Articles:
- Beaches - Which One is Best?
- Getting Around Charleston
- Vacation Planning Help for Charleston
- Charleston Frequently Asked Questions
- Be a Traveler and Explore - an Introduction to the
Charleston Area - America's Classic...and Only Tea Plantation -
Charleston Tea Plantation - 5 Family Fun Spring/Summer Activities
- Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival (January)
- Spirits and Ghosts of Charleston
- Charleston's Fight for Independence (1775-1783)
- Isle of Palms Is The Perfect Place To Play
- 8 Things We Love About Charleston
January 2010
Thru 1/3 Holiday Festival of Lights - James Island County Park, (843) 794-4FUN.
Thru 10th Gibbes Museum Exhibits - Brian Rutenberg: Tidesong. Ongoing exhibit showcases
paintings and works by SC native and nationally recognized artist. Daufuskie Island: Photographs by
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe that highlight the Gullah community.
Varies Charleston Symphony Orchestra concerts – 16th, “Yuriy!”. 18th, Martin Luther King
Tribute. 22 – 23rd, “Quentin Baxter & Friends. 29th, Yuriy Bekker & Friends – “Wedding Songs”. www.
charlestonsymphony.com.
5 Chris Botti and a Day of Jazz – Charleston Music Hall at 37 John St. Shows at 11am, 2pm, 5pm
and 7pm. (803) 400-1205 or www.chrisbottijams.com.
9 Staking a Claim: Exploration & Discovery in the New World – Charles Towne Landing State
Historic Site. Before colonists settled Carolina in 1670, several adventurers had explored the coast in
search of a suitable settlement site. On these voyages, the explorers sent back glowing accounts of the
beauty and bounty of what would become Carolina. Walk in the footsteps of the first S. Carolinians!
From 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
20 – 23 7th Annual Charleston Comedy Festival – The country’s hottest improve, sketch and stand-
up artists will be here. From $5 - $20, www.charlestoncomedyfestival.com or 1-800-514-ETIX.
22 – 24 30th Annual Charleston Boat Show – North Charleston Convention Center, call (864) 250-
9713 for info.
22 – 2/7 The Miracle Worker by William Gibson – The Footlight Players at 20 Queen St. Winner of
the 1960 Tony Award – call (843) 722-4487 or www.etix.com for tickets.
31 27th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival – Boone Hall Plantation. A Top 20 Tourist Attraction by
the SE Tourist Society - Over 65,000 pounds of oysters, 10,000 people, food, drinks, children’s
activities and entertainment – call (843) 805-3084 for info.
February 2010
4 – 3/27 Camellia Walks at Middleton Place – Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Special guided
tours focus on Camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the "new" camellia garden of the
1950's. Middleton Place has hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the first
camellias planted in America. Tours begin at 11 a.m. at the Garden Market Nursery and last
approximately 1 1/2 hours. Reservations are required, regular admission, call (843)556-6020.
6 – 15 Southern Comfort Blues Bash – Ten days of performances in clubs, restaurants, hotels and
other venues, call (843) 762-9125 or www.bluesbash.com.
12 – 14 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – Largest wildlife art event in the nation, paintings,
carvings, outdoor outfitters and trip guides, collectibles, lectures and presentations, kids activities and
more. Events all over downtown Charleston, call (843) 723-1748 or www.sewe.com.
13 A Day in the Life of a Colonist – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Living history event
showcases trades that supported the fledgling colony, daily chores and activities that were essential to
the survival and success of Charles Towne. Interact with costumed interpreters portraying militia men,
indigo dyers, colonial herbalists, and traders. Board a reproduction 17th-century trading vessel and
experience a day in the life of a sailor, colonial foodways, black powder demonstrations, and the
construction of a colonial structure. From 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
13 The Charleston Blues Festival – Charleston Music Hall at 37 John St, 8pm, www.
charlestonbluesfestival.com or (340) 643-6475.
20 17th Century Cannon Firings – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Feel the ground
shake and hear the thundering roar as the Charles Towne Militia fires reproduction 17th century
cannons, meet living history demonstrators and learn about threats that faced Carolina’s first colonists.
Firings at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
20 – 21 Civil War Encampment – at the Middleton Place Stable yards. Visitors may enjoy numerous
educational programs and activities centered on a Civil War Encampment. See cooking and camp life
demonstrations, military tactical demonstrations and more. Regular admission, call (843) 556-6020.
28 – 3/4 Kiawah Island Golf Resort National Pro Am – Ocean Course. Call (800) 654-2924 for info.
MARCH 2009
Thru 3/27 Camellia Walks at Middleton Place – Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Special
guided tours focus on Camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the "new" camellia garden of
the 1950's. Middleton Place has hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the
first camellias planted in America. Tours begin at 11 a.m. at the Garden Market Nursery and last
approximately 1 1/2 hours. Reservations are required, regular admission, call (843) 556-6020.
4 – 7 Charleston Food + Wine Festival – Featured Event! See page xx for info.
5 French Quarter Art Walk – Stroll the cobblestone streets and visit participating galleries along E.
Bay, Meeting, Church, Cumberland, Queen, Broad and Chalmers Streets. Call (843) 577-7101, 5-8pm,
free.
8 – 8/30 Carolina Gold: from Rice to Riches – Middleton Place House Museum, a special exhibit.
Featured Event! See page xx.
12 – 28 Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball – Footlight Players Theater at 20 Queen
St. (843) 722-4487 or etix.com.
13 Piecing Together the Past with Archaeology – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Meet
archaeologist and tour dig sites of Native American artifacts. A hands-on program, tour their
archaeology lab, discover the science of the profession and history revealed below the surface. From
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
15 Annual Irish Music Show – The SC Irish Historical Society plays host to promote the future
Charleston/SC Irish Memorial. Show features Irish musician Mike Moloney and others. Sottile Theatre,
7:30pm, call (843) 556-3578 or www.scirish.org for info.
16 – 20 Charleston Fashion Week – Marion Square will be alive with local boutiques and emerging
designers. Visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com for schedule, tickets and info.
17 Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Mass starts at 8 am at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
(134 St. Phillip St at Radcliffe). 10 am, Parade from Radcliffe to King and Broad to Legare Streets. 11:30
am, Irish flag raising and ceremonies at Charleston City Hall (80 Broad St). 12:30 pm, Irish luncheon
and entertainment at Marion Square. (843) 556-3578.
18 – 4/17 63rd Annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens – Downtown Charleston. Explore the
interiors and gardens of some of the finest residences in America. Ten properties per tour, call (843)
722-3405 or www.historiccharleston.org for info.
19 – 21 Charleston International Antiques Show – Featuring more than 30 of the nation’s most
prominent antique dealers. Vintage jewelry, period furnishings, decorative arts, prints and quilts. 40
East Bay St. (843) 722-3405 for tickets and info.
20 17th Century Cannon Firings – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Feel the ground
shake and hear the thundering roar as the Charles Towne Militia fires reproduction 17th century
cannons, meet living history demonstrators and learn about threats that faced Carolina’s first colonists.
Firings at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
26 – 28 YMCA Summerville Flowertown Festival – Azalea Park on Main St. Nationally acclaimed
and is the largest arts & crafts festival in SC with more than 200 artists and vendors. Free admission.
(843) 871-YMCA or www.summervilleymca.org.
27 War Horses - Middleton Place. Learn about the significant role mounted soldiers played in the
American War for Independence. See authentic equipment, weapons and uniforms with Reenactors to
demonstrate to commemorate the 230th Anniversary of the Battle of Rantowle’s Bridge. Regular
admission, (843) 556-6020.
27 Cooper River Bridge Run – The best organized 10-K foot race in the world - For race entry and
info visit www.brigerun.com.
31 & 4/7 Spring Winefest – Middleton Place. Mother nature works her magic year round but her
boldest display is in the spring. Come enjoy a Spring Wine Tasting overlooking the famous Azalea
Hillside. Thousands of azaleas, dogwood and wisteria bloom each spring with their glorious colors
reflecting in the water of the Rice Mill Pond. From 5:30 – 7:30pm, by reservation only, $20 pp, call (843)
556-6020.
ONGOING EVENTS
Mar – Apr Charleston’s Peak Blooming Season - See azaleas, camellias, wisteria, flowering fruit
trees, quince, redbuds, forsythias, pearl bushes, Jessamine, honeysuckle, dogwoods, anemones,
hyacinths, lilies, star and saucer magnolias and many more.
1/22 – 5/16 Whistler’s Travels – The work of renowned American artist James McNeill Whistler
(1834-1903) at the Gibbes Museum.
Thru 1/3 Holiday Festival of Lights - James Island County Park, (843) 794-4FUN.
Thru 10th Gibbes Museum Exhibits - Brian Rutenberg: Tidesong. Ongoing exhibit showcases
paintings and works by SC native and nationally recognized artist. Daufuskie Island: Photographs by
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe that highlight the Gullah community.
Varies Charleston Symphony Orchestra concerts – 16th, “Yuriy!”. 18th, Martin Luther King
Tribute. 22 – 23rd, “Quentin Baxter & Friends. 29th, Yuriy Bekker & Friends – “Wedding Songs”. www.
charlestonsymphony.com.
5 Chris Botti and a Day of Jazz – Charleston Music Hall at 37 John St. Shows at 11am, 2pm, 5pm
and 7pm. (803) 400-1205 or www.chrisbottijams.com.
9 Staking a Claim: Exploration & Discovery in the New World – Charles Towne Landing State
Historic Site. Before colonists settled Carolina in 1670, several adventurers had explored the coast in
search of a suitable settlement site. On these voyages, the explorers sent back glowing accounts of the
beauty and bounty of what would become Carolina. Walk in the footsteps of the first S. Carolinians!
From 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
20 – 23 7th Annual Charleston Comedy Festival – The country’s hottest improve, sketch and stand-
up artists will be here. From $5 - $20, www.charlestoncomedyfestival.com or 1-800-514-ETIX.
22 – 24 30th Annual Charleston Boat Show – North Charleston Convention Center, call (864) 250-
9713 for info.
22 – 2/7 The Miracle Worker by William Gibson – The Footlight Players at 20 Queen St. Winner of
the 1960 Tony Award – call (843) 722-4487 or www.etix.com for tickets.
31 27th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival – Boone Hall Plantation. A Top 20 Tourist Attraction by
the SE Tourist Society - Over 65,000 pounds of oysters, 10,000 people, food, drinks, children’s
activities and entertainment – call (843) 805-3084 for info.
February 2010
4 – 3/27 Camellia Walks at Middleton Place – Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Special guided
tours focus on Camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the "new" camellia garden of the
1950's. Middleton Place has hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the first
camellias planted in America. Tours begin at 11 a.m. at the Garden Market Nursery and last
approximately 1 1/2 hours. Reservations are required, regular admission, call (843)556-6020.
6 – 15 Southern Comfort Blues Bash – Ten days of performances in clubs, restaurants, hotels and
other venues, call (843) 762-9125 or www.bluesbash.com.
12 – 14 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition – Largest wildlife art event in the nation, paintings,
carvings, outdoor outfitters and trip guides, collectibles, lectures and presentations, kids activities and
more. Events all over downtown Charleston, call (843) 723-1748 or www.sewe.com.
13 A Day in the Life of a Colonist – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Living history event
showcases trades that supported the fledgling colony, daily chores and activities that were essential to
the survival and success of Charles Towne. Interact with costumed interpreters portraying militia men,
indigo dyers, colonial herbalists, and traders. Board a reproduction 17th-century trading vessel and
experience a day in the life of a sailor, colonial foodways, black powder demonstrations, and the
construction of a colonial structure. From 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
13 The Charleston Blues Festival – Charleston Music Hall at 37 John St, 8pm, www.
charlestonbluesfestival.com or (340) 643-6475.
20 17th Century Cannon Firings – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Feel the ground
shake and hear the thundering roar as the Charles Towne Militia fires reproduction 17th century
cannons, meet living history demonstrators and learn about threats that faced Carolina’s first colonists.
Firings at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
20 – 21 Civil War Encampment – at the Middleton Place Stable yards. Visitors may enjoy numerous
educational programs and activities centered on a Civil War Encampment. See cooking and camp life
demonstrations, military tactical demonstrations and more. Regular admission, call (843) 556-6020.
28 – 3/4 Kiawah Island Golf Resort National Pro Am – Ocean Course. Call (800) 654-2924 for info.
MARCH 2009
Thru 3/27 Camellia Walks at Middleton Place – Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Special
guided tours focus on Camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the "new" camellia garden of
the 1950's. Middleton Place has hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the
first camellias planted in America. Tours begin at 11 a.m. at the Garden Market Nursery and last
approximately 1 1/2 hours. Reservations are required, regular admission, call (843) 556-6020.
4 – 7 Charleston Food + Wine Festival – Featured Event! See page xx for info.
5 French Quarter Art Walk – Stroll the cobblestone streets and visit participating galleries along E.
Bay, Meeting, Church, Cumberland, Queen, Broad and Chalmers Streets. Call (843) 577-7101, 5-8pm,
free.
8 – 8/30 Carolina Gold: from Rice to Riches – Middleton Place House Museum, a special exhibit.
Featured Event! See page xx.
12 – 28 Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball – Footlight Players Theater at 20 Queen
St. (843) 722-4487 or etix.com.
13 Piecing Together the Past with Archaeology – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Meet
archaeologist and tour dig sites of Native American artifacts. A hands-on program, tour their
archaeology lab, discover the science of the profession and history revealed below the surface. From
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
15 Annual Irish Music Show – The SC Irish Historical Society plays host to promote the future
Charleston/SC Irish Memorial. Show features Irish musician Mike Moloney and others. Sottile Theatre,
7:30pm, call (843) 556-3578 or www.scirish.org for info.
16 – 20 Charleston Fashion Week – Marion Square will be alive with local boutiques and emerging
designers. Visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com for schedule, tickets and info.
17 Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Mass starts at 8 am at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
(134 St. Phillip St at Radcliffe). 10 am, Parade from Radcliffe to King and Broad to Legare Streets. 11:30
am, Irish flag raising and ceremonies at Charleston City Hall (80 Broad St). 12:30 pm, Irish luncheon
and entertainment at Marion Square. (843) 556-3578.
18 – 4/17 63rd Annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens – Downtown Charleston. Explore the
interiors and gardens of some of the finest residences in America. Ten properties per tour, call (843)
722-3405 or www.historiccharleston.org for info.
19 – 21 Charleston International Antiques Show – Featuring more than 30 of the nation’s most
prominent antique dealers. Vintage jewelry, period furnishings, decorative arts, prints and quilts. 40
East Bay St. (843) 722-3405 for tickets and info.
20 17th Century Cannon Firings – Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Feel the ground
shake and hear the thundering roar as the Charles Towne Militia fires reproduction 17th century
cannons, meet living history demonstrators and learn about threats that faced Carolina’s first colonists.
Firings at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (843) 852-4200.
26 – 28 YMCA Summerville Flowertown Festival – Azalea Park on Main St. Nationally acclaimed
and is the largest arts & crafts festival in SC with more than 200 artists and vendors. Free admission.
(843) 871-YMCA or www.summervilleymca.org.
27 War Horses - Middleton Place. Learn about the significant role mounted soldiers played in the
American War for Independence. See authentic equipment, weapons and uniforms with Reenactors to
demonstrate to commemorate the 230th Anniversary of the Battle of Rantowle’s Bridge. Regular
admission, (843) 556-6020.
27 Cooper River Bridge Run – The best organized 10-K foot race in the world - For race entry and
info visit www.brigerun.com.
31 & 4/7 Spring Winefest – Middleton Place. Mother nature works her magic year round but her
boldest display is in the spring. Come enjoy a Spring Wine Tasting overlooking the famous Azalea
Hillside. Thousands of azaleas, dogwood and wisteria bloom each spring with their glorious colors
reflecting in the water of the Rice Mill Pond. From 5:30 – 7:30pm, by reservation only, $20 pp, call (843)
556-6020.
ONGOING EVENTS
Mar – Apr Charleston’s Peak Blooming Season - See azaleas, camellias, wisteria, flowering fruit
trees, quince, redbuds, forsythias, pearl bushes, Jessamine, honeysuckle, dogwoods, anemones,
hyacinths, lilies, star and saucer magnolias and many more.
1/22 – 5/16 Whistler’s Travels – The work of renowned American artist James McNeill Whistler
(1834-1903) at the Gibbes Museum.
