What’s on in Charleston
Concerts, food and wine, ball games and holiday nights coming up around town. Pick one and a host will plan the evening around it.
November
6–15 Nov
Charleston Literary Festival
Ten days of readings and talks from more than 80 authors, including Salman Rushdie and Barbara Kingsolver.
31 Oct – 14 Nov
Charleston Southern football home games
The Buccaneers' last three home games of the season.
29 Oct – 8 Nov
Coastal Carolina Fair
The region's 11-day fall fair with carnival rides and family attractions.
25 Oct – 22 Dec
College of Charleston men's basketball home games
Cougars men's basketball home games at TD Arena downtown.
Sat 7 Nov
The Citadel football vs Furman (Homecoming)
The Citadel's homecoming game against in-state rival Furman, its last home game of the season.
Sun 8 Nov
BARBREWGRASS Festival
Barbecue, beer and bluegrass at Firefly Distillery.
Wed 11 Nov
Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run & Walk
A 2-mile run and walk through the light displays before the festival opens.
13–15 Nov
Food & Wine Classic in Charleston
Three days of grand tastings, celebrity chef demos and seminars, with Tyler Florence, Nancy Silverton and Mike Lata among the chefs.
13 Nov – 31 Dec
Holiday Festival of Lights
The 37th annual drive-through light show: a three-mile route past more than 750 displays, with train rides, s'mores and Santa.
Nightly 5:30-10:00 PM
Sat 14 Nov
Holy Smokes
An all-you-can-eat barbecue festival with more than 50 pitmasters and chefs across four barbecue villages.
Sat 14 Nov
Hudson Westbrook: The Hits Me Tour
The country singer plays the Live at Firefly outdoor series.
20 Nov – 31 Dec
Aquarium Aglow
Holiday light installations inspired by the natural world, after hours at the aquarium.
Select nights 5:30-9:00 PM
Sun 22 Nov
Firefly Oyster Roast
Seasonal oyster roasts at Firefly Distillery in Park Circle.
Tue 24 Nov
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
The Christmas touring show of the classical-meets-rock ensemble.
Sat 28 Nov
Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour
The violinist and dancer's holiday show of classical, pop and electronic music.
29 Nov – 20 Dec
A Christmas Carol (Charleston Stage)
Charleston Stage's production of the Dickens classic in the historic Dock Street Theatre.
December
Tue 1 Dec
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
A family holiday show mixing Broadway-style music with circus acts.
Tue 1 Dec
South Carolina Ballet: The Nutcracker
A full-length Nutcracker with professional dancers, scenery and costumes.
Thu 3 Dec
Christmas with Chris Tomlin
A Christmas worship concert with Chris Tomlin.
4–18 Dec
Christmas at Drayton Hall
Curator-led holiday tours on how Christmas was celebrated at the 1738 estate.
4–5 Dec
Southern Living Illumination Charleston
Southern Living's 21+ holiday market with demonstrations and seminars from editors, chefs and authors; Saturday is the main market day.
4–22 Dec
Spiegeltent: Cabaret Royale
An 18+ holiday cabaret of circus, comedy and spectacle in a vintage mirrored tent, now in its fifth season.
Sat 5 Dec
Isle of Palms Holiday Street Festival
Crafts, food vendors, live music and Santa, ending in a tree lighting at 5:30 PM.
Sat 5 Dec
Shakey Graves
The Austin folk-rock songwriter in concert.
Sun 6 Dec
Drayton Hall Annual Oyster Roast
All-you-can-eat oysters, a chili bar and local drinks on the grounds of the 1738 estate.
Thu 10 Dec
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
The Peanuts holiday special performed live on stage, for families.
Fri 11 Dec
Allman Betts Family Revival
Devon Allman and Duane Betts's annual holiday tribute to the Allman Brothers' music.
11–22 Dec
Charleston Christmas Special
An all-new holiday variety show of singers, dancers, musicians and comedy.
Sat 12 Dec
Folly Beach Christmas Parade
Floats and marching bands down Center Street, with Santa at Folly River Park afterwards.
Sun 13 Dec
Aoife O'Donovan and Chris Thile: Wassail!
Two Grammy winners play holiday songs, new originals and fresh takes on classics.
Sun 13 Dec
Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Fireworks, marching bands, lit floats and Santa on a fire truck along Coleman Boulevard.
Sun 13 Dec
Stingrays Teddy Bear Toss
The Stingrays' annual Teddy Bear Toss game, presented by Crews Chevrolet.
Sun 13 Dec
Summerville Christmas Parade
Summerville DREAM's annual parade down Main Street; downtown roads are barricaded 10 AM to 5 PM.
17–19 Dec
CSO Holiday Pops with Cheyenne Jackson
The Charleston Symphony, conducted by Yuriy Bekker, plays carols and holiday hits with Broadway's Cheyenne Jackson.
18–20 Dec
Charleston's Nutcracker (Palmetto City Ballet)
A Lowcountry-flavoured Nutcracker following Clara through toy soldiers, snowflakes and a festive market.
19–20 Dec
12th Annual Holy City Holiday Market
More than 200 vendors with food trucks and drinks at Firefly Distillery in Park Circle.
Sat 11 AM-5 PM; Sun 11 AM-3 PM
Sun 20 Dec
Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour 2026
The Tony and Grammy winner sings holiday music.
Thu 31 Dec
Folly Beach New Year's Eve and Flip-Flop Drop
Family fireworks over the beach at 7 PM, then a giant sparkly flip-flop drops on Center Street at midnight.
January
Fri 1 Jan
Bill Murray Polar Plunge
A New Year's Day costume plunge into the Atlantic; dressing as a Bill Murray character is encouraged.
Nothing is listed for the next few weeks yet. Ask a host what is on.
Something else in mind?
Tell a host the date and the kind of night. They will find the place.