Charleston, SC · Destination Guides
November in Charleston: 8 Events Worth Planning Around
November is one of the best times to experience Charleston, SC. Cooler afternoons make it easier to explore the historic district, oyster season brings people together, and the calendar fills with food, art, outdoor traditions, and the first signs of the holidays.
From a casual evening wandering downtown galleries to a full weekend built around food and wine, here are eight events we're keeping on our calendar this November.
01 · Arts & Culture
First Friday ArtWalk
- When
- Friday, November 6, 2026
- Time
- 5–8 PM
- Where
- Downtown Charleston galleries, the French Quarter and surrounding streets
One of the easiest ways to spend an evening downtown is wandering between Charleston's art galleries. During First Friday ArtWalk, participating galleries open their doors for an evening of exhibitions, conversation, and a chance to discover artists you might not otherwise come across.
Start wherever catches your eye, then let the streets lead you to the next gallery. It's an especially good way to experience Charleston on foot.
Good to know: Family-friendly, self-guided, and best explored on foot.
ArtWalk details → Back to top ↑02 · Food, Music & Lowcountry Heritage
Bourbon & Bluegrass at Middleton Place
- When
- Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time
- 5–8 PM
- Where
- Middleton Place, Ashley River Road
Few settings feel more distinctly Lowcountry than an evening beneath the old oaks at Middleton Place. Bourbon & Bluegrass brings together an open-fire oyster roast, bourbon tastings, seasonal Southern food, and live music in one of the Charleston area's most recognizable historic landscapes.
It's a refined take on the oyster-roast tradition, with the added purpose of supporting the Middleton Place Foundation's preservation and educational work.
Good to know: A ticketed evening built around bourbon tastings. Check the Middleton Place site for current ticket availability.
Event details at Middleton Place → Back to top ↑03 · Food & Wine
Food & Wine Classic in Charleston
- When
- November 13–15, 2026
- Where
- Venues across Charleston, with Grand Tastings at the Charleston Visitor Center
For a weekend in November, Charleston becomes an even bigger destination for food lovers. The Food & Wine Classic brings celebrated chefs, tastings, cooking demonstrations, and curated culinary experiences together in a city already known for its dining scene.
Whether you're planning an entire food-focused getaway or exploring one signature experience, this is one of the month's biggest reasons to visit.
Good to know: Ticketed, and all official festival events are 21+. Some signature experiences are ticketed separately.
Festival details → Back to top ↑04 · Holidays · Family-Friendly
Holiday Festival of Lights
- When
- November 13–December 31, 2026
- Time
- 5:30–10 PM nightly
- Where
- James Island County Park
Charleston's holiday season begins to glow in mid-November. At James Island County Park, the Holiday Festival of Lights transforms the grounds into a drive-through experience with illuminated displays, followed by opportunities to explore festive attractions, seasonal treats, and family activities.
It's an easy evening plan for visitors with children, but just as charming for anyone ready to get into the holiday spirit.
Good to know: Ticketed and mainly a drive-through, with more to do once you park. Confirm current admission details with the organizer.
Festival of Lights details → Back to top ↑05 · Food · Outdoor Festival
Holy Smokes BBQ Festival
- When
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Time
- 11 AM–4 PM
- Where
- Riverfront Park, North Charleston
Set along the Cooper River, Holy Smokes is a celebration of American barbecue and the people behind it. Pitmasters and chefs come together to serve different styles of barbecue, from Texas brisket to Lowcountry-inspired cooking, alongside live music and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
Come hungry, take your time, and explore all four barbecue villages. The event also supports organizations helping families affected by serious childhood illnesses.
Good to know: Ticketed and family-friendly. Parking and arrival details are on the organizer's site.
Holy Smokes details → Back to top ↑06 · Equestrian · Fall Tradition
Steeplechase of Charleston
- When
- Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Where
- Stono Ferry Racetrack, Hollywood, South Carolina
Steeplechase brings a different kind of Charleston tradition to the calendar: a day of horse racing, tailgates, fall fashion, and time outdoors in the Lowcountry.
The races are the main attraction, but much of the experience is the atmosphere around them. It's an opportunity to dress for the occasion, gather with friends, and spend a Sunday outside the city.
Good to know: Ticketed and outside downtown Charleston. Review transportation, parking and shuttle details before you leave.
Steeplechase details → Back to top ↑07 · History · Architecture · Holiday Season
Nathaniel Russell House Candlelight Tours
- When
- November 20–21, 2026
- Where
- 51 Meeting Street, Downtown Charleston
Charleston's historic homes have a special atmosphere after dark. During these candlelight tours, the Nathaniel Russell House offers a closer look at how the early nineteenth-century household marked the holiday season.
The experience explores elegant interiors and period traditions while acknowledging the enslaved people whose labor sustained the household. It's a thoughtful way to experience Charleston's architectural beauty alongside its complex history.
Good to know: Advance tickets required. Tours last about 45 minutes and are recommended for ages 12 and older.
Tour details → Back to top ↑08 · Thanksgiving · Outdoors · Community
Turkey Day Run
- When
- Thursday, November 26, 2026
- 5K start
- 9 AM
- Where
- Downtown Charleston, starting near Marion Square
Thanksgiving morning in Charleston starts early for thousands of runners and walkers. The Turkey Day Run winds through the historic peninsula, making it part race, part city tour, and a long-running local tradition.
Whether you're participating or cheering from the sidelines, it's an energetic way to experience downtown before Thanksgiving celebrations begin.
Good to know: Register ahead of race day. Packet pickup for 2026 is November 25 at the Omar Shrine Auditorium in Mount Pleasant, and there's no race-day registration or packet pickup.
Race details → Back to top ↑Planning a November 2026 Charleston Getaway
These events fall on different dates, so pick the weekend that suits you and build around it.
For a relaxed cultural weekend
Arrive for Friday, November 6, and spend the evening on the First Friday ArtWalk. Give the next afternoon to the historic streets, then book dinner downtown.
For food lovers
Aim for November 13–15. The Food & Wine Classic runs all weekend, Holy Smokes is on Saturday, and the nights in between are for the city's own restaurants. Our guide to new Charleston restaurants is a good place to start.
For families and holiday visitors
The Holiday Festival of Lights runs nightly from November 13, so it fits almost any trip. Spend the days exploring downtown, and if you're here later in the month, the Turkey Day Run sets off on Thanksgiving morning.
From LunaSol
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Discover the Charleston Coast →What to Know Before Visiting
Weather
Days are usually mild and easy for walking. Evenings cool off, so bring a layer for anything after dark.
On foot
The downtown galleries and the Nathaniel Russell House are an easy walk from most of the historic district.
Off the peninsula
Middleton Place, James Island County Park, Riverfront Park and Stono Ferry all mean a drive. Plan on a car, a rideshare or the organizer's shuttle where there is one.
Tickets
Most of these events are ticketed. Book ahead, and check times on the organizer's site before you travel.
Back to top ↑Charleston, SC in November: FAQs
Is November a good time to visit Charleston?
It's one of our favorite months there. Afternoons are usually comfortable, evenings want a jacket, and the calendar fills up with oyster roasts, food festivals, races and the first holiday lights.
What are the best things to do in Charleston in November 2026?
Our shortlist: First Friday ArtWalk (Nov 6), Bourbon & Bluegrass at Middleton Place (Nov 7), the Food & Wine Classic (Nov 13–15), the Holiday Festival of Lights (from Nov 13), Holy Smokes BBQ Festival (Nov 14), Steeplechase of Charleston (Nov 15), candlelight tours at the Nathaniel Russell House (Nov 20–21) and the Turkey Day Run on Thanksgiving morning (Nov 26).
Which events are family-friendly?
First Friday ArtWalk, the Holiday Festival of Lights, Holy Smokes and the Turkey Day Run all work well with kids. The Food & Wine Classic is 21+, Bourbon & Bluegrass is built around bourbon tastings, and the candlelight tours are recommended for ages 12 and up.
Do I need a car to get around Charleston?
Not for the historic district, which is compact and best seen on foot. You'll want a car or rideshare for Middleton Place, James Island County Park, Riverfront Park in North Charleston and the Steeplechase at Stono Ferry.
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