Charleston's Harvest Highlights: October & November Festivals and Events
Mount Pleasant
Get ready for a day of family fun at the Annual Town of Mount Pleasant Children’s Day Festival on October 20th! From 12 PM to 5 PM, enjoy carnival rides, inflatable slides, live entertainment, pony rides, and games that will delight attendees of all ages. Admission and activities are free! Parking is available at Cario Middle School and Charles Pinckney/Laurel Hill, with shuttles running all day or you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the school’s cut-through to reach the festival. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Palmetto Park Jam is happening on October 13th, featuring the ultimate Allman Brothers tribute band, The Idlewild Revival, during this annual Grateful Dead tribute concert. Gates open at 11 AM, and live music will run from 12 PM to 4:30 PM, with the Allman Brothers tribute starting around 1:30 PM. Tickets are sold per car at $20 in advance or $30 on the day of the event. Gold Pass members get in free.
The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch continues through October, wrapping up on the 27th. Expect corn mazes, tractor tours, a petting zoo, live performances, and, of course, pumpkins for sale—perfect for a family outing.
Head to the Cast Off Fishing Tournament at the Mount Pleasant Pier on October 26th from 7 AM to 2 PM. No need to pre-register—just sign up onsite that morning and cast away for a fun day of fishing!
Get ready for the Chili 5K Run/Walk at Laurel Hill County Park on November 2nd! Navigate the beautiful moss-covered trails with friends and family. Race fees are $38, and registration is required to participate in this chilly but fun event.
Calling all plant-based foodies! The Vegan Festival at Palmetto Islands County Park is happening on November 2nd from 10 AM to 3 PM. Expect a variety of food trucks, bakers, and local artisans. Admission is $4, which includes parking, so come out and enjoy a day of vegan delights!
Downtown Charleston
From November 1st to 10th, immerse yourself in the Charleston Literary Festival at Dock Street Theatre. From filmscreenings to author discussions, this festival has something for every book lover. Tickets start at just $3—don’t miss the chance to engage with some of the best literary minds!
Thank you for Noshing with us!
On November 10th at 11:30 AM, head to 90 Hassell Street for the 10th Annual Lowcountry Nosh. This event celebrates Jewish food, music, and culture, with a stroll down traffic-free Hasell Street. Enjoy corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, bagels & lox, knishes, stuffed cabbage, and irresistible Jewish sweets. Activities for children, tours of KKBE’s historic property, and live entertainment are also on the agenda, all in conjunction with Second Sunday on King Street.
The Gaillard Center has an exciting lineup this season! On October 13th, author David Sedaris will present an afternoon of new readings and a Q&A session at 2 PM. Tickets start at $46.50. Then, on November 17th, Martha Stewart will be celebrating her 100th cookbook at 4 PM. Tickets start at $75 and include a copy of her new book, The Cookbook 100 Favorite Recipes.
The Queen Street Playhouse brings theatrical excitement in October with two shows: The Minutes and Purlie Victorious. Both productions will run through the entire month, offering a fantastic lineup for theater lovers. And on November 1st, don’t miss the First Friday ArtWalk downtown. Stroll through galleries, sip on wine, and soak in the local art scene during this monthly cultural experience.
Want to give back this fall? LOWVELO will host a series of cycling events, ranging from 10 to 80 miles, to benefit MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Whether you’re a rider or a volunteer, this is a great opportunity to raise funds for a good cause
Finally, the Charleston Mimosa Festival is on October 12th at The Citadel, starting at 1 PM. Tickets are $55 and include a souvenir cup and all drinks from 1 PM to 4:45 PM. Sip on Mimosas, brunch punch, beer, and wine while enjoying live music and a DJ set.
Isle of Palms
Enjoy the IOP Halloween Carnival on October 26th from 4 to 6 PM at the Recreation Center. Get ready for a spook-tacular time featuring a Halloween costume Golf Cart Parade, a drive-through haunted house, inflatables, food vendors, and trick-or-treat bags for all the kids.
Don’t miss Ghostly Tide Tales on October 11th at Front Beach, where local ghost stories come to life around the campfire! Parking is available at Municipal Lot B on Pavilion Drive—just follow the beach access path beside the sea cabins. This free event runs from 6 PM to 7 PM, so grab your friends and come enjoy some ghostly fun!
Mark your calendars for November 3rd because the Isle of Palms Exchange Club is throwing its 2nd Annual Shuck Fest! Get ready for a day filled with live music, local oysters, and refreshing craft beer—all in support of the Lonon Foundation, a fantastic local nonprofit dedicated to helping kids impacted by a parent’s cancer diagnosis. Set against the stunning backdrop of the dock off the waterway, you might even spot some dolphins! Tickets are just $50 in advance or $60 at the door, and they include mouthwatering local oysters, BBQ from Swig & Swine, and cold brews from Frothy Beard. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day for a great cause! You can also donate here.
Folly Beach
The Lung Force Walk/Run at the County Park on November 9th supports the American Lung Association! You can register as a team or an individual, or volunteer for the event. It’s a great way to make a difference while enjoying a fun day outdoors! Register here.
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Mermaids & Mateys Event, packed with excitement and fun for all ages. It all kicks off with "Salty Saturday" on September 28th, from 10am to 4pm on Center Street. Explore over 70 local vendors, compete in the costume contest, and enjoy live music on three stages. There's also a dunk tank and a kids' area with inflatables! Keep the festivities going on Sunday, September 29th, with a sand-sculpting competition on the beach behind the Tides Hotel from 11am to 2:30pm. More details coming soon!
Johns Island & Kiawah River
Get ready for the Run Like the Devil Fall Festival & 5K Run! Registration is limited and closes on October 19th, so be sure to grab your tickets if you want to participate in the run. There’s no entrance fee for the festival itself, so come enjoy the outdoor activities, including a farmer’s market, games for kids, local makers, and delicious food trucks! Just a heads up: there’s a $10 cash parking fee.
The Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park is set for November 2nd, running from 11 AM to 5 PM. Enjoy a lively afternoon filled with foot-stomping music from local bluegrass bands! Participate in hayrides, pumpkin decorating, archery, and a variety of other activities. Savor delicious Southern dishes like Carolina barbecue, kettle corn, and all your festival favorites. Once you’ve filled your belly, check out the crafters market for some great holiday shopping! Admission is $10 per person, while those with a gold pass or kids under 12 can enter for free.
West Ashley
Looking for a family-friendly way to explore local history? Head to Colonial Trades and Harvest Day on November 9th at Charles Towne Landing Historic Site. You'll step back in time and experience life as it was in the early settlement, interacting with costumed interpreters and craftspeople stationed inside the fort. Try your hand at colonial games, learn about traditional foodways, and witness exciting black powder demonstrations. This special living history event is perfect for all ages.
Bourbon & Bluegrass: A Celebration under the Stars at Middleton Place kicks off at 5 PM on November 9th. Join the celebration of the Middleton Place Foundation’s 50th Anniversary with the legendary Bill Green hosting a traditional oyster roast over an open fire. Sip on handcrafted cocktails from the Bluestone Ramblers, and indulge in elevated Lowcountry dishes prepared with fresh ingredients from the local Middleton Garden. Tickets are $200 per person.
North Charleston
Disney on Ice presents Into the Magic from October 10-13 at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. Get ready for a magical family performance on ice! Doors open an hour before the 7 PM showtime, and parking is $10. Tickets start at $15. For the parents, Air Supply will perform on October 13, with Tickets starting at $49.50. Their show kicks off at 8 PM.
The Gibbes Distinguished Lecture Series this fall will feature Spike Lee! On October 15th, the filmmaker will talk at the Charleston Music Hall. Tickets start at $50 and doors open at 5pm. The lecture series announcement comes on the heels of Brooklyn Museum’s exhibition on Spike Lee, which offers a rare glimpse into his personal collection of art and inspiration.
Straight No Chaser is bringing their a cappella magic to the Coliseum on October 25! This all-male group from Indiana University will wow the crowd with pop classics, modern hits, and some holiday cheer. The show starts at 8 PM, and tickets start at $41.50.
Get ready for Charleston Beerfest at Riverfront Park on October 26! With live music, food, games, and craft brews from over 60 breweries, it’s the ultimate beer lover’s day out. The event runs from 1 PM to 7 PM, with VIP early access starting at 12 PM. Tickets start at $45.
Sarah Silverman brings her Postmortem Tour to the Charleston Music Hall on November 7. Doors open at 6 PM, and tickets start at $62.50. The fun doesn’t stop there: Leela James takes the stage on the 8th, followed by Nick Swardson on the 9th, and Blues Traveler on the 10th. Check out the Charleston Music Hall lineup here.
Holy Smokes! A Lowcountry Barbecue Festival hits Riverfront Park on November 9, featuring over 50 pitmasters and chefs from across the U.S. Your $95 ticket grants you access to four BBQ villages—Texas, traditional, New School, and Coastal—all with unlimited food. Enjoy live tunes from The Delta Circus and Last Waltz Ensemble while you feast. Check out the full pitmaster and chef lineup online!
Also on November 9, don’t miss the Rockabillaque Classic Car and Bike Show in Park Circle—a retro celebration of classic rides, vintage bikes, and good vibes
James Island
The James Island Connector Run, an annual 8K run and 5K run/walk across the scenic James Island Connector, is happening on October 26th. Registration is now open, with entry fees starting at $45, depending on your chosen race.
What is weather like in Charleston, SC in October?
Categories
Recent Posts
