The return of the MOJA Arts Festival in Charleston

Here’s what to expect at this year’s event.

Aerial view of Marion Square in Charleston, SC

Head to Marion Square for the Opening Day Parade before it travels down King Street. |

Photo by @walkablecharleston

Table of Contents

It’s almost time for the return of the MOJA Arts Festival, set to be held this Thurs., Sept. 28-Sun., Oct. 8. Here’s what to expect at this year’s event — be sure to keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates.

About the festival

The annual, 11-day festival will highlight the contributions of African-American and Caribbean cultures to western and world culture, right here in Charleston. Many MOJA events are free to attend, while others can be purchased online.

Directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and the MOJA Planning Committee, the event features a selection of visual arts programs, traditional crafts + storytelling, and educational outreach workshops.

The schedule is broken up into categories including:

  • Music
  • Poetry
  • Theater
  • Community
  • Visual Arts

Scroll through each category to find details on various events.

Plan your experience

The possibilities are endless for the next 11 days. Take a look at a few festival highlights below.

September 28: Explore the free-to-attend Opening Day Parade beginning at Marion Square.

September 29: Dance your waydow to the Reggae Block Party at Brittlebank Park.

September 28-October 8: Paradise Blue” is a drama centered on Detroit’s Club Paradise, a combination jazz club + boarding house that has a lot of conflict.

September 30: Broken Chains and Things” is a theatrical production that explores the story of a grandfather facing a series of tragedies.

October 4: Colour of Music Festival Octet returns to Dock Street Theatre with a classical chamber music performance to honor Charleston-born composer, Edmund Thornton Jenkins.

October 6: Enjoy an evening of poetry and storytelling at the James Island Arts and Cultural Center.

What’s changed?

This marks the first year that Charlton Singleton, two-time Grammy-Award winner, will serve as the newly appointed artistic director.

Events
Teachers can join the fun from May 5 to 9 with free events, relaxation, trivia, and a grand finale to honor educators during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Join the festivities for Independent Bookstore Day on April 26 with raffles, readings, discounts, and special events at local indie bookshops across the Lowcountry.
Add a pop of color and fresh new pillows to your home with colorful and chic patterns from Sewing Down South’s new summer collection.
The North Charleston Arts Fest is a free five-day celebration that will include performances, activities, and exhibits at a variety of venues throughout the city.
The Summer Sizzle series is hosted by Charleston Wine + Food and features a dozen foodie events that stretch across the Holy City.
Firefly Distillery, North Charleston’s beloved distillery, celebrates its milestone with live music, local eats, and a nod to its iconic Sweet Tea Vodka.