Frequently Asked Questions

There are two ways to start planning your Spoleto Festival USA experience:

1. Determine what shows and performers you want to see
2. Determine what time period you will be in Charleston during the Festival.

The 2023 Festival runs for 17 days starting Memorial Day weekend, from Friday, May 26, through Sunday, June 11. There are Festival events every day during this period but there is a concentration of performances over the weekends. Not all events run throughout the Festival and some are one-night-only so check the dates of anything you particularly want to see.

If you have questions about specific performances, please call (843) 579-3100 to speak with a box office representative.

Most Festival venues are located in downtown Charleston within walking distance of each other. If you are planning to attend multiple events on one day, ensure that you check the approximate running time and give yourself enough time to walk or travel between venues.

We recommend parking in one of the numerous public parking garages conveniently located near Festival venues. There are also metered spaces available on most Downtown streets.

In accordance with ADA regulations, Festival venues provide specifically designated wheelchair-accessible seating that is reserved for those needing such accommodations. Accessible seating and Companion seating is available for purchase online or by calling the box office at (843) 579-3100.

A $5.00 handling fee is applied to each ticket to help offset the costs associated with selling tickets. Every Festival event ticket, whether purchased in person, over the phone, or online is processed by a Spoleto Festival USA box office staff member.

A $3.00 facility fee is also applied to each ticket which helps make it possible for the Festival to continue to use a variety of venues throughout downtown Charleston.

A $5.00 per order processing fee will be applied to all orders requesting printed tickets whether they are mailed or held at will call.

Members of the military and teachers, with valid ID, receive a 10% savings on selected performances. These discounts are available when purchasing by phone, online, and in person. Discounts may only apply to certain seating sections.

Yes, groups of 10 or more individuals are eligible to receive a discount on select Festival performances. Please visit our Group Sales page for more information.

In the event that tickets are no longer available online, some tickets may become available just prior to the performance on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend checking in person with the venue box office one hour before performance time to find out if any seats may become available for sale. Call the box office at (843) 579-3100 for up-to-date performance information.

Yes. Gift certificates redeemable for performance tickets, festival posters, and contributions are available for purchase in any amount online and by phone at (843) 579-3100.

Will Call is the term used for tickets that have been ordered in advance but still need to be picked up at the venue prior to the performance.

Tickets held at Will Call are available for pickup at the venue’s onsite box office up to one and a half hours prior to performance start time. To claim tickets being held at Will Call, please present your photo ID and confirmation number to the ticket agent on duty. There will be signs in the venue lobby and at the box office directing patrons to the Will Call area.

A $5.00 per order processing fee will be applied to all orders requesting printed tickets, which includes those held at Will Call.

All tickets purchased to Spoleto Festival USA events are final. There are no cancellations or refunds. Tickets must be paid in full at the time of purchase, and no unpaid seats will be held.

Exchanges are allowed only at the management’s discretion and all exchanged tickets are subject to exchange fees, ticket prices, and availability at the time of the exchange. No refunds are given for exchanges into lower-priced tickets. PLEASE NOTE: Ticket exchanges and donations are not applicable after performances begin.

Yes. If you are unable to attend a performance, tickets purchased may be donated back to the Festival as a tax-deductible contribution. Ticket donations are not applicable once a performance has begun. All tickets purchased Ticket donations must be received 30 minutes prior to the performance date and time printed on the tickets and only unused tickets may be submitted for donation. We will provide you with documentation regarding your tax-deductible gift.

Reselling of tickets in or adjacent to Festival venues is prohibited. Bear in mind that reselling tickets for more than $1 above their face value is prohibited by South Carolina law.

Contact the box office immediately at (843) 579-3100. You may be asked for your order number, name, and address for verification.

Latecomers are seated at the discretion of house management at the first appropriate seating break that allows for the least disruption for performers and seated audience members. In some cases, no late seating will be allowed.

If there needs to be a cancellation due to inclement weather, all pertinent information will be shared with ticket holders via email no less than 1 hour prior to the performance start time. The Finale at Firefly Distillery is rain or shine.

No, there is no official dress code for Festival performances or venues. As a rule, outdoor venues can be very warm, and it is advisable to bring insect repellent. Indoor venues are air conditioned, and therefore can sometimes be chilly. Casual wear is fine for most performances, and attire may range from shorts and flip-flops to a suit and tie.

Sorry, no. All Piccolo Spoleto tickets are sold by Piccolo Spoleto, organized by the city of Charleston as a companion festival to Spoleto Festival USA. Piccolo Spoleto presents local and regional performing and visual artists in hundreds of performances at venues throughout Charleston.

In some cases, Festival performance descriptions include age recommendations, or children’s ticket prices. If not, and if you are unclear about the suitability of a performance, box office staff are standing by at (843) 579-3100 to answer these questions.

Sorry, no babies-in-arms or children sitting in laps. Everyone who enters the venue is required to hold a ticket. Children and adults who become disruptive will be asked to leave the venue.

Federal copyright laws prohibit the use of cameras or other recording devices in any venue.

Cell phones are allowed in Festival venues, but as a courtesy to artists and other patrons, we ask that you please turn your phones off during performances.

Charleston offers a wide variety of accommodations for every taste and budget. Our partners at ExploreCharleston publish a Digital Visitor Guide with resources to help you find the perfect hotel.

Yes. You can use a balance in your Spoleto account for tickets, posters, or contributions. For online purchases, the account balance will appear after you have added tickets or items to your cart and have proceeded to checkout. For purchases made in-person or over the phone ask the ticket agent to apply your balance to the purchase.

We are continuously updating our policies regarding COVID-19 safety, and publish them on our website here.

If you've been exposed to/tested positive for/shown symptoms of COVID-19 but have tickets for an upcoming performance, please stay home. We will refund your ticket order.