Events

Charleston by Design: an event focused on art + history

Join the annual event, Charleston by Design, to explore history through the lens of art and design.

March 11, 2026 • 
Callie Putnam
The historic Aiken-Rhett House Museum's outdoor space shines with lights and is filled with large floral pieces.

The four-day celebration of design and preservation features speakers and designers.

Photo by Historic Charleston Foundation

Does this stretch of weather have you longing for spring? Well, it will be here before you know it, and so will the festivals + events that come along with the blossoming of a new season.

Historic Charleston Foundation’s (HCF) The Charleston Festival — formerly known as the Festival of Houses and Gardens— will run from Thursday, March 12 to Saturday, April 11. The festival aims to bring educational events to the community that spread awareness, teach history, and celebrate culture, all while benefiting the HCF.

Bright red, pink, and white roses wrap the historic wooden staircase.

Select designers will shape historic spaces into their vision for the weekend.

Photo by Historic Charleston Foundation

Charleston by Design is a key event of that festival, focusing on design and preservation, and it helps kick off the weeks-long celebration. Guests will explore historic homes with an art and interior design lens.

HCF officials say events + fundraisers are a crucial part of supporting the Foundation’s mission-driven work as it works to preserve historic structures and communities while also shaping a future that “honors and protects our people, places, culture, and community.”

Take a look at the schedule and snag your tickets.

Events
Visitors browse a vibrant indoor art exhibit showcasing mixed media, sculptures, and colorful wall hangings. People of various ages engage with the artwork, some admiring stained glass, fiber art, or abstract pieces. Sculptures of animals and intricate textures create a lively, creative atmosphere within a spacious, well-lit venue.
Culture
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In this photo, a person wearing a pink apron with a bright red-orange bow is working on a stainless steel countertop, rolling out dough into a long shape. To the left, a tray covered in cornmeal and a black and silver dough scraper are visible. On the right side of the counter lie more pieces of dough, ready to be shaped.
Food
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A wide-angle view of Firefly Distillery in North Charleston, South Carolina, featuring a modern barn-style building with gray siding and red-framed windows. The main entrance is marked by a large “FIREFLY” sign above the doorway. Several people are walking around the front walkway and sitting under large yellow shade sails in an outdoor area. The distillery is surrounded by well-maintained landscaping and greenery under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Events
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April 16, 2025
 · 
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This photo captures an active archaeological excavation in a formal garden setting, conducted by The Charleston Museum, as indicated by the sign in the foreground. Multiple excavation units are visible, bordered by hedges and neatly maintained pathways. Several people are present, including archaeologists, media personnel with cameras on tripods, and possibly museum staff or visitors. The location is an historic property, with brick walls, old architecture, and mature landscaping.
Culture
Unearthing history at the Heyward-Washington House
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April 15, 2025
 · 
Callie Putnam
Two people stand in a vibrant, immersive art installation featuring Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.” The walls and floor are completely covered in large-scale digital projections of the iconic yellow flowers and vivid green and blue foliage, creating a glowing, all-encompassing experience.
Events
Step inside the world of art: “Beyond Van Gogh” and “Beyond Monet” are coming to Charleston
Two immersive art experiences bring the works of Van Gogh and Monet to life at Festival Hall this summer.
April 14, 2025
 · 
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In this vibrant photo, a young girl is holding a colorful bouquet in front of her face, partially obscuring her features. The bouquet bursts with a variety of blooms, including peach and coral dahlias, deep burgundy flowers, fluffy purple blossoms, spiky pale celosia, and small yellow flowers. The background is a lush garden with more flowers in bloom, creating a cheerful and lively atmosphere.
City
Try this curated flower-picking experience
Take a trip out to Berkeley County to pick and create your own flower arrangement.
April 11, 2025
 · 
Callie Putnam
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