10 Things to Do in Charleston in Fall
Thinking of visiting Charleston next fall? What a great decision! This season is loaded with fun activities designed for visitors and locals alike. Here's everything you need to know.
Charleston | ©George Kurzi
Visiting in this beautiful southern corner at any time of the year is a fantastic idea, being one of the oldest cities in North America there is always something to see and do in Charleston.
Thanks to its subtropical climate, festivals and celebrations, autumn is one of the best times to visit Charleston. In this article you will see all that the city has to offer in this season, so you can organize a spectacular vacation.
Organize your itinerary, book your excursions in advance and get ready to enjoy the best vacation ever.
1. The Lowcountry Jazz Festival takes place in September
As a way to inaugurate the start of the fall season in Charleston, one of the most anticipated events for locals is usually held the first week of September: the Lowcountry Jazz Festival. A unique opportunity to hear some of the best local jazz talent, it's a performance not to be missed whether you're a fan of music in general or jazz in particular.
The event lasts two or three days, starting with an opening party on Friday and continuing with a schedule of performances throughout the weekend.
Where it takes place
Since its inauguration in 2008, the event borrows the stages of the Gaillard Center in the heart of Charleston. Due to its strategic location with numerous bus lines passing close to the venue, the closest stops are Columbus St and Spring St., and the most important bus stops are Columbus Ave.
How to Buy Tickets
The best way to purchase tickets for this event is through the official Lowcountry Jazz Festival website. Tickets range in price from 20€ to 45€, you can buy your tickets for all days of the event or exclusively for a specific day.
2. Celebrate Halloween with a tour of the plantations
This is the best way to celebrate Halloween in Charleston because of the interesting and somewhat spooky activities that take place there.
On a visit to the plantations from Charleston you will find the main and most famous stately homes, such as Boone Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantatiocuentan, with special themed events and Halloween parties at night that include themed decorations and ghost stories.
The offer is very varied so you can find several family events that you can go with children, as well as events designed exclusively for adults.
Where it takes place
Halloween parties take place all over the city; however, the plantations are located on the outskirts of Charleston. The best way to get there is to hire an organized tour that includes round-trip transportation from downtown Charleston.
3. The MOJA Arts Festival takes place in September
From the end of September through the beginning of October, the MOJA Arts Festival takes place in Charleston, one of the most anticipated celebrations of the fall season for both locals and tourists visiting the city.
The event is defined as a celebration of African-American and Caribbean arts; it is rated by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the best events in the southern United States. With more than 30 years of trajectory, this multidisciplinary festival includes visual arts, storytelling, theatrical presentations, crafts, gastronomic workshops, activities and much more.
No matter what type of traveler you are or if you are going to Charleston for 3 days or less; if your trip coincides with MOJA Arts reserve a space to attend one of the many activities, and learn a little more about the local heritage, culture and traditions.
Where it takes place
Each year the many shows are held at the Charleston Gaillard Center one of the city's most important theaters located in Old Town Charleston. It is easy to get to due to its central location and numerous bus lines run nearby. The Columbus St stop is only 2 minutes from the main entrance.
How to buy tickets
Most of MOJA' s events are free to the public; the rest have affordable prices ranging from 5€ to 35€ per person. I recommend paying attention to the official website for the schedule of presentations and other important details.
4. Eat the region's best dishes at Charleston's Restaurant Week
Are you one of those travelers who plan your travel itinerary with local dining in mind? If the answer is yes, Charleston's Restaurant Week is an event you won't want to miss.
This event is a traditional southern celebration that takes place in multiple cities and counties in the southern United States. In Charleston, it takes place every year in the first half of September for 10 consecutive days.
If you decide to participate you will be able to taste the best of Charleston's cuisine, with an annual participation that is usually around 40 restaurants; all of them with different styles and trends. You can find traditional Southern cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, French, Italian and many more.
Where it takes place
It changes depending on the list of participating restaurants and where you decide to go. Be sure to visit Charleston's Restaurant Week website for the official listing.
How to buy tickets
You can make reservations directly on the official event website several weeks in advance. Restaurants offer lunch and dinner menus ranging in price from €25 to €50 per service.
5. Join Charleston's Beer Festivals
Two major beer festivals take place every year in the fall in Charleston, if you're in town during these days enjoy music and outdoor fun at either of them.
Charleston Beer Week
It usually takes place starting in mid-September or in the month of October in Charleston. For a full week numerous local restaurants and beer brands come together to celebrate the art of craft brewing.
The celebration takes place at various locations throughout the city, and various commemorative events are held. For an official list of activities check the Charleston Bee Week website days before your trip.
The ticket is usually around 15€ per participant; the price includes food and beer samples in the price.
Charleston Beer Fest
It usually takes place between late October and early November at Riverfront Park in the northern part of the city. The event lasts one day, includes music, food and lots of beer!
Tickets are available for sale to the public directly on the Charleston Beer Fest. website. If tickets are purchased in advance (months before the event), prices can be as low as €25 per participant; during the week of the event the basic ticket can cost up to €40.
With the purchase of the basic ticket you get up to 10 tickets to redeem for beer at the different stalls.
6. The Pride Parade takes place this season Charleston Pride
Charleston Pride Week is held each year during the month of September, usually in the middle of the month. The celebration officially began in 2009 with 3 themed days of activities, awareness and educational events; today the program has been extended and expanded to several other activities including concerts and parades.
If you are going to the city during this season don't hesitate to join some of the many fun celebrations that will take place in the city, but especially don't hesitate to participate in the Charleston Pride Parade.
Where it takes place
The different activities take place in different parts of the city such as the Riverfront Park. The parade usually starts at Wragg Square and ends at Market Street.
How to buy tickets
Most of the activities will be free of charge for the public. Visitors and locals who want to participate in the parade must pay a participation fee available from 1€ per person, check the official Charleston Pride website for more information.
7. Enjoy the Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island
Head from Charleston to James Island for a celebration like no other, including a spectacular Victorian carousel, trains and an off-the-wall colorful light show.
The Holiday Festival of Lights takes place in Charleston every year in late fall. It usually begins in mid-November and runs through several weeks of December.
You can see and experience James Island from a distance if you take one of the traditional boat tours of Charleston. However, to get there from Old Town Charleston you only need to cross the Ashley River in a less than 15-minute drive.
Where it's happening
In Charleston County known as James Island, located just a few minutes drive from Old Town Charleston. Getting to this area of the city is very easy and will allow you to get to know more of this beautiful southern corner.
How to buy tickets.
You can buy tickets directly at the box office, the price ranges from 15 € for regular days to 25 € on peak days which are usually weekends during Christmas in Charleston.
8. Join the Harvest Festival on John Island
The Harvest Festival is the name given to the traditional harvest festival. The celebration takes place every year in the first week of November; it is a millenary tradition through which the first inhabitants thank their gods for the food obtained and prepare themselves for the winter season through rituals.
This event is defined as one of the best things to do in Charleston in November. The celebration lasts one day, from morning to late afternoon. If you decide to participate I recommend arriving early to enjoy the schedule of activities.
Although certain events and activities may change from year to year, some of the things you will find year after year are: the artisan markets, the traditional southern barbecue and all kinds of fun games designed to entertain adults and grown-ups; these games include pumpkin decorating, archery, inflatable games and many more. If you're going to Charleston with kids be sure to attend.
Where it takes place
The event is held at County Park on Johns Island. Johns Island is one of the largest islands in South Carolina; located just 20 minuteswest of downtown Charleston bycar, it is also accessible by bus.
How to buy tickets.
Tickets are purchased directly on site; adults pay an average of about 8 euros each, while children 12 and under have free admission.
9. Enjoy the Annual Poetry Festival
In mid to late October, the Free Verse Poetry Festival takes place in Charleston ; the first poetry festival in the city of Charleston whose mission is to enliven the community by offering all kinds of events and workshops around the art of poetry.
The most interesting part of the calendar of events are the nightly performances, where talented artists perform an eclectic mix of disciplines that include fascinating samples of poetry mixed with hip-hop, poetry mixed with jazz, among other things; possibly one of the best things to do in Charleston at night this season.
The event was founded in 2017. Since its inception, the organizers make yearly collaborations with the city's School District, seeking to expose the youngest minds in this fabulous art.
Where it takes place
In various locations around the city, if you want to participate I recommend to be aware of the schedule of activities by checking the official website of Free Verse Festival.
How to Buy Tickets
You can purchase tickets directly at the event's box office; the price is usually around 10€ per participant, approximately.
10. Fall in Charleston: the best time to take a ghost tour.
The fall season in Charleston is ideal for walking tours of the city due to its spectacular weather conditions. If you're heading south around this time, especially in October for Halloween, be sure to take one of the most entertaining activities this destination has to offer: a Charleston ghost tour.
The goal behind these tours is to take the traveler through historical highlights and places to learn about the city's past and also to learn the stories of prominent folkloric characters that make up the culture and identity of the place.
As you will soon see, this type of adventure is offered by local companies with certified guides and in different formats seeking to adapt to different types of travelers.
Temperatures in Charleston in the fall and what to pack.
Before traveling to any new destination it is essential to find out about the local weather conditions, here are some quick considerations to look at before starting your Charleston adventure.
Temperature: Fall temperatures in Charleston and South Carolina stand out for being pleasant with a predominantly warm most of the season. In September it hovers around 28 degrees Celsius and gradually drops to around 20 degrees Celsius on average in November.
What to pack: The trick to packing correctly and having a pleasant fall in Charleston is to pack light, mix-and-match pieces that you can layer. For daytime, regular t-shirts may be enough, but as night falls or November sets in, you may want to add some light sweaters to your regular clothes. Be prepared with rain gear and footwear as the early fall months coincide with a high incidence of rain.
The influx of tourists in Charleston in the fall.
Keep in mind that autumn in Charleston represents one of the peak seasons in the city's annual calendar, in conjunction with March and May in Charleston; the flow of tourists at both points will be a bit higher than usual. Travel during this time requires more organization and preparation on the part of visitors.
However, fall is my favorite time to see the city as it is ideal for walking tours, such as the guided tours of Charleston, or you can enjoy the many festivals and events taking place in the city. Keep in mind that the most popular tours can sell out quickly, so I recommend reserving your spot weeks in advance of your trip to the city.