Arts + Music | A la carte | Calendar of E vents | City Paper Tickets

Charleston Multicultural Festival

This inaugural festival seeks to unite the Charleston community by bringing diverse people together. Organized by three local food truck owners, the event features performances from African drum and dance group Wona Womalan, Lowcountry Pasifiki Dancers and more. Food options include Lola’s Lumpia, Dominican-inspired coffee and mocktails by Sinful Decadence, Gullah Geechee cuisine from Wings-N-Things and more.
Saturday. Sept. 26. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m Free to attend. Arts and Cultural Center. 4800 Park Circle. facebook.com

Shell-a-brating Sea Turtles

S.C. nonprofit Folly Beach Turtle Watch will sponsor a benefit this weekend for sea turtle conservation with food, drinks and community fundraising at Lowlife Bar on Folly Beach. Grab a seat, grab a drink and kick back knowing your good vibes are going toward continued support for vulnerable sea turtles. Partners from the S.C. Aquarium and S.C. Department of Natural Resources will attend to teach guests about sea turtle conservation efforts.
Sept. 27. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Menu prices vary. Lowlife Bar. 106 E. Hudson Ave. Folly Beach. lowlifebar.com

Summerville Farmers Market

This weekly market hosts local farmers, growers, artisans and specialty food vendors, giving locals and visitors a chance to enjoy everything the growing community has to offer. Park in the free parking garage and spend time in downtown Summerville after checking out the market. This seasonal event is held every Saturday from April through November.
Saturdays. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free to attend. First Citizens Bank. 218 S. Main St. Summerville. visitsummerville.com/farmers-market

Gators of the Lowcountry

Learn more about South Carolina’s largest reptiles and these modern-day dinosaurs during this educational program at the Edisto Environmental Learning Center. This exciting opportunity gives guests a chance to get an up-close look at one of center’s resident alligators. Pre-registration is required. This program is free with park admission.
Sept. 29. Noon to 12:45 p.m. $8/adult; $5/children age 6-15. Edisto Environmental Learning Center. 362 Oyster Row Lane. Edisto Island. southcarolinaparks.com

Early morning bird walk

Join the Caw Caw Interpretive Center for one of its local favorite regular morning bird walks. The trek through distinct habitats from wetlands to forests allows walkers and birdwatchers of all skill and experience levels to view and discuss a variety of birds and other native critters. No registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.
Sept. 23. 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. $12/person. Caw Caw Interpretive Center. 5200 Savannah Highway. West Ashley. ccprc.com

Arts + Music

Get a vibrant eyeful at free Melt Mural Festival

The second annual free Melt Mural Festival is set to enliven Building 64 at Navy Yard Charleston in North Charleston from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 by promoting public art and the people who create it. Check out newly painted murals, enjoy entertainment and more. More: meltmuralfestival.com

VISUAL ARTS

• Sept. 25 to Oct. 10: Exposed: Roll One is a solo show by film photographer and woodworker Kela that is focused on analog photography. Opening reception is 5 p.m. Sept. 25. Nidum Gallery, 2154 Noisette Blvd., 138, North Charleston. More: instagram.com/nidumgallery

• Sept. 26, 5 p.m.: Artist Jeremy Croft presents a series of portrait studies. Super Saturday Store, 654 King St. More: instagram.com/_jeremy_croft

MUSIC

• Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m.: Travis Tritt, North Charleston PAC

• Sept. 26, 7 p.m.: Charlton Singleton and Friends present New Jack Swing, Charleston Music Hall

• Sept. 26, 3 p.m.: 20 Years Of Home Team BBQ, The Refinery

• Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.: 4th annual Holy City Homegrown Festival, Pour House

• Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: The Reverend Horton Heat, Pour House

• Sept. 27, 6 p.m.: SUSTO Stringband, The Windjammer

• Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Lang Lang with the CSO, Gaillard Center

• Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 9 p.m.: Andy Frasco and The UN, Pour House

• Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.: Barn Jam, Awendaw Green

• Oct. 1, 7 p.m.: Ashley McBryde, The Refinery

• Oct. 2, 7 p.m.: Turnpike Troubadours, Firefly Distillery

• Oct. 2, 7 p.m.: Lalah Hathaway, Charleston Music Hall

• Oct. 2, 9 p.m.: Daddy’s Beemer and Sunhouse, The Royal American

• Oct. 2, 6 p.m.: Saxsquatch, The Windjammer

• Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: Fred Armisen, Charleston Music Hall

A la carte

AWARD WINNERS

Hannah and Zachary Welton — co-owners of Weltons Tiny Bakeshop — are among Food and Wine magazine’s “Best New Chef” class of 2026. The magazine said, “These chefs turn local grains, seasonal produce and serious technique into some of the country’s best baked goods.”

Kudos also to downtown Charleston’s Merci, which The New York Times named to its “Restaurant List” for 2026. Critics concluded, “In a city where Southern charm is sold by the bushel, few restaurants are as genuinely charming, or essentially Charleston, as this snug bistro the chef Michael Zentner and his wife, Courtney, opened last year in a former corner grocery.”

WHAT’S NEW

Big buns: Shake Shack debuted Sept. 23 at Tanger Outlets in North Charleston, 4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd. The restaurant is to be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Guests can enjoy Shake Shack favorites — from the ShackBurger and crinkle cut fries to hand-spun shakes and limited-time menu items throughout the year/ More: shakeshack.com

Mas Mexican: Chuy’s, a Tex-Mex chain based in Austin, will take over the Bahama Breeze space in North Charleston after it shutters next month. Chuy’s is set to open in November at 7811 Rivers Ave. Chuy’s menu items include Tex-Mex favorites including queso, enchiladas and burritos. More: chuys.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Pho popup: Pho King returns to Pink Bellies every Wednesday through Nov. 11. Inspired by Executive Chef and owner Thai Phi’s childhood and annual residencies in Saigon, the menu will offer pho and other Vietnamese dishes. The weekly pop-up will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. More: Instagram

Charleston Terroir, Global Soul: Terra Mediterranean will host a chef collaborative dinner at 6 p.m. Oct. 6. Chef Bintou N’Daw of Bintü Atelier and Chef Eric Koabel of Terra will present an intimate dinner celebrating global flavors, African influence, Southern hospitality and the spirit of Charleston. More: Eventbrite