Itβs officially Fall, Charleston β and believe it or not, it actually feels like it. While this cool weather may be fleeting and the autumn foliage wonβt be noticeable until around mid-November, grab that Pumpkin Spice Latte you donβt want to admit that youβve been craving + soak up the beautiful days ahead.
While it isnβt 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 Charlestonβs Oktoberfest (Oct. 12) to the Coastal Carolina Fair (Oct. 31-Nov. 10), thereβs a bounty of fall happenings.
September
36th Annual Moja Arts Festival π¨
π Thursday, Sept. 26- Sunday, Oct. 6
π Locations vary
β° Times vary
π° Prices vary
π‘ βA Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts.β Find the full calendar of events here.
Mozart in the Lowcountry
π Friday, Sept. 27- Saturday, Sept. 28
π Gaillard Center
β° 7:30 p.m.
π° $27+
π‘ Join Charleston Symphony Orchestra for its 2019-2020 season premiere.
7th Annual Oyster Roast and Chili Cook-Off
π Sunday, Sept. 29
π Alhambra Hall | 131 Middle St., Mount Pleasant
β° 2-5 p.m.
π° $15-$45
π‘ βJoin us for family fun, oysters, live music, chili and more to support Florence Crittenton Programs.β
October
βHospital and Hospitalityβ Benefit Dinner
π Tuesday, Oct. 1
π 5Church Charleston | 32B N. Market St.
β° 6:30-9 p.m.
π° Menu prices vary
π‘ Kids from MUSC Shawn Jenkins Childrenβs 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
π Thursday, Oct. 3- Saturday, Nov. 2
π Locations vary
β° 2-5 p.m.
π° $50 per person
π‘ Self-guided tours of 6-7 private homes + gardens
Pinwheel Gala
π Friday, Oct. 4
π Summerville Country Club | 400 Country Club Blvd., Summerville
β° 7-11 p.m.
π° Prices vary
π‘ The gala will feature local culinary talents, a silent auction, open bar + live music.
Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour
π Sunday, Oct. 6
π President Circle | Historic Downtown Summerville
β° 1-5 p.m.
π° Prices vary
π‘ βUnique homes, notable chefs + restaurants, talented musicians, premier craft brews + winesβ
Oktoberfest Charleston
π Saturday, Oct. 12
π St. Matthewβs Lutheran Church | 405 King St.
β° 12-6 p.m.
π° $10-$20
π‘ German polka music, beer, wine, food, face painting + more
Charleston Fall Wine Festival
π Saturday, Oct. 12
π Charleston Harbor Cruise Terminal | 196 Concord St.
β° 1-5 p.m.
π° $45-$60
π‘ 50+ wines + beer, live music and a beautiful view.
Fall Reggae Jam
π Saturday, Oct. 12
π Music Farm | 32 Ann St.
β° 7:30-11:30 p.m.
π° $18 advanced
π‘ A night spent with 5 reggae bands + artists
Follypalooza
π Saturday, Oct. 12
π Center Street, Folly Beach
β° 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
π° $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Free for children 12 and under + Folly Beach residents.
π‘ βA 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.β
12th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair
π Saturday, Oct. 12-Sunday, Oct. 13
π Magnolia Plantation and Gardens | 3550 Ashley River Rd.
β° 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
π° Free
π‘ βDozens of Lowcountry artisans will feature their handcrafted items for sale.β
Taste of North Charleston
π Sunday, Oct. 13
π ExQuis Event & Conference Center | 5101 Ashley Phosphate Rd., Suite 149, North Charleston
β° 4-8 p.m.
π° $15- $20
π‘ Sample bites from various North Charleston eateries + vote for the restaurants with the best tastings, spirits and desserts
Latin American Festival
π Sunday, Oct. 13
π North Charleston Wannamaker County Park | 8888 University Blvd.
β° 12-6 p.m.
π° $10 adult, $5 with student ID, free 12 + under
π‘ Live salsa + merengue music, authentic food, crafts + plenty of activities for families to enjoy
2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving
π Saturday, Oct. 19
π Avondale Wine & Cheese | 813 Savannah Hwy. B
β° 6:30-9:30 p.m.
π° Free
π‘ BYOP (bring your own pumpkin) or use one provided for this free pumpkin carving event.
8th Annual Halos Oyster Roast
π Sunday, Oct. 20
π Harborside East | 28 Bridgeside Blvd., Mt. Pleasant
β° 4-7 p.m.
π° $50 in advance, $60 at door
π‘ Ticket price includes oysters, hot dogs, chili, beer, wine + live music
Summerville Italian Feast π
π Sunday, Oct. 20
π Historical Downtown Summerville | Hutchinson Square, Summerville
β° 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
π° Free
π‘ Experience authentic Italian cuisine + sample a variety of imported and local Italian wines π·
Childrenβs Day Festival
π Sunday, Oct. 20
πPark West Recreation Complex | 1251 Park West Blvd., Mt. Pleasant
β° 12-5 p.m.
π° Free
π‘ Enjoy carnival rides, giant inflatable slides, live entertainment, face painting + many other activities
Fall Wine Stroll at Drayton Hall
π Saturday, Oct. 26
π Drayton Hall | 3380 Ashley River Rd.
β° 2-4 p.m.
π° $15-$25
π‘ Sip + stroll by the riverside at Drayton Hall.
Pet Helpersβ 15th Annual Fur Ball
π Saturday, Oct. 26
π Charleston Marriott | 170 Lockwood Dr.
β° 6-11 p.m.
π° $175 single ticket
π‘ Live and silent auction, plus entertainment provided by Carol + Bob Linville
Coastal Carolina Fair
π Thurs., Oct. 31- Sun., Nov. 10
π Exchange Park | 9850 US-78, Ladson
β° Gate hours vary by day
π° Prices vary
π‘ Opening day for the fair is Thursday, October 31 at 3 p.m.
November
Harvest Festival
π Saturday, Nov. 2
π Johns Island County Park | 2662 Mullet Hall Rd.
β° 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
π° $8
π‘ Live bluegrass music, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, BBQ, carnival food + craft market.
Charleston Scottish Games
π Saturday, Nov. 2
π Boone Hall Plantation
β° 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
π° $20
π‘ 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
π Thursday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 10
π Charleston Library Society | 164 King St.
π Dock Street Theatre | 135 St., Charleston
β° Times may vary
π° Prices vary
π‘ 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
π Friday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 9
π Charleston Woodlands | 4279 Ashley River Rd.
β° Times vary
π° $89+
π‘ 13-band lineup including Umphreyβs McGee + Big Something
YALLFest: Young Adult Book Festival
π Friday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 9
π Blue Bicycle Books | 420 King St., Charleston
β° Times vary
π° Prices vary; some events are free
π‘ Check out the entire lineup of events + purchase tickets here.
Hot Air Balloon Festival + Victory Cup Polo Match
π Friday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Nov. 16
πJohns Island County Park | 2662 Mullet Hall Rd., Johns Island
β° Times vary by day
π° $5-$35
π‘ 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
π Friday, Nov. 15-Tuesday, Dec. 31
π James Island County Park
β° Open nightly from 5:30-10 p.m.
π° $20 per vehicle; or $15 per vehicle Mon.-Thurs. with the donation of a canned food item or dog/cat food
π‘ A driving light tour plus a holiday train, carousel, treats + much more.
Charleston Animal Societyβs Paws in the Park 5K
π Saturday, Nov. 16
π North Charleston Riverfront Park
β° 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
π° $40 general admission
π‘ Charleston Animal Societyβs biggest fundraising event of the year
42nd Annual Turkey Day Run + Gobble Wobble 5K
π Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving)
π Starts at Marion Square at intersection of Meeting + Calhoun
β° 9 a.m. for 5K run + walk
π° $30-$38
π‘ 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
π Saturday, Nov. 30
π Charleston Music Hall | 37 John St., Charleston
β° 5 p.m.
π° $10-$60
π‘ A 18-piece big band will play your favorite holiday tunes to get you in the Christmas spirit.