16. Family Circle Cup
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 856-7900, (800) 677-2293
Address: 161 Seven Farms Dr.
Description: Take in some tennis at the $9 million Daniel Island Tennis Centre, the home of the Family Circle Cup. This tournament relocated in 2001 to Charleston after a longtime run in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The 9-day Women’s Tennis Association Tier I event attracts many of the top seeds in women’s tennis. Some of the past competitors were Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez, Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, and Mary Pierce. Held in mid-Apr, the Family Circle Cup is another highlight in Charleston’s spring events lineup. Ticket prices range from $10 for qualifying matches up to $55 for the finals. Call the number or visit the website above for more information.
17. Folly Beach Sea & Sand Festival
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 513-1836
Address: 21 Center St.
Description: What could be better than enjoying the beach before the crowds descend for the season? The Sea & Sand Festival at Folly Beach lets fun-loving beachgoers do just that by celebrating all things “beachy” one Sat in mid-Apr. The city closes down the beachfront street for leisurely strolling and browsing during this event, so break out the shorts and flip-flops. The festival is full of vendors serving up local seafood delicacies, an arts and crafts show, a martial arts demonstration, and live music. An auction, children’s games, and a hula hoop contest add to the entertainment, and the sandcastle competition gets more creative and spectacular every year. Admission is free. Call the number above for more information.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
23. Dining with Friends Lowcountry AIDS Services
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 747-2273, (877) 874-0230
Address: 3547 Meeting Street Rd.
Description: Hundreds of volunteers host private dinner parties for friends in their homes in a joint fund-raising effort supporting Lowcountry AIDS Services one Sat in May. The kinds of parties run the spectrum from barbecue to black tie. Guests make a tax-deductible donation and enjoy a pleasant evening with old and new friends topped off with a Champagne and Dessert Grand Finale at 9 p.m. at the Charleston Maritime Center.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
26. Piccolo Spoleto Festival
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 724-7305
Description: We are particularly proud of Piccolo Spoleto, the city of Charleston’s creative companion to Spoleto Festival USA. Piccolo events—including jazz cruises, a children’s festival, a juried art exhibit, cabaret, and “brown bag and ballet”—are held in unusual places (anywhere from boats to parks to churches) and showcase local as well as national talent. The calendar is booked, and the ticket prices are very reasonable, ranging from free events to others that are almost always less than $25. For a more comprehensive schedule of events, write the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, 180 Meeting St., Ste. 200, Charleston, SC 29401 or visit the website.
27. Grace Episcopal Church Tea Room
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 723-4575
Address: 98 Wentworth St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Another of Charleston’s special spring tearooms is the one put on by the volunteers of Grace Episcopal Church, near the College of Charleston. Lowcountry specialties are the fare here, and who can pass up an opportunity to sample a few of these: crab and okra soup, ham biscuits, and shrimp remoulade with an assortment of freshly baked desserts. Prices run from $2 to $5 an item, and you may find yourself returning several times during the 2 weeks the tearoom is open. The dates correspond with the Spoleto Festival, the last week of May and first week of June. Lunch is served Mon through Sat from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and takeout is available for your own Spoleto picnic. Proceeds benefit church outreach programs.
28. Greek Festival
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 577-2063
Description: Another in Charleston’s delectable ethnic festivals is the Greek Fest held in mid- May at the Greek Orthodox Church. Greek food, dancing, jewelry, crafts, and cooking demonstrations are some of the highlights of the weekend-long family fun. Dine in or take out the gyros, Greek chicken dinners, spanakopita, and pastries. Check out the bazaar, and take in a tour of the beautiful church. You’re bound to be speaking a little Greek by the time you leave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri and Sat, noon to 5 p.m. on Sun. Admission is $3 at the gate for ages 12 and older, $1 for seniors and students.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1214 Middle St.
30. Patriots Point 4th of July Blast
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (843) 884-2727
Description: With one of the biggest Fourth of July fireworks displays in the Palmetto State, the festivities at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum on Charleston Harbor are a blast. It all begins at 4:30 p.m. with free admission to the ships of the museum, including the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. Food and arts and crafts vendors add to the fun atmosphere, and the kids will enjoy a jump castle, climbing rock wall, and more in the Kids Zone. Popular area bands perform live before and after the fireworks for dancing the night away. The fireworks light up the sky usually just after 9:30 p.m. More than 10,000 people have celebrated our nation’s birthday here in earlier years, so allow time for traffic and parking.