The azaleas come first. Then the wisteria drapes itself across fences and archways in colors that stop people mid-stride. By late March, South Carolina’s springs are in motion, and they do not wait. Dogwoods open in the Upstate foothills, cherry blossoms peak in the Midlands, and along the Lowcountry coast the whole landscape softens into something that feels designed specifically for being outside.
Spring in South Carolina runs longer than it does in most of the country. The window between winter chill and summer heat stretches from late February into May, which means the calendar fills accordingly. What follows is a regional guide to what is happening across the state from now through May 2026, organized by area, with dates, locations, and notes on whether each event is suitable for families with children.
Charleston & the Lowcountry
The Lowcountry calendar is dense from late March through the end of April. These events span Summerville, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Daniel Island, and downtown Charleston.
Flowertown Festival — March 27-29, 2026, Summerville
The Summerville Family YMCA hosts this arts and crafts festival annually, and it draws more than 200,000 visitors over three days. The town itself provides part of the spectacle: azaleas, wisteria, and dogwoods bloom throughout Summerville during this window, and the festival grounds sit within that context. Ranked among the top 20 events in the Southeast. Kid-friendly: YES.
Cooper River Bridge Run — March 28, 2026, Mount Pleasant to downtown Charleston
Start time is 7 a.m. on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. The route crosses the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over Charleston Harbor before finishing in downtown Charleston. Approximately 30,000 runners participate, making this the third-largest 10K in the United States. A post-race festival in Marion Square includes music, vendors, and food. Youth races are available for younger participants. Kid-friendly: YES.
Credit One Charleston Open — March 28 – April 5, 2026, Daniel Island
The 54th edition of this WTA 500 tournament takes place at Credit One Stadium, 161 Seven Farms Dr. The field includes Belinda Bencic, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Emma Navarro, among others. The Charleston Open holds the distinction of being the largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America. Ticket information is available at creditonecharlestonopen.com. Kid-friendly: YES.
Festival of Houses and Gardens — March 18 – April 11, 2026, downtown Charleston
The Historic Charleston Foundation hosts its 79th annual house and garden tours across this multi-week window. Programming includes tours of private historic properties and garden spaces throughout downtown Charleston that are not otherwise open to the public. Suitable for older children and adults with an interest in architecture and history. Kid-friendly: SELECTIVE.
Charleston Race Week — April 16-19, 2026, Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant
One of the largest sailing regattas in the United States, now in its 30th year. Hundreds of sailors compete in Charleston Harbor. Racing is viewable from shore. Details at charlestonraceweek.com. Kid-friendly: YES.
Lowcountry Cajun Festival — April 18, 2026, James Island County Park
Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole food, and dedicated activities for children make this a full-day event. Food offerings include jambalaya, crawfish, alligator, and etouffee. Information at ccprc.com. Kid-friendly: YES.
Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival — April 26, 2026, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor as the backdrop, this free event includes a boat parade, live music, craft vendors, and activities. The festival acknowledges the shrimping and fishing traditions of the Lowcountry. Kid-friendly: YES.
North Charleston Arts Festival — April 29 – May 3, 2026, various venues
Five days of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literature programming spread across libraries, businesses, community centers, and parks throughout North Charleston. Most performances and exhibitions are free. Kid-friendly: YES.
Greenville & the Upstate
Greenville anchors a spring calendar that extends to Greer, Easley, Pickens, Anderson, and Travelers Rest. Several events have already taken place earlier in the season.
Reedy Reels Film Festival — March 27-29, 2026, SC Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St., Greenville
An independent film festival showcasing work from local and regional filmmakers. Tickets are available per day at the door and online. Film content varies. Kid-friendly: SELECTIVE.
iMAGINE STEAM — April 4, 2026, downtown Greenville, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A STEM festival built for students PreK through 12th grade. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math programming runs through interactive events and activities across the downtown area. Free to attend. Kid-friendly: YES.
Kidsfest at Hagood Mill — March 21, 2026, 138 Hagood Mill Rd., Pickens, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Produced in collaboration with Young Appalachian Musicians, this event at Hagood Mill Historic Site includes a kazoo workshop, Instrument Petting Zoo, Paint the Ponies activity, live music, and folklife demonstrations covering weaving, basketmaking, and blacksmithing. Admission is $5. Details at visithagoodmill.com. Kid-friendly: YES.
Easley Spring Fling — April 11, 2026, downtown Easley, noon – 8 p.m.
Local vendors, live music, a Kids Zone, and food trucks fill downtown Easley for this free one-day event. Kid-friendly: YES.
euphoria Greenville Spring Fest — April 16-19, 2026, various locations
The 21st annual euphoria festival centers on culinary events, dinners, and educational classes spread across Greenville County. Notable events include “Sip into Spring” on April 16 at Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest and “Roast & Toast” on April 19 at The Barn at Sitton Hill Farm in Easley. Programming is small-plate and wine-forward throughout. Kid-friendly: NO.
Anderson Soiree — April 24-25, 2026, downtown Anderson
A free two-day arts festival with music across multiple stages, art vendors, and dedicated kids activities. Saturday hours run 4 – 9 p.m.; Sunday extends 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Kid-friendly: YES.
Greer Goes Global — April 25, 2026, Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
An international festival in downtown Greer with cultural performances, food, and activities representing multiple countries. Free to attend. Kid-friendly: YES.
Columbia & the Midlands
Columbia’s spring calendar reaches into Camden and Irmo and covers both outdoor destinations and recurring community events.
SC Pimento Cheese Festival — March 13, 2026, Saluda Shoals Park, Columbia
A free festival built around South Carolina’s traditional spread, with a craft fair, food trucks, live music, and kids activities running alongside competitive pimento cheese entries. Kid-friendly: YES.
Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival — March 20, 2026, Irmo Town Park
Cherry blossoms peak in Irmo each March, and this annual festival offers picnicking, blossom-viewing, a drum circle, a Japanese import car show, handcrafted artwork, and food and beverage vendors. Kid-friendly: YES.
Carolina Cup Steeplechase — March 2026, Springdale Race Course, 200 Knights Hill Rd., Camden
The 91st running of this steeplechase horse race draws tailgaters in hats and bright spring fashions to Camden each year. General admission is $50 at the gate; parking is an additional $10. Information at carolinacup.org. Kid-friendly: YES.
Columbia Fireflies Baseball — Spring through summer, Segra Park, Columbia
The Fireflies’ home schedule runs through spring and summer. Segra Park offers a grass seating section, a Kids Play Zone, and a casual family atmosphere. Kid-friendly: YES.
Soda City Market — Saturdays year-round, 1300-1600 Main Street, Columbia
This weekly farmers market on Main Street runs through spring with produce, prepared foods, local vendors, arts and crafts, and live performances most Saturdays. Kid-friendly: YES.
Statewide: Parks, Nature & Year-Round Spring Activities
South Carolina’s state parks and natural areas offer some of the most distinctive spring experiences in the region, including rare wildflower blooms that occur only during specific weeks each year.
Oconee Bell Blooms — Mid-March to early April, Oconee State Park
The Oconee Bell is a rare flowering plant found only in the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Colonies bloom along the Oconee Bell Trail each March. The window for peak blooms is narrow. Kid-friendly: YES.
Kite Festival — March 2026, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet
An annual kite flying festival on one of the state’s most preserved beachfronts. Kid-friendly: YES.
Congaree National Park — Hopkins, SC (20 minutes from Columbia)
South Carolina’s only National Park offers 25 miles of hiking trails and 2.4 miles of elevated boardwalk trails above the floodplain forest. Canoe trails are accessible for visitors with their own watercraft. Free entry. The boardwalk is suitable for families with young children. Kid-friendly: YES.
Sesquicentennial State Park — Columbia (20 minutes from downtown)
“Sesqui” has a 142-acre lake, camping, hiking, kayaking, and a seasonal splash pad. Spring is the park’s most active season before summer crowds arrive. Kid-friendly: YES.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden — Columbia
The botanical garden side of Riverbanks comes into full bloom each spring. Spring programming includes giraffe and lorikeet feeding experiences. Kid-friendly: YES.
South Carolina’s spring spans the mountains, the Midlands, and the coast, and no single region holds all of it. The most rewarding way to experience the season is to move across the state: a weekend for the Flowertown Festival in Summerville, an afternoon on the Oconee Bell Trail in Pickens County, a Saturday on Main Street in Columbia. Dates, times, and ticket information change. Check official event websites before making plans, and confirm details with individual venues. The season runs through May.