Updated September 2026: Fall is one of the best times of year to get out and explore Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry. The summer heat begins to ease, football season is underway, oyster roasts start popping up, and the calendar fills with festivals, food, music, arts, family events and longtime local traditions.
Whether you live in Charleston year-round, are visiting for a weekend, or simply need an excuse to get out of the house, we've put together our guide to some of the best Charleston fall events in 2026.
From downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant to Summerville, North Charleston, Johns Island and James Island, there's a lot happening between September and November.
Event dates and details can change, so we always recommend confirming final schedules with the event organizer before heading out.
Charleston Fall Events 2026: Quick Guide
| Event | 2026 Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Tea Festival | September 19 | Summerville |
| MOJA Arts Festival | September 24–October 1 | Charleston |
| Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch | Select dates September 25–November 1 | Mount Pleasant |
| Mount Pleasant Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration | September 27 | Mount Pleasant |
| Preservation Society Fall Tours | October 1–31 | Charleston |
| Latin American Festival | October 4 | North Charleston |
| Charleston Beer Fest | October 24 | North Charleston |
| Harvest Festival | November 7 | Johns Island |
| Food & Wine Classic Charleston | November 13–15 | Charleston |
| Holiday Festival of Lights | November 13–December 31 | James Island |
September 2026 Events in Charleston & the Lowcountry
September may still feel like summer during the afternoon, but the Lowcountry's fall event season is already getting started. This month brings one of Summerville's signature community events, the beginning of Charleston's MOJA Arts Festival and the return of pumpkin-patch season.
Sweet Tea Festival — September 19
Where: Historic Downtown Summerville
Location: Hutchinson Square
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
It doesn't get much more Summerville than a festival dedicated to sweet tea.
The annual Sweet Tea Festival celebrates Summerville's connection to the Southern staple with a day in historic downtown featuring local vendors, food, shopping, entertainment and, naturally, plenty of sweet tea.
It's also a great excuse to explore the surrounding shops and restaurants around Hutchinson Square and downtown Summerville.
Good for: Families, visitors, local shopping, food lovers and anyone who takes their sweet tea seriously.
MOJA Arts Festival — September 24–October 1
Where: Venues throughout Charleston
The MOJA Arts Festival is one of Charleston's most important cultural celebrations, showcasing Black arts, culture and heritage while recognizing Charleston's deep connections to the African Diaspora.
The 2026 festival includes programming throughout Charleston with music, visual arts, food, dance, poetry, theater, storytelling and other cultural experiences.
The festival opens September 24 with a celebration at Marion Square and continues with events at locations throughout the city.
If you're looking for something uniquely Charleston rather than another generic fall festival, MOJA deserves a spot on the calendar.
Good for: Arts and culture, live music, families, Charleston history and visitors.
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch — Beginning September 25
Where: Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, Mount Pleasant
2026 season: Select Friday, Saturday and Sunday dates through November 1
For a lot of Lowcountry families, fall doesn't officially begin until the first trip to the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch.
The Mount Pleasant tradition returns for its 30th year in 2026, offering families a chance to pick out pumpkins and spend the day enjoying fall activities, food vendors and plenty of photo opportunities.
And yes, the temperatures may still say South Carolina even when the calendar says fall. That's part of the experience.
Good for: Families, kids, fall photos and traditional pumpkin-patch fun.
Mount Pleasant Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration — September 27
Where: Mount Pleasant
The Town of Mount Pleasant will hold its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Sunday, September 27.
The event is part of Mount Pleasant's annual community event calendar and gives locals another opportunity to experience and celebrate the cultures and traditions represented throughout the Charleston area.
Check the Town of Mount Pleasant's event schedule as the date approaches for the complete 2026 program and event details.
October 2026 Events in Charleston
If September starts fall event season, October takes it to another level. Cooler evenings, Halloween, football weekends, fall festivals and outdoor events make October one of the busiest months of the year around Charleston.
Preservation Society of Charleston Fall Tours — October 1–31
Where: Charleston and select surrounding neighborhoods
Charleston's architecture is impressive from the sidewalk. The Preservation Society of Charleston Fall Tours offer the opportunity to experience it on a much deeper level.
Celebrating their 50th year in 2026, the Fall Tours include walking tours, house and garden tours and in-depth explorations of Charleston neighborhoods and residences.
The 2026 schedule includes experiences centered around areas such as North Central, South of Broad and the Old Village in Mount Pleasant.
It's an excellent option for locals who want to rediscover their own city as well as visitors interested in Charleston's architecture, preservation and history.
Good for: Architecture, history, Charleston locals, visitors and design lovers.
Latin American Festival — October 4
Where: Wannamaker County Park, North Charleston
Time: 12–5 p.m.
Charleston County Parks' Latin American Festival brings together music, dance, food and traditions from Latin America and the Caribbean.
The 2026 festival includes live salsa and Latin music, dance performances, cultural artwork and crafts, plus food vendors serving Latin and Caribbean favorites.
It's colorful, energetic and one of the Charleston area's standout cultural festivals of the fall season.
Good for: Families, live music, dancing, food and cultural experiences.
Charleston Farmers Markets
You don't need a major festival to enjoy fall outdoors in Charleston. Several area farmers markets continue well into the season.
- Charleston Farmers Market: Saturdays through November
- West Ashley Farmers Market: continuing into October
- North Charleston Farmers Market: Thursdays through late October
Fall farmers markets are a great option when you want something more casual: grab something to eat, shop local vendors and enjoy a morning outside without committing the entire day.
Charleston Beer Fest — October 24
Where: Riverfront Park, North Charleston
General admission: 2–7 p.m.
Charleston Beer Fest returns to Riverfront Park with breweries, live music, food, games and activities.
Riverfront Park has become one of the area's best outdoor event venues, and the combination of cooler late-October weather, waterfront views and plenty of beer makes this an easy addition to the fall calendar.
The event also supports Palmetto Community Care and its work assisting people living with HIV and AIDS while supporting prevention and education efforts in the community.
Good for: Adults 21+, craft beer fans, live music and groups of friends.
November 2026 Events in Charleston & the Lowcountry
November is one of our favorite months in the Lowcountry. The weather finally settles down, outdoor events are much more comfortable and Charleston begins transitioning from fall into the holiday season.
Harvest Festival — November 7
Where: Johns Island County Park
Time: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
If you're looking for a more laid-back Lowcountry fall festival, head out to Johns Island for Charleston County Parks' annual Harvest Festival.
The family-friendly event combines a craft market, children's activities, food and live bluegrass music in a setting that feels appropriately removed from the busier parts of Charleston.
It's the kind of event where you can bring the family, spend a few hours outside and simply enjoy fall in the Lowcountry.
Good for: Families, bluegrass, crafts, food and an easy fall day outdoors.
Food & Wine Classic Charleston — November 13–15
Where: Downtown Charleston and participating venues
Charleston's reputation as a food destination gets the national spotlight during the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston.
The three-day event brings together celebrated chefs, culinary personalities, restaurants, winemakers, distillers and brands for tastings, demonstrations, seminars and special experiences throughout Charleston.
The 2026 program includes four Grand Tastings featuring more than 100 participating brands and restaurants along with dozens of chef demonstrations and beverage seminars.
If food is the reason you love Charleston, this is one of the biggest weekends of the fall.
Good for: Foodies, culinary travelers, couples and adults 21+.
Holiday Festival of Lights — Beginning November 13
Where: James Island County Park
2026 dates: November 13–December 31
Technically it may signal the transition into the holiday season, but no Charleston fall guide would feel complete without the opening of the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park.
The longtime Lowcountry tradition features a three-mile driving route with more than 750 illuminated displays and millions of lights.
Visitors can also park and explore additional attractions, shop for holiday gifts, roast marshmallows and enjoy other seasonal activities.
If you've lived around Charleston for a while, there's a good chance this one is already part of your family's holiday tradition.
Good for: Families, kids, holiday dates and visiting relatives.
More Ways to Enjoy Fall in the Lowcountry
The big festivals get most of the attention, but some of the best fall weekends in Charleston don't require tickets or a detailed itinerary.
Spend an Afternoon Downtown
Once the humidity finally starts giving us a break, fall is one of the best times to walk downtown Charleston. Start around the Battery or Waterfront Park, make your way through the historic district and leave plenty of time for food along the way.
Get Back to the Beach
Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms don't suddenly disappear when Labor Day ends. Fall can be one of the best times for a quieter beach walk, an afternoon outside or dinner near the water without peak summer crowds.
Find an Oyster Roast
As temperatures drop, oyster roast season starts firing up across the Lowcountry. Churches, schools, nonprofits, restaurants, neighborhoods and businesses host oyster roasts throughout fall and winter.
Keep an eye on local event calendars because many are smaller community events rather than large annual festivals.
Catch a Football Game or Homecoming
Fall also means football, homecoming and school-spirit season throughout Charleston, Summerville and the surrounding Lowcountry.
Friday-night high school football, college football watch parties, tailgates and homecoming celebrations are as much a part of fall around here as pumpkins and oyster roasts.
Hosting a Fall Event in Charleston?
Fall isn't just busy for people attending events. It's one of the busiest seasons of the year for the businesses, schools, nonprofits, churches, teams and organizations putting them together.
Make Your Event Look Like an Event
Palmetto Blended helps Charleston-area organizations turn fall events into something people remember with custom apparel and branded merchandise.
- Event and staff T-shirts
- Volunteer shirts
- School and team apparel
- Fundraiser shirts
- Embroidered hats and polos
- Company apparel
- Branded cups and drinkware
- Tote bags and giveaways
- Promotional products
Explore our custom screen printing, embroidery and promotional products services, or tell us about your project and we'll help you figure out what works best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charleston Fall Events
What are the best fall festivals in Charleston in 2026?
Some of the biggest Charleston-area fall events in 2026 include the MOJA Arts Festival, Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, Preservation Society Fall Tours, Latin American Festival, Charleston Beer Fest, Harvest Festival, Food & Wine Classic Charleston and the opening of the Holiday Festival of Lights.
What are some fall events near Summerville, SC?
The Sweet Tea Festival takes place in historic downtown Summerville on September 19, 2026. Summerville also hosts seasonal community activities, school homecoming events and recurring downtown events throughout fall.
What are some family-friendly fall activities around Charleston?
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, the Sweet Tea Festival, Charleston-area farmers markets, the Harvest Festival and Holiday Festival of Lights are among the most family-friendly options on the 2026 fall calendar.
When does fall event season start in Charleston?
Charleston's fall event calendar begins picking up in September and is especially busy throughout October and November. Because of the Lowcountry's mild climate, outdoor festivals and community events can continue well into the holiday season.
Where can I order custom shirts for a Charleston fall festival or event?
Palmetto Blended provides custom screen printing, embroidery and promotional products for businesses, schools, teams, churches, nonprofits and events throughout Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry.
We'll See You Out There, Charleston
One of the things we love most about living and working in the Lowcountry is that there's always something happening somewhere.
Fall 2026 is no exception.
Whether you're drinking sweet tea in Summerville, celebrating the arts downtown, picking pumpkins in Mount Pleasant, enjoying live music in North Charleston, listening to bluegrass on Johns Island or piling the family into the car for the Festival of Lights, there's no shortage of reasons to get out and enjoy the season.
And if you're one of the businesses, schools, teams or organizations making those events happen, Palmetto Blended would love to help you look good doing it.
Here's to fall in the Lowcountry.
