Charleston, you’re invited 

Dust off your favorite Festival attire, put on your hats, and join us for Opening Ceremony—the official start of Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto. 

This shared civic and cultural celebration welcomes audiences, artists, residents, visitors, and community leaders into the Festival season and honors Charleston as the vibrant host city that has embraced these Festivals as defining cultural traditions for generations. 

As the curtain rises on 17 days of performances and events across the city, Opening Ceremony sets the Festival in motion with a public gathering that welcomes the entire community to participate. 

We hope you’ll join us for this signature Charleston moment. 

Opening Ceremony
Friday, May 22
12:00 PM
In front of Charleston City Hall 

Come celebrate the beginning of the Festival season with us. 

See you at Spoleto! 

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.