10 Things to Do in Charleston in July

Charleston is a city in the state of South Carolina in the United States. It is also known as ** the "Holy City"**, thanks to its variety of churches. Things to see in Charleston during the month of July include festivals and history museums.

During the summer, the city offers a variety of historically significant activities for the whole family. The most popular is the 4th of July celebration which takes place in museums, parks, bars and more. It is without a doubt an ideal occasion to learn about the history of this country and the events that led to the country's independence.

Every year the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum hosts a fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July. The event usually starts at 6pm and runs until 9 or 10pm. If you're travelling by car you'll have to pay around €20 for parking.

Some years a more private event is held on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. On these occasions it is possible to access an area with chairs and tables, from where you can get a VIP view of the fireworks.

On the other hand, access to the mainland is completely free and from there you can also watch the show at your leisure as the fireworks are launched from the bow of the USS Yorktown.

In addition to the fireworks you can enjoy music and snacks and drinks from the local food trucks located near Patriots Point.

Be sure to arrive early so you can get a great spot for your picnic blanket or folding chairs.

There's never a bad time to wander the historic streets of Charleston, especially during the most patriotic month of the year. Since the city's founding in 1670, Charleston has been an important centre for trade and commerce in the United States.

In addition, all the architectural styles of its churches reflect the various periods of development the city went through.

On your tour you can not only appreciate Charleston's architecture, but also visit and explore some interesting sites. One of them is the Historic District, which houses an important collection of 18th and 19th century architecture and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.

You can also see the towers and churches for which Charleston is known as The Holy City. These include St. Michael's Episcopal Church, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, French Huguenot Church, among others.

If you want a much more interesting experience you could take a carriage tour that will take you to some phenomenal sites.

The 4th of July is America's Independence Day and if you're in Charleston, you shouldn't miss the Charleston 4th of July Festival. Year after year this event is held at Riverfront Park in the evening hours. Get ready to experience the patriotism of the people of this small South Carolina city.

During this event there are usually several concerts, children's activities and food trucks.

If you want to know the details of the festival, you can go to the official website of the city of Charleston... Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets to set up in the park and enjoy the performances.

During the evening there is a fireworks display which you can enjoy with other spectators. Don't worry about parking as it is completely free. However, I recommend that you carpool, walk or order a taxi through an app such as Uber, as sometimes there are not enough parking spaces.

Please note that when you arrive at the park, security staff will search your belongings. This is only a precautionary measure to ensure that the festival runs smoothly.

In addition, it is forbidden for citizens to bring fireworks or grills. You may only bring your snacks, water and money to buy food or craft merchandise inside the festival.

Artcelium Fest is an event held several times a year in Charleston. The summer edition is usually held in July and is not to be missed.

If you go to this event you can enjoy DJ performances, dancing and other expressions of art in nature. It's definitely a great way to spend a day in Charleston.

The aim of this celebration is to create live art, serving as a source of inspiration for the attendees. That's why you'll see, for example, painters selling their works, but also creating one from scratch so you can watch the creative process.

The festival takes place in nature as a way to create a metaphor: the roots of trees, mushrooms and other plants share the nutrients of nature. So too should artists be, sharing ideas to grow together.

If you love art and the outdoors this is the event for you. The event takes place at the Woodlands Nature Reserve for one day only.

With the Open Mic you can meet artists from the region and the city.

Practical info

• Location: Woodlands Nature Reserve, 4279 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414.

• When to go: Held in spring and summer. The summer one takes place during the month of July.

• Price: around €10 and €15.

• Hours: Usually starts at 2pm and ends at 8pm on a Saturday or Sunday.

The Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival began less than a decade ago. Every year, on a Sunday in the middle of the month, Riverfront Park is filled with Caribbean music and food for a day. Come and enjoy music, food and more.

This event is ideal for the whole family to have a great time. If you love Caribbean culture you must attend this festival which is perfect for the summer. In the park you will find food vendors and chefs specialising in Jamaican cuisine. You can also enjoy refreshing drinks typical of the Caribbean.

I recommend you bring folding chairs or blankets so you can set up somewhere in the park. This will make you more comfortable and you will be able to enjoy the music of DJs and live bands. If you want to take home a souvenir of this experience, don't forget to stop by the craft stalls. You'll be amazed at what you'll find.

Please note that you can't bring your own pets, food or drinks to the event. Also, if you are travelling by car you will find free parking. Make sure you arrive early to get a good parking space.

Practical Information

• Location: Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Dr, North Charleston.

• When to go: The park is open year-round, with the festival held on a Sunday in the middle of the month.

• Price: around €5 and €10.

• Hours: usually starts at 5pm and ends at 11pm.

If you prefer quieter, less crowded places, I recommend looking for a bar or restaurant with a rooftop.

During the 4th of July celebrations, many businesses have good views of the sky. This way you can spend a pleasant evening sipping your favourite cocktail and enjoying your favourite dinner. This is a great place to spend the evening in Charleston.

One of the most famous places to go is the Pavilion Bar overlooking the Charleston harbour. This is a great place to enjoy local food. They also have options for everyone, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Another place you're sure to enjoy is the Pour Taproom, where you can get a panoramic view of downtown Charleston. If you like beer, visit the Revelry Brewery. The Revelry Brewery usually hosts live music concerts on weekends.

Several bars and restaurants plan events during and after the 4th of July, just keep an eye out for announcements.

The Vendue Art Hotel is Charleston's first and only hotel dedicated to art. It features several galleries and various art exhibits that are on public display throughout the year.

In addition to being known for these details, during the 4th of July it attracts many more people because of The Rooftop Bar, one of the best in town.

Visitors come to this bar not only to enjoy the view of Charleston Harbor and the French Quarter, but to enjoy the bar's themed parties. Beyond admiring the Independence Day fireworks, this bar allows diners to socialise with each other.

A favourite theme is the Spotlight Party. This involves dressing up in the colours of the traffic lights. Red means you're in a relationship, white means your status is complicated and blue means you're single. Would you be up for something like this?

If you want to see more flashy places like this, I recommend taking the Charleston sightseeing bus. That way you can see a lot more of the city in just one day.

Useful info

• Location: The Vendue, Charleston's Art Hotel. 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401

• When to go: Open year-round, but 4th of July themed parties.

• Price: The price for parties is around €24.

• Hours: Sunday through Thursday hours are 11:30am to 11pm. On Fridays and Saturdays the bar is open from 11:30 am to 0:00 am.

In addition to visiting this museum to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July, I also recommend taking a tour of the museum for a more complete experience.

At the end of your tour at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum you can stay for the 4th of July celebration in the harbour.

If you are a fan of aviation or World War II history, at this museum you will have the opportunity to explore the interior of the USS Yorktown (CV-10), a historic aircraft carrier in the United States.

This ship served the nation for approximately three decades and received the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for its service in World War II.

It also features three Navy ships, 28 historic aircraft and a state-of-the-art immersive experience that tells the story of the Vietnam War. This museum is also home to the Medal of Honor Museum.

Practical Information

• Location: The museum is located along Charleston Harbor in Mt. Pleasant, SC.
• When to go: Open year-round but you get a more themed experience during the 4th of July.
• Price: around €25.
• Hours: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm.

If you love electronic music and want to party, the Lights in the Forest Festival is what you're looking for.

Since 2019 this festival is held in the city of Charleston in different locations. Its aim is to create a space for music and love for nature, but above all, to give visibility to local DJs.

The attraction of this festival is that lights are installed in the forest so that the atmosphere is colourful and different from other festivals.

This festival is held in the summer, specifically in July. Although the location may change, it has already been held at the Woodlands Nature Reserve. If you are attracted to the nature of the city you should take a trip to the plantations from Charleston.

During the event you can enjoy the DJ shows, buy snacks and various types of food from the trucks, as well as enjoy the light show.

The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, with camping available in the area. When buying your ticket you must decide if you want the pass from Saturday or only on Sunday.

Practical information

• Location: Woodlands Nature Reserve, 4279 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414.

• When to go: On their social media they announce the dates of the event, which is usually during the month of July. In that case, it takes place over a weekend, although you can go for just one day.

• Price: around 120 € to 220 €.

• Timetable: usually starts at 12:00 h on Saturday and ends on Sunday night.

Riverfront Park is located in North Charleston on the banks of the Cooper River and is open to the public year-round. However, visiting during the 4th of July celebrations is a unique experience because of the historical value of the monuments and old homes that surround it.

If you can't make it on that date, that's OK - it's a great place to avoid the summer heat for a bit.

When you visit this park you'll find the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial. This was built to honour the military and civilians who served the United States of America and the Greater Charleston region when the base was active.

Near this park you will see the homes where Naval Base officers lived. These have been carefully restored to preserve them. Besides enjoying the history of the site, you can admire the peace inspired by the huge oak trees that adorn the park and its tranquil landscapes.

Besides attending during the 4th of July festival, I recommend you go a few days before or after, because in summer there are always activities.

This is one of those great places to take the kids to get a taste of Charleston.

Sometimes the park is the site of corporate events, concerts and even weddings, so you may find yourself in Charleston for a similar activity.

If you travel to Charleston in July, you'll be experiencing Charleston's summer. Be prepared for hot and sunny days, as temperatures are generally between 31°C and 34°C (90°F and 90°F). On the coldest day, the temperature can drop to 24°C and rarely to 21 °C.

On the other hand, the sky remains cloudy for most of the month. Only during the first week you can enjoy a much clearer sky. This is ideal for enjoying the night sights during the 4th of July celebrations.

Also, rainfall is rare, so don't worry about it. I also recommend having an umbrella in your backpack in case of a sudden downpour. In this month you will also be able to walk freely until 7 or 8pm as it gets dark around 8:30pm.

Traveller Tip

When travelling to Charleston during the summer, don't forget your sunscreen. Long periods of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can lead to sunstroke and even skin blemishes. I also recommend staying hydrated throughout the day.

If you plan to spend more than four days in Charleston, I recommend packing several changes of clothes. It's a great time to wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts.

Even if it doesn't rain often, it's best to have an umbrella handy. Drizzles can catch visitors off guard and increase the heat. Also, sunscreen should not be missing from your personal items.

On days when touring Charleston's museums or parks, be sure to pack water in your backpack. The heat and sun can make you dehydrate easily. This will make you tired and unable to enjoy all that the city has to offer, especially if you have a long distance to travel.