Bugs and Blooms
Formerly known as Ladybug Day, Bugs and Blooms is bigger, buggier and better than ever. Magnolia’s expanded summer celebration of the incredible critters that call your gardens home, this beloved family event returns with even more hands-on learning opportunities, nature-based fun and STEM activities perfect for curious kids and their grown-ups. Dress
up as any bug or bloom for a fun treat.
July 19. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission prices vary. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. 3550 Ashley River Road. magnoliaplantation.com
Blackwater Kayak Tour
Paddle deep into the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest on a guided blackwater kayak tour with Coastal Expeditions. This immersive experience takes you through winding creeks and tea-colored waters beneath a canopy of cypress and tupelo trees. Along the way, naturalists will interpret the rich ecology and cultural history of this unique Lowcountry wilderness.
July 19. 9 a.m. $95/ticket. Meeting place information provided upon booking. Coastal Expeditions. coastalexpeditions.com
Checkout Challenge
Embark on an exciting shopping adventure with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry’s Checkout Challenge program. Designed for young explorers, this interactive experience transforms the museum’s grocery store exhibit into a bustling marketplace where children become savvy shoppers, learning valuable life skills while having a blast. This event runs Wednesdays and Fridays and is free with paid museum admission.
July 18 and 24. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. 25 Ann St. Downtown. explorecml.org
Sunday Brunch Farmers Market
Head to the Pour House on James Island for a 100% local market brimming with more than 40 local farmers and artisans, a deck bar, live music, good eats and all kinds of amazing area-made goods. Cap off your weekend by kicking back, enjoying the local tunes and stocking up on unique goodies. This farmers market is open year-round.
Sundays. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend. The Pour House. 1977 Maybank Highway. James Island. sundaybrunchfarmersmarket.com
Caribbean Jerk Festival 2025
The 10th Annual Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival returns this weekend, promising to be the biggest event yet. This family-friendly celebration offers the best in Caribbean food, culture and music, giving guests a unique festival of island flavors. Guests can compete in a jerk wing eating contest, and the top chefs in the Southeast will compete to claim the title of Top Jerk Chef 2025, all to live island beats.
July 19. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $17.85. Building 64 at Navy Yard Charleston.
2301 Noisette Blvd. North Charleston. chsjerkfest.com
Art + Music
Support Texas flood victims at cult film fund-raiser
Terrace Theater hosts a Dazed and Confused fund-raiser at 7:30 p.m.
July 22 with 100% of funds supporting Texas Children’s Central Texas Flood Hope Fund. The cult classic film follows a group of Texas teenagers in 1976 that, well, have lots of fun. Terrace Theater, 1956D Maybank Highway.
More: terracetheater.com
THEATER
July 19, 20, 26 and 27, various times: Charleston Stage’s production of the musical adaptation of the middle school classic, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, takes the stage of the Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St., downtown Charleston.
Tickets are $40.25 for adults; charlestonstage.com
DANCE
July 24 at 8 p.m.: Unbound Ballet Project presents Everything Moves and Nothing Stays, a full-length contemporary ballet based on Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey.” Music Farm, 32 Ann St., downtown Charleston.
FOR WORD NERDS
Word Smatter is a new coloring book for adults by Mount Pleasant artist Greg Hart that combines the joy of coloring with learning the meaning of new words.
$12.99 on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/gFBOuTm
MUSIC
- July 19, 6 p.m.: Chatham County Line, Pour House
- July 20, 8 p.m.: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Charleston Gaillard Center
- July 20, 8 p.m.: The Wallflowers, Charleston Music Hall
- July 22, 8 p.m.: Hatebreed, Charleston Music Hall, for some reason
- July 24, 7 p.m.: Creed, Credit One Stadium
- July 25, 8 p.m.: Todd Rundgren, Charleston Music Hall
- July 26, 7:30 p.m.: Aaron Lewis, The Refinery
- July 27, 8 p.m.: Mumford & Sons, Credit One Stadium
A la carte
WHAT’S NEW
Cafe Charlotte, a new bakery and café on Orleans Road in West Ashley, comes from a team that relocated from Berlin to Charleston. It offers the flavors and traditions of Berlin and Europe, serving German pastries and Mediterranean-influenced bagels, sandwiches, salads and coffee. Diners can get everything from Schnitzel to quiche to strudel.
More: cafecharlottesc.com
The Waverly, a private event space and wedding venue, is now open at 94 Stuart St. The space blends classic Southern charm with modern elegance, and is a concept from Uptown Hospitality, the group behind Charleston concepts Uptown Social, Bodega, Share House and By the Way.
More: thewaverlychs.com
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Mediterranean restaurant Costa is now offering Summer Apericena Hour, an Italian tradition that combines an aperitif with dinner. The three-course menu serves bold flavors alongside a curated selection of dishes including pecorino ravioli, grilled Cherry Point swordfish and tiramisu. The menu is available Mondays through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and costs $60 per person.
More: costacharleston.com
On every Monday in July, Herd Provisions is hosting a bartender takeover series with late-night specials from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. exclusively for F&B workers. Guest bartenders will serve specialty cocktails alongside half-off specialty dishes curated by chef Jeanne Oleksiak. The July 21 guest bartender is Cole Lewis from Felix followed by Ethan Schneider, formerly of Herd Provisions, who will be there on July 28.
More: herdprovisions.com
East Bay Street’s High Cotton is offering complimentary charcuterie in the bar area on Friday and Saturday nights from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to stop by for a pre-dinner bite to enjoy a rotating selection of house-cured meats and artisanal accompaniments on the house.
More: highcottoncharleston.com
Check out our calendar for more events around town!
Need to sell tickets to your next event? Sale them on citypapertickets.com. Contact sales@charlestoncitypaper.com for more information.
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