Home to picturesque beaches, elegant pastel homes, and the largest oyster festival on Earth, Charleston is perfect for a visit between March and May or from September to November.

In early spring,

the city is abloom

with azaleas and Noisette roses, the summer heat and humidity are still at bay, and the city is safe from North Atlantic hurricanes. By fall, the temperatures have fallen again, some of the crowds have dispersed, and the

historic cobblestone streets

are lined with vibrant red maples.

Whether you want to unwind on Folly Beach for your spring break or check out the

Charleston Farmers Market

in autumn, this guide from

car insurance

super app

Jerry

will help make your trip to the Lowcountry unforgettable.

The best times of year to visit Charleston

If you want a taste of everything Charleston has to offer, aim for the peak season: you’ll have to burn a little extra dough, but the beautiful weather and wonderful wine festivals will be worth it. On the flip side, if you’re hoping to save money and don’t mind a little sweat, go for the shoulder season, which falls between June and August.

Peak season: March to May, September to November

Colorful buildings with flower boxes in Charleston South Carolina.

The good: Perfect weather, lots of events, colorful flowers and trees

The bad: More crowds, pricier flights and hotels

The weather: Upper 60s and 70s, light rain

Peak season kicks off with the

Charleston Wine + Food Festival

, which saturates the air with delicious scents in the first week of March. The nation’s most celebrated chefs and greatest wine cognoscenti are all in town—so if you’re a food fanatic or an aspiring culinary artist, this is the place to be.

Food isn’t all that Charleston’s famous for, though—from late May through early June, the world-renowned

Spoleto Festival

brings the streets to life with music. For two weeks, top-notch performers fill the city’s churches and theaters with every musical style, from rock ‘n roll to bebop jazz. If you’re a music-lover, this is a can’t-miss event!

The second half of peak season, from September to November, is just as jam-packed with exciting events as the spring season. Anyone who admires architecture should try out the

Fall Tours of Homes

to get a glimpse into the pristine gardens and regal houses that set the city apart. Finally, in November, peak season winds down with the

Charleston International Film Festival

, a four-day movie extravaganza held in the Charleston Music Hall.

Pro Tip Get your plane tickets and book your hotel rooms as early as you can—one to two months in advance, if possible—to land the lowest rates and save some cash.

Off-season: December to February

The good: Fewer crowds, cheaper travel

The bad: Cooler weather, less foliage

The weather: Upper 50s and low 60s, occasionally chilly at night

If you’d prefer to miss the crowds and cut down on travel expenses, the off-season in Charleston has the laid-back vibe you’re looking for. Be sure to pack your fuzzy socks and scarves, because the weather gets pretty brisk in the evenings (especially by the oceanside!).

Get into the Christmas spirit with the

Holiday Festival of Lights

, which stretches from late November through the end of December. For six magical weeks, James Island transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with glistening lights, glowing carousels, and ample opportunities to roast s’mores.

Come February, it’s time to put down the Christmas lights and pick up the oyster knife—because the

Lowcountry Oyster Festival

is coming to town. Ever wondered what 60,000 pounds of oysters looks like? This festival has the answer, along with hours of raucous bluegrass tunes for you to dance to.

Just a week later, the city’s mood will shift from rowdy to refined when the

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

begins in mid-February. Famous conservationists will give lectures, fine art will be on display, and—for the puppy-obsessed among us—dogs will be competing in high-energy competitions like dock-diving and sheep-herding.

MORE:

Tips for holiday road trips with kids

Shoulder season: June to August

The good: Relatively low rates, great Fourth of July celebration

The bad: Hot and muggy, fewer events

The weather: Upper 80s and rainy

Between the high and low seasons sits the shoulder season—if you’re looking for a summer getaway that fits into your budget, book your trip between June and August. Sure, the temperatures will climb into the lower 90s on some days (and there will be quite a bit of moisture in the air), but the beaches will be primed for all of the activities you can imagine.

What better place to celebrate Independence Day than the deck of an aircraft carrier? At the

Patriots Point 4th of July Blast

, you can purchase a ticket to board the U.S.S. Yorktown and bask in the greatest fireworks show in Charleston (or pay a small parking fee to watch from nearby land).

Come late July and August, the excessive heat and humidity have scared off most tourists, so there aren’t many organized events. Still, if you find yourself in the Lowcountry during the summer, you can enjoy dancing and yoga on

Mount Pleasant Pier

or head down to southwest Charleston for wine tasting on the gorgeous

Wadmalaw Island

MORE:

Asheville to Charleston road trip

The cheapest time to visit Charleston

Generally, travel will be least expensive in July and August, after the Fourth of July festivals, or during the off-season from December to February. Over the summer, the oppressive heat and humidity ward off most visitors, so flights and hotels will be cheap. In the winter, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be busy (as usual), but the rest of January and February should come with low rates on travel.

If you do book your visit for August or September, it’s not a bad idea to make sure that it’s refundable, since it’ll be peak hurricane season!

MORE: 8 easy tips for saving money on car insurance

Find the best month for your visit to Charleston

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably pretty committed to your Charleston visit—so, which month is best for your stay? Here’s a table that breaks it all down, based on activities in Charleston:

Activity	Best month to visit	Why?
The best music	April, May, June	On top of the Spoleto Festival, which runs from May through June, the Charleston Jazz Festival honors the Holy City’s flourishing Jazz scene. In 2022, it takes place April 21-24.
Food festivals	February and March	Though Charleston has outstanding cuisine year-round, the Lowcountry Oyster Festival and Charleston Wine + Food Festival take things to the next level.
Boat tours	Spring and fall	All year long, Charleston boasts outstanding harbor tours and sailboat cruises—but we’d recommend aiming for peak season to miss the heat of summer and the winter chill.
Running (or walking!)	April	The Cooper River Bridge Run is one of the largest 10k runs in the country—whether you’re a professional athlete or a leisurely stroller, this is a wonderful way to see the city and get some exercise.
Self-guided tours	Fall	Halloween festivities—including the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch —aren’t all that October is known for in Charleston. There’s also a series of fall tours that teach you about the fascinating history behind Charleston’s impressive streets and homes.
Fun on the beach	Spring	Sure, you can enjoy Charleston’s many beaches for most of the year. But, for the ideal combination of weather and festivities, try to get to Charleston for a spring break bash.

Pro Tip Unless you’ve got your sights set on a specific event, plan your trip first and foremost around your budget. Year-round, Charleston has amazing activities—so you won’t miss out on much if you go for an off-season visit.

How to save money on car and rental insurance

Whether you and your friends are piling into your car for a multi-day road trip or you’re picking up a rental car when you land in Charleston, your car will need to be protected. There’s no better place to find the lowest rates on

car insurance

than

Jerry

Jerry is an insurance comparison super app and policy shopping genius that fits in your pocket. All you have to do is download the app, sign up in 45 seconds, and let Jerry do its thing. Within minutes, you’ll have great options from all of the nation’s top insurers—no painful research or pushy salesmen required!

Best of all, the average Jerry user saves $887 on car insurance. So, you can relax under the stars on Folly Beach and enjoy the wine, knowing that your car and bank account are both protected.

MORE: 7 ways to save money on car rentals

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FAQs

What is the worst time to travel to Charleston?

Although there’s really no bad time to visit the Lowcountry, you’ll have to deal with muggy weather and the potential of damaging weather between June and August. Unless you’re set on a summer vacay, it’s a good idea to plan your visit to Charleston for spring or fall.

When is hurricane season in Charleston?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking in August and September. That said, a hurricane or tropical storm has never hit South Carolina later than October 31—so, if you opt for a November trip, you’ll probably be safe from inclement weather.

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