Category: Festivals

Holiday Festival of Lights November 10 – December 31

Holiday Festival of Lights
November 10 – December 31, 2023
5:30-10:00 pm
James Island County Park

The Holiday Festival of Lights is back! With over two million lights, this beloved tradition offers fun for the whole family and is sure to boost your holiday spirit. The Holiday Festival of Lights is open every evening, rain or shine, from 5:30-10:00 pm, November 10 through December 31.

The festival is more than just driving through the three miles of beautiful light displays. You are invited to park your car and explore Winter Wonderland,  home of the area’s largest holiday sand sculpture formed from over 50 tons of sand. Roam through festival shops for merry gifts, official collector series ornaments, toys, personalized items, decorations and stocking stuffers. Pop into Santa’s Sweet Shoppe for tasty treats. Take a ride on the train for an up-close view of the festival, and see even more light displays on the Enchanted Walking Trail. A complete map of the Holiday of Lights Festival can be found here.

Santa will be at Santa’s Village, 6:00-10:00 pm each night, November 10 through December 23. Visiting with Santa at the festival is free. Digital photos are available for an additional fee.

To enhance visitor experience and to help manage wait times and traffic, Holiday Festival of Lights organizers used historical attendance data to create GREEN, YELLOW and RED nights.  Admission prices vary based on the night. 

Visitors can save by buying tickets in advance online. Green night pricing is $15 per vehicle if purchased online, or $20 at the gate. Yellow night pricing is $25 per vehicle if purchased online, or $30 at the gate. Red night pricing is $30 per vehicle if purchased online, or $40 at the gate.

Click here for more information and tickets.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: CCPRC website)

CLF: Embrace the Conversation Nov 3-12

Are you someone who loves books? Do you enjoy engaging in inspiring conversations about ideas? The renowned Charleston Literary Festival (CLF) returns from November 3 – 12, 2023 at various venues in Charleston. This celebration of literature, culture and creativity showcases an impressive list of authors and distinguished speakers. Tickets are still available for many sessions.

Find the full Charleston Literary Festival 2023 Program here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: charlestonliteraryfestival.com)

Charleston Mimosa Fest Oct 28

Charleston Wine Festivals will host the Charleston Mimosa Festival on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 1:00-5:00 pm at the Johnson Hagood Stadium at The Citadel.

Tickets are on sale now for $50.00 by clicking here. After October 19, single ticket price will be $55.00. Day of event tickets will be $65.00. Tickets include entry into the event, entertainment, souvenir cup, and drinks. Food will be available for an incremental fee.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: CharlestonWineFestivals.com)

52nd Annual Charleston Scottish Games Nov 4

The 52nd Annual Charleston Scottish Games & Highland Gathering
by the Scottish Society of Charleston

Saturday, November 4
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Riverfront Park, North Charleston

With its inaugural event in 1971, the Charleston Scottish Games & Highland Gathering is the second oldest event of its kind in the southeast. Drawing visitors from around the country and abroad, the Games brings in over 8,000 guests, immersing visitors in Scottish heritage and history. This year’s honor clan will be Clan Fraser.

Get your tickets to the 52nd Annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering and make your plans to visit Scotland for the day!

Click here for tickets and information. Follow Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering on Facebook for all the latest on the event.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: charlestonscottishgames.com)

SEWE 2024 Tickets Now on Sale

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition returns to downtown Charleston February 16-18, 2024. SEWE is conveniently hosted at the following five venues:

Marion Square
Charleston Marriott
Charleston Gaillard Center
The Charleston Place
Brittlebank Park

Tickets are now on sale and there are several events associated with SEWE between now and February. For information, click here.

“SEWE is a celebration of the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment and special events. It’s where artists, craftsmen, collectors and sporting enthusiasts come together to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and connect through a shared passion for wildlife.”

–Tidelines Editors 

(Image credit: SEWE)

Oktoberfest Celebration Sep 22-24

Get ready to raise your glasses for an unforgettable Oktoberfest celebration in the heart of the Holy City. Gabrielle Plaza is transformed into a Bennett Biergarten with an array of German-inspired dishes like sizzling bratwursts and pretzels with hefeweizen cheese sauce, and most importantly, a wide selection of craft beers by Munkle Brewing Company.

No reservations or tickets are required. Simply come to the Plaza overlooking Marion Square Park and enjoy Oktoberfest festivities at your leisure. Food and drinks will be available for purchase a la carte and daily Stein Hoisting competitions will be held. The winner not only claims bragging rights but wins complimentary beer on the Plaza for the rest of the day. 

Friday, September 22
5:00 – 7:00 pm – Hans Schmidt German Band
6:00 pm – Stein Hoisting Competition

Saturday, September 23
4:00 pm – Stein Hoisting Competition

Sunday, September 24
4:00 pm – Stein Hoisting Competition

For more information, as well as food and beer menus, visit the Hotel Bennett website. 

-Submitted by Hotel Bennett

(Image credit: Hotel Bennett)

CHS Summer Wine Festival Aug 26

Charleston Wine Festivals will host its Summer Wine Festival at the Charleston Harbor Cruise Terminal, 196 Concord Street, on August 26, 2023 from 3:00-7:00 pm.

This 21+ event will feature over 50 wine selections, mimosas, White Claw and beer. All beverage tastings are included in the ticket price and food will be available for purchase.

Ticket price includes a souvenir acrylic wine glass, wine and beer samples, and entertainment. Guests can enjoy live music on the outdoor waterside patio or stay in the cool air-conditioned indoors and listen to a DJ.

Click here to purchase tickets now for $50. Prices will increase to $55 after August 18 and will be $65 the day of the event.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Charleston Wine Festivals)

 

Charleston Beer Fest Sept 9

Tickets are going fast for the 2023 Charleston Beer Fest! With only a few $35 general admission tickets and $85 VIP tickets remaining, you’ll want to grab your tickets now.

The Holy City’s premier celebration of all things beer will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 1:00 – 7:00 pm at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park (1061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston).

Attendees can look forward to an exciting assortment of 50+ breweries from the Carolinas and beyond, 20+ food trucks, craft vendors, games and more. Come out for a full day of fun.

To purchase tickets go to: chsbeerfest.org/tickets. Remaining general admission tickets are $35; VIP tickets are still available for $85. Designated driver tickets can be purchased for $20.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Chsbeerfest.org)

Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth is a yearly observance remembering June 19, 1865, the date that the Emancipation Proclamation was enforced in Galveston, TX, eliminating slavery completely in the United States. Galveston was one of the most remote regions that still had slaves, thus this enforcement freed the remaining enslaved peoples. Texas was the first state to declare Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980 and 46 other states commemorate this date in some manner.

There are several activities in the Charleston area celebrating Junteenth. The Juneteenth Family Fest has events which include a day of fun on Saturday, June 17.  We Pickle Too, on June 17 and 18, is a weekend of pickleball fun and activities in North Charleston promoting health and wellness in the African-American and minority communities.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Jama Software)

Charleston Beer Fest Tickets On Sale

Tickets are going fast for the 2023 Charleston Beer Fest! The Holy City’s premier celebration of all things beer will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 1:00 – 7:00 pm at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park (1061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston).

Attendees can look forward to an exciting assortment of 50+ breweries from the Carolinas and beyond, 20+ food trucks, craft vendors, games and more. Come out for a full day of fun.

General admission tickets are on sale starting at $30.00. A limited number of VIP tickets are still available for $85.00. Designated driver tickets can be purchased for $20.00. To purchase tickets go to: chsbeerfest.org/tickets.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Chsbeerfest.org)

Charleston Greek Festival May 12-14

Become “Greek for the Weekend” May 12 to May 14, 2023, when the 52nd Annual Charleston Greek Festival returns. Lowcountry residents and visitors are invited to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Race Street, to feast on Greek foods from salads to moussaka, roasted lamb, gyros and pastries. Sample some Greek wines and beers. Enjoy performances of  local Greek dance troupes. Take a guided tour of the church. Stroll through the arts and crafts booths located on the church grounds.

The festival runs Friday, May 12,  5-10 pm; Saturday, May 13, 11 am-10 pm; and Sunday, May 14, from noon to 6 pm. There will be free parking and a shuttle service at the Harborview Office Tower, 19 Hagood Avenue, Charleston.

For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, go to:  www.charlestongreekfestival.com

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit:  www.charlestongreekfestival.com)

Cars at Kiawah River Volunteer Registration Now Open

Cars at Kiawah River, formerly known as Cars on Kiawah, will host its sixth annual display of over 200 of the region’s most outstanding automobiles on October 14, 2023, at Kiawah River.

Volunteer registration opens on May 1, 2023

As a nonprofit, Cars at Kiawah River/Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat depends on volunteers to help make this Lowcountry event a reality. If you are passionate about cars or would like to show your support for their beneficiary, the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, please consider donating a few hours of your time. 

For more information about the event or volunteering, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Photo credit: Cars at Kiawah River)