Charleston has once again earned national recognition, taking the No. 1 spot in the annual South’s Best Awards from Southern Living. The honor celebrates the city’s historic beauty, vibrant food culture, welcoming spirit, and thriving arts scene—qualities that continue to make Charleston one of the most beloved destinations in the country.
At Spoleto Festival USA, we’re proud to call Charleston home. Each year, the Festival invites artists and audiences from around the world to gather here for 17 days and nights of opera, theater, jazz, dance, chamber music, and multidisciplinary performance. The city’s unique sense of place—its historic venues, intimate performance spaces, and engaged audiences—makes Charleston an extraordinary setting for artistic discovery.
Charleston’s cultural vitality was highlighted in Southern Living’s roundup, which encouraged readers to mark their calendars for the Festival:
“While the local arts scene never sleeps, Spoleto Festival USA is an especially exhilarating time for local arts lovers and visitors. Each spring, for more than two weeks, the city plays host to one of the country’s most impressive arts festivals, in which renowned and up-and-coming musicians, singers, dancers, actors, and other artists descend upon Charleston for a series of memorable performances, exhibitions, and shows.”
Each spring, the Festival transforms Charleston into a citywide stage. Historic theaters, churches, and outdoor venues come alive with performances from acclaimed international artists alongside bold emerging voices. The result is a dynamic cultural moment that reflects both Charleston’s deep artistic roots and its continued creative evolution.
As Charleston celebrates being named the South’s Best City, we look forward to welcoming audiences back to experience the performances, collaborations, and unforgettable moments that make Spoleto Festival USA such a special part of spring in the Lowcountry.
Start planning your visit—and join us this spring in Charleston.