Events in Charleston SC | Festivals | Calendar

Find everything you'd ever want to do while visiting below - Charleston's most

comprehensive event and festival calendar!

Featured Events - January - February - March - Ongoing Events

Featured Events: January - March 2012

Lowcountry Oyster Roast

January 29

Since 1991 the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association has been shucking up a good time with the annual Lowcountry

Oyster Festival on the grounds of Boone Hall Plantation. The festival is consistently ranked one of the Top 20 Events in the

Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Some 65,000 pounds of oysters are trucked onto Boone Hall for Lowcountry

locals and visitors. Also part of the festival is the oyster shucking and eating contest, a selection of domestic and imported

beers, live entertainment and a kids’ corner with pony rides and a jump castle. Several local restaurants also provide food for

those who don’t have a taste for oysters. The festival is 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Boone Hall, 1235 Long Point Road in Mount

Pleasant. For more information or to buy tickets, visit boonehallplantation.com.

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

February 17-19

Kicking off Charleston’s tourism season, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in

the country, attracting more than 500 artists and exhibitors from around the world and welcoming 40,000 attendees. For

three days, the focus is on nature - whether that comes in the form of art, programming, conservation research or

environmental education. Regular festival highlights include dock dog and retriever competitions and birds of prey flight

demonstrations as well as presentations from wildlife experts like Jack Hanna. General admission tickets are $20 for Friday

and Saturday; $10 for Sunday; $40 for three days. No charge for children 10 and under. Tickets are available at

www.sewe.com, by calling 843-723-1748 and at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium and at various Charleston Area Visitor

Centers. During the show, purchase tickets are the various event locations, including Marion Square, Brittlebank Park and

Charleston Place Hotel.

Charleston Wine + Food Festival

March 1-4

For its seventh year, festival organizers are adding new events and revamping past favorites with a keen focus on Charleston

and all it has to offer - charm, architecture, food styles, innovative chefs and venues. Highlights include the Soul Food Shuffle

featuring legendary Gullah restaurants; Perfect Pairings Dinners featuring 17 of Charleston’s top-notch chefs; a Shop, Sip,

and Savor event with food and beverages along the King Street shopping district; and Taco Turf Wars in which six national

chefs serve up the best Tex-Mex tacos. Many events do sell out so check the website for availability. As the event approaches,

tickets are usually still available for the Culinary Village in Marion Square with 90 food, wine and spirit stations serving

samples. The festival - a nonprofit organization - benefits local culinary charities and scholarships. It has been hailed by

Forbes Traveler as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the country. Tickets prices and event locations vary; visit

www.charlestonwineandfood.com or call 843-727-9998.

Charleston Film Festival

March 1-4

This year’s third annual Charleston Film Festival will showcase some of the best dramas and documentaries as well as the

Belle of the South, a retrospective of a great Southern actor. The local film festival contest will recognize the best regional

feature film and best regional short film. The film festival takes place at Terrace Theater, 1956D Maybank Highway in

Charleston, which shows cutting edge first-run commercial films as well as independent films and documentaries. Tickets are

$10 each. For more information and a schedule of film showings, visit www.terracetheater.org or call 843-762-4247.

Charleston Fashion Week

March 20-24

Since its start in 2007, Charleston Fashion Week has been showcasing emerging designer and model talent across the East

Coast. It’s quickly becoming one of the country’s premier fashion events. Set in Marion Square in the heart of downtown

Charleston, this five-night event features more than 30 runway shows, an Emerging Designer Competition, bridal show and a

runway model competition. This event has helped launch the careers of up-and-coming fashion designers, and in 2011

attracted 7,000 people. Ticket options and pricing vary with packages and a la carte tickets. To purchase tickets or for more

information, visit www.charlestonmag.com/fashionweek or call 843-971-9811.

77th Annual House and Garden Tours

March 23-24

Take a peek into some of Charleston’s finest private homes and gardens during this annual event hosted by the Garden Club

of Charleston. Tours are 2-5 p.m. and feature homes and gardens located in Charleston’s historic district. Tours are self-

guided and usually include six homes and gardens. Tickets are $40; $70 for both days. Proceeds benefit the Garden Club and

its many projects that visitors enjoy, such as the Heyward-Washington House garden, Joseph Manigault House garden and the

Charleston Museum Courtyard. Purchase tickets at www.thegardenclubofcharleston.org; remaining tickets will be available 10

a.m. to 2 p.m. March 22-24 at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St. Wear comfortable walking shoes; strollers are

not allowed. For more information, call 843-724-9349.

Flowertown Festival

March 30-April 1

More than 200,000 people fill the streets of downtown Summerville for this three-day arts and crafts festival. A fundraiser for

the Summerville YMCA, the festival marks its 40th year and is consistently named among one of the Top 20 Events in the

Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. The crux of the festival is the more than 200 jury-selected artists from around

the country who have their work for sale. But the festival also has business and organization exhibitors, food from local

restaurants and activities and rides for children. The Flowertown Festival takes place in and around Azalea Park, a 12-acre

park in the heart of the town. Park entrance located at S. Main and West 5th South streets. Festival hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 30-31; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1. Free admission. Visit flowertownfestival.org or call 843-871-9622.

Cooper River Bridge Run

March 31

Almost 40,000 runners and walkers gather each year for one of the world’s top 10k races, the Cooper River Bridge Run. In its

35th year, the race continues to grow each year, attracting top-notch runners from all over. Running from Mount Pleasant to

Charleston, participants cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which is 2.5 miles long, 200 feet high and has a 4 percent slope.

In addition to the race itself, participants can join in a two-day expo, Taste of the Bridge Run and the 1-mile Kids Run on

March 30 at Hampton Park. Starting line for the 10k is at 8 a.m. on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. For more

information, visit bridgerun.com.

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January 2012

4-7 “Chesapeake” - What If? Productions founding artistic director Kyle Barnette stars in this one-man show as a performance

artist Kerr who becomes the target of a southern senator’s re-election campaign about removing government funding for the

arts. Kerr devises a plan to kidnap the senator’s campaign tool, his Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Lucky. 8 p.m. Threshold

Repertory Theatre, 84 ½ Society St. $12-$18. www.whatifproductions.org.

9 Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner at The Boathouse - Enjoy a sustainable seafood meal with wine pairings while learning

about how seafood choices today can ensure healthy fish for the future. A portion of proceeds benefit the South Carolina

Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Boathouse at Breach Inlet. Reservations: 843-886-8000.

12-22 Charleston Restaurant Week - Dozens of Charleston restaurants offer prix fixe menus of three items for one price ($20,

$30, $40). For a list of participating restaurants, visit www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

13, 27 The Sound of Charleston - Live music from gospel to Gershwin. 7 p.m. Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting

St. $28; $25 seniors; free for children. 843-270-4903 or www.soundofcharleston.com.

14 Braise and Brew - Middleton Place Restaurant Chef Micah Garrison hosts an evening of braised meats and vegetables

paired with seasonal bears and microbrews. 6-9 p.m. $55. Middleton Place Plantation. 843-556-6020 or

www.middletonplace.org.

15 Chamber Music Charleston House Concert - Musicians of Chamber Music Charleston perform music for flutes, bassoon and

harpsichord by Haydn, Bach and Villa Lobos in this historic home on the Battery. 3 p.m. The Palmer Home, 5 East Battery St.

$35. 843-763-4941 or www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

16 Chamber Music Charleston House Concert - Musicians of Chamber Music Charleston perform a candlelight concert of

music for flutes, bassoon and harpsichord by Haydn, Bach and Villa Lobos in this historic home on the Battery. 7:30 p.m.

Edmondston-Alston House, 21 East Battery St. $35. 843-763-4941 or www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 - “The Cay” by the Flowertown Players. A young American boy living on a Caribbean island during

World War II is shipwrecked and awakens on an island with a cat and an old West Indian deckhand. Blind from his injuries,

the boy must learn to overcome his racial prejudice and blindness to survive. 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. on Jan. 22 & 29. $20 for adults.

James F. Dean Theatre, 133 S. Main St., Summerville. 843-875-9251 or www.flowertownplayers.org.

22 Chamber Music Charleston Edisto Island Concert - Chamber Music Charleston brings the music of Bach, Haydn, Pergolesi

and Villa Lobos to this historic Presbyterian Church. 7 p.m. The Presbyterian Church on Edisto, 2164 Highway 174 in Edisto.

$20. 843-763-4941 or www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

28 Symphonic Swing - The Charleston Jazz Orchestra will perform some of the most recognizable works from traditional and

orchestral repertoire of major composers. 7 and 10 p.m. (two sets). $30-$40. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. in

Charleston. 843-641-0011 or jazzartistsofcharleston.org.

28-29 “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day” - This musical for young audiences is based on the book

by Judith Viorst about a kid who has a day where nothing goes right. 3 p.m. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. in

Charleston. $22. 843-577-7183 or www.charlestonstage.com.

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February 2012

4 Classical Kids Concert - This 45-minute concert is just for the younger audience. Each program opens with an introduction

to the instruments and musicians followed by selections of familiar children’s songs arranged for chamber ensemble. 1 p.m.

Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. in Charleston. $10; $5 for children 3-16; free for children 3 and under. 843-763-4941

or www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

4 Chamber Music Charleston Memminger Concert - In “A Celebration of France,” musicians perform the music of Ravel,

Chabrier and Faure. Guests choose from premium VIP bistro table seating or general theater-style seating. 7:30 p.m.

Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. in Charleston. $5-$35. 843-763-4941 or www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

10, 24 The Sound of Charleston - Live music from gospel to Gershwin. 7 p.m. Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting

St. $28; $25 seniors; free for children. 843-270-4903 or www.soundofcharleston.com.

10-26 “Avenue Q” - This show follows the adventures and misadventures of a fresh-faced college graduate named Princeton

who sets out for the big city to find his purpose in life. But young Princeton still has lessons to learn, and the freaky, furry folks

who live on Avenue Q are only too happy to guide him on his way. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. in Charleston. $22-

$52. 843-577-7183 or www.charlestonstage.com.

11, 12 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” - The Charleston Ballet Theatre presents an evening of three ballets, including “A

Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Poetry With a Splash of Red Blood” set to the music of Philip Glass, and “Allegro Brilliante” set to

the music of Tchaikovsky. College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. $20-$45. 843-723-7334 or

charlestonballet.org.

11-3/24 Camellia Walks - Take a guided tour focused on camellias throughout the gardens of Middleton Place Plantation. See

hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the first camellias planted in America. Tours are 1.5 hours

each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11 a.m. 843-556-6020 or www.middletonplace.org.

14 Love Under the Sea Valentine’s Dinner - Enjoy a three-course meal, wine and a surprise gift while learning about the

intimate mating and love connections of marine creatures. South Carolina Aquarium. Aquarium tour at 6:15 p.m.; dinner at 7

p.m. $165 per couple. Reservations are required; 843-577-3474.

25 Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner at Middleton Place - Enjoy wine- and food-paired stations of sustainable seafood

while learning about how seafood choices today can ensure healthy fish for the future. A portion of proceeds benefit the

South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. 6-9 p.m. The Restaurant at Middleton Place. Reservations: 843-

266-7477 or www.middletonplace.org.

26 Chamber Music Charleston in Summerville - Musicians of Chamber Music Charleston perform music for piano, winds and

strings. 4 p.m. St. John the Beloved, 28 Sumter Ave. $15; $5 for students. 843-763-4941 or

www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

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March 2012

2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 - “Wait Until Dark” by the Flowertown Players. As Susy Hendrix learns to cope with her

blindness, her life is changed as she is terrorized by a group of criminals who believe she has hidden a baby doll they used to

smuggle heroin into the country. 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. March 4, 11 & 18. $20 for adults. James F. Dean Theatre, 133 S. Main St.,

Summerville. 843-875-9251 or www.flowertownplayers.org.

2, 9, 15, 23, 30 The Sound of Charleston - Live music from gospel to Gershwin. 7 p.m. Circular Congregational Church, 150

Meeting St. $28; $25 seniors; free for children. 843-270-4903 or www.soundofcharleston.com.

3 Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner at Rue De Jean - Enjoy sustainable seafood dishes from a guest chef at Rue De Jean

as part of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Learn how seafood choices today can ensure healthy fish for the future. A

portion of proceeds benefit the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. 7-10 p.m. Rue De Jean.

Reservations: 843-577-3474.

9-25 “Inga Binga” - In early 1942, Navy Ensign Jack Kennedy and his current fling, suspected Nazi spy, Inga Arvad, planned a

clandestine tryst at the Fort Sumter House Hotel in Charleston. Reporters from Life Magazine were soon on the prowl, and

FBI agents were listening in from next door. Based on true events, comic fireworks explode in this highly imaginative and

highly speculative comedy. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. in Charleston. $22-$48. 843-577-7183 or

www.charlestonstage.com.

13 Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns - Kearns and The Irish Tenors have produced 10 successful CDs. Hear Kearns at the

Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. in Charleston. $25. 843-556-3578 or www.scirish.org.

14-17 Charleston Art & Antiques Forum - This year’s theme is “America’s Palette” and the schedule includes lectures and

tours, including a tour of private gardens organized by the Charleston Horticultural Society. 800-926-2520 or

www.charlestonantiquesforum.org.

17 St. Patrick’s Day Festivities - Celebrate with a full day of events beginning with 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic

Church, followed by a parade on King Street, Irish luncheon and entertainment at the Knights of Columbus (Calhoun Street at

Marion Square). 843-556-3578 or www.scirish.org.

24 Swingin’ Soul - The Charleston Jazz Orchestra will perform some of the most recognizable works from traditional and

orchestral repertoire of major composers. 7 and 10 p.m. (two sets). $30-$40. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. in

Charleston. 843-641-0011 or jazzartistsofcharleston.org.

25 Chamber Music Charleston Edisto Island Concert - Chamber Music Charleston performs chamber music in this historic

Presbyterian Church. 7 p.m. The Presbyterian Church on Edisto, 2164 Highway 174 in Edisto. $20. 843-763-4941 or

www.chambermusiccharleston.org.

25-27 Charleston Horticultural Society 52^nd Annual Symposium - In partnership with the American Boxwood Society, this event

includes private garden tours and presentations. www.seecharlestonboxwood.com

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Ongoing Events

Daily Ghost & Haunted Walking Tours; Culinary Tours - Four tours to choose from as well as history and culinary tours.

Bulldog Tours, 843-722-8687 or bulldogtours.com.

Third Saturdays in February and March 17^th Century Cannon Demonstrations - Charles Towne Militia fires reproduction

17^th-century cannon and living history demonstrators in period costume show what life was like for the English colonists living

in fear of the Spanish who were just a three-day sale from St. Augustine. Charles Towne Landing. 843-852-4200 or

www.charlestownelanding.travel.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS + FESTIVALS