There are only a few days left of the Spoleto Festival, but it’s not too late to buy tickets to some of the best shows! For those who aren’t familiar with the Spoleto Festival, it’s a 17-day arts and culture celebration that is held in the heart of Charleston every year. Musicians, dancers, and artists from all over the country showcase their talents at this festival, so it’s worth adding to your Charleston bucket list.
The Ultimate Spoleto Festival Bucket List
With so many theatrical shows, dance performances, concerts, and artist talks packed into the next week and a half, how do you even decide what you want to see? We hope this schedule will make it easy!
Friday, June 2: Della Mae
Time: 9 PM | Location: College of Charleston Cistern Yard
This Nashville-based group blends haunting bluegrass and folk melodies with beautiful vocals, creating a soulful performance you’ll never forget. Della Mae has received a Grammy nomination and an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award.
Saturday, June 3: Behind the Garden Gate
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM | Location: Various private gardens
Ever wanted a glimpse of Charleston’s hidden gems? On Saturday, June 3, you can! The Spoleto Festival is once again partnering with the Charleston Horticultural Society to offer self-guided tours of various private gardens throughout the city. This weekend, you can take a stroll through The Sword Gate, the Andrew Hasell House garden, the James Brown House garden, and the Hieronymous-Roper House garden, just to name a few.
Sunday, June 4: Waiting for Godot
Time: 8 PM | Location: Dock Street Theatre
Waiting for Godot, a 20th-century play by Samuel Beckett, follows two friends who encounter several strangers on the road while waiting for a character named Godot. This “tragicomedy” will be a performance you don’t want to miss!
Monday, June 5: Farnace
Time: 7:30 PM | Location: Dock Street Theatre
While Vivaldi is well-known for “The Four Seasons” suite, he is probably best known for his opera Farnace. This story follows an ancient king who, after being defeated by the Romans, attempts to avoid capture, all the while struggling with an inner battle of love vs. duty.
Tuesday, June 6: Bank of America Chamber Music
Time: 11 AM | Location: Dock Street Theatre
The Spoleto Festival showcases some of the best talent in the nation, and the Bank of America Chamber Music session certainly doesn’t disappoint. On Tuesday, June 6, a group of incredibly gifted musicians will perform the eighth of eleven programs, which includes “Piano Quartet in A Minor” by Gustav Mahler and “Octet in E-Flat Major, op. 20” by Felix Mendelssohn.
Wednesday, June 7: Cinema and Sound
Time: 5 PM | Location: Woolfe Street Playhouse
At this nearly one-hour event, pianist Stephen Prutsman will bring silent films to life with a live soundtrack. Enjoy watching the 1910 The Cameraman’s Revenge, 1913 Suspense, and 1926 Mighty Like A Moose as they play along with original music.
Thursday, June 8: The Table
Time: 5 PM | Location: Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston
Philosophy, history, comedy, and puppetry converge in this unforgettable performance. With just a bit of cardboard, a table, and a puppeteer, the character of Moses comes to life on the stage in this award-winning show.
Friday, June 9: Rhiannon Giddens
Time: 7:30 PM | Location: Charleston Gaillard Center
Musician Rhiannon Giddens captures the American experience with folk-inspired melodies and a powerful voice, giving audiences a captivating performance to remember for years to come.
Saturday, June 10: Evan Christopher’s Clarinet Road
Time: 5 PM | Location: Simons Center Recital Hall at College of Charleston
Take a journey back to the early days of New Orleans jazz, when clarinet players like Sidney Bechet, Barney Bigard, and Omer Simeon were in their heyday. In this one-hour event, Evan Christopher draws inspiration from these jazz legends while offering a contemporary twist.
Sunday, June 11: Wells Fargo Festival Finale
Time: 3:30 PM | Location: Middleton Place
The Spoleto Festival concludes with a Beer Garden, live music from local and regional bands, an energetic performance by The Revivalists, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Live at the Center of Culture and History
Charleston is a rare city that blends arts, culture, and history into daily life, not just during the Spoleto Festival. If you’re eager to live where the excitement never ends, we can help you discover the lifestyle and find your dream home. Call us at 843.352.0300 and let’s talk about your plans.