Friday, May 23
38th Annual Spoleto Festival Opening Ceremony – Charleston’s favorite 17-day spring event and world-renowned art festival is back with it’s opening ceremony kicking off at Charleston City Hall. For the next 17 days and nights, downtown Charleston theaters, concert halls, art galleries, museums and outdoor spaces are filled with music, dance, acting, and more! Just about everyone can find an art form they love at the annual Spoleto Festival – from opera to bluegrass, from comedy to drama, from watercolor paintings to sculpture. Free events include browsing local and national artist tents in Marion Square or listening to singer songwriters perform at the Cistern. Ticketed event pricing varies and should be purchased prior to the events (really, it all sells out!) May 23-June 8. All day long. Venue locations vary. Pricing varies.
Piccolo Spoleto Festival – Similar to the national Spoleto Festival, Piccolo Spoleto focuses primarily on local artists in the Southeast region. It is a perfect compliment to it’s parent festival and celebrates visual, performance and literary arts that hail from our local region. Ticketed event pricing varies and should be purchased prior to the events (really, it all sells out!) May 23-June 8. All day long. Venue locations vary. Pricing varies.
Loading Dock Live Music Series – Palmetto Brewing Company will be hosting a free concert every Friday throughout the summer for locals and tourists to enjoy! $5 pints and small bites will be available for purchase. Palmetto Brewing Company, 289 Huger Street. 5:30pm – 9:00pm, Free Admission
Saturday, May 24
8th Annual FIRST FLUSH FestTEAval – One of the most anticipated festivals in the Lowcountry, the First Flush Tea Festival is a celebration of America’s ONLY tea garden located right outside of Charleston on Wadmalaw Island. And this year they are excited to feature The Avett Brothers as their headline act! The Charleston Tea Plantation produces American Classic Tea and it’s 8th Annual First Flush will feature some amazing acts, delicious eats and refreshing drinks! Charleston Tea Plantation, 6617 Maybank Hwy. Gates open at noon. $37.50 advance sale tickets. $45 day of festival.
The Lowcountry Splash – Benefitting the Logan Rutledge Children’s Foundation, The Lowcountry Splash is an open water swim from either Daniel Island Pier (5 mile swim) or Hobcaw Yacht Club (2.4 mile swim) that both end at The Charleston Harbor Marina in front of the USS Yorktown.
3rd Annual Summer Kick Off Block Party – Triangle Char and Bar and Steel City Pizza are teaming up with the Charleston Animal Society for the third year in a row to kick off the summer season and to raise money for animals in need in the Lowcountry. Live music from Ben Fagan will be featured and all proceeds of the event go to The Charleston Animal Society. Triangle Char and Bar, 1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd. 12:00pm-close. Free admission but cash and pet food donations are encouraged.
Sunday, May 25
Memorial Day Weekend Pool Party (Charleston RECESS!) – Join other pool-happy folks for a massive pool party at Charleston’s newest and only bath club, Mixon Bath and Racquet Club. Live music, great drinks and delicious eats. Mixon Bath and Racquet Club, 4401 McCarthy Street, North Charleston. Party starts at noon.
O-Ku White Party – Head to O-Ku on Sunday night dressed in your best whites for an evening of drink specials, small plates, DJ Y-Not, and a best dressed contest! Winner will receive $200 cash. O-Ku, 463-A King Street. 10pm. Free admission.
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day!
Memorial Day at Magnolia Plantation – Free admission to Magnolia Plantation will be offered to active military personnel and their immediate families.
