Events

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on how to stay entertained this summer season.

**Due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19, please check ahead as events and hours are subject to change.

Chucktown Brewdown 

July 25

Calling all beer enthusiasts! The Chucktown Brewdown beer festival and Fam’s Brewing Co. anniversary party will bring over 40 of the best homebrewers from across the Lowcountry with their finest wheat beers for the public to sample. Guests can sample over 100 beers, talk with the homebrewers, listen to live music, play games on the patio and enjoy a pint of Fam’s Brewing Co’s special 3^rd anniversary beer. Attendees will get to vote for their favorite wheat beer. The homebrewing team with the most votes will win the coveted People’s Choice Award. At the end of the festival, Fam’s Brewing Co. will award the judges’ choice for best wheat beer. The winning homebrewer will join Fam’s head brewer to make their beer on the professional system to be placed on tap at the Fam’s brewery. Advanced online general admission is $15. Limited general admission tickets will be sold at the door for $25. VIP tickets are available for $40 and includes early entry, a slice of pizza, a souvenir tasting glass and a pint of exclusive small-batch wheat beer. 1-5 p.m. 1291 Folly Road. famsbrewingco.com/chucktownbrewdown

Waterparks Open

July 1

Get splashing! The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has opened its three waterparks – Splash Island in Mount Pleasant, Splash Zone on James Island, and Whirlin’ Waters in North Charleston –at a reduced capacity for the season. Measures will be put in place to encourage social distancing. Whirlin’ Waters features the 60-foot-tall multi-person slide The Washout, the Big Splash Tree House, Rollin’ River lazy river, Big Kahuna wave pool, Tubular Twister slides, the Rip Tide Run mat racer slide and the Otter Bay kiddie area. Splash Zone waterpark offers two 200-foot-long slides, a large leisure pool, a 500-foot-long lazy river and a family play complex. Splash Island waterpark features a 200-foot-long body flume, activity pool, 16-foot-long otter slide, The Cyclone swirling water ride, sprays, geysers, waterfalls and more. Park admission fees vary. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. CharlestonCountyParks.com. 

Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market

Tuesdays in July and August

After limiting vendors to essential farmers during COVID-19, the popular Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market is back welcoming live music and non-essential food vendors. As always find fresh, local vegetables and fruit from local farmers and growers. Moultrie Middle School front lawn, 645 Coleman Blvd. 1-7 p.m. Check the Facebook page for adjusted hours.

Starlight Yoga

July 2

The moon and stars enhance this flowing yoga class while sand serves as the classroom floor and crashing waves as the soundtrack at the Folly Beach County Park. Open to all fitness levels. Program capacity is limited and subject to cancellation. Extra safety measures will be in place. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8. Ccprc.com

Shaggin on the Cooper 

July 4 & 25; Aug. 22

Dust off your dancing shoes for Shaggin’ on the Cooper! Live music of all varieties will fill the air with local bands performing throughout the season at the Mount Pleasant Pier. All ages are invited to let loose, breathe in the harbor breeze and dance the night away under the stars. Gates open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. www.ccprc.com 

Wine Down Wednesday

July 8

Come Wine Down your Wednesday and explore Old Towne Creek County Park, one of West Ashley's hidden gems. Guests will enjoy wine and live music with Jacob Poole while experiencing the beauty of this natural site. Food truck fare will be available for purchase on site. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Cost: $15 advanced tickets only. No on-site ticket sales. Ages: 21+ Event capacity is limited and extra safety measures will be in place. ccprc.com.

Folly Beach Moonlight Mixer

July 10, Aug. 7

Dance the night away under the stars at the Folly Beach Pier, where DJ John Dixon will be spinning the hottest oldies and beach music for you all night long. Online registration ends at midnight on the day before each event. On the day of the event, admission can be purchased by calling 843-795-4386 by 2 p.m. or at the event gate if available. Beverages and food will be available for purchase. Chairs are welcome, as seating is limited. General admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. www.ccprc.com 

Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series

July 17, 31 & Aug 14

The Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series features traditional old school roots reggae with a new school attitude in a beautiful outdoor setting. Good Music. Good Vibes. Bring your chairs or blanket. Concerts will be held throughout the summer at James Island County Park. July 17: Treehouse! July 31: Crucial Fiya; August 14: Mystic Vibrations. Gates open at 7:30p.m.; music begins at 8 p.m. 843-795-4386. Free for gold pass members. Adults $10, children 12 and under free. Food and alcohol available for purchase on site. Dogs welcome but must remain on leash. ccprc.com

Bacon & Bourbon

July 18

If you love bacon and bourbon, this is the festival for you! Enjoy unlimited samples of bacon dishes from 18 local chefs and bourbon samples from 40 distilleries along with live music, axe throwing, a cigar cabana and more at the Charleston Area Convention Center. There will be a rare bourbon bar and an outdoor Bourbon Café. General admission tickets range from $75-$125 and include unlimited samples and a souvenir glass. VIP tickets include a preview access party with the chefs and a credit towards the rare bourbon bar. baconandbourbonsc.com

Charleston Balloon Glow 

July 24-26

Come see spectacular hot air balloons glowing at dusk and even take a tethered ride during the Balloon Glow Tour. The event will feature the food vendors, retail vendors and activities for the whole family at Hyde Park Farm & Polo Club in Ravenel, 35 minutes away from downtown Charleston. Due to COVID-19, the event will be capacity controlled. Ticket prices vary. Search Charleston Balloon Glow on Facebook for tickets and up-to-date information. 

Waterfront Music and Movies

Aug. 7, 14, 21& 28

Every Friday night in August, The Town of Mount Pleasant presents a movie on the lawn at sunset. Residents and visitors can bring blankets and lounge chairs to sit back and enjoy an outdoor movie with the beautiful Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor for a backdrop. Free admission & parking. Food and beverage are available for purchase.experiencemountpleasant.com

16^th Annual Sweetgrass Festival

Aug 8

The 16^th annual Sweetgrass Festival in Mount Pleasant is designed to promote and bring attention to the contributions of the Gullah people’s history, culture, traditions and their sweetgrass basket art form that originated in Mount Pleasant and continues to exist in our town and surrounding communities today.

Stroll through the Sweetgrass Basket & Craft Show at 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd, where you will find an amazing assortment of incredible basketry along with a wide variety of hand-made arts and crafts. 

Offering free admission, entertainment and activities, the Sweetgrass Festival also provides an opportunity for local basket makers to showcase, promote and market their sweetgrass merchandise to locals as well as cultural tourists from around the country. You’re sure to find plenty of unique Lowcountry creations that make great gifts for yourself and your loved ones.

Additionally, the Sweetgrass Festival provides an opportunity for engagement, interaction and exposure to the Gullah People’s cultures.  Informative and interesting educational sessions will enlighten and entertain participants of all ages. In 2006, Governor Jim Hodges designated the Sweetgrass Basket making art form as the SC Official Art Craft. With the largest percentage of the original sweetgrass basket makers living within Mount Pleasant and surrounding communities, Mount Pleasant is also known as the home of the Original Sweetgrass Basket Makers. experiencemountpleasant.com

2nd Annual Seafood Festival of Charleston 

Aug 9

The 2nd Annual Seafood Festival of Charleston will be hosted by the Omar Shrine with seafood sampling and non-seafood food vendors on site. Tickets start at $20 and includes seafood samples and two drink tickets. VIP tickets (advance only) are $40 per person and includes seafood sampling and unlimited beer, liquor and wine. VIP tables will be available for $350 and are advance only. This includes 8 VIP tickets and a reserved table with seating for eight. 12-5pm. 176 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant. Omarshriners.org

POPS! "We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters Remembered" Concert

Aug 15

The North Charleston POPS! "We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters Remembered" concert scheduled for Saturday, April 18 has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15. North Charleston Performing Arts Center starring Michelle Berting Brett. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

Charleston Bluegrass Festival

Aug 20-22

Get pickin’! Rescheduled from March, The Charleston Bluegrass Festival at the beautiful Woodlands Nature Reserve in West Ashley will feature Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Band, Town Mountain and more. The event offers plush camping and primitive camping options, local food/craft vendors and outdoor activities. Just 20 minutes outside of Charleston, visitors can explore 11 lakes, a blackwater cypress swamp and miles of wooded trails on the 6,000-acre property. 4279 Ashley River Road. Tickets vary. woodlandsnaturereserve.com

SC Reggae Jerk Wine Festival

Aug 30

Celebrate the delicious Jerk food of Jamaica paired with wine while enjoying the sounds of Jamaica and reggae music as we celebrate Jamaica and honor the African Ancestors in the space they created. Join us on Aug. 30 for food, fun and music as we raise funds to help fight child sexual abuse. Live performances, wine tasting, a taste-off to determine "Best Jerk Chef,” jerk demonstrations, pepper-eating contest, domino tournament, ludo game, jerk food vendors, beer and wine vendors and an arts and crafts marketplace. 12-7 pm. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road. Ticket prices vary. screggaejerkfestival.com