Festival Traditions
Beloved festival traditions at Piccolo Spoleto include Sunset Serenade, the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, the Pajama March with Seed and Feed Marching Abominable, the Memorial Day Concert at Hampton Park, Gullah Geechee Connecting Wid Da Diaspora, Children’s Programs at the Library, the Sand Sculpting Competition, Pop-Ups and Neighborhood Events, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Finale.
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- US Custom House
This free concert launches the 2026 Piccolo Spoleto Festival featuring the Charleston Symphony and special guest soloist, so grab your beach chair or blanket, arrive early, and enjoy a lively night of music under the stars as Charleston gathers to celebrate the arts.
Friday, May 22 at 8:00pm
The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community band, has been thrilling audiences since 1974, performing at home and on the road in festivals, on stages, and in support of community events and fundraisers of all kinds.
Throughout its history, the Band has electrified audiences with its trademark style of explosive sound and colorful street theater. Originally formed as part of a theatre company, the band is well known for its fancifully costumed performers as well as its high-energy music.
- Saturday, May 23 at 11:00am, Marion Square
Photo credit: Paul Zoeller/P&C Staff
The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community band, has been thrilling audiences since 1974, performing at home and on the road in festivals, on stages, and in support of community events and fundraisers of all kinds.
Throughout its history, the Band has electrified audiences with its trademark style of explosive sound and colorful street theater. Originally formed as part of a theatre company, the band is well known for its fancifully costumed performers as well as its high-energy music.
- Saturday, May 23 from 10:30pm-midnight – US Custom House (East Bay side)
The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community band, has been thrilling audiences since 1974, performing at home and on the road in festivals, on stages, and in support of community events and fundraisers of all kinds.
Throughout its history, the Band has electrified audiences with its trademark style of explosive sound and colorful street theater. Originally formed as part of a theatre company, the band is well known for its fancifully costumed performers as well as its high-energy music.
- Sunday, May 24 from 11:00am-noon; US Custom House (East Bay side)
This annual patriotic tradition features the Charleston Concert Band in a concert ranging from rousing marches to Broadway show tunes, and concluding with a stirring musical tribute to each of the armed forces of our great country. Come salute our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who gave their lives to protect our freedom. Bring a chair or blanket to this FREE event.
- Monday, May 25 at 3:00pm at Hampton Park
- Tickets are required for entrance to these events and will be available at the Main Library Children’s Desk in person only starting on
- No phone reservations except for school groups.
- Tickets are limited and will be available while supplies last.
- Limited numbers of tickets are available per household.
- Call 843-805-6893 for more program details or to register your school group.
College of Charleston Opera “Three Little Pigs” – The College of Charleston makes opera more widely accessible through its highly successful children’s opera program.
Reaching more than 40,000 students in local schools, our Children’s Opera company performs stories accessible to children (fairy tales, nursery rhymes, etc.) set to great music from the western repertoire. This year’s production will be of the fabled Three Little Pigs!
Tuesday, May 26 at 9:30am and 11:30am
Dancing on Air Crew – Join us for this family-friendly free event where kids will learn more about four of the elements that make up the cultural phenomenon known as hip-hop: Graffiti, MCing, DJing and Breakin.
Wednesday, May 27 at 9:30am and 11:30am
Harambee Dance Company – Harambee Dance company is excited perform original and traditional routines set live drumming and singing. Harambee will get the kids interacting with the music and the performance will be fun for all ages!
Saturday, May 30 at 11:00am
Tricky Words Magic Show- Using audience participation, acting, magic tricks and poems Tricky Words is an entertaining family-friendly Magic Show for ages 5 to 9. The show aims to mystify one into thinking on the words we use every day. Plus, it is a fun Show!
George Younts is an award-winning magician and a Charleston County School of the Arts Theatre Teacher. Besides being a magician, he has worked as an actor, director, designer, producer, technician and playwright.
Tuesday, June 2 at 9:30am and 11:30am
Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition
Come out and participate in the sand sculpting competition at the Isle of Palms, Front Beach. Watch artists compete for prizes in different categories as they take raw sand and water, transforming the beach into beautiful works of art. Whether you’re a competitor or a spectator, this family-friendly celebration is fun for everyone.
- Saturday, May 30 at 9:00am; Front Beach, Isle of Palms
Piccolo Spoleto Festival Finale
Saturday, June 6, 2025 from 6:00-10:00pm
Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Boulevard