Charleston, South Carolina Announces 2012 Events

Charleston, South Carolina Announces 2012 Events
The same holds true for annual events. 2012 will be one to celebrate as a collection of the Charleston area's memorable festivals mark major milestones.

3rd Annual Charleston Restaurant Week
January 11-22, 2012

Now in its third year, Charleston Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to enjoy the Charleston area's epicurean delights without breaking the bank. This 12-day gastronomic celebration features three-course meals for $40 at fine-dining restaurants, $30 at some of the area's celebrated eateries and $20 at casual establishments. For more information, please call (843) 577-4030 or visit www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

29th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival
January 29, 2012

Considered the world's largest oyster festival, this tribute to the mighty mollusk sees 80,000 pounds shucked on a single day. Taking place on the grounds of the historic Boone Hall Plantation, the event features live entertainment, traditional oyster shucking and eating contests, dedicated children's area with pony rides and jump castles and representation by some of the area's favorite restaurants. For more information, please call (843) 577-4030 or visit www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

30th Annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE)
February 17-19, 2012

Recognized as the nation's largest wildlife art and nature event, SEWE showcases 120 artists and welcomes over 35,000 attendees each year. First and foremost, SEWE is a juried fine art show; however, the exposition offers a myriad of other informative and recreational activities, including flight demos from the Center for Birds of Prey, conservation exhibits, appearances by celebrity zookeeper Jack Hanna, DockDogs competitions and retriever demonstrations. For more information, please call (843) 723-1748 or visit www.sewe.com.

7th Annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival
March 1-4, 2012

For the 2012 installment, the festival will focus on Charleston's charm, architecture, food styles, innovative chefs and venues with a collection of colorful and taste worthy events. They include a Soul Food Shuffle, highlighting the area's Gullah heritage; Perfect Pairing Dinners, featuring 17 of Charleston's renowned chefs (two of which are James Beard Foundation award winners); Ship, Shop and Savor on the city's celebrated King Street; Taco Turf Wars competition; “Ode to Goat,” presented by Southern Foodways Alliance; The Culinary Village; BBQ, Blue + Brew Sunday afternoon event; and more. For more information, please call (843) 727-9998 or visit www.charlestonwineandfood.com.

Historic Charleston Foundation's 65th Annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens
March 22-April 21, 2012

Set amid the historic ambience of the area's distinctive neighborhoods and boroughs, this series of award-winning tours showcases Charleston's distinctive architecture, history, gardens and culture. These tours provide a rare opportunity for guests to go inside the private houses and gardens of some of America's most beautiful historic residences, dating to the 18th century. Taking place during the peak of the area's blooming season, tours feature seven to 10 properties each day in one of 11 neighborhoods, dating from the American colonial period through the antebellum and Victoria eras, to early 20th century. For more information, please call (843) 722-3405 or visit www.historiccharleston.org.

6th Annual Charleston Fashion Week
March 20-24, 2012

Showcasing emerging designer and model talent across the East Coast, Charleston Fashion Week has fast become one of the premier fashion weeks in North America. Held under the tents in Marion Square, the five-night celebration will feature more than 30 runway shows and the Emerging Designer Competition in three categories: East Coast designers, Rock the Runway model contest, and, for the first time, the Bridal Designer competition. Presented by Charleston magazine, the event features chic after-parties and interactive entertainment. For more information, please visit www.charlestonfashionweek.com.

35th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run
March 31, 2012

This world-class 10K race takes runners across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, North America's longest cable-stayed bridge. Participants will enjoy striking views of the Charleston area landscape as they cross the 2.5-mile long bridge. The race starts in Mt. Pleasant and finishes in downtown Charleston. This event includes a 10K run/walk, Kid's Run, which is open to toddlers through age 13, and other activities including Taste of the Bridge, featuring a carb friendly meal the night prior. For more information or to register, please call (843) 856-1949 or visit www.bridgerun.com.

40th Anniversary of the Family Circle Cup Presented by Dove
March 31-April 8, 2012

This annual event, held on Daniel Island at The Family Circle Tennis Center, is the longest running national women's tennis tournament in the country. Samantha Stosur, reining US Open champion and World No. 7, has already committed to play. Part of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, the nine-day event features more than 120 women competing for a prize purse of $721,000. For more information, please call (843) 856-7900 or visit www.familycirclecup.com.

30th Annual North Charleston Arts Festival
May 4-12, 2012

This spectacular celebration of the arts draws close to 30,000 visitors each year. The nine-day event spotlights various national, regional and local artists and performers in the areas of dance, theater, music, film media and visual & literary arts. The festival features an array of free and ticketed exhibits, street performers, craft booths, activities geared for family fun and culminates with an outdoor concerts and fireworks display over the Cooper River. For more information, please call (843) 740-5854 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Spoleto Festival USA
May 25-June 10, 2012

Now approaching its 36th season, Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America's premier performing arts festival. For 17 days and nights each spring, the festival fills Charleston's historic theaters and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera, theater, dance and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Leading the 2012 Festival lineup are the American premieres of two contemporary operas – Philip Glass's mesmerizing and powerful Kepler and Feng Yi Ting, Chinese composer Guo Wenjing's tale of political intrigue in the Han Dynasty. For more information, please call (843) 579-3100 or visit www.spoletousa.org.

29th Annual MOJA Arts Festival
September 27-October 7, 2012

An opportunity for guests to learn about and experience the Charleston area's rich African-American and Caribbean heritage, the 10-day event features classical music, jazz, gospel, theatre, dance, storytelling, poetry, visual arts and more. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305 or visit www.mojafestival.com.

Taste of Charleston
October 5-7, 2012

Chefs from more than 50 of Charleston's finest restaurants share their culinary treats with the public during this three-day celebration of Lowcountry fare. Hosted by the Charleston Restaurant Association, the event also offers food and wine pairings, a selection of specialty and imported beers, and a live band. For more information, please call (843) 577-4030 or visit www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

Visitors traveling to the Charleston area in 2012 can take advantage of the special savings and value packages offered by many area hotels and resorts during the events. These packages, as well as a complete list of upcoming events and information beyond the following sampling, can be found at www.explorecharleston.com.

PHOTO is of Boone Hall Avenue of Oaks, courtesy of Charleston Area CVB.