Halloween 2025 in Charleston, SC

Charleston is one of the most haunted cities in the United States. Its historic French Quarter and Battery districts are full of haunted spots and dark secrets. So don't hesitate to take a ghost tour and explore Unitarian Church graveyard and the Old City Jail, where some of the Lowcountry's most noteworthy criminals were incarcerated in 1802-1939. For serious thrill-seekers, there's Boone Hall Fright Nights in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina's largest haunted attraction offers three experiences: Undertaker, The Playground, and Scary Tales Haunted Hayride.

On Halloween night, large crowds gather in downtown Charleston. Halloween trick-or-treating for kids usually lasts until 6 pm. Then, it's time for adults to show up in costumes for some of the wildest pub crawls and parties. Parades and Halloween-themed music concerts also take place in the larger Charleston area.

Boogieman Halloween Festival (Saturday, October 26, 2024)

The 4th Annual Boogieman Halloween Festival, presented by Atlas Touring and The Royal American, will take place at The Royal American. The festival features an impressive lineup including Mo Lowda & The Humble, The Bright Light Social Hour, Bombargo, Dogpark, Winyah, Harvey Street, Virginia Man, Hip Hop Happy Hour, Connor Kelly & The Time Warp, and She Returns From War Sun Child. Early Bird tickets are available for $50 plus a $5.20 fee, with sales ending on October 25, 2024.

North Charleston Harvest Festival (Saturday, October 19, 2024)

The annual Harvest Festival is a beloved family tradition of North Charleston. The festivities are held from 4 to 7 pm in the Olde Village of North Charleston, located at East Montague Avenue. Harvest Festival features an array of activities, including live music from NattyGrass, an artist market with fine art and crafts by local makers, and a Kid’s Zone complete with craft activities, games, and more. Local restaurants, bars, and breweries will also be offering a variety of food and drink options for attendees.

Other festival highlights include trick-or-treating on the street from 4 to 6 pm, with free treat bags for children aged 12 and under (while supplies last), and a pop-up petting zoo from Crosswind Farms. Costume contests will be held with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in three categories: youth, groups, and pets. Participation is free, and contestants should line up for judging at 5:45 pm, with the contests beginning at 6 pm. Admission and parking are free, with East Montague Avenue closing to vehicular traffic between Jenkins Avenue and Virginia Avenue at 2 pm to accommodate the festivities.

Halloween Carnival (October 26, 2024)

The Halloween Carnival is one of the main annual events in Isle of Palms. Located approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Charleston, the event begins with the Halloween Golf Cart Parade, which features creatively decorated carts and requires registration for participation. The parade lineup starts at 3:30 pm on 27th Avenue, with the parade itself kicking off promptly at 4 pm. The carnival also includes a Drive-Thru Haunted House, inflatables, face painting, Halloween crafts, temporary tattoos, and trick-or-treating. Attendees can enjoy a variety of games, indulge in treats from food vendors, and collect trick-or-treat bags for children, all while competing for various prizes. This free community event offers an engaging and festive experience for all ages.

Spooky Charleston Tours

Explore Charleston’s haunted history with a variety of Spooky Charleston Tours, each offering a unique glimpse into the city’s eerie past, with prices typically ranging from $20 to $50 per person. Whether you’re embarking on a ghostly boat ride through the world’s largest cypress-tupelo swamp forest, climbing aboard the historic USS Yorktown to hear tales of lingering spirits, or taking a twilight carriage tour past haunted alleys and graveyards, there’s a spooky adventure for everyone. From walking tours like “Skeletons in the Closet” to the family-friendly ghost tour by Holy City History Tours, Charleston’s haunted side is waiting to be uncovered.