Festivals – Page 5

Spoleto Festival USA Announces Fee-Free Weekend

May 10 & 11

What: For a limited time, Spoleto Festival USA is covering all standard ticket processing fees on purchases for any of the 2025 Festival’s captivating performances. This weekend is the perfect chance to discover the Festival’s diverse program of opera, theater, music, and dance, and purchase tickets to extraordinary experiences without added processing fees. Venue-specific surcharges still apply.

When: 12:01 am Saturday, May 10, to 11:59 pm Sunday, May 11.

How: Tickets may be purchased online at spoletousa.org or in-person at Spoleto’s booth at 2nd Sunday on King Street, on May 11 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

-Submitted by Spoleto USA

Charleston Greek Festival May 9-11

Become Greek for the Weekend May 9-11, 2025, when the 54th 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.

Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival April 27

Mount Pleasant’s annual Blessing of the Fleet will occur Sunday, April 27, 2025, 11:00 am-5:00 pm at 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. Due to construction, there is no parking at Memorial Waterfront Park this year. Free shuttle buses run continually from 11:00 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. All stops will have at least one wheelchair-accessible bus.

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

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: CVB website)

Bluegrass Festival March 28-29

Charleston Bluegrass Festival returns March 28-29, 2025 at the beautiful Woodlands Nature Reserve, 4279 Ashley River Road, Charleston.

With a lineup featuring Kitchen Dwellers, Susto Stringband, Sicard Hollow, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road, Tan & Sober Gentlemen, Arkansauce, and more, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss. Get ready to pick, grin, and camp under the stars! For tickets, click here and enter 20OFF for a discount .

–Tidelines Editors

(Image: ticketmaster.com)

Annual CHS Food Truck Festival March 1-2

Welcome to the 12th Annual Charleston Food Truck Festival!
March 1-2, 2025
11:00 am-8:00 pm
The Navy Yard, 2301 Noisette Blvd
North Charleston, SC
Free Admission

The Charleston Food Truck Festival is back for two full days of amazing food and fun for the whole family!

In addition to the over 40 food trucks, the Charleston Food Truck Festival will feature live music, local craft, artisan vendors, games, and activities for all ages. Admission is free!

For more information, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Chs Food Truck Festival)

Cork Shuckin’ Festival February 22

Head out to Deep Water Vineyard (6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island) on Saturday, February 22, 2025, for their annual oyster roast. Bring your shucker and your shuckin’ friends! Gates open at 9:30 am; wine tastings begin at 10:00 am.

Lots of fun, food (including non-seafood options from Lib’s Diner, Sticky Fingers, and Tamashii), and live music throughout the day from Calhoun’s Calling and Jah Creation.

Pre-pay for your parking pass ($10 per car in advance). Reserve your oyster buckets too. Pre-pay buckets are $18 and include a gallon bucket of steamed oysters, use of shuckers/towels, and cocktail sauce/hot sauce/saltines. A portion of the proceeds will go to support local charities.

BOOK HERE NOW

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Deep Water Vineyard)

Spoleto Tickets On Sale February 21

Spoleto Festival USA Brings World-Class Artists to Charleston for 49th Performing Arts Festival

May 23-June 8, 2025

Spoleto Festival USA announced the lineup for its 49th Festival taking place from May 23 to June 8. Charleston’s enchanting backdrop sets the stage for more than 120 unforgettable performances, including six world premieres and two U.S. premieres across opera, theater, music, and dance. To see more information about the performances, click here.

Tickets are available for purchase beginning February 21 at 10:00 am at spoletousa.org or by calling 843-579-3100. Festival donors receive pre-sale access, by membership level, beginning February 12; memberships start at $250 and are available at spoletousa.org or by calling 843-724-1192.

Spoleto Festival USA General Director and CEO Mena Mark Hanna says, “Artists dedicate their lives to honing their craft. That dedication, that relentless pursuit of excellence, culminates in the creation of work at the very bleeding edge of human expression. The 2025 Festival is a platform for these extraordinary artists mingling with the most adventurous audiences.”

Charleston Bluegrass Festival March 28-29

The Charleston Bluegrass Festival returns March 28-29, 2025, at The Woodlands Nature Reserve in Charleston, South Carolina.

This family-friendly camping event offers a weekend of boot-stomping bluegrass from top-notch performers. Relax under the stars with premium camping options, indulge in local food and craft vendors, and enjoy outdoor adventures like kayaking, biking, and more—perfect for all ages!

For tickets, click here.

–Tidelines Editor

(Image credit: charlestonmusicfestival.com)

Lowcountry Oyster Festival February 2

The Lowcountry Oyster Festival returns on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Boone Hall Plantation (1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC).

Highlights of this event include the legendary oyster shucking and oyster eating contests, beer, wine, cocktails, and food options from local restaurants and food trucks.

The Lowcountry Oyster Festival is a charity fundraiser that has donated $1,500,000 over forty years. The 2024 festival donated $106,000 to local causes.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Lowcountry Hospitality Association)

January in Your Charleston County Parks

Festivals & Events
January 11 Off-Road Duathlon

Nature, History & Culture
January 10 Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
January 10 Nature Rx: Forest Bathi n g Fridays
January 11 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
January 11 Secrets Of The Swamp
January 11 Caw Caw: Walking On History
January 15 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
January 17 Seabirding at The Folly Beach Pier
January 17 Homeschool In The Parks: Navigating Nutrients
January 17 Nature Rx: Forest Bathing Fridays
January 18 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
January 18 Owl Prowl
January 22 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
January 24 Nature Rx: Forest Bathing Fridays
January 25 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
January 25 Junior Naturalist: Naturally Nocturnal
January 29 Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
January 31 Nature Rx: Forest Bathing Fridays

Outdoor Adventure
January 11 Kids On The Go: Balance Bike Demo Day
January 19 Adaptive Climbing Day
January 25 Kids On The Go: Balance Bike Demo Day

Youth Programs
January 7 – February 11 Baptist Hill Youth Dance
January 14- February 25 McClellanville Youth Basketball & Cheerleading
January 18 Johns Island Youth Basketball Education

Skateboarding
January 23 and 25 Beginner or Intermediate Skateboard Lessons

-Submitted by Charleston County Parks

Season’s Greetings from Tidelines

December 25 is always a special day, but do you know why today is extra special?

Chanukah in the Square

The Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of Charleston and the Lowcountry, invites everyone to a festive celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts and traditional seasonal food, culminating with the lighting of a menorah at dusk.

Join them in Marion Square for the 17th annual Chanukah in the Square celebration on December 29, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Bring an appetite and your Chanukah spirit. There will be hot food, live music, and a festive atmosphere! There will be no shortage of treats for everyone. Family-friendly and free!

Continue the tradition of lighting the menorah candles as a community. We can’t wait to see you there!

-Submitted by the City of Charleston