Joint Base Charleston Community
Living in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties
The lowcountry boasts plenty of entertaining activities — music, sports, theater, museums, parks and shopping. Test out the ropes course at Wild Blue Adventure Park, for instance, or tee off at one of the world-class championship golf courses in Kiawah Island or Isle of Palms. Don’t miss the Parade of Boats or Festival of Lights during the holiday season. View snakes in their natural habitat at the Edisto Island Serpentarium. And be sure to check out the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point.
ANNUAL EVENTS
Residents of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties will enjoy a variety of annual events, festivals and community gatherings.
Charleston Wine and Food Festival
Each spring this five-day event showcases chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans and food enthusiasts from around the world. The
heart of the festival is the Culinary Village in Marion Square. Tickets are available through the website.
Christmas Festival and Parade
www.northcharleston.org/residents/special-events/christmas-festival
Celebrate the holidays in North Charleston with a holiday art and craft market, a parade, the tree lighting, visits with Santa, theater productions and more. For information on all North Charleston holiday events, visit the
website.
Coastal Carolina Fair
Since 1957, the Coastal Carolina Fair has raised money for local charities while also providing family-oriented entertainment for Lowcountry residents and visitors. In 2016, more than $800,000 was raised for over 90 organizations. Every fall, you can sample delicious fair food, enjoy thrilling rides, catch a concert, check out exhibits and more.
Flowertown Festival
https://summervilleymca.org/flowertown-festival-2019
The spring blaze of azaleas, honey-scented wisteria and dogwood signal that it’s time for this gracious town’s annual three-day flower festival of arts, crafts, entertainment, good food and Southern hospitality to benefit the Summerville Family YMCA.
Fourth of July Festival
www.northcharleston.org/residents/special-events/4th-of-july-festival
The festival features musical guests, children’s activities, food trucks, craft vendors and Lowcountry’s largest Fourth of July fireworks show.
Holiday Festival of Lights
www.holidayfestivaloflights.com
Every holiday season James Island County Park puts up over 700 displays and more than 2 million lights along a 3-mile driving tour. If you’d rather not drive, hop aboard the festival train. The festival also features visits with Santa, marshmallow roasts, carousel rides, musical concerts, an enchanted walking trail and more.
Holiday Parade of Boats
www.charleston-sc.gov/index.aspx?NID=870
Boats bedecked with lights sail in formation along a route from Mount Pleasant to Charleston in this December event. The sparkling aquatic parade draws thousands of spectators to the Charleston harbor.
Lowcountry Oyster Festival
www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com/oyster-fest
Join the thousands who gather in January for the world’s largest oyster fest, the Lowcountry Oyster Festival. Held every year at Boone Hall Plantation, just outside downtown Charleston, bivalve connoisseurs consume more than 80,000 pounds of oysters at this single-day event filled with shucking and eating contests, live music, wine, beer and food from some of the area’s best restaurants.
North Charleston Arts Fest
http://northcharlestonartsfest.com
This festival in early May includes high-quality performances, exhibits and activities by local, regional and national artists. From music to dance, literature to theater, visuals arts to media arts, the multiday festival offers something for everyone.
Spoleto Festival
One of the nation’s major performing arts events, the Spoleto Festival was founded in 1977 by composer Gian Carlo Menotti. The yearly Charleston springtime talent extravaganza presents emerging and established artists in the visual arts, opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music in more than 120 performances over 17 days and nights.
Veterans Day Tribute
www.northcharleston.org/residents/special-events/veterans-day
The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee selected North Charleston as one of two regional Veterans Day sites in the state for the past eight years. Each year, more than 500 veterans in attendance are honored on Veterans Day.
