03/13/2025 to 04/13/2025
Here's your chance to see "behind the iron gates" of some of the most beautiful gardens and homes in Charleston.
Sponsored by the Historic Charleston Foundation, this beloved annual festival has been going on for more than seven decades and is a sure sign that spring is here. In fact, 2025 marks its 78th year.
Formerly known as the Festival of Houses and Gardens, the newly-renamed Charleston Festival celebrates so much of what makes Charleston special - its architecture, history, culture and the lush gardens just waiting to be explored.
Most of the tours take place downtown (South of Broad). There are all sorts of great options to choose from, located on different charming streets downtown. Think Wentworth, Legare, Meeting Street, Tradd, Broad, South Battery… all the best addresses in town. You can concentrate on the historic homes, or take one of the “Glorious Gardens” tours. Private garden tours are planned to take place when the flowers are likely to be at their peak.
It's not just house & garden tours. Organizers have expanded the festival's programming in creative ways. Options include concerts, lectures with a luncheon (cleverly entitled, “Food for Thought”), “Live Like a Local” events, historical harbor boat tours, artist exhibitions, Charleston by Design four-day celebration of design & preservation (with a special Opening Day Party).
The Charleston Festival really is a Lowcountry must-do. Thankfully there are many different dates and sites to choose from, so you have a good chance at securing a spot.