With four gorgeous beaches within easy driving distance of downtown Charleston, people might be surprised to learn that there’s more fun than just sunbathing, surfing, and swimming to be done during a Charleston summer! Charleston is chock full of festivals, culinary events, concerts, and more to entertain people of all ages and interests. Take a gander at our summer events breakdown to start planning your summer social calendar!
5/12 – 5/14: Charleston Greek Festival - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
An annual event that celebrates Greek food, culture, dance, music, and more!
5/13 – 5/14: Discover the Dinosaurs Unleashed - Charleston Area Convention Center
Interactive exhibit that lets dinosaur lovers imagine what it would’ve been like to walk amongst the dinosaurs.
5/14: 2nd Sunday on King - King Street
For a few glorious hours, once a month, a portion of King Street (from Calhoun Street to Broad) closes down to vehicular traffic and becomes a pedestrian street full of al fresco dining, shopping, and more!
5/18: After Hours “May-Ting” Season at the Aquarium - South Carolina Aquarium
Enjoy a quiet date night after hours at the South Carolina Aquarium, featuring food and drink vendors, and even a violinist from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Free for aquarium members.
5/18: Third Thursday in Summerville - Hutchinson Square, Summerville
On the third Thursday of every month, the town of Summerville hosts a party in the main square that features food and drink vendors, local musicians, art booths, and more!
5/19 – 5/21: Tall Ships of Charleston - Charleston Harbor
One of the largest collections of ships past, present, and future docks in Charleston and invites boating enthusiasts aboard. The festival also includes food vendors, pirate camp, family boat building, great music, art exhibits, and benefits maritime educational charities.
5/20: Charleston Beer Garden - The Grove at Patriot’s Point
An annual beer event that brings in brewers from around the country. The festival also includes a number of food vendors, games, music, and entertainment.
5/20: Vino-PAW-looza - Deep Water Vineyard & Firefly Distillery
Dog-friendly festival that welcomes the summer season and features beer and wine vendors, food trucks, jump castle, water balloons, live music, special tastings, and more.
5/21: Ohm Radio Sweet Corn Cook Off - Royal American
An annual event that raises money for Ohm Radio. The event pairs up local musicians and chefs for a cookoff where the main ingredient is sweet corn.
5/22: Golf Tournament Benefiting the Summerville Soccer Club - Coosaw Creek Golf Club
Captain’s choice tournament with breakfast, lunch, and awards that benefits the Summerville Soccer Team.
5/26 – 6/11: Spoleto / Piccolo - Various venues
An annual event taking place over 2 weeks that features theatre, art, music, and more that draws in visitors from all over the country!
5/27: Run Forrest Run 5K - Joseph P Riley Park
14th annual 5k presented by Fleet Feet Sports and includes post-race dinner and party, and a ticket to a baseball game.
5/31: Summer of Bill Art Opening - Charleston Music Hall
A free event that kicks off a summer series celebrating the films of Bill Murray.
6/3: Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival - Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
An annual festival that celebrates the rich Gullah Geechee cultural heritage and significance in Charleston.
6/3: Lowcountry Splash Open Water Swim - Various venues
A fundraiser for the Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming initiative. Swimmers can choose to do a 2.4 mile or 5 mile swim.
6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27: Party in the Park - Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Every Tuesday in June, WEZL presents a free concert with free admission, featuring some of the country music artists you hear on the radio, like Parmalee, Dylann Scott, and more!
6/10: 11th Annual Rotary Club Charities Duck Race - Daniel Island Waterfront Park and Community Pier
Charity fundraiser that drops thousands of rubber ducks into the river in a race for their lives! First place receives $10,000 and 2nd place gets $5,000.
6/11: 2nd Sunday on King - King Street
For a few glorious hours, once a month, a portion of King Street (from Calhoun Street to Broad) closes down to vehicular traffic and becomes a pedestrian street full of al fresco dining, shopping, and more!
6/11 – 6/13: FAB, Females and Business - College of Charleston Beatty Center
A 2-day workshop/conference created by women, and focusing on women in the hospitality industry.
6/14: Tedeschi Trucks Band - North Charleston Performing Arts Center
With special guests Paul Barrère and Fred Tackett of Little Feat.
6/15: Third Thursday in Summerville - Hutchinson Square, Summerville
On the third Thursday of every month, the town of Summerville hosts a party in the main square that features food and drink vendors, local musicians, art booths, and more!
6/22 – 6/25: Charleston Carifest - Brittlebank Park
An annual event that celebrates the culture, music, food, and drink of the Caribbean.
7/4: Fourth of July in Charleston - Various locations
So many ways to celebrate!
- Fireworks at Patriots Point
- Fourth of July Dinner Cruise
- Family picnic cruise
- Red, White, and Bluegrass Cruise
- North Charleston Fourth of July Celebration
7/5 – 7/8: MegaDock Billfishing Tournament - Charleston City Marina
The Governor’s Cup fishing 4-day tournament for marlin and sailfish that benefits local and national water-related charities.
7/9: 2nd Sunday on King - King Street
For a few glorious hours, once a month, a portion of King Street (from Calhoun Street to Broad) closes down to vehicular traffic and becomes a pedestrian street full of al fresco dining, shopping, and more!
7/14: Charleston Margarita Festival - Brittlebank Park
Margaritas from 25 of the best bars and restaurants in Charleston compete to be named the best in Charleston!
7/20: Third Thursday in Summerville - Hutchinson Square, Summerville
On the third Thursday of every month, the town of Summerville hosts a party in the main square that features food and drink vendors, local musicians, art booths, and more!
7/21 – 7/23: “Let The Good Times Roll” - Charleston Music Hall
A musical variety show featuring the best of pop, rock, Broadway and country
7/23: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - North Charleston Coliseum
Two-time Grammy award winner brings his signature Americana sound to the North Charleston Coliseum.
8/9 – 8/13: Cirque du Soleil: OVO - North Charleston Coliseum
Cirque du Soleil brings its newest touring show, OVO, to the North Charleston Coliseum.
8/10: Gay Bingo - Memminger Auditorium
An annual Broadway-themed event the features 5 hilarious games of bingo to help raise money for Lowcountry Aids Services
8/13: 2nd Sunday on King- King Street
For a few glorious hours, once a month, a portion of King Street (from Calhoun Street to Broad) closes down to vehicular traffic and becomes a pedestrian street full of al fresco dining, shopping, and more!
8/17: Third Thursday in Summerville - Hutchinson Square, Summerville
On the third Thursday of every month, the town of Summerville hosts a party in the main square that features food and drink vendors, local musicians, art booths, and more!
8/20 – 8/22: BevCon Charleston - Various venues
A Conference that celebrates national and international beverage-minded professionals for learning opportunities, networking events, tastings, and more.
8/21: Solar Eclipse - Various locations
Celebrate the solar eclipse by viewing it in your backyard, on a beach, at the baseball stadium, or even on a harbor cruise!
8/21: The Sound of Charleston - Circular Congregational Church
A concert highlighting the music that defines Charleston, including gospel, George Gershwin, and more.
Posted on Friday, May 12th, 2017 at 1:42pm.