10 Things to Do in Charleston in Fall
Planning a visit to Charleston next fall? What a great decision! This season is loaded with fun activities for visitors and locals alike. Here's everything you need to know.
Charleston | ©George Kurzi
Visiting 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.
With its subtropical climate, festivals and celebrations, autumn is one of the best times to visit Charleston. In this article you'll find out what the city has to offer during this season, so you can plan a spectacular holiday.
Organise your itinerary, book your tours in advance and get ready for the best holiday ever.
1. The Lowcountry Jazz Festival takes place in September
As a way to kick off the fall season in Charleston, one of the most anticipated events for locals usually takes place 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 for 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 has borrowed 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., the venue is located in the heart of Charleston.
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 and you can buy tickets for all days of the event or just for one 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'll find the main and most famous stately homes, such as Boone Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantatiocuentan, with special themed events and Halloween night parties including themed decorations and ghost stories.
There's a wide variety on offer, so you'll find a range of family-friendly events that you can attend with children, as well as events designed exclusively for adults.
Where it takes place
Halloween parties take place all over the city, but the plantations are located just outside Charleston. The best way to get there is to book an organised 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, Charleston hosts the MOJA Arts Festival, one of the most anticipated celebrations of the autumn 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 history, this multidisciplinary festival includes visual arts, storytelling, theatrical performances, arts and crafts, culinary workshops, activities and much more.
No matter what type of traveller you are or whether you're in Charleston for 3 days or less, if your trip coincides with MOJA Arts, reserve a space to attend one of the many activities to learn a little more about local heritage, culture and traditions.
Where it takes place
Each year numerous shows are held at the Charleston Gaillard Center, one of the city's most important theatres 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 are affordable, ranging from €5 to €35 per person. I recommend paying attention to the official website for the performance schedule and other important details.
4. Eat the region's best dishes at Charleston's Restaurant Week
Are you one of those travellers who plan your travel itinerary with local cuisine in mind? If so, 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 south of the United States. In Charleston, it takes place every year in the first half of September for 10 consecutive days.
If you choose to participate, you can sample the best of Charleston's cuisine, with an annual turnout of around 40 restaurants, all with different styles and flavours. You'll find traditional Southern cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, French, Italian and much 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 event's official website, several weeks in advance. Restaurants offer lunch and dinner menus ranging in price from €25 to €50 per service.
5. Join the Beer Festivals in Charleston
Two major beer festivals take place every autumn in Charleston, so if you're in town during these days enjoy music and outdoor fun at either of them.
Charleston Beer Week
It usually takes place from 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 venues 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.
Tickets are usually around €15 per participant; food and beer samples are included 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, a basic ticket can cost up to €40.
With the purchase of the basic ticket you get up to 10 tickets to exchange for beer at the different stalls.
6. The Pride Parade takes place this season Charleston Pride
Charleston Pride Week is held every 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 programme has been extended and expanded to include various other activities including concerts and parades.
If you are in town during this season, don't hesitate to join some of the many fun celebrations taking 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 to the public. Visitors and locals who want to participate in the parade will have to 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 out-of-this-world colourful light show.
The Holiday Festival of Lights takes place in Charleston every year in late autumn. It usually starts in mid-November and runs for several weeks in December.
You can see James Island from a distance by taking one of Charleston's traditional boat tours. However, to get there from Old Town Charleston it's less than a 15-minute drive across the Ashley River.
Where it's happening
In the county of Charleston known as James Island, located just a few minutes drive from Old Town Charleston. Getting to this area of the city is easy and will allow you to get to know more of this beautiful southern corner of the city.
How to buy tickets.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the ticket office, with prices ranging from €15 for regular days to €25 on peak days, which tend to be 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 an ancient tradition through which the first inhabitants thank their gods in rituals for the food they have obtained and prepare for the winter season.
This event is defined as one of the best things to do in Charleston in November. The celebration lasts one day, from morning until 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'll find year after year are: craft markets, the traditional southern barbecue and all sorts of fun games designed to entertain adults and grown-ups alike; these games include pumpkin decorating, archery, inflatable games and many more. If you're heading to Charleston with kids, be sure to attend.
Where it takes place
The event takes place in 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's the best option for getting there by bus.
How to buy tickets.
Tickets are purchased directly on site; adults pay an average of €8 each, while children 12 and under are free.
9. Enjoy the annual poetry festival
The Free Verse Poetry Festival takes place in Charleston in mid to late October ; Charleston's first citywide poetry festival whose mission is to encourage the community by offering all kinds of events and workshops around the art of poetry.
The most exciting part of the events calendar is the nightly performances, where talented artists perform an eclectic mix of disciplines including fascinating displays of poetry mixed with hip-hop, poetry mixed with jazz, and more - possibly the best things to do in Charleston at night this season.
The event was founded in 2017. Since its inception, the organisers have been collaborating with the city's School District each year, seeking to expose young minds to this fabulous art form.
Where it takes place
In various locations around the city, if you want to participate I recommend to be aware of the calendar of activities by checking the official website of Free Verse Festival.
How to buy tickets
You can buy tickets directly at the event's box office; the price is usually around €10 per participant, approximately.
10. Autumn in Charleston: the best time to take a ghost tour.
The autumn 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, try one of the most entertaining activities this destination has to offer: a Charleston ghost tour.
The goal behind these tours is to take the traveller 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 to suit different types of travellers.
Temperatures in Charleston in the fall and what to pack.
Before travelling to any new destination it is essential to find out about the weather conditions, here are some quick considerations to look at before setting off on your Charleston adventure.
Temperature: Autumn temperatures in Charleston and South Carolina stand out as being pleasantly 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 well for a pleasant autumn in Charleston is to pack light, mix-and-match pieces that you can layer. Normal T-shirts may be enough for daytime, but as night falls or November sets in, you may want to add some light jumpers to your regular clothes. Be prepared with rain gear and footwear as the early autumn months coincide with a high incidence of rain.
Charleston's Fall tourist crowds.
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 organisation and preparation on the part of visitors.
However, autumn is my favourite time to see the city as it's 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 booking your tour weeks in advance of your trip to the city.