Fall along the South Carolina coast does not always mean sweaters and changing leaves. Sometimes it simply means the humidity backs off, the evenings become comfortable and spending an entire Saturday outside starts sounding like a good idea again.
From Charleston and Mount Pleasant to Georgetown and Pawleys Island, the 2026 calendar is full of festivals, historic tours, family activities and reasons to enjoy the coast before the holiday season arrives.
Event details can change because of weather or other circumstances. Check the organizer’s website before heading out.
Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival
September 25–27, 2026 | Huntington Beach State Park
The annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival brings artists, musicians and food vendors to the grounds surrounding historic Atalaya Castle. The combination of original artwork, coastal scenery and one of South Carolina’s most distinctive historic homes makes this a fall favorite.
While you are there, leave time to explore Huntington Beach State Park, walk the beach or look for wildlife along the causeway.
View information from South Carolina State Parks
Preservation Society of Charleston Fall Tours
October 1–31, 2026 | Charleston
The Preservation Society’s Fall Tours offer a closer look at Charleston’s architecture, gardens and historic neighborhoods. Different programs provide access to places and perspectives that residents and visitors may not normally experience.
This is a particularly good choice for anyone who enjoys architecture, preservation or learning how Charleston became the city we recognize today.
Mermaids & Mateys Festival
October 3, 2026 | Folly Beach
Folly Beach’s Mermaids & Mateys Festival brings a playful coastal twist to the fall festival season. Expect a family-friendly day celebrating mermaids, pirates and the wonderfully unconventional personality that makes Folly, well, Folly.
Plan time to walk Center Street, visit the beach and support local restaurants and businesses while you are there.
Check current Charleston-area event details
Harvest Home Weekend at Brookgreen Gardens
October 3, 2026 | Murrells Inlet
Brookgreen Gardens is worth visiting throughout the year, but fall brings especially pleasant weather for exploring its botanical gardens, outdoor sculpture collection, Lowcountry history and native wildlife exhibits.
Harvest Home Weekend adds seasonal family activities to an already beautiful setting between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island.
Check Brookgreen Gardens’ event calendar
North Charleston Harvest Festival
October 17, 2026, 4–7 p.m. | North Charleston
The City of North Charleston’s annual Harvest Festival offers an easy local outing with live entertainment, seasonal activities and family-friendly fun. It is a nice option when you want a fall festival without making an entire day trip out of it.
Visit the City of North Charleston for event information
Georgetown Wooden Boat Show
October 17–18, 2026 | Historic Downtown Georgetown
The Georgetown Wooden Boat Show fills Front Street and the waterfront with more than 100 classic wooden boats displayed on land and water. The weekend also includes boatbuilding, maritime arts and crafts, children’s activities, food and the always-entertaining corrugated boat race.
Proceeds support the South Carolina Maritime Museum, making this a fun event with a direct connection to Georgetown’s maritime history.
View the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show schedule
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch
Fall 2026 | Mount Pleasant
For the traditional pumpkin-patch experience, Boone Hall remains one of the best-known options in the Charleston area. The seasonal event typically combines pumpkins, outdoor attractions and family activities on the farm.
Dates, admission options and activities can vary, so check the current schedule before making plans.
Check Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch information
Sometimes the Best Fall Activity Is the Simplest One
Not every fall outing needs a ticket or festival schedule. Cooler weather makes this one of the best times of year to visit a county park, fish from a local pier, explore a farmers market, walk a historic district or enjoy the beach without the peak-summer heat.
Fall may look a little different along the South Carolina coast, but that is part of what makes living here special.
Did we miss your favorite fall tradition or local event? Let us know. We would love to add more community favorites to the list.