Charleston is a beautiful place to be in the spring. The fresh green of the flowers, magnolias and azaleas bursting in color, and the warming days revive the energy. Make the most of the Holy City social season with these top exciting events. When Charleston throws a party, she goes all out, so be prepared for a good time!

The Charleston Festival

March-April, Various Times & Locations

Formerly known as the Festival of Houses and Gardens, this beloved, longtime tradition has charmed Charlestonians for over 75 years. The Historic Charleston Foundation invites you to celebrate the culture, historic homes, and gardens of the Holy City.

The Charleston Festival opens the doors of the city’s beautiful private houses and gardens. These lovingly maintained and restored homes are inextricably linked to Charleston’s past, present, and future. The tours celebrate the architectural heritage of historic downtown streets, with buildings dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. 

The special events include a concert series at The Riveria and American Theater, programs celebrating the interior design and landscape architecture of the Lowcountry, and our food traditions. Lectures on Location are immersive experiences on a variety of topics, from sweetgrass basket weaving to mixology. Festival proceeds benefit the Historic Charleston Foundation. 

Charleston Open

March-April, Various Times, Credit One Stadium, Daniel Island, Charleston.

Among all the spring events in Charleston, SC, this grand slam women’s-only pro tennis tournament is a true highlight. It is the oldest professional all-women’s tennis tournament in the U.S. and earned accolades as the tournament of the year in 2022 & 2023. Female tennis stars descend on the courts on Daniel Island for intense rounds of play culminating in finals over nine days. Over 90,000 people attend to watch the stars of the game. In 2024, American Danielle Collins won the singles tournament. To add to the atmosphere, the Daniel Island Ferry runs from the historic district to the matches at the stadium.

Flowertown Festival

Early April, 3 Days, Summerville

One of the largest events in the southeast, the annual Flowertown Festival in nearby Summerville is a must-see event for fans of flowers and art. Walk underneath wisteria in full purple blossoms, ethereal dogwoods, and of course, the fireworks of azaleas. Admission is free to wander the rows of juried-selected art vendors and craftsmen. The KidsFest area features outdoor activities and rides. After Saturday, a Farmer’s Market accompanies the food vendors at The Taste food hall. The annual festival winds down Main Street and through Azalea Park.

Cooper River Bridge Run

Early April, Cooper Bridge

Some road races are just that–pounding pavement kilometer after kilometer. But the Cooper River Bridge Run is an experience. World-class athletes come to run 10K with 40,000 other participants. It’s a signature event among long-distance road races and the third largest in the United States. It starts in Mount Pleasant and crosses the bridge for 2.5 miles before turning into the heart of downtown. Before the festival is a two-day fitness expo at the Charleston Convention Center. After finishing the run, join the finish festival for an epic celebration with food vendors, live entertainment, and race souvenirs. 

Lowcountry Cajun Festival

Saturday in April, noon-6 pm, James Island County Park

Throwdown as all that makes Lowcountry living so divine. Do you have what it takes to win the crawfish eating contest, or would you rather savor the Cajun food? Find all the Creole favorites, from andouille sausage to alligator, done right. A full day of jazz and Zydeco music will keep your toes tapping. For the kids, the climbing wall will be open, and inflatables will keep them jumping. 

Live at Firefly Concert Series

April-June 26, Doors Open at 6 p.m., Firefly Distillery, North Charleston

What better way to while away a spring evening than to live local music while sipping a cocktail? Sip, see, listen to Firefly’s concert series. The porch and field stages feature national and regional musical acts. For the chill acts, visit on Saturday afternoons for music on the porch. On the field, the venue hosts all kinds of genres, with 2024 acts ranging from TPain to Modest Mouse to Queens of the Stone Age. All entry is general admission and must be purchased in advance. There are no ticket boxes at the venue. Concerts held on a five-acre grass field and chairs are prohibited. The distillery is not open on concert days. Some concerts may have age restrictions; visit the Firefly Distillery for the current year’s lineup of events. 

Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival

April 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant

This annual event is one of Charleston’s most popular festivals. The Blessing of the Fleet celebrates Mount Pleasant’s shrimping and fishing industry. It features a boat parade, live music, an art and craft show. The juried art festival features over 40 selected craft vendors with hand-made goods on sale. Of course, there are food trucks and local restaurants with seafood samplings. Check out the shag and shrimp-eating contests! Entertain the kids with lots of free, family-friendly activities. The highlight is the ceremonial blessing of the shrimp/fishing fleet at Memorial Waterfront Park. The Blessing is traditionally a spring event in April, with special events leading up to the main festival. For more info, visit https://experiencemountpleasant.com/events/blessing-of-the-fleet/.

North Charleston Arts Fest

May, Various Times & Locations

This five-day fest is a flurry of artistic expression that showcases more than 100 national, regional, and local artists and performers. Experience creativity in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, crafts, photography, media arts, and literature. These free or affordably priced performances, workshops, exhibitions, and activities are held in venues throughout North Charleston. See the annual schedule for all the activity options and locations. The children’s festival has kids activities like a soap bubble circus, outdoor games, and inflatables.

Spoleto Festival

May, Various Times & Locations

The Spoleto Festival is an internationally acclaimed arts and music festival held annually in Spoleto, Italy, and in Charleston, SC. Founded by Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, the annual festival aims to create a platform for all forms of performing arts, including opera, theater, dance, music, and visual arts. The Italian counterpart, Festival dei Due Mondi, takes place in the historic city of Spoleto and is renowned for its picturesque settings and rich cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Spoleto Festival USA, established in 1977, transforms Charleston into a vibrant hub of artistic activity. It attracts performers and audiences from around the world for 17 days. The beautiful outdoor spaces, historic churches, and theaters fill with color and sound for high-quality performances. The annual event is prized for its high-caliber performances, innovative programming, and commitment to fostering emerging talent. Attending artists and performances change each year, so check the latest guide.

Spring Events in Charleston, SC

This is just the start of the things to do in April, May, and June across the Holy City. Even more is on top, from the start of the Marion Square farmer’s market to a host of specialty events at the Charleston Music Hall and Queen Street Playhouse. And you always have year-round activities, like walking tours, museums, and beach days. Every day in living in Charleston is a backdrop for adventure.

 Updated July 2024