It’s officially Fall, Charleston – and believe it or not, it actually feels like it. While this cool weather may be fleeting and the autumn foliage won’t be noticeable until around mid-November, grab that Pumpkin Spice Latte you don’t want to admit that you’ve been craving + soak up the beautiful days ahead.
While it isn’t quite time to break out that oversized sweater + boots, we are happily welcoming the start of fall alongside the arrival of all of our favorite annual fall events, festivals, + celebrations. From Charleston’s Oktoberfest (Oct. 12) to the Coastal Carolina Fair (Oct. 31-Nov. 10), there’s a bounty of fall happenings.
September
36th Annual Moja Arts Festival 🎨
🍂 Thursday, Sept. 26- Sunday, Oct. 6
📍 Locations vary
⏰ Times vary
💰 Prices vary
🎡 “A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts.” Find the full calendar of events here.
Mozart in the Lowcountry
🍂 Friday, Sept. 27- Saturday, Sept. 28
📍 Gaillard Center
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
💰 $27+
🎡 Join Charleston Symphony Orchestra for its 2019-2020 season premiere.
7th Annual Oyster Roast and Chili Cook-Off
🍂 Sunday, Sept. 29
📍 Alhambra Hall | 131 Middle St., Mount Pleasant
⏰ 2-5 p.m.
💰 $15-$45
🎡 “Join us for family fun, oysters, live music, chili and more to support Florence Crittenton Programs.”
October
“Hospital and Hospitality” Benefit Dinner
🍂 Tuesday, Oct. 1
📍 5Church Charleston | 32B N. Market St.
⏰ 6:30-9 p.m.
💰 Menu prices vary
🎡 Kids from MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital will help greet, seat + serve patrons. The normal menu will be available along with special kid-inspired dishes. All proceeds will benefit the hospital.
House and Garden Tours
🍂 Thursday, Oct. 3- Saturday, Nov. 2
📍 Locations vary
⏰ 2-5 p.m.
💰 $50 per person
🎡 Self-guided tours of 6-7 private homes + gardens
Pinwheel Gala
🍂 Friday, Oct. 4
📍 Summerville Country Club | 400 Country Club Blvd., Summerville
⏰ 7-11 p.m.
💰 Prices vary
🎡 The gala will feature local culinary talents, a silent auction, open bar + live music.
Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour
🍂 Sunday, Oct. 6
📍 President Circle | Historic Downtown Summerville
⏰ 1-5 p.m.
💰 Prices vary
🎡 “Unique homes, notable chefs + restaurants, talented musicians, premier craft brews + wines”
Oktoberfest Charleston
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 12
📍 St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church | 405 King St.
⏰ 12-6 p.m.
💰 $10-$20
🎡 German polka music, beer, wine, food, face painting + more
Charleston Fall Wine Festival
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 12
📍 Charleston Harbor Cruise Terminal | 196 Concord St.
⏰ 1-5 p.m.
💰 $45-$60
🎡 50+ wines + beer, live music and a beautiful view.
Fall Reggae Jam
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 12
📍 Music Farm | 32 Ann St.
⏰ 7:30-11:30 p.m.
💰 $18 advanced
🎡 A night spent with 5 reggae bands + artists
Live bands and crowded streets are to be expected along Folly Road during Follypalooza | Photo by @follycharm
Follypalooza
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 12
📍 Center Street, Folly Beach
⏰ 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
💰 $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Free for children 12 and under + Folly Beach residents.
🎡 “A cancer benefit that raises money for Folly Beach residents who are receiving cancer treatments, this street festival features live music, an art competition, an auction & carnival atmosphere.”
12th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 12-Sunday, Oct. 13
📍 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens | 3550 Ashley River Rd.
⏰ 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
💰 Free
🎡 “Dozens of Lowcountry artisans will feature their handcrafted items for sale.”
Taste of North Charleston
🍂 Sunday, Oct. 13
📍 ExQuis Event & Conference Center | 5101 Ashley Phosphate Rd., Suite 149, North Charleston
⏰ 4-8 p.m.
💰 $15- $20
🎡 Sample bites from various North Charleston eateries + vote for the restaurants with the best tastings, spirits and desserts
Latin American Festival
🍂 Sunday, Oct. 13
📍 North Charleston Wannamaker County Park | 8888 University Blvd.
⏰ 12-6 p.m.
💰 $10 adult, $5 with student ID, free 12 + under
🎡 Live salsa + merengue music, authentic food, crafts + plenty of activities for families to enjoy
2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 19
📍 Avondale Wine & Cheese | 813 Savannah Hwy. B
⏰ 6:30-9:30 p.m.
💰 Free
🎡 BYOP (bring your own pumpkin) or use one provided for this free pumpkin carving event.
8th Annual Halos Oyster Roast
🍂 Sunday, Oct. 20
📍 Harborside East | 28 Bridgeside Blvd., Mt. Pleasant
⏰ 4-7 p.m.
💰 $50 in advance, $60 at door
🎡 Ticket price includes oysters, hot dogs, chili, beer, wine + live music
Cannolis are one of many treats served up at the annual Summerville Italian Festival | Photo by @riobertolinispasta
Summerville Italian Feast 🍝
🍂 Sunday, Oct. 20
📍 Historical Downtown Summerville | Hutchinson Square, Summerville
⏰ 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
💰 Free
🎡 Experience authentic Italian cuisine + sample a variety of imported and local Italian wines 🍷
Children’s Day Festival
🍂 Sunday, Oct. 20
📍Park West Recreation Complex | 1251 Park West Blvd., Mt. Pleasant
⏰ 12-5 p.m.
💰 Free
🎡 Enjoy carnival rides, giant inflatable slides, live entertainment, face painting + many other activities
Fall Wine Stroll at Drayton Hall
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 26
📍 Drayton Hall | 3380 Ashley River Rd.
⏰ 2-4 p.m.
💰 $15-$25
🎡 Sip + stroll by the riverside at Drayton Hall.
Pet Helpers’ 15th Annual Fur Ball
🍂 Saturday, Oct. 26
📍 Charleston Marriott | 170 Lockwood Dr.
⏰ 6-11 p.m.
💰 $175 single ticket
🎡 Live and silent auction, plus entertainment provided by Carol + Bob Linville
This time of year, what better place to watch the sunset than atop the Coastal Carolina ferris wheel? | Photo by @flaekingur
Coastal Carolina Fair
🍂 Thurs., Oct. 31- Sun., Nov. 10
📍 Exchange Park | 9850 US-78, Ladson
⏰ Gate hours vary by day
💰 Prices vary
🎡 Opening day for the fair is Thursday, October 31 at 3 p.m.
November
Harvest Festival
🍂 Saturday, Nov. 2
📍 Johns Island County Park | 2662 Mullet Hall Rd.
⏰ 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
💰 $8
🎡 Live bluegrass music, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, BBQ, carnival food + craft market.
Charleston Scottish Games
🍂 Saturday, Nov. 2
📍 Boone Hall Plantation
⏰ 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
💰 $20
🎡 Come watch the Scottish athletic competition + learn about Scottish heritage, history + customs. The entire schedule of events can be found here.
Charleston to Charleston Literary Festival
🍂 Thursday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 10
📍 Charleston Library Society | 164 King St.
📍 Dock Street Theatre | 135 St., Charleston
⏰ Times may vary
💰 Prices vary
🎡 Lectures that focus on literature, memoir, art + history, as well as elegant receptions will be held at either of these two locations
The Woodlands Fall Music Festival
🍂 Friday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 9
📍 Charleston Woodlands | 4279 Ashley River Rd.
⏰ Times vary
💰 $89+
🎡 13-band lineup including Umphrey’s McGee + Big Something
YALLFest: Young Adult Book Festival
🍂 Friday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 9
📍 Blue Bicycle Books | 420 King St., Charleston
⏰ Times vary
💰 Prices vary; some events are free
🎡 Check out the entire lineup of events + purchase tickets here.
Hot Air Balloon Festival + Victory Cup Polo Match
🍂 Friday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Nov. 16
📍Johns Island County Park | 2662 Mullet Hall Rd., Johns Island
⏰ Times vary by day
💰 $5-$35
🎡 Join dozens of vendors, chefs, local musicians, artists, cooking demonstrations, pop-up art galleries + food and alcohol tasting partners. There will be a morning launch as well as evening glows + tethered rides.
Holiday Festival of Lights
🍂 Friday, Nov. 15-Tuesday, Dec. 31
📍 James Island County Park
⏰ Open nightly from 5:30-10 p.m.
💰 $20 per vehicle; or $15 per vehicle Mon.-Thurs. with the donation of a canned food item or dog/cat food
🎡 A driving light tour plus a holiday train, carousel, treats + much more.
Charleston Animal Society’s Paws in the Park 5K
🍂 Saturday, Nov. 16
📍 North Charleston Riverfront Park
⏰ 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
💰 $40 general admission
🎡 Charleston Animal Society’s biggest fundraising event of the year
42nd Annual Turkey Day Run + Gobble Wobble 5K
🍂 Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving)
📍 Starts at Marion Square at intersection of Meeting + Calhoun
⏰ 9 a.m. for 5K run + walk
💰 $30-$38
🎡 Register by November 1 and you can choose opt to have your packet mailed along with your race bib + timing chip, t-shirt and event information. Register here.
Holiday Swing
🍂 Saturday, Nov. 30
📍 Charleston Music Hall | 37 John St., Charleston
⏰ 5 p.m.
💰 $10-$60
🎡 A 18-piece big band will play your favorite holiday tunes to get you in the Christmas spirit.
