Discover 10 Of the More Popular Events Taking Place In & Around Charleston SC This Weekend

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Whether it's an event, live theatre, concerts, and or festivals greater Charleston SC plays host to a wide variety of happenings each and every weekend. The following are just some of the best of the best taking place this weekend in the low country. Get out of the house or out of your comfort zone and enjoy any of the following.

The fall event you've all been waiting for returns to Charleston. The annual Coastal Carolina Fair opens this weekend and runs daily thru Sunday Nov 9th. Expect new rides, new food, and new demonstrations this year, with live music nightly at the Lakeside Theatre stage. Family size fun at https://www.coastalcarolinafair.org/ for more check out https://charleston.com/charleston-insider/arts-culture/coastal-carolina-fair-returns-thurs-oct-30th-sun-nov-9th

The 54th Annual Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering take place on Saturday Nov 1st at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Join in at this incredible event, organized by the Scottish Society of Charleston, as we travel to Scotland for the day. Celebrate and enjoy the rich history and culture of Scotland with an incredible lineup of events ranging from athletics to live music. Thrill at competitions of athletic prowess, musical skill on the legendary bagpipes, and the beauty of highland dance. All the details at https://www.charlestonscottishgames.com/

Love the movies and love great orchestras? The North Charleston Pops kick off their season Saturday (Nov 1) night at the PAC with a red carpet-worthy tribute to the silver screen! Enjoy powerful performances of beloved music from Wicked, The Greatest Showman, Casablanca, and more. Nothing compares to hearing these iconic scores performed live by our full orchestra—this is Hollywood like you’ve never heard it! More at https://www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/a-night-at-the-oscars

Keeping in line with Halloween the South Carolina Ballet present Dracula: Ballet with a Bite! at the Charleston Music Hall on Friday night. Endure chilling screams, alluring costumes, and a bevy of the sexiest undead await you at this gothic extravaganza. On Saturday night at CMH come out for R&B Only Live. Immerse yourself in singing and dancing, while experiencing R&B music from past to present. Music kicks off at 9pm. For these two shows and more to come at Charleston Music Hall visit their site at https://www.charlestonmusichall.com/

In line with their 10th anniversary, Charleston Gaillard Center presents an evening with Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter, joined by the Charleston Symphony. The concert begins at 5pm on Saturday Nov 1st. Details at https://gaillardcenter.org/events/gaillard-gala/

From Sept 26th through November 8th Holy City Brewing present 25 nights of Southern Screams. Haunted House is open until 10pm on weeknights and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The brewery is open until 11pm on weeknights during the haunted house and 12am on Fridays and Saturdays. For more on this terrifying experience visit https://holycitybrewing.com/north-charleston-holy-city-brewing-events 

Also on Sunday Nov 2nd at Holy City Brewing come out for the 3rd annual MashFest, Charleston’s premier celebration of smoke and spirits. They are teaming up once again with the legendary King BBQ and Chef Shuai Wang — fresh off his Top Chef finalist run, for an unforgettable day of Southern flavor and festive vibes. Enjoy Rare Bourbons & expertly curated whiskey tastings -Smoked Meats and Wonderful Tastes from King BBQ -The Walrus Raw Bar with local aquaculture, as well as a curated cocktail competition, live music and more. https://holycitybrewing.com/north-charleston-holy-city-brewing-events

The Johns Island Harvest Festival takes place on Saturday, November 1st from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Johns Island County Park. While not a traditional farmers market, the event includes a craft and vendor market along with food, live bluegrass music, hayrides, and kids' activities. Admission is $10 per person, with children 12 and under getting in for free. For all you need to know visit https://ccprc.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=17845&month=11&year=2025&day=1&calType=0

The annual West Farm Corn Maze takes place up in Moncks Corner. Challenge your map-reading skills to reach all the checkpoints in our Dogs themed corn maze design! Choose the full 2.7 mile challenge, or the kid-friendly .4 mile path. Enjoy a variety of family friendly events like apple slingshots, kids play area, hayrides, farm zoo, and food trucks.  Various dates through Nov 2nd. All you need to know at https://www.westfarmcornmaze.com/corn-maze

Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens once again presents Pumpkin Patch. The annual autumn event has grown to be one of the largest fall festivals in the state. 2025 will be the 29th year for this event which has become a yearly tradition that brings people of all ages together for a day of good old-fashioned fun on the farm. Family fun for all ages. Details at https://boonehallplantation.com/special_event/the-boone-hall-pumpkin-patch/

Want to add a bit of mystery to your weekend:

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show offers up another mystery dinner this Friday (Oct 31st) at the Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District located at 125 Calhoun St downtown Charleston. Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it! Show runs 7-10pm. Learn more https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/Charleston/murder-mystery-tickets-showtimes/?refresh=1&utmsource=Vesta&utmmedium=Referral 

The Flowertown Players in Summerville end their run of 'Murder on the Orient Express' this weekend, with shows on Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm and a Sunday matinee at 3pm. For more visit https://www.flowertownplayers.org/murder-on-the-orient-express/

At Dock Street Theatre the Charleston Stage Company end their run of 'Dial M for Murder'. Details and tickets at https://charlestonstage.com/shows-and-tickets/dial-m-for-murder