Travel Tips

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Best Time to Visit Charleston, SC (Delicious Food & Fun Festivals!)

Explore the best times for food, festivals, and fun in Charleston, SC! Ideal visit dates for optimal weather, budget-friendly travel, and avoiding crowds.

Tobi Miles
June 5, 2023

Charleston has been voted as America's number one small city for 10 years! There are beautiful cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages, which are sure to make anyone want to visit. Although, the important question is: When is the best time to visit?

Between September to November is the best time to visit Charleston. This is when the temperature is on average 74°F (23°C). It is also the best time for food events like Taste of Charleston and Sweet Tea Festival. For beautiful blooming flowers and trees, visit from March to May. However, flight prices increase up to 16% in April.

While Charleston may be pretty with all of the blooming flowers in the spring, it may not be the best time to visit. Depending on what you are looking for during your trip to Charleston, another month may be better for you. We will go into a monthly analysis to discover when that month will be.

Worst Time to Visit Charleston

June through August is the worst time to visit Charleston. During these months the temperatures rise into the upper eighties! So unless you want to be a sweaty mess, it is best to steer away from visiting in the summer.

August is the rainiest month for Charleston. At the beginning of the month, you will typically see 4.7 inches of rain. While at the end of the month it is common that you will see 5.1 inches.

Cheapest Month to Visit Charleston

The cheapest months to visit Charleston are January and February. During these months there are fewer amount of tourists. Since there are not as many tourists, the hotels tend to lower their prices.

January is especially a great time to find cheap flights. In January, it is common that you see a 4% price drop. The typical and cheapest accommodation starts at around $95.

The lowest cost for one person to visit Charleston per day is $144. Although, that is by reducing your spending and getting a less than ideal vacation rental or hotel.

Best Time to Visit Charleston (Monthly Breakdown)

January: Lowcountry Oyster Festival

The daily high temperature in January is typically around 60°F (15°C) and rarely falls below 46°F (7°C). While the daily low is around 43°F (6°C) and rarely falls below 30°F (-1°C).

January is typically the coldest month in Charleston, but there will still be plenty to do. It is especially a spectacular time to visit if you want to experience food festivals or sightseeing. In addition to this, it is one of the cheapest months to visit!

  • Lowcountry Oyster Festival
  • Visit the South Carolina Aquarium
  • Taste of Folly
  • Charleston Restaurant Week
  • Charleston Boat Show

Related Read: 60 BEST Things To Do in South Carolina

February: Valentine Chocolate and Camellia Sweetheart Stroll

February's daily high temperature ranges from 60°F (15°C) to 65°F (18°C). While its daily low temperature ranges from 43°F (6°C) to 48°F (8°C).

February is well-known to be loved by couples around the world because of Valentine's Day and in Charleston, it's no different. Thankfully, Charleston makes it a great place to show your significant other your love and appreciation with the events they have.

  • Valentine Chocolate and Camellia Sweetheart Stroll
  • Lowcountry Dance Invitational
  • Pink in the Rink
  • Southeast Wildlife Exposition

March: Festival of Houses and Gardens

The high temperature in March ranges from 65°F (18°C) to 71°F (21°C). While the low temperature ranges from 48°F (8°C) to 55°F (12°C).

March tends to have better weather with plenty of beautiful blooming trees and flowers with it. Although, prices tend to peak during the springtime because of the beautiful scenery causing more tourists to visit.

  • Festival of Houses and Gardens
  • Cooper River Bridge Run
  • Tchaikovsky's Piano Concert
  • Charleston Wine and Food Festival

Related Read: 20 Best Romantic Getaways in the Southeast

April: Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival

The daily high temperature in April ranges from 71°F (21°C) to 77°F (25°C). While the daily low temperature ranges from 55°F (12°C) to 62°F (16°C).

April brings perfect weather to Charleston. This makes it a time that is very popular for tourists to visit so they can beat the hot weather! Many fun events are happening during this time as well.

  • Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival
  • Lowcountry Strawberry Festival
  • Cooper River Bridge Run
  • Flowertown Festival

May: Spoleto Festival

In May the daily high temperature is from 77°F (25°C) to 84°F (28°C). The daily low ranges from 62°F (16°C) to 70°F (21°C).

May in Charleston brings many great festivals at the start of the month. Since there are so many festivals, it's impossible to get bored in Charleston during May! There will also be the addition of many pretty flowers all around.

  • Spoleto Festival
  • Piccolo Spoleto Festival
  • Charleston Greek Fest
  • North Charleston Arts Fest

June: Nighttime at the Museum

Temperatures in June are starting to get hotter with the daily high ranging from 84°F (28°C) to 88°F (31°C). The daily low ranges from 70°F (21°C) to 75°F (23°C).

While June is starting to get hot, there are still plenty of events happening. Whether you want to stay indoors or go outdoors, there will be an event for you.

  • Nighttime at the Museum
  • Charleston Farmers Market
  • Spoleto Festival
  • Jazz on the Harbor

Related Read: 50 Best Things To Do in Columbia, SC

July: Celebrate July 4th in Charleston

July is the hottest time of the year in Charleston. The high-temperature average is typically 88°F (31°C) and the lowest temperature is around 76°F (24°C).

Since July is the hottest month in Charleston, it is typically hard to find many events and festivals. Though, there will still be many things to do such as water sports or sightseeing.

  • Fourth of July Fireworks
  • Charleston Farmers Market
  • Southeast Crab Feast
  • Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival

August: Lowcountry Jazz Festival

August temperatures are typically as hot as July. The daily high ranges from 88°F (31°C) to 86°F (30°C). As for the daily low temperatures, they range from 77°F (25°C) to 74°F (23°C).

August is similar to July in the fact that there are not that many festivals. Though, there tends to be plenty of music and dancing events. If that is your style, August will be perfect for you!

  • Lowcountry Jazz Festival
  • SC Reggae Jerk and Wine Festival
  • Femme Fest
  • Grape Stomp Festival

Related Read: 15 Top Treehouse Rentals in South Carolina

September: Charleston Restaurant Week

September's daily high temperature ranges from 86 F (30°C) to 80°F (26°C). While its daily low temperature tends to range from 74°F (23°C) to 67°F (19°C).

September is a great month to explore the variety of food that Charleston has to offer. It is also a popular time for many festivals and events because the weather is more comfortable compared to June through August.

  • Charleston Restaurant Week
  • MOJA Arts Festival
  • Edisto Beach Music and Shag Festival
  • Dog Day Afternoon

October: Taste of Charleston

October's high temperature rarely falls below 62°F (16°C) or exceeds 86°F (30°C). While its low temperature rarely falls below 45°F (7°C) or exceeds 74°F (23°C).

October is just like September with plenty of food events. Since the days are much cooler in October, it makes a great time to visit Charleston.

  • Taste of Charleston
  • Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch
  • The Fall Tours of Architecture, History, and Gardens
  • Oktoberfest

November: Harvest Festival

November's daily high temperatures range from 72°F (22°C) to 65°F (18°C). While its daily low temperatures range from 56°F (13°C) to 50°F (10°C).

November is a great time for fall festivals. There is something for everyone in Charleston during November! From literary festivals to harvest festivals, they have it all!

  • Harvest Festival
  • Charleston Literary Festival
  • YALLFest
  • Blessing of the Vines Festival

December: Holiday Festival of Lights

December brings colder weather with the highest temperature being 62°F (16°C). As for the average low, it is usually around 49°F (9°C).

December is a wonderful time to spend Charleston with your family. There will be joy all around Charleston, whether you stay indoors or visit the holiday festivals.

  • Holiday Festival of Lights
  • Holiday Street Festival
  • Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
  • New Year's Eve Flip-Flop Drop and Fireworks

Best Time to Visit Charleston for Flowers

The best time to visit Charleston for flowers and blooming trees is in the spring. Specifically March through May. The temperature is warm from 60°F to 80°F and causes many beautiful flowers to bloom.

There are also many beautiful tours that you can go on to see the wide array of flowers and trees that are in bloom. One tour that occurs in the spring is the Festival of Houses and Gardens.

While there are many people in the springtime in Charleston, it is worth it to see the beautiful flowers. The winter does not give you the remarkable aroma and scenery that it does in the spring.

Best Time to Visit Charleston to Miss the Rain

The dry seasons in Charleston are from September to June. June through August has on average 14.8 days of rain with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.

While Charleston has a bit of rainfall during June through August, it will not be much to ruin your trip. Charleston typically has more sunny days than wet days.

Summer is considered to be hurricane season in Charleston. Thankfully, it is not that common for Charleston to be hit by a hurricane. Although, Charleston experiences flooding from the storms and some beach erosion.

Best Time to Visit Charleston to Avoid the Crowds

September through November are the best times to avoid crowds. These months are when most tourists stop visiting and you will have the bonus of cheaper airfare and hotels!

The fall is great to visit with plenty of food festivals and the weather will be more comfortable to deal with. If you visit in the summer you have the chance of being in Charleston during hurricane season.

Furthermore, you can visit in the late winter after the major holidays and there will not be as many crowds. In addition to this, you will still have many great events that you can attend!

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
March 28, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
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