Charleston has countless events and festivals happening throughout the year, like SEWE, Spoleto, Wine + Food, Holiday Festival of Lights… the list keeps growing.
It doesn’t matter what season you come here to stay in one of our Charleston beach rentals, there’s always something fun to do.
Here in the Lowcountry, we love views of the water, we love live music, and we’re pretty fond of dancing to it. Oh, and we like to eat/drink while we’re at it. These things combine beautifully, in two popular spring/summer series which happen here annually.
Both overlook Charleston Harbor from the Mount Pleasant side. Both are convenient to our Isle of Palms luxury vacation rentals. And both are a whole lot of fun.
Charleston Music Series - Party at the Point
This first cool spring/summer series is celebrating its 25th year.
Party at the Point describes itself as, “Charleston’s best and longest-running happy hour concert series in town." Basically, it’s a cool beach party overlooking the harbor and towards the ocean. It’s situated at a picturesque spot in the sand, at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in Mount Pleasant.
On Fridays from April through July, they host a variety of live musical acts, many of them tribute bands to some of the best music ever written. It’s the kind of music that’s hard NOT to dance to. Point Parties last from 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Here’s the lineup for this, their 25th season:
· April 18th – 20 Ride (America's #1 Zac Brown Tribute)
· April 25th – Mr. Fahrenheit (A Tribute to Queen)
· May 2nd – The Reckoning (A Tribute to the Grateful Dead)
· May 9th – On the Border (The Ultimate Eagles Tribute)
· May 16th – Folly Pirates Over 40 (A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett)
· May 23rd – Dave Matthews Tribute Band
· May 30th – Sol Driven Train
· June 6th – The Midnight City
· June 13th – Motown Throwdown (always a wildly popular one!)
· June 20th – Departure (The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band)
· June 27th – Highway Boys (Zach Bryan Tribute Band)
· July 3rd – Landslide (A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac)
· July 11th – Rock the 90s
· July 18th – TBA
Party at the Point is family friendly, with kids 12 and under admitted free. Adult tickets are just $15. Also, there’s plenty of free parking along the road leading to Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, which is located at 20 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant. This year, they’ve also added additional parking across the street from the entrance.
A couple FYIs: you’re welcome and encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to spread out on the sand and get in “beach mode.” They ask that you not bring pets or outside coolers. Lots of food and drink options will be available for purchase.
All shows take place rain or shine, and you’re encouraged to get tickets in advance, although they do sell them at the door if there are any still available.
Find out more and get tickets at their website.
Dancing on the Cooper
The other great spring/summer series is called Dancing on the Cooper, sponsored by the fine folks at Charleston County Parks.
Originally it was called “Shaggin’ on the Cooper” in honor of the official state dance of South Carolina, done to beach music. Over the years, organizers have expanded it to include other genres of music like rock, country, funk, soul and greatest hits of other decades, thus the name change.
Dancing on the Cooper is also located in a supremely scenic spot - right at the end of Mount Pleasant Pier of Memorial Waterfront Park, extending underneath the Ravenel Bridge and out into the harbor.
It’s the perfect place for a dance party.
Here’s the schedule for the 2025’s Dancing on the Cooper, which also take place on Friday evenings, from April to September:
- April 25 - Mason Dixon Band (classic country and southern rock);
- May 16 Tommy & The Chucktown Players (eclectic fusion of soul, rock, and funk);
- June 13 Vinyl Daze (classic oldies, beach, rock, and more);
- July 18 Shem Creek Boogie Band (classic oldies and beach);
- September 12 Island Party Band (greatest hits of the '60s, '70s, & '80s).
Gates open at 7:00 p.m., and the fun lasts till 10:00 p.m. Tickets are just $10 in advance and $15 at the door, if there are any left. Word to the wise: there rarely are. This series is very popular and almost always sells out ahead of time. Children 3 and under are free.
Some FYIs: Beverages will be available for purchase on site, and food/snacks are available in the River Watch Café at the entrance of the pier. You’re welcome to bring chairs but not pets or coolers. The venue’s located at 71 Harry Hallman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant.
You can read more and get tickets at the official website or check out our Events page for Dancing on the Cooper.
So if you’re here staying with us in an Isle of Palms beach house, head toward the harbor on Friday nights for some great live music and a chance to dance with the locals.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger