize along Center Street.
Charleston Half Marathon – January 14, 2023
One of the most beautiful places for a run in my opinion. The Charleston Half Marathon begins in downtown Charleston running along the Battery and up King Street toward Park Circle in North Charleston where you end at Firefly Distillery for the post-race festival! The best way to celebrate? Order a Sweet Tea Vodka – Firefly’s signature spirit!
Lowcountry Oyster Festival – January 29, 2023
📍 Boone Hall in Mount Pleasant, SC
The Lowcountry Oyster Festival welcomes thousands of visitors to Boone Hall each January. Sample all kinds of oysters, enjoy live music, and plenty to drink. Don’t worry, if oysters aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other food vendors so you can enjoy the festivities too.
February 2023
February brings us one of the main events in Charleston, SC – the Southeastern Wildlife Expo or as the locals call it, SEWE. This weekend is all about the outdoors and is the unofficial kickoff to the tourist season in Charleston.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – February 17-19, 2023
📍 Marion Square, Brittlebank Park, Charleston Gaillard Center
SEWE weekend is a weekend you will not want to miss. Perfect for a guys trip, bachelor party, or couples trip, plan a visit to take part in this beloved event. Enjoy dock dog competitions, shop for your favorite outdoor apparel, see demos from hunting & fishing brands, attend oyster roasts, and maybe even go home with a sewe puppy!
Sea and Sand Festival – February 25, 2023
📍 Folly Beach
Folly’s longest running festival, the Sea and Sand Festival has something for everyone in the family. The main road, Center Street, will be shut down and filled with local artisans and food vendors. Enjoy live music and be sure to check out the sand castle competition.
March 2023
March brings on the spring season with several fun events to take in the blooming flowers.
Charleston Wine and Food Festival – March 1-5, 2023
📍North Charleston Riverfront Park
Charleston Wine and Food is easily one of the best culinary events in the country. With a culinary village to sample everything from wines and light bites to signature dinners and chef-led workshops, there’s plenty to go around. Perfect for a girls weekend, bachelorette party, couples trip or mother-daughter getaway!
Leisurely tip: make plans well in advance as thing sell out quickly! Local residents should buy tickets on Sunday for locals day at a significant discount!
Charleston Antiques Show – March 15-18, 2023
📍Festival Hall
The Charleston Antiques Show is any decor lovers dream. Its brings together unique exhibitors from all over the world to showcase furniture, ceramics, jewelry, rugs, art, and more.
Spring Tour of Homes and Gardens – March 15 – April 16, 2023
One of the longest running events in the area is the Historic Charleston Foundation’s Spring Festival of Homes and Gardens. Come to Charleston to celebrate their 75th anniversary with an exclusive invitation to tour private mansions and their gorgeous gardens. Enjoy morning history walks, lectures, workshops and luncheons. Check out the full schedule to see all of the offerings.
April 2023
Cooper River Bridge Run – April 1, 2023
📍 Start line in Mt Pleasant, ending in Marion Square
The Cooper River Bridge Run brings together 40,000+ runners every year to participate in one of the United States largest 10Ks. Take in the beauty of Charleston as you begin in Mount Pleasant crossing popular Shem Creek rising to the peak of the Ravenel bridge and into Charleston’s historic district. You’ll run down popular King Street where locals will great you with posters of encouragement and cheer. Finish in Marion Square for the finish festival complete with celebratory drinks and local vendors.
Credit One Tennis Open – April 1-9, 2023
📍 Credit One Stadium, Daniel Island
The Credit One Tennis Open brings together the top names in the sport. Head over to Daniel island to see a match and enjoy all the island has to offer from shopping to dining.
Charleston Race Week – April 20 – 23, 2023
📍 Charleston Harbor
Charleston Race Week is the areas premier sailing event. If you are sailer, consider entering the race. If you aren’t a participant there are plenty of ways to view from the water or land. Popular viewing points include White Point Gardens, Charleston Maritime Center, and Charleston Harbor Resort. You can also join in the post-race festivities with evening parties and award ceremonies. The perfect activity to add into your family vacation to Charleston.
Blessing of the Fleet – April 30, 2023
📍 Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
The Blessing of the Fleet is an annual event to celebrate and bless the upcoming shrimping season. Gather at this family friendly event to enjoy live music, a boat parade, food, and local vendors all while supporting local fisherman.
May & June 2023
One of the biggest annual events runs for two weeks through May and June – Spoleto! This season is very busy in Charleston with weddings, graduations, and annual events.
North Charleston Arts Festival – May 3-7, 2023
The North Charleston Arts Festival is a 5 day event showcasing the best in visual arts, dance, theater, music, and literature. There will be concerts, demos, and performances held all over the community.
Spoleto Festival USA – May 26 – June 11, 2023
Summertime brings on the two week Spoleto Festival USA, a major performing arts celebration. A sister festival to the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, this event is all about celebrating the arts from around the world! From operas and plays to visual arts and more.
Piccolo Spoleto – May 26 – June 11, 2023
Running alongside the main festival is Piccolo Spotelo which is all about celebrating local performing arts. Enjoy even more programming to round out your schedule. Perfect for couples, families, and student groups.
July 2023
Independence Day – July 4, 2023
Enjoy all the festivities as we celebrate America’s birthday in one of its oldest cities. Read my full post to 4th of July in Charleston for all the details.
August 2023
August is quite hot in the summertime so you will want to spend lots of time at the beaches or in the AC!
Folly Beach Wahine Classic Surf Contest – date TBD
📍 The Washout at Folly Beach
Surfing is one of the best sports to watch in my opinion. Take your chair and head to the washout of Folly Beach to watch these incredible female athletes. Later, swing by some of Folly’s best restaurants like Bounty Bar, Taco Boy and Rita’s.
September 2023
Gather Charleston – September 27 – October 1
📍 Charleston Visitor’s Center
Gather is a weekend full of eating delicious food in Charleston. Enjoy this intimate event featuring workshops, a VIP lounge, tastings, chef demos and more!
Folly Beach 50th Anniversary Celebration – September 22-30, 2023
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details to be released on this fun event.
Charleston Events October 2023
October is one of the best months in Charleston in my opinion. The weather has cooled off, but its still mostly sunny and 75F. Also, school is back in session so there are less family vacations and kids here.
The Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens – October 5 – 29, 2023
Check out the Preservation Society’s The Fall Tours going on all month! Enjoy exclusive tours inside of these private homes to learn more about the architecture and preservation. You will also have access to garden tours, walking tours and special events!
November 2023
YALL Fest – November 2023
YALL Fest is the Young Adult Literary Festival where book lovers convene on Charleston for a weekend of exciting programing. Listen to your favorite authors, catch a book signing, and attend special events.
December 2023
The holiday season is in full swing this time of year. There is so much to enjoy during the Christmas season from parades to holiday markets to extravagant light shows.
Illumination Charleston – TBA
Illumination Charleston is presented by Southern Living and features workshops, parties, and a holiday market with southern tastemakers.
Holiday Festival of Lights – November 30 – December 31
📍 James Island County Park
The Holiday Festival of Lights is an annual event that I have been going to my whole life. It’s held at the James Island County Park and you drive in your car (with a cup of hot cocoa), tune into the Christmas station and cruise through the miles long light displays. After you drive through a few times, stop in the village to see Santa, ride the train, checkout the gingerbread house competition and more. It’s one of the iconic Charleston Christmas traditions.
Charleston Boat Parade – TBA
📍 Charleston Harbor
The Charleston Boat Parade is always a fun tradition here in Charleston. It takes place in the Charleston Harbor and you can watch from anywhere with a view of the Cooper River. Enjoy seeing the boats lit up as night falls (around 6pm). No tickets required – good spots to watch are Patriots Point, Waterfront Park, and the Battery.
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