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 officially launches the 2026 Piccolo Spoleto Festival and features the Charleston Symphony Orchestra with special guest soloist Quiana Parler. Bring a beach or lawn chair and enjoy music under the stars.
May 22 at 8 p.m.
US Custom House | 200 East Bay Street
May 23 at 11 a.m.
Marion Square | 329 Meeting Street
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.
May 23 from 10:30 p.m. – midnight
US Custom House | 200 East Bay Street
The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, Atlanta’s wildest community band, returns to electrify audiences with its trademark style of explosive sound and colorful street theater.
May 24 from 11 a.m.
US Custom House | 200 East Bay Street
The Piccolo Spoleto Memorial Day Concert at Hampton Park
This annual patriotic tradition features the Charleston Concert Band performing music 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. Bring a chair or blanket for this free event.
May 25 at 3 p.m.
Hampton Park | 30 Mary Murray Boulevard
- Tickets are required for entrance to these events and will be available at the Main Library Children’s Desk in person only.
- No phone reservations except for school groups.
- Tickets are limited and will be available while supplies last.
- Limited number of tickets are available per household.
- Call 843-805-6893 for more program details or to register your school group.
College of Charleston Children’s Opera: The Three Little Pigs
The College of Charleston makes opera accessible through its successful children’s opera program that reaches more than 40,000 students in local schools with fairy tales and nursery rhymes set to great music.
May 26 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Dancing on Air
Join us for this family-friendly free event where the Dancing on Air Crew will teach kids about four of the elements that
make up the cultural phenomenon known as hip-hop: Graffiti, MCing, DJing and Breakin’.
May 27 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Harambee Dance Company
The Harambee Dance Company will perform original and traditional routines accompanied by live drumming and singing. Harambee encourages kids to interact with the music at this family-friendly event!
May 30 at 11 a.m.
Tricky Words Magic Show
The audience participates in this family-friendly magic show for all ages starring George Younts, an award-winning magician and Charleston County School of the Arts theatre teacher.
June 2 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
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 and transform the beach into beautiful works of art. Whether you’re a competitor or a spectator, this family-friendly celebration is fun for everyone.
May 30 at 9 a.m.
Isle of Palms | Front Beach
Piccolo Spoleto Festival Finale – The story of modern music is incomplete without considering the female architects one of its most important genres: rock! The 2026 Piccolo Spoleto Finale concert celebrates the artistry of women in the creation and evolution of rock and roll. The finale will be a knock-out performance that explores the profound influence of women from Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Big Mama Thornton to Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. Local powerhouse Elise Testone will take us on a journey of the history of rock and roll through the sounds of the women who paved the way! The opening act will feature a performer chosen by audition as Piccolo seeks to increase opportunities for future local stars to shine.
June 6 from 6-10 p.m.
Hampton Park | 30 Mary Murray Boulevard