Craft Shows & Fairs in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a major tourist destination, and its craft show calendar reflects that draw. The Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition fills Marion Square with local artists each spring. The Sweetgrass Festival in Mount Pleasant celebrates a Gullah Geechee basket weaving tradition that families have practiced along Highway 17 North for generations.
From the King Street arts corridor to the North Charleston Convention Center, craft shows in Charleston run year-round across the metro area, serving both a strong local arts community and the millions of visitors who pass through annually.
Charleston's Craft Show Scene
The Piccolo Spoleto Festival (late May into June) is the centerpiece. Running alongside the international Spoleto Festival USA, this community arts festival includes the Outdoor Art Exhibition at Marion Square, where local artists exhibit and sell oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, encaustics, and photography in a free outdoor setting (May 22–June 6 in 2026, its 46th year).
Christmas Made in the South brings hundreds of artists and craftsmen to The Exchange Park fairgrounds (the 33rd annual show is December 4–6, 2026), with pottery, glass, ornaments, clothing, jewelry, fine art, wood turning, and metal work.
Gilmore Shows, producer of the Craftsmen's Classics, holds its Charleston Holiday Market at the North Charleston Coliseum Convention Center; its current Craftsmen's Classic schedule lists South Carolina shows only in Columbia and Myrtle Beach.
The Charleston Holiday Market at the North Charleston Coliseum Convention Center (late November; November 20–22 in 2026) is a Christmas-season event featuring arts and crafts, specialty gifts, gourmet foods, and home accessories. King Street in the Historic District hosts seasonal holiday pop-up artisan markets through December, with vendors and galleries extending hours along the arts corridor.
The Sweetgrass Festival at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (July 25 in 2026) celebrates Gullah Geechee heritage with basket weaving demonstrations, live performances, craft vendors, and baskets sold directly by local artists. The sweetgrass basket stands along US-17 North in Mount Pleasant are roadside stands where weaving families sell directly to visitors.
County Fairs & Regional Events Near Charleston
The Dorchester County Fair serves the Summerville side of the metro. The Berkeley County Fair serves the North Charleston and Moncks Corner area. The Charleston metro's fair culture is arts and tourism-driven rather than agricultural.
The SC Artisans Center in Walterboro, about 45 miles west, is a curated gallery and retail space representing South Carolina artisans across media. It serves as a regional anchor for the handmade community between Charleston and the Midlands.
Best Times to Visit Charleston for Craft Events
May and June are the peak — the Piccolo Spoleto Festival runs 17 days of arts programming, including the Marion Square Outdoor Art Exhibition. The holiday season (November-December) is the second peak, with the Charleston Holiday Market, Christmas Made in the South, and King Street pop-ups. July brings the Sweetgrass Festival in Mount Pleasant. Charleston summers are hot and humid, which pushes major outdoor shows to spring and fall.
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Beaufort — ~50 miles southwest; Penn Center Heritage Days (November, Gullah Geechee arts); Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park artisan markets
- Hilton Head Island — ~65 miles southwest; Coastal Discovery Museum art markets; Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration (February)
- Myrtle Beach — ~90 miles northeast; Craftsmen's Summer Classic, Art in the Park at Market Common, Grand Strand tourism corridor
- Columbia — ~115 miles northwest; SC State Fair, Craftsmen's Classic
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Charleston, SC?
The Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition at Marion Square is the premier outdoor art event — local artists, free admission, running within the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in May-June. Christmas Made in the South at The Exchange Park fairgrounds features hundreds of artists and craftsmen. The Sweetgrass Festival in Mount Pleasant is a Gullah Geechee heritage celebration. The Charleston Holiday Market at the North Charleston Convention Center is the major holiday-season show.
When do craft shows happen in Charleston?
May through early June is the peak — the Piccolo Spoleto Festival fills the calendar. July brings the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival. The holiday season (November-December) is the second concentration, with the Charleston Holiday Market, Christmas Made in the South, and King Street holiday pop-ups.
Are there handmade markets in the Charleston area?
Charleston has a strong artisan community anchored by the King Street arts corridor, Redux Contemporary Art Center, and the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. The sweetgrass basket stands along US-17 North in Mount Pleasant carry on a long-standing handmade craft tradition. The Charleston Area Arts Network supports the broader creative community.
What is the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival?
The Sweetgrass Festival, held since 2004, takes place at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (Saturday, July 25 in 2026). It celebrates Gullah Geechee heritage, featuring basket weaving demonstrations, live performances, craft vendors, and local cuisine. Sweetgrass basket weaving is a centuries-old tradition practiced by Gullah Geechee families in the Mount Pleasant area and along Highway 17 North.
Find Events in Charleston
CraftShow Events covers craft shows, artisan fairs, and market listings in Charleston and across South Carolina. Search by date and event type to find the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition, the Sweetgrass Festival, holiday markets, and everything in between.