We have a few months of winter left before Charleston starts really warming up for spring, but that doesn’t mean you have to let the winter blues get you down.
One of our favorite things about the Lowcountry is that there’s always something new to look forward to. Concerts, festivals, new restaurants… the list goes on. Whether you’re a foodie, a bourbon connoisseur, or can’t get enough of the arts– here are 25 things to mark on your calendar for the first part of this year. Spring 2019 is looking good already. 👀
January 2019
Charleston Restaurant Week | 📆 through Jan. 20 | ⏰ times vary |📍locations vary |💰price varies
Snag delicious deals at over 100 participating restaurants. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to the best bites.
The 37th Asbury Short Film Concert | 📆 Jan. 16 | ⏰ 7 p.m. |📍Charleston Music Hall |💰$10+
Asbury Shorts– New York’s longest running short film exhibition– comes to CHS with a mix of Oscar Nominees, US film festival “Best of Show” winners, and international honorees.
Around the World in 80 Minutes | 📆 Jan. 17 | ⏰ 7:30 p.m. |📍Gaillard Center |💰$20+
“Experience an evening of symphonic blockbusters from around the world, including Gershwin’s American in Paris, Brahm’s Hungarian Dance, Ravel’s Bolero, and more. Special appearances by Charleston’s Latin percussionist, Gino Castillo, and the Charleston Taiko Drummers.”
Taste of Folly | 📆 Jan. 18-19 | ⏰ Fri.: 7-9 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. |📍Center St., Folly Beach |💰$5
The annual event emphasizes Folly’s eclectic culinary scene– ft. a chili cook-off, a hot dog eating contest, oyster shucking contest, 40+ art/fashion vendors, and more.
5th Annual Charleston Jazz Festival | 📆 Jan. 24-27 | ⏰ times vary |📍locations vary |💰price varies
From jazz legends to emerging artists, over 100 local, regional + nationally recognized musicians will descend upon the Holy City to share their talent and love of jazz.
Shucked + Sauced | 📆 Jan. 26 | ⏰ 1-4 p.m. |📍Hampton Park |💰$85 (21+ only)
The Charleston Parks Conservancy will host an inaugural oyster and barbecue celebration at the newly renovated Rose Pavilion at Hampton Park, showcasing the best of the land and sea.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo | 📆 Jan. 26 | ⏰ 8 p.m. |📍Charleston Music Hall |💰$29.50+
Sway to the intricate rhythms + harmonies of their native South African musical traditions.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival | 📆 Jan. 27 | ⏰ 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. |📍Boone Hall Plantation |💰$17.50+
One of the “top 20 events of the southeast,” enjoy oyster shucking, oyster eating contests, live music by The Distinguished Gentlemen, + more.
PechaKucha 33 | 📆 Jan. 31 | ⏰ 7 p.m. |📍Charleston Music Hall |💰$12+
PechaKucha is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each. This volume’s presenters include: Venita Aspen, Maura Hogan, Harlan Greene, + more. See details on all the presenter’s here.
February 2019
Young the Giant | 📆 Feb. 4 | ⏰ 7:30 p.m. |📍North Charleston Coliseum & PAC |💰$29+
A part of their Mirror Master tour. Special guest Sure Sure to perform.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | 📆 Feb. 6-24 | ⏰ times vary |📍Dock Street Theatre |💰$28.75+
The Tony Award-winning Broadway play tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who having been accused of killing a neighbor’s dog named Wellington, sets out to find the real culprit.
Roger + Hammerstein’s Cinderella | 📆 Feb. 19 | ⏰ 7 p.m. |📍Gaillard Center |💰$30+
The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical features all the moments you love– the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball, + more.
SEWE | 📆 Feb. 15-17 | ⏰ Fri. + Sat.: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sun.: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. |📍locations vary |💰$15+
Celebrating wildlife + nature through fine art, conservation education, sporting demonstrations, + more. Check out the history on the event here.
15th Annual Mardi Crawl on Shem Creek | 📆 Feb. 16 | ⏰ 1-6 p.m. |📍Red’s Ice House |💰$25+
Calling all Parrotheads– bar crawl along Shem Creek to raise funds for the SC Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Pet Helpers, and other local charities.
Bacon and Bourbon | 📆 Feb. 16 | ⏰ 6:30-11 p.m. |📍Charleston Area Convention Center |💰$75
Unlimited sampling of bacon dishes and bourbon tastings.
March 2019
2nd Annual Anime Film Fest | 📆 Mar. 2 | ⏰ 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. |📍Charleston Music Hall |💰$12+
A screening of “My Neighbor Totoro”, “Grave of the Fireflies”, “Your Name”, and “Akira” (all films will be English Dubbed versions).
Power of Love | 📆 Mar. 5- June 1 | ⏰ times vary |📍34 West Theater Co. |💰$35
“America’s sweetheart hires the city’s worst detective agency. It’s Moonlighting meets Parks and Recreation in this charming new comedy, with music from the 80’s to Motown.”
Charleston Wine + Food Festival | 📆 Mar. 6-10 | ⏰ times vary |📍locations vary |💰 price varies
This year’s mouth-watering event will be broadcasted by Hoda and Kathie Lee from the TODAY show.
Jerry Seinfeld Live | 📆 Mar. 7 | ⏰ 7 p.m. |📍North Charleston Coliseum & PAC |💰currently sold out
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld brings his belly laughing antics to North Charleston.
72nd Annual Festival of Houses + Gardens | 📆 Mar. 13- April 18 | ⏰ times vary |📍locations vary |💰price varies
“Step inside the private houses and gardens of some of the city’s most stunning properties, learn about Charleston’s distinctive architecture + history, and celebrate our unique culture.”
Annual Charleston Antiques Show | 📆 Mar. 15-17 | ⏰ times vary |📍locations vary |💰price varies
“A showcase of 17th to mid-century modern English, European, and American period furnishings, decorative arts & fine art, architectural elements, garden furniture, vintage jewelry, silver and more.”
Rob Schneider | 📆 Mar. 16 | ⏰ 8 p.m. |📍Charleston Music Hall |💰$35+
Emmy-nominated actor Rob Schneider, best known for his longtime relationship with Adam Sandler, will try to bring you to happy tears of laughter.
Mumford & Sons | 📆 Mar. 18 | ⏰ 7:30 p.m. |📍North Charleston Coliseum & PAC |💰$350+
The British band brings their Delta tour to CHS.
Trevor Noah: Loud & Clear Tour | 📆 Mar. 23 | ⏰ 8 p.m. |📍North Charleston Coliseum & PAC |💰$39.50+
Daily Show host Trevor Noah is taking his show on the road to North American arenas for the first time ever.
Volvo Car Open | 📆 Mar. 30- April 7 | ⏰ 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. |📍Family Circle Tennis Center |💰price varies
The largest women’s only tennis tournament in North America.