Charleston Wine & Food Festival

The Southeast's most anticipated culinary gathering draws over 30,000 food enthusiasts annually to Marion Square in downtown Charleston. The Charleston Wine & Food Festival features more than 120 different chefs and culinary experts alongside 250 beverage producers from across the Southeast. Local Charleston favorites like FIG, Husk, and Lewis Barbecue serve up signature dishes while master sommeliers guide attendees through tastings of rare and regional wines. The five-day celebration includes hands-on cooking classes, intimate chef dinners, outdoor grilling demonstrations, and the popular Culinary Village which transforms the park into themed areas for sampling everything from fresh oysters to craft cocktails. Live music fills the air with local jazz bands and acoustic performers providing ambiance throughout the grounds, though specific lineups vary each year. The festival's unique Artisan Market showcases regional makers selling specialty foods, handcrafted kitchen items, and locally made products, while the Grand Finale features a traditional Lowcountry boil under the stars.