Things to do around Charleston
25 things to do around Charleston in November 2026, from Johns Island and the beaches to Mount Pleasant, North Charleston and Summerville. Each has the date, time, place, cost and a link to the official page. It's the same list I send in my monthly newsletter. Last checked October 25, 2026.
By Barry Cunningham, REALTOR®. Updated October 25, 2026.
November 2026
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Charleston Literary Festival
Ten days of author conversations and events with more than 80 writers, including a film screening and talkback, a novelist paired with a live pianist, and a closing staged reading.
Fri, Nov 6 to Sun, Nov 15 · Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, Charleston · Tickets sold per event
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Holiday Festival of Lights Opens
The Lowcountry's long-running drive-through holiday light show opens for the season, running nightly through New Year's Eve.
Nightly Nov 13 to Dec 31, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. · James Island County Park · Per-vehicle admission varies by night; advance tickets recommended
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Fall Pickin' in the Corner
Antique, vintage, upcycled and craft vendors line Main Street, with antique tractors on display, a bluegrass band at Unity Park and food trucks.
Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date Nov 21) · Main Street and Unity Park, Moncks Corner · Free to browse
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Hanahan Red, White & Blue Fall Festival
The 14th annual city festival with live music, carnival rides, jump castles, face painting, a balloon artist, guest speakers, food trucks and craft vendors.
Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date Nov 21) · Hanahan Amphitheater, 3100 Amphitheater Avenue, Hanahan · Free
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Holy Smokes BBQ Festival
More than 40 pitmasters and chefs serve barbecue across four themed villages, with live music. Proceeds benefit Hogs for the Cause and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston.
Sat, Nov 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave., North Charleston · $95 general admission (all-you-can-eat), $250 VIP, $25 ages 7 to 13, free 6 and under
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Old Village Harbor 5K
A long-running road race through the Old Village that welcomes runners, walkers, strollers and dogs, followed by music, refreshments and a raffle.
Sat, Nov 14, 8:30 a.m. to noon · Alhambra Hall, 131 Middle Street, Mount Pleasant · Registration required; see organizer
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Summerville Italian Feast
Over 100 vendors and food trucks serve pasta, pizza, cannoli and gelato with Italian wine and beer in downtown Summerville. Proceeds support the Dorchester Two Educational Foundation.
Sun, Nov 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. · Hutchinson Square, 102 S. Main St., Summerville · Free to attend; food and drinks sold separately
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G&G Winter Market
Garden & Gun's holiday market with more than 45 Southern makers of food, drink, style, home goods, crafts and outdoor gear. It opens with a Night Market on Nov 19 with local food, live music and cocktails.
Thu, Nov 19 (Night Market) to Sun, Nov 22 · G&G at 21 Magazine, 21 Magazine St., Charleston · See Garden & Gun for tickets
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Third Thursdays in Downtown Summerville
A monthly evening marketplace with local entertainment, craft vendors and artisans, while downtown shops and restaurants stay open late. Rain or shine, with free downtown parking.
Thu, Nov 19, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. · Hutchinson Square, 102 S. Main St., Summerville · Free
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Aquarium Aglow
Nature-inspired holiday light installations throughout the South Carolina Aquarium, with food and drinks, Scuba Claus and holiday photo spots.
Select nights Nov 20 to Dec 31 (Nov 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29), 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. · South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston · Timed tickets; see the aquarium for prices
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Holiday Candlelight Tours at the Nathaniel Russell House
A 45 minute after-hours candlelit tour of the house showing how the household marked the holidays in 1808. Recommended by the organizer for ages 12 and up.
Fri, Nov 20 and Sat, Nov 21; tours at 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. · Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting Street, Charleston · $45 per person; advance tickets recommended
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Central Creek Holiday Market
An evening holiday market with fresh food, local artwork, musicians and makers.
Sat, Nov 21, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. · Central Creek Park, 147 Old Moncks Corner Road, Goose Creek · No admission listed
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Daniel Island Turkey Trot
A casual 3-mile walk or run on the Daniel Island trails that collects food donations for ECCO, with a free T-shirt for the first 50 people who bring items from the most-needed list.
Sat, Nov 21, 10 a.m. · Credit One gravel lot, 161 Seven Farms Drive, Daniel Island · Free
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Field Day with SEWE and Dorchester County Parks
An outdoor day with fly casting, dog and raptor flight demonstrations, sheep herding, hands-on conservation programs, exhibitors, vendors, and food and drinks. Dogs are welcome.
Sat, Nov 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Ashley River Park, 200 Renken Road, Summerville · $40 per vehicle for Dorchester County residents, $50 for non-residents
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Lights Up Tree Lighting
A holiday season kickoff with the official tree lighting, live music, Santa's arrival, seasonal treats and kids' activities.
Sat, Nov 21, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. · Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, 1200 Belk Drive, Mount Pleasant · Not listed; see Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
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Merry Makers Market
A holiday market of local farmers, makers, bakers and artists with food trucks on site; no commercial or mass-produced goods.
Sun, Nov 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Park West Recreation Complex, 1251 Park West Blvd., Mount Pleasant · Free to browse
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Thanksgiving Farmers Market West Ashley
A special holiday edition of the West Ashley Farmers Market for Thanksgiving shopping, with extra vendors, activities, live music and free parking.
Sun, Nov 22, noon to 4 p.m. · Ackerman Park, 55 Sycamore Ave., Charleston · Free to attend
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Thanksgiving Farmers Market at Freshfields Village
A special Thanksgiving week farmers market with local produce, prepared foods and crafts for the holiday table.
Mon, Nov 23, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. · Freshfields Village, 165 Village Green Drive, Johns Island · Free to browse
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Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Mannheim Steamroller's holiday concert tour stops at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.
Tue, Nov 24, 7:30 p.m. (doors 6:30 p.m.) · North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston · Tickets through Ticketmaster; parking $10
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Wild Dunes Turkey Trot 5K
A pre-Thanksgiving 5K along the shoreline with prizes and giveaways for top finishers and a Wild Dunes beanie for every participant.
Wed, Nov 25, 11 a.m. · Grand Pavilion beachfront, Wild Dunes Resort, 5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms · $10 per participant
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Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble 5K
Charleston's Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk through downtown, with a kids fun run and a post-race celebration in Marion Square. Packet pickup is Nov 25 at Patriots Hall in Mount Pleasant.
Thu, Nov 26, 5K starts 9 a.m.; kids fun run 10:30 a.m. · Marion Square, Calhoun and King Streets, Charleston · Registration required; open until sold out
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Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ: Thanksgiving
Oysters roasted over an open fire plus ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, Lowcountry boil, Southern sides and live music on the banks of the Kiawah River.
Fri, Nov 27, seatings 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. · Mingo Point on the Kiawah River, Kiawah Island Golf Resort · $65 adults, $32 ages 4 to 12, free ages 3 and under
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Santa Visits the Village
Free photos with Santa in Santa's Surf Shack, plus live music and crafts each day and a holiday market of local foods and Lowcountry crafts on Saturday.
Fri, Nov 27 and Sat, Nov 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun, Nov 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. · Village Green, Freshfields Village, 165 Village Green Drive, Johns Island · Free
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Tree Lighting Ceremony at American Gardens
A holiday kickoff evening with live seasonal music, a holiday market and the lighting of a 40 foot tree.
Fri, Nov 27, evening · American Gardens, 174 King St., Charleston · See American Gardens
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Holiday Sip and Shop at Drayton Hall
Seasonal drinks and bites while browsing Lowcountry-inspired gifts, home decor and ornaments at the Drayton Hall shop, with tax-free purchases.
Sun, Nov 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. · The Shop at Drayton Hall, 3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston · Free; preregistration required
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These come from my monthly newsletter, along with what homes sold for in each neighborhood and what's opening around town. Sign up at the bottom of this page. For public meetings, rezonings and road projects, see community happenings.
Dates, times and prices are from each organizer's page as of October 25, 2026. Events change and sell out, so check the link before you go. Listing an event isn't an endorsement.