Mike OlsoneXp Realty

Call 843-442-7992

The Johns Islander

Curated by Mike Olson · eXp Realty

Online · Johns Island, SC · Seabrook · Kiawah

Freshfields Village shops and palmettos on Johns Island

This week · next week

What's on, on the islands

Concerts, town events, library programs and more for the next two weeks, from the calendars themselves. Every listing links to its own page.

Photo: Seasider53, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Gathering this week’s calendars…

    The year ahead · holidays included

    The big dates

    The islands’ own signature days first, then the handful of Charleston ones people plan a trip around. Each date is from the organizer’s own page, last checked October 13, 2026; we re-read those pages every week.

    On the islands

    1. Oct 18, 2026 – Apr 13, 2027Kiawah Arts Council concert seasonKiawah and Seabrook venuesTickets for each show; the whole season is on sale. 18 shows, all open to the public.
    2. Sat, Nov 7Harvest FestivalJohns Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Road · 11 am–4:30 pm$10 ages 13 and up, paid at the gate; free for 12 and under and Gold Pass members. Bluegrass, hayrides and a crafters market.
    3. Nov 13 – Dec 31Holiday Festival of LightsHolidayJames Island County Park · Every night, 5:30–10 pmAdmission; cheaper online in advance
    4. Sat, Nov 21Autumn on the IslandCharleston Tea Garden, Wadmalaw · 10 am–4 pmFree admission. The first one.
    5. Mon, Nov 23Thanksgiving Farmers MarketHolidayFreshfields Village Green · 1–5 pmFree
    6. Fri, Nov 27Christmas SpectacularHolidayNight Heron Park, Kiawah · Noon–4 pmFree, no reservationsInside Kiawah's gate. The resort's holiday pages don't say whether non-guests can come — call the resort at (843) 768-6001 before you go.
    7. Sat, Nov 28Holiday MarketHolidayFreshfields Village Green · 10 am–5 pmFree
    8. Tue, Dec 8Holiday Drop-In & Toy DriveHolidaySeabrook Town Hall, 2001 Seabrook Island Road · 11 am–2 pmFree — bring a toy for Toys for Tots
    9. Fri, Dec 11Jingle Shells 5K and 1-mile runHolidayNight Heron Park, Kiawah · 3 pmRegistration requiredInside Kiawah's gate. The resort's holiday pages don't say whether non-guests can come — call the resort at (843) 768-6001 before you go.
    10. Sat, Dec 12Kiawah Island Marathon & HalfWest Beach Village, Kiawah · 8 am startBoth races are full; the waitlist is open. The 48th year. Off-island runners get a free shuttle from off-island parking.
    11. Thu, Dec 31New Year's Eve, with fireworksHolidayNight Heron Park, KiawahSee the resort's pageInside Kiawah's gate. The resort's holiday pages don't say whether non-guests can come — call the resort at (843) 768-6001 before you go.
    12. Sat, Mar 6Garden ShowCharleston Tea Garden, Wadmalaw · 10 am–4 pmSee the Tea Garden's page. The third year.
    13. Sun, Apr 18Blues by the SeaFreshfields Village Green · 3–7 pmFree, no tickets. The 21st year, rain or shine under the tent. Bring chairs, blankets and a cooler.
    14. Sat, May 22First Flush CelebrationCharleston Tea Garden, Wadmalaw · 10 am–4 pmA free sample of the first tea of the year

    Big in Charleston

    1. Oct 1–31Fall Tours, Preservation Society of CharlestonDowntown CharlestonTickets for each tour. The 50th year.
    2. Jan 7–17Restaurant WeekParticipating restaurants, Johns Island and Kiawah among themNo tickets; book with the restaurants on the list. Dates from the statewide program's FAQ; its Charleston page still shows 2026.
    3. Sat, Jan 30Charleston Half MarathonDowntown CharlestonRegistration. There's no full Charleston Marathon any more — half, 5K and youth races only.
    4. Feb 12–14SEWE — Southeastern Wildlife ExpositionCharlestonTickets on sale
    5. Sun, Feb 28Lowcountry Oyster FestivalBoone Hall PlantationTickets; free parking. The 42nd year.
    6. Mar 3–7Charleston Wine + FoodVenues across the area — some years on Johns Island and KiawahTickets for each event; 21 and up. Some 2027 events are already sold out.
    7. Mar 27 – Apr 4Credit One Charleston Open (WTA tennis)Credit One Stadium, Daniel IslandTickets
    8. Apr 1–24The Charleston Festival (house and garden tours)Downtown CharlestonTickets on sale December 1, 2026. Formerly the Festival of Houses & Gardens; the 80th year.
    9. Sat, Apr 3Cooper River Bridge RunOver the Cooper River bridge to downtown Charleston · 8 am startRegistration
    10. May 28 – Jun 6Piccolo SpoletoAcross CharlestonMostly free. More than 500 events.
    • Spoleto Festival USA: 2027 dates not announced. 2026 ran 17 days from Memorial Day weekend, May 22 – June 7.

    Every week, and this season

    Their own calendars

    These venues publish their own schedules. Go straight to them for tickets and the latest dates.

    Freshfields Village eventsBetween Kiawah and SeabrookKiawah Island Golf Resort eventsKiawahKiawah Arts Council concertsTown of Kiawah box officeTown of Kiawah Island calendarKiawahTown of Seabrook Island calendarSeabrookJohns Island library programsJohns Island Regional LibraryDeep Water Vineyard eventsWadmalawCharleston Pour HouseMaybank Highway, James IslandCharleston County Parks eventsIncluding James Island County ParkCharleston City Paper calendarEverything else in town

    Planning the day around it? Island Today has the tide, the weather and the sunset, and the directory has where to eat before the show.

    Keep going

    Wooden boardwalk with an outdoor shower post crossing the dunes to the ocean at dusk

    Supplied by Mike Olson

    Two ways in

    Talk it through with Mike, or ask Val — the guide’s AI assistant, answering from this site’s sourced facts.

    Book an Island Buyer CallAsk Val