Upcoming Events at Charleston’s Historic Plantations

  • Charleston Brass Symphony Quarter May 23, 2026

Experience Drayton Hall After Hours and bring a date, gather your friends, or make it a family night out at Drayton Hall at Night.

Stroll the grounds as the sun sets and enjoy the stunning beauty of the landscape, enhanced by live music from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quartet, performing from the iconic portico throughout the evening. The house will be open for self-guided tours, with knowledgeable interpreters on hand to share the rich history of Drayton Hall.

  • A Cup of History: The Way of Tea ◊ May 30, 2026

Tea lovers and history enthusiasts alike are invited to experience A Cup of History at Drayton Hall, a one-of-a-kind event that explores the intersection of fine Chinese teas and the fight for American independence.

At the heart of this experience is a curated tea service featuring premium Chinese teas, carefully selected to reflect the types imported to the American colonies before the Revolution. Savor prized teas produced in China using centuries-old traditional methods and experience Cha Dao, The Way of Tea, while learning how tea—once a luxury of empire—became a catalyst for protest and political upheaval.

Guests will enjoy a tour of Drayton Hall with curator Amber Satterthwaite followed by a presentation and guided tea tasting led by tea expert Richard Kligler of For All the Tea in Charleston. You’ll also explore how global commerce, British taxation, and local resistance converged over tea, and how it became both a daily ritual and a symbol of resistance during a time of tension and transformation.

Click here for additional information on these and other events at Drayton Hall.

  • After Hours Wine Stroll ◊ May 15, 2026

As the golden hour hits the gardens, enjoy an evening where the wine flows as easily as the conversation. Wander world-famous garden paths, drink in hand, and witness the spectacular May blooms. Hydrangeas will be bursting with color, and namesake Southern magnolia trees will be showing off their iconic white blossoms.

Savor curated wine selections paired with delicious light bites, all while unwinding to the soulful sounds of live music in the garden.

  • A Fairytale Summer: Fairies & Flowers ◊ May 16 through July 12, 2026

This summer, step into the Fairies & Flowers exhibit and experience a dreamy adventure through 20+ whimsical fairy village dwellings along acres of winding garden paths.

Layered scenes and stories appear among historic gardens, inviting guests of all ages to seek and discover hidden treasures tucked throughout the displays.

Each delicate installation is skillfully created by Charleston-based artists, revealing talent and charm in the tiniest details. 

Click here for additional information on these and other events at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.

  • Roots Uprising Dance Company: Witness Trees May 31, 2026

As part of Middleton Place’s 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution programming, Witness Trees at Middleton Place is the premiere of a site-specific dance performance inspired by the Conversations of Freedom exhibit. Presented by Roots Uprising Dance Company with live music from the Colour of Music Festival, this powerful outdoor performance reflects on the stories of freedom, struggle, and resilience connected to the Middleton Place landscape, honoring the deep relationship enslaved Africans and African Americans had with the land.

Click here for additional coverage information on these and other events at Middleton Plantation.

Tidelines Editors