It’s finally fall — and to help you take full advantage of the festive season, we’ve compiled our Charleston fall bucket list, complete with all sorts of events and activities to try. 🍁
👟 Activities
Attend a drive-in movie
Stay socially-distanced while engaging in fall festivities by catching a Halloween film at a drive-in this October, from Fall Flicks at Carolina Park (1620 Recreation Way) every Fri. at 7 p.m. to Ghostbusters with the Post and Courier (134 Columbus St.) on Fri., Oct. 23, at 8 p.m. On Halloween night, be sure to stop by Moonlite Theaters (512 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.) for a double-feature of Hocus Pocus + Halloween.
Carve (or paint) a pumpkin
Nothing says fall like decorating pumpkins. Multiple places around town are hosting pumpkin carving + painting events, like Avondale Wine & Cheese (813 Savannah Hwy.) on Sat., Oct. 24 from 2-8 p.m. + Uptown Social (587 King St.) on Wed., Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Avondale’s pumpkin carving night is by reservation only, but Uptown’s is first-come, first-served.
Play tricky trivia
Several bars + restaurants around the Charleston area are getting in the Halloween spirit this year by hosting trivia nights. Tonight (Oct. 21), Mex 1 in Park West invites guests to participate in Scary Movie Theme Trivia at 7 p.m. + D.D. Peckers’ Wing Shack (1660 Savannah Hwy.) encourages patrons to join in their Trivia Murder Party at 8 p.m. Next week on Wed., Oct. 28, Bay Street Biergarten (549 E. Bay St.) will host Harry Potter Trivia from 7-9 p.m.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Chug some beer, play some games + win some prizes at Oktoberfest celebrations all over the Holy City. This Fri., Oct. 23, visit Daniel Island Grille (259 Seven Farms Dr.) for brats, pretzels + all-you-can-eat oysters at their 6 p.m. Oktoberfest and Oyster Roast. On Sat., Oct. 24, at 3 p.m., join The Barrel (1859 Folly Rd.) for Oktoberfest 2.0 and a performance by the Hans Schmidt German Band, or swing by Oktoberfest at the Harbour Club (22 WestEdge St.) from 5-9 p.m. for a whole host of authentic, German activities and treats.
🌽 Farms
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch | Located across from 2330 N. Hwy. 17 | Fridays-Sundays through Oct. 31 (see hours here) In addition to its pumpkin patch, Boone Hall also has a sunflower field, corn maze farmers market + Fright Nights.
Hibben United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch | 960 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant | Oct. 1-31 (see hours here)
Proceeds from pumpkin sales benefit Hibben UMC Outreach.
Carolina Pumpkins | 5140 Ashley Phosphate Rd., North Charleston | Open through October
“We have corn stalks, wheat straw, mums, carving kits and all your pumpkin and fall decorating needs.”
The Pumpkin Patch at Mistletoe Lane | 3408 Mistletoe Ln., Summerville | Open through Nov. 1
Here you will find pumpkins, hay bales, cornstalks, mums, firewood + more.
Legare Farms Pumpkin Patch | 2620 Hanscombe Point Rd., Johns Island | Oct. 1-30 (see hours here) |
Pumpkin picking, nature quests, duck races, a corn cannon + more.
Knightsville United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch | 1505 Central Ave., Summerville | Open through October (see hours here)
Proceeds from pumpkin sales support the Mission ministries of KUMC.
West Farm Corn Maze | 2641 Cooper Store Rd., Moncks Corner | Oct. 2-Nov. 1 (see hours here)
Get lost with your friends + family, pick out some pumpkins and even enjoy animal viewings.
☕ Food + drinks
Apple Fritters from Mercantile and Mash (701 E Bay St.) + Apple Cheesecake Bars from Baguette Magic (792 Folly Rd., James Island)
We may not be able to experience apple orchards in the Lowcountry, but your taste buds sure can.
Pumpkin Spice Biscotti from Carmella’s (198 E Bay St. #100) + Pumpkin Cheesecake from Magnolia’s (185 E Bay St.)
Because it isn’t truly fall without getting your pumpkin spice fix, am I right?
Make your own fall-inspired cocktails at home
Check out these five recipes from Charleston Daily that turn Firefly moonshine + vodka into festive + delicious drinks – from Candy Corn Moonshine to Caramel Apple Jell-O shots.
Seasonal beers
ICYMI, here’s our list of 14 local fall beers.
Dessert with Death by Charleston Culinary Tours (available Oct. 23-24 + 29-30)
Enjoy a five-course dessert menu filled with sweet treats inspired by the city’s most famous tales of mystery, murder + hauntings. Licensed tour guides will take your ears + taste buds on a spooky trip. Book here.
💸 The buy
The Autumn Azure Candle from Old Whaling Co.
Get your home into the fall mood with this candle that features a warm spice autumn scent with notes of fir balsam, cedar, clove + vanilla.
Fall signs and decor from AR Workshop Charleston
Our team went to AR Workshop recently and had a blast. You can make patio signs, drink trays, frames and door hangers. And you know those chunky knit blankets you’ve seen on Pinterest? They have classes where you can make one of those, too.
Into the Woods handcrafted soap from Pluff Mud Mercantile
If you are really feeling the fall vibes, try this “Into the Woods” soap that is a woodsy outdoors blend of fragrance in a rich, bubbly bar.
👻 Haunted houses + ghost tours
Boone Hall Fright Nights | Sat., Sept. 26-Sat., Oct. 31 | 6434 Hwy. 17, Mt. Pleasant | $30 Scream Pass, $50 VIP Faster to the Fear Pass
Three scary attractions that include a prison, toy factory + a deathly carriage ride into the woods.
Ghost Walking Tours | year-round | 18 Anson St. | $19 children, $29 adults
What’s unique about these ghostly southern tours is you can choose to explore the haunted jail, historical graveyards, the USS Yorktown, a haunted pub crawl + more. *Prices may vary depending on the tour.
Haunted Trail: Gills, Chills and Thrills | Oct. 1-Oct. 31 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf | $22.95+
Visit the aquarium’s new Halloween-themed exhibit and explore eight spooky rooms intended to scare + excite everyone ages 8 and up.
#RoadTrip: SCarowinds | Fri., Sept. 13-Sun., Oct. 27 | Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC | $38+
Heads up to Carowinds (~3 hours from Charleston) for its annual SCarowinds. Running Fri.-Sun., in addition to rides it has haunted attractions, shows and 500+ “ghastly monsters waiting to feed off your screams.”
🚘 Fall road trips
Congaree National Park | ~2 hours from Charleston | 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins, SC 29061
This is the only National Park in South Carolina. Along the trails, visitors will see loblolly pines, bald cypress, tupelo, oaks, maple + holly trees. You can even go on a Boardwalk Tour + camp on the grounds.
Columbia | ~2 hours from Charleston
Here’s a Fall #RoadTrip itinerary for Columbia. Say hey to our COLAtoday team for us while you’re there.
Baker Creek State Park | 3 hours from Charleston | 863 Baker Creek Rd., McCormick, SC
A road trip to this state park will lead you to 10 miles of rolling, loop trails that offer oak + pine woodlands. Bonus: This area is also home to Lake Thurmond, a 71,100-acre lake that will give you some serious serene fall vibes.
Asheville, NC | ~4 hours and 30 min. from Charleston
There’s so much to do in Asheville, it’s hard to pack it all into one weekend. But our AVLtoday team gave it a shot – here’s their 48-hour guide to Asheville.
🎃 Halloween parties
Adult Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 24 | 7-11 p.m. | Hobcaw Yacht Club, 180 Hobcaw Dr. | $35
Let loose for a night at an all-adult Halloween party and costume contest. Get ready for lots of good music, delicious food + drink and a boatyard bonfire hosted by the Hobcaw Yacht Club.
Monster Mash 2020 | Thurs., Oct. 29 | 4-7 p.m. | Felix C. Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Cir. | Free with registration
Halloween celebration for the whole family with lots of candy, fun crafts + a costume contest.
4th Annual Zombie Prom | Fri., Oct. 30 | 8-11 p.m. | Charleston Sports Pub (West Ashley), 1124 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. | Free
Don your creepiest zombie black-tie apparel + celebrate Halloween with a costume contest and drink specials.
Wag-O-Ween | Sat., Oct. 31 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Pet Helpers Adoption Shelter, 1447 Folly Rd. | Free
Show up in your finest costume to carve pumpkins + pick puppies. There will be discounted adoption fees during the entire Halloween event, so be sure to stop by with the whole family to find your new furry best friend.
Halloween at Frothy Beard | Sat., Oct. 31 | 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. | Frothy Beard Brewing Co., 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. | $5*
Participate in a whole host of Halloween activities such as best costume + mask contests, outdoor movies, music by DJ Cobra + an escape room. *Escape room admissions is $5 per person.
Halloween Costume Party | Sat., Oct. 31 | 12-2 p.m. | Pack Athletics, 1012 St. Andrews Blvd. | $15
Work off all the Halloween candy preemptively by joining Pack Athletics for open gym activities, trunk or treating + a costume contest.
Day of the Dead Party | Sat., Oct. 31 | 12-10 p.m. | Pink Cactus, 100 A Spring St. | Prices vary
Pop in for $5 Black Charcoal Margaritas + complementary face painting all day long. Anyone in a costume will receive a free order of queso.
All Hallows Eve | Sat., Oct. 31 | 4-10 p.m. | The Barrel, 1859 Folly Rd. | Free
Everyone – including your dog – is invited to The Barrel’s Halloween bash, where costume contest prizes will be awarded to the best dressed dog + best dressed family.
Keep Yo’ Distance Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Tradesman Brewing Co., 1647 King St. Extension | Free
Celebrate Halloween the Coronavirus way: inflatable costumes are required for entry to keep everyone safe + healthy.
Biergarten Halloween Mask-erade | Sat., Oct. 31 | 7-11 p.m. | Bay Street Biergarten, 549 E. Bay St. | Free*
*Possible cover charge. In true COVID style, wear a facemask but make it Halloween. Decorate your masks + visit Bay Street Biergarten for some live music and drink specials all through the night.
🍫 Trick-or-treating (and fun alternatives)
Halloween Howl | Fri., Oct. 23 | 4-6 p.m. | Charleston Police Department Headquarters, 180 Lockwood Blvd. | Free with registration
A safer alternative to trick-or-treating, Halloween Howl is a holiday celebration hosted by the CPD. Attendees are encouraged to come get in the Halloween spirit, collect candy + vote on the best decorated patrol car.
Indoor Trunk-or-Treat | Sat., Oct. 24 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Pivotal Fitness (West Ashley), 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. | Free
Calling all kids: dress up in your favorite costumes + visit the Pivotal Fitness KidsZone to collect pre-assembled treat bags from local vendors.
CARnival Trunk or Treat | Wed., Oct. 28 | 5:30-7 p.m. | First Baptist Church, 2055 George Griffith Blvd. | Free
Trunk-or-treat with First Baptist Church to provide kids with a safer, more socially distanced alternative to trick-or-treating.
Trick or Treat Boo Thru | Fri., Oct. 30 | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Dr. | Free with registration
Drive through a loop of Halloween festivities including family pictures, a pumpkin hunt + trick-or-treating. All participants must sign up for a time slot and remain in their cars for the majority of the event. Costumes are encouraged.
Ghoulish Grab & Go | Sat., Oct. 31 | 1-3 p.m. | Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. | Free
Bring your kiddos to the Citadel Mall to grab pre-made goodie bags from stations around the Center Court. Social distancing and mask guidelines will be enforced.
“Trick or Treat” Parade | Sat., Oct. 31 | 3:30-4 p.m. | Indigo Hall, 509 Standard Way | Free
Give the residents of Indigo Hall Retirement & Assisted Living Facility a nice Halloween surprise by dressing up your kids and joining in a parade. Treats will be provided at the end of the parade route.
