4 Best Performing Arts in Charleston, South Carolina

Regularly hosting big-name bluegrass, blues, and country acts, the beautiful 900-seat Charleston Music Hall shines. Home to the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, it's in the heart of Upper King and within easy walking distance of numerous popular bars and restaurants for pre- and postshow refreshments.

Since 2005, this annual fete has served as the city's marquee event for foodies. Spread over five days, it brings together the nation's leading chefs (including local James Beard Award winners), food writers, and, of course, regular diners who love to eat and drink. Held the first full weekend of March, it emphasizes the Lowcountry's culinary heritage. Marion Square serves as the hub with its Culinary Village, but savvy attendees grab up tickets quickly for the numerous dinners and special events held around the city.

For 17 glorious days in late May and early June, Charleston gets a dose of culture from Spoleto Festival USA. This internationally acclaimed performing-arts festival features a mix of distinguished artists and emerging talent from around the world. Performances take place in magical settings, such as the College of Charleston's Cistern beneath a canopy of ancient oaks or inside a centuries-old cathedral.

A mix of formal concerts and casual performances is what Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti had in mind when, in 1977, he initiated the festival as a complement to his opera-heavy Italian festival. He chose Charleston because of its European look and because its residents love the arts—not to mention any cause for celebration. He wanted the festival to be a "fertile ground for the young" as well as a "dignified home for the masters."

Some 45 events—with most tickets averaging between $25 and $50—include everything from improv to Shakespeare, from rap to chamber music, from ballet to salsa. Because events sell out quickly, buy tickets several weeks in advance (book hotel rooms and make restaurant reservations early, too). Tickets to midweek performances are a bit easier to secure.

About 10 minutes from downtown, this local favorite hosts its own film festival every March. Its carpeted halls and theaters have the feel of an old-school cinema, screening a mix of new releases and indie films. Concessions include beer and wine.