North Charleston Arts Fest

North Charleston has become a hopping city in its own right, with a myriad of trendy breweries, restaurants, newly rejuvenated neighborhoods and parks like the gorgeous Riverfront Park  -  a successful new concert and festival venue.

Although Spoleto gets most of the attention where arts festivals are concerned, the North Charleston Arts Fest has it going on, too.  2024 will mark the 41st installment of the annual event.  It tends to focus on local and regional talent, and all of the events are free and a lot of fun.  Parking is also free at most venues.

There's a whole schedule filled with live music, theater presentations, dance performances, exhibitions, art competitions (including the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition), workshops and demonstrations, readings, public art installations, children's programs and much more.  

There are almost 20 different venues all around North Charleston, including ones like Riverfront Park, City Hall, the Convention Center, Fox Music House, Snafu Brewing Company, Park Circle Gallery, Madra Rua Irish Pub, and the Oak Terrace Preserve Pavilion.

Exact date and details for 2024 haven't been announced yet, so stay tuned.  These were some of the highlights from 2023's NCAF:

• Wednesday, May 3rd  -  Opening Celebration and Art Reception Kickoff at the Convention Center (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.);
• Thursday, May 4th  -  Colour of Music's Quartet, Quintet and Sextet Ensembles with three premieres of works by North Charleston-born composer Edmund Thornton Jenkins, at the Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel on the former Charleston Naval Base; also a Bosa Nova Concert and the Exhibition Reception for World of Paper;
• Friday, May 5th  -  Children's Festival, Americana Concert and the World Music Cafe;
• Saturday, May 6th  -  Children's Theater Production of The Little Mermaid, and the World Dance Showcase, and the Arty Block Party & Street Market in the Olde Village area starting at 5:00 p.m.;
• Sunday, May 7th  -  Jazz Concert - World of Jazz, and Lowcountry Music Showcase.

Check out the website for the full schedule and details.