Charleston has a strong food scene year-round, but it really shows off during the Charleston Food and Wine Festival. Officially called Charleston Wine + Food, the event draws chefs, winemakers, and food lovers from across the country each March, and 2027 marks the festival’s 20th year.
When and Where the Festival Takes Place
Charleston Wine + Food takes place across multiple venues throughout downtown Charleston, with the Culinary Village serving as the festival’s central hub for tastings, demonstrations, and chef-led events. The festival has grown significantly since its early years and now draws more than 26,000 attendees annually, generating over $210 million in economic impact for the Charleston area.
Programming includes hands-on cooking classes, signature brunches, lunches, and dinners hosted at local restaurants, and tastings featuring wine, spirits, and regional cuisine from chefs and producers around the country. The festival also runs smaller events throughout the year under its Summer Sizzle series, which gives food lovers a taste of the experience even outside the main March dates.
Ticket Pricing and Booking
Individual festival events typically run anywhere from about $96 to $210 per person, depending on the experience, with smaller tasting classes and cocktail events on the lower end and multi-course chef dinners on the higher end. Becoming a Friend of the Festival gives early access to ticket sales before they open to the general public, which matters since popular events tend to sell out fast once they go live.
Stay on Isle of Palms for the Festival
Charleston during festival week gets busy fast, and Carroll Realty’s vacation rentals on Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island give you somewhere to retreat to that isn’t part of the chaos. Both islands sit about 20 minutes from downtown, close enough for the drive in but far enough to actually disconnect at the end of the day.
Our properties span everything from cozy sea cabins to large oceanfront homes, and you can browse by amenity depending on what the trip calls for, including a full collection of luxury rentals, pet-friendly homes for guests traveling with a dog, and oceanfront properties for easy beach mornings before heading into the city. Many of our homes also come with private pools, hot tubs, and game rooms, making it easy to unwind after a day of tastings and chef dinners downtown.
Book Your Vacation Rental and Experience the Charleston Food and Wine Festival
March is one of the busiest weeks of the year for Charleston lodging, and coastal rentals book up well in advance of the festival dates. Browse our vacation rentals and book your stay with Carroll Realty to experience the Charleston Wine + Food from a comfortable home base by the beach.
