03/05/2025 to 03/09/2025
The Holy City has fast become a major foodie destination. Here's an ideal way to celebrate it, at the annual festival that's been around since 2005.
Charlestonians have always loved food, and hospitality is a long-ingrained trait around here. But things have really ramped up as more and more chefs join the scene, and as Charleston lands on yet more top ten lists.
Witness this fact: according to a recent ranking by Tripadvisor, two of the top ten - and four of the top thirteen – restaurants in America were in Charleston. Charleston was the ONLY city to have more than one in the top ten. Not New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles… only Charleston. And wouldn’t you rather be staying here at a spacious luxury beach house, rather than in a tiny motel room in a loud, crowded city?
Let's Make a Festival!
To celebrate all things wine and food, organizers established a festival back in 2005. It’s grown exponentially in the years ever since.
Known as the Wine + Food Festival, it takes place around the first full weekend in March, stretching over five days and encompassing over 100 different events. It’s become a giant gathering of the best chefs, foodies, winemakers, artisans, authors, storytellers and culinary experts around.
2025 will mark the 19th incarnation of the event. 2023's festival had 112 events over five days, and drew 38,368 people.
The heart of the event is the ever-popular Culinary Village. Traditionally situated in Marion Square, the locale of the ever-popular Grand Tasting Tent, it's now known as “The Hub.” It also boasts a beer garden with live music, artisan market, chef demos and talks hosted by celebs of the food world. In 2022 they moved it from Marion Square to scenic Riverfront Park in North Charleston. There's plenty more elbow room there, plus a lot of free parking and waterfront views. Surrounding the Grand Tasting Tent is a food truck "neighborhood" open to all, even those without tickets. The new venue will also host a nightly musical event called "NightCap."
Various venues around the peninsula also host individual events, intimate dinners, special guest chef culinary creations and the like. Wine + Food has a multi-million dollar annual budget and is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. Part of the proceeds goes toward culinary scholarships for up-and-coming talent.
Their mission: “To produce experiences that celebrate, educate, and promote the Lowcountry's diverse culinary + hospitality community.”
BRAND NEW in 2023 and returning in 2024 - a free Street Fest on upper King Street on Thursday, March 7nd, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.. This block party is family friendly, and no ticket is required. There will be live music, a marching band, food and beverages for sale (and a Beer Garden), plus plenty of fun activities for the kids.
NOTE: Plans and details for 2025 haven't been announced yet. Check back closer to the festival time for the latest info.
Other festivals/ local food events to discover!