Fall is America’s favorite season and the best time of year to visit the barrier islands of South Carolina on the idyllic Atlantic Coastline. The beauty of the changing fall leaves, no more summer crowds, coastal temperatures and miles of pristine and peaceful sandy beaches await on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
This beautiful barrier island is only a short, scenic drive from Charleston and offer visitors the perfect balance of laid-back island living close to the cityscapes and urban charm of historic Charleston. In addition to the beautiful beaches, world-class golf courses and outdoor activities in the extraordinary natural landscapes, Kiawah Island offers fabulous, family-friendly fall events with harvest festivals, haunted houses, foot stompin’ live music and scrumptious southern BBQ.
Here’s our top pick of Kiawah Island fall festivals and events to consider when planning your vacation to South Carolina’s scenic barrier islands.
Oktoberfest
WHEN: September 22nd, 2024
TIME: 11:30AM – 10:00PM
LOCATION:
Frothy Beard Brewing Company
1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC
Get ready to raise your steins! Oktoberfest is coming to Frothy Beard Brewing to celebrate the autumn season! Enjoy some festive food specials, compete in our stein hoisting competition, and sip on our Oktoberfest Märzen, hefeweizen, or Kölsch in your very own Frothy beer stein. Plus, the Polka All Stars will be here from 2:30PM – 5:00PM Prost!
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze
WHEN: September 27th – October 27th, 2024
LOCATION:
Boone Hall Plantation
1235 Long Point Road
Mt Pleasant, SC
SCHEDULE & TICKETS: Click HERE!
Travel along country roads through canopies of ancient oaks draped in Spanish Moss to Boone Hall Plantation for one of the largest fall festivals in South Carolina. Wind your way through a corn maze, play with the critters at the petting zoos, go on a haunted hayride and pick the perfect pumpkin for carving jack-o-lantern.
DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION
Friday September 27 – 10AM-5PM
Saturday September 29 – 10AM-5PM
Sunday September 30 – 10am-5pm
Friday October 4 – 10AM-5PM
Saturday October 5 – 10AM-5PM
Sunday October 6 – 10am-5pm
Friday October 11 – 10AM-5PM
Saturday October 12 – 10AM-5PM
Sunday October 13 – 10am-5pm
Friday October 18 – 10AM-5PM
Saturday October 19 – 10AM-5PM
Sunday October 20 – 10am-5pm
Friday October 25 – 10AM-5PM
Saturday October 26 – 10AM-5PM
Sunday October 27 – 10am-5pm
Included with Admission:
- Family Friendly Halloween Tractor Tour
- GIANT 8-Acre Corn Maze
- All American Petting Zoo
- All American Pig Races
- Two of SC’s Largest Jump Pillows
- Inflatable Giant Slide and Obstacle Course
- Swings, Spiders and Slides, Oh My!
(Farm Play Structures & Equipment) - Live, Interactive HoneyBee Exhibit
- Rubber Duck Races
- Farm Football
- Ask a Farmer Interactive Series
- Homegrown Stage Live Performances
Additional Fee Required:
- Pony rides
- Face Painting & Body Art
Local’s Tip: There will be pumpkins for sale by the pound from our pumpkin patch area, take one home to your vacation rental, and have fun with the kiddos!
Boone Hall Plantation Fright Night
WHEN: September 21st – November 27th, 2024
LOCATION:
Boone Hall Plantation
1235 Long Point Road
Mt Pleasant, SC
EVENT SCHEDULE & TICKETS: Click HERE!
If you’re traveling with kids 6 and older, purchase a ScreamPass or VIP Fear Pass for hours of fun on Halloween Fright Night at the Boone Hall Plantation, South Carolina’s largest haunted event. Three terrifying attractions await: the haunted Fallen Oaks Motel, evil destruction at Tiny’s Toy Factory Anarchy and real-life horror on the Sinister Cinema Haunted Hayride. Kids ages 6 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
2024 Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay Court Championship Tournament
WHEN: October 2nd – 6th, 2024
LOCATION:
Seabrook Island Racquet Club
3772 Seabrook Island RoadSeabrook Island, SC 29455
EVENT SCHEDULE & TICKETS: Click HERE!
Named South Carolina Adult Tournament of the Year, the Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay Court Championship is a National Level-3/ITF Tournament (Ages 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80) and a USTA National Level-1/ITF Mixed Doubles Tournament (Ages 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) is in it’s 40th year. Held on Seabrook Island, this event attracts over 340 senior tennis players from more than 26 states & Washington DC to compete in this annual event. The gracious hospitality of Lowcountry residents and sponsoring businesses provide an atmosphere and experience that attracts participants time and time again to our tournament.
Legare Farms Pumpkin Patch
LOCATION:
2620 Hanscombe Point Road
Johns Island, SC
ACTIVITIES & ADMISSION: Click HERE!
Legare Farms is located closer to Kiawah & Seabrook on Johns Island. The farm offers free admission to the Farm Animals Barnyard and Kids Playground with fall-themed activities at an extra cost including late night pumpkin picking by torch light, fun hayrides and horse rides, entry to a gem mine and making your own scarecrow at the Scarecrow factory.
Fall Tours of Charleston Piazzas & Gardens
WHEN: October 9th – November 2nd, 2024
LOCATION: Downtown Charleston, SC
EVENT SCHEDULE & TICKETS: Click HERE!
Charleston is spectacularly beautiful in the fall season and cooler temps make it perfect for a unique walking tour through the historic streets of Charleston. Learn the fascinating stories of Charleston’s historical events while touring the antebellum homes, enchanting gardens, intimate piazzas and historic churches on a fall tour of Charleston.
- HOUSE AND GARDENS TOURS
Each Saturday from 2 – 5 PM, guests have the opportunity to experience some of Charleston’s exceptional homes and gardens. Enjoy going from site to site at your leisure, where volunteer docents are stationed to interpret the history, architecture, and gardens. Each tour includes a unique set of 6-8 properties and features a variety of interiors and exteriors.
PRICE: $75 PSC Members | $100 Non-Members
2. INSIDER’S HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE TOURS
Insider’s History & Architecture Tours take guests inside some of Charleston’s finest buildings, seldom open to the public. These tours are led by noted professionals such as architects, historians, and preservation experts with in-depth interpretation focused on Charleston’s unique architectural styles, preservation ethic, and interior design. Each tour includes a unique set of 3 – 4 properties with refreshments and lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
PRICE: $150 for PSC Members | $200 Non-Members* (includes 1-yr PSC Membership)
3. INSIDER’S GARDEN TOURS
Insider’s Garden tours are designed for garden enthusiasts and are led by notable professionals such as landscape architects, garden designers, and horticulturalists. In addition to visiting some of the city’s most beautiful private gardens, guests will also learn about subjects ranging from the latest gardening trends to Charleston’s vast horticultural history, and its diverse flora and fauna. Each tour includes a unique set of 4-5 gardens and lasts approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.
PRICE: $150 for PSC Members | $200 Non-Members* (includes 1-yr PSC Membership)
4. SPECIALTY WALKING TOURS
Explore the streets of Charleston while learning more about the historical events, people, and cultures that have shaped our city. PSC walking tours are designed and led by professional, certified tour guides and scholars. Offerings change from day to day. Walking tours last approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.
PRICE: $40 per person unless otherwise noted
- The Architecture of Charleston
- Charleston: The Birthplace of Historic Preservation – October 17, 2024 | 10 AM
- Doin’ The Charleston Renaissance – October 23, 2024 | 10 AM
- Exploring Charleston’s Alleyways
- Forging Ahead: The Ironwork of Charleston
- The Great Shake & Charleston’s Disastrous History
- Leading Ladies of Charleston – November 1, 2024 | 10 AM
- Lost Stories of Black Charleston
- Revolutionary Charleston
- Shem Creek and The Old Village
- Charleston’s Jewish History Walking Tour, Celebrating KKBE’s 275th Anniversary ($50 per person, includes admission to KKBE Synagogue Tour)
VIEW ALL TOURS
Now in its 47th year, this year’s Fall Tours offerings are designed to maximize the educational experience for guests while minimizing impacts in the historic district. Join us as we venture into the city’s storied streets, landscapes, and buildings.
Johns Island Harvest Festival
WHEN: November 2nd, 2024
TIME: 11:00AM – 5:00PM
LOCATION:
Johns Island County Park
2662 Mullet Hall Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
PRICE: Buy Tickets HERE!
Come on out to Johns Island County Park for foot-stompin’ live music, pumpkin decorating, kids crafts, hayrides, and more! Feast on Southern delights like finger-lickin’ Carolina barbeque, kettle korn, and all of your favorite festival foods! Once you’ve eaten your fill, head on over to the crafters market for some great for holiday shopping!
Riverfront Revival
WHEN: October 11th – 12th, 2024
TIME: Music Begins at 12:00PM Each Day
LOCATION:
North Charleston Riverfront Park
1061 Everglades Ave
North Charleston, SC 29405
PRICE: Buy Tickets HERE!
Curated by Darius Rucker, of Hootie and The Blowfish, and produced by a seasoned team, Riverfront Revival will be a love letter to country music and to South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The two-day festival will be loaded with unforgettable live music, engaging culture and delicious tastes inspired by the region’s unique foodways. Guests will leave feeling revived – deep in their souls – about the music, the location, and the community.
LINE-UP:
Hootie & The Blowfish
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The Revivalists
Jamey Johnson
Collective Soul
Arrested Development
Paul Cauthen
Hailey Whitters
Sister Hazel
Southall
Shane Profitt
Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge
Gritty Flyright
Brady Smith
July Moon
Elizabeth Covington
Kiawah Island Vacation Rentals
Our Kiawah Exclusives vacation rentals are perfect for your family to enjoy the top rentals on Kiawah Island, true southern hospitality and the best fall festivals near Charleston!
