Category: Festivals

Brookgreen Gardens Holiday Event

Are you interested in planning ahead for the holidays? Brookgreen Gardens will welcome the return of Nights of a Thousand Candles for 21 select evenings from November 27, 2026, through January 3, 2027.

From 4:00 to 9:00 pm, guests can walk through the Gardens amid the glow of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights. The annual event also features live holiday music, seasonal food and beverages, and a nightly tree lighting in the Arboretum.

Nights of a Thousand Candles will take place from 4:00 to 9:00 pm on the following dates:

  • November 2026: November 27, 28, and 29
  • December 2026: December 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30 and 31
  • January 2027: January 1, 2, and 3

Click here for more information on purchasing tickets.

-Submitted by Brookgreen Gardens

Grape Stomp Festival August 15

Grape Stomp Festival

Saturday, August 15, 2026
9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Deep Water Vineyard
6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC

Grab your tickets now for the 22nd annual Grape Stomp Festival at Deep Water Vineyard on Wadmalaw Island. The festival will include live music, food trucks, local vendors selling unique gifts, and of course, grape stomping.

Gates open at 9:30 am. Parking passes can be purchased in advance here for $10.00 per vehicle or $20.00 per vehicle the day of the festival.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit:  Deep Water Vineyard website)

August in Your Charleston County Parks

Check out the wide variety of activities available during August by Charleston County Parks!


Festivals & Events
August 7 Reggae Nights Summer Concert
August 9 Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series
August 15 Dog Day Afternoon – James Island
August 15 Dog Day Afternoon – Mount Pleasant
August 15 Inclusive Prom
August 21 Moonlight Mixer
August 22 Sunrise Yoga
August 26 Wine Down Wednesday

Nature, History & Culture
August 8 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 12 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 14 Gator Tales
August 14 Homeschool In The Parks: Wonderous Water
August 14 Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
August 15 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 15 Rooted Knowledge: Community Healers
August 19 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 20 Seashore Exploration
August 21 The Water’s Edge: Old Towne Creek County Park
August 22 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 24 Shark Tooth Sleuthing
August 26 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
August 28 Seashore Exploration

Outdoor Adventure
August 9 Intro to Lead Climbing
August 15 Team Charleston tryouts
August 22 Team Charleston tryouts
August 29 Intro To Archery
August 29 Family Archery

Youth Sports
August 3-October 24 Johns Island Youth Football Ages 11-12
August 5-November 11 Baptist Hill Youth Cheerleading Ages 5-12
August 10-October 28 Johns Island Youth Cheerleading Ages 7-12
August 11-October 29 Johns Island Ready, Set, Run! Ages 8-13
August 18-October 21 Johns Island Youth Flag Football Ages 7-10

-Submitted by Charleston County Parks

(Image credit: CCPRC.com)

July in Your Charleston County Parks

Check out the wide variety of activities available during July by Charleston County Parks!


Festivals & Events
July 16 Inclusive Swim Night
July 17 Reggae Nights Summer Concert
July 24 Dancing on the Cooper
July 25 Inclusive Swim Night
July 25 Youth Triathlon
July 26 Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series
July 31 Moonlight Mixer

Nature, History & Culture
July 17 Homeschool in the Parks: Animal Trackers
July 18 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
July 18 Caw Caw: Walking on History
July 22 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
July 23 Mystical Moths
July 25 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
July 25 Tea Farm Creek Canoe Trip
July 25 Rooted Knowledge: Colonial Herbals and Medicine
July 29 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
July 30 Leaf and Learn

Outdoor Adventure
July 22 Special Olympics Kayak Team

Youth Sports
July 20 Youth Triathlon Swim Clinic

-Submitted by Charleston County Parks

(Image credit: CCPRC.com)

Charleston Jazz Orchestra Announces Fall Schedule

The Charleston Jazz Orchestra returns to the Charleston Music Hall in September with an exciting lineup of world-class performances.

Piano Legends
Saturday, September 19 • 5:00 and 8:00 pm

Celebrate the iconic pianists who helped define the sound of jazz in an evening of timeless classics.

What a Wonderful World featuring Bruce Harris
Saturday, October 17 • 5:00 and 8:00 pm

Acclaimed trumpeter Bruce Harris joins the CJO for a heartfelt tribute to Louis Armstrong and his enduring legacy.

Holiday Swing featuring Tommy Brown Jr.
Saturday, December 5 • 5:00 and 8:00 pm

Celebrate the season with Charleston’s favorite holiday tradition featuring festive favorites, big band classics, and plenty of holiday spirit.

Click here for more information and tickets.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit – Charleston Jazz Orchestra)

Charleston Literary Festival Announces List of Authors

Are you looking for an immersive literary experience? This November, the Charleston Literary Festival celebrates its milestone 10th anniversary with a constellation of extraordinary authors, unscripted conversations, and deep connection that will take place at Dock Street Theatre from November 6-15, 2026. 

With an emphasis on world-class literary programming, this festival is unparalleled in the US as a center of literary innovation and celebration. The first 21 authors appearing at the Charleston Literary Festival 2026 have just been announced and the listing can be found here. 

There are several ways to consider attending the festival. Festival Insider Passes that give access to every world-class literary event over the 10 extraordinary days of the festival are on sale now, and information about the VIP Weekend Experience is now available. The full 2026 Speaker Schedule will drop and all individual tickets will go on sale on September 10. If you would like to attend with your book club, take advantage of the Book Club Concierge to help you organize your trip.

Mark your calendar!

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: charlestonliteraryfestival.com)

June in Your Charleston County Parks

Check out the wide variety of activities available during June by Charleston County Parks!

Festivals & Events
June 12 Dancing On The Cooper
June 18 Yoga Fest
June 20 Cast-Off Fishing Tournament
June 20 Inclusive Swim Night
June 21 Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series Race #1
June 26 Reggae Nights Summer Concert
June 28 Inclusive Swim Night

Summer Swim Lessons
Swim lesson registration is open. Lessons will be held in June and July at the West County Aquatic Center in Hollywood.

Nature, History & Culture
June 12 Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
June 13 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
June 13 Understanding The Rice Culture
June 17 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
June 19 Jubilee Juice: The Red Drink
June 20 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
June 25 Decoding Dolphin Behavior
June 26 Hand-Cranked Heritage: Blueberry Cornbread Ice Cream
June 27 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
June 27 Mystical Moths

Outdoor Adventure
June 1- August 10 Kids Zipline Sessions
June 1- August 10 Vertical Ventures And Zipline Sessions
June 14 Intro To Lead Climbing
June 28 Adaptive Climbing Day



-Submitted by Charleston County Parks

(Image credit: CCPRC.com)

2026 Piccolo Spoleto Festival, May 22 – June 7

Piccolo Spoleto, Charleston Spoleto Festival’s little brother, is sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and takes place in multiple venues around the city.

May and June will bring a reinvigorated Piccolo Spoleto Festival to Charleston that will feature 250 events, all but 60 of which will be produced by arts and community groups whose independent work has nurtured culture and talent for years. Half of Piccolo Spoleto’s events will be free.

For more information about Piccolo events, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

May in Your Charleston County Parks

Check out the wide variety of activities available during May by Charleston County Parks!

Festivals & Events
May 15 Dancing On The Cooper
May 16 Cast-Off Fishing Tournament
May 16 Wheel To Surf
May 23 Genesis Swim-A-Thon
May 29 Reggae Nights Summer Concert
May 31 Inclusive Swim Night

Fitness & Wellness
May 23 Lowcountry Youth Track And Field Games

Summer Swim Lessons
Swim lesson registration is open. Lessons will be held in June and July at the West County Aquatic Center in Hollywood.

Nature, History & Culture
May 13 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
May 14 Seashore Exploration
May 15 Seashore Exploration
May 16 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
May 16 Ramble And Row
May 20 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
May 21 Gator Tales
May 23 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
May 27 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
May 30 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
May 30 Bird Photography

Outdoor Adventure
May 17 Climbing Rescues: Skills For Outdoor Top Rope And Lead
May 22- August 10 Kids Zipline Sessions
May 22- August 10 Zipline And Challenge Course Sessions
May 24 Adaptive Climbing Day

Skateboarding
May 23 Beginner or Intermediate Skateboard Lessons

-Submitted by Charleston County Parks

(Image credit: CCPRC.com)

Charleston Greek Festival May 8-10

Become Greek for the Weekend, May 8-10, 2026, when the 55th Annual Charleston Greek Festival returns. Lowcountry residents and visitors are invited to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Race Street, to feast on Greek dishes, from salads and moussaka to roasted lamb, gyros, and pastries. Sample 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.

Continue reading “Charleston Greek Festival May 8-10”

Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival April 26

Mount Pleasant’s annual Blessing of the Fleet will occur Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M Hallman Jr. Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC.

The festival pays tribute to Mount Pleasant’s local shrimping and fishing industry. Festival-goers will be treated to live music, a boat parade, and a ceremonial blessing of the shrimp/fishing fleet. Other activities include seafood samplings sold by local restaurants, shag and shrimp-eating contests, and a craft show.

Admission and family-friendly activities are free. There is limited parking at Memorial Waterfront Park. Handicapped-accessible spaces are available. Park & Walk: Parking is available at the Patriots Point Soccer Complex (85 Patriots Point Road). Free shuttle buses run continually from 10:45 am to 5:15 pm.  Find Shuttle Locations Here! Riders are welcome to bring chairs and festival gear on the buses! The last buses leave the park at 5:00 pm.

For more information about the Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: CVB website)