9 Things to Do in Charleston in the Winter: 2025/2026 Edition

February 21, 2020

Charleston is beautiful at any time of year. Yes, we’re a bit biased, but this city has so much to offer year-round that we wouldn’t usually recommend visiting one month over another.

Yet, for Charleston in January and February, the city is quieter, the climate is milder, and the beaches are (dare we say?) prettier. Here are the top 9 things to do in Charleston in winter, 2025/2026.

9 Things to Do in Charleston in the Winter

There are so many reasons to visit Charleston in winter; we’re not sure why more visitors don’t flock to the Holy City this winter season!

Some of the best reasons to visit between December and March include:

Enjoy mild weather
Experience fewer crowds
Attend the Charleston Wine Festival
Take part in romantic Valentine’s Day activities
Eat some oysters

1. Enjoy Mild Charleston Winter Weather

Charleston weather is pretty mild all year long, but South Carolina winters see temperatures that other areas of the U.S. can only dream about in spring.

Charleston Weather in December

In December 2025, Charleston is project to see highs in the low 50s to the low 70s. Lows at night will be in the high 30s to the upper 50s, so bring a coat for chillier nights! We’re also planning for rain! We’re expecting to see about 13 days of rain in the month of December this year.

Charleston Weather in January

In January 2026, Charlestonians are expecting to see highs in the low 50s to the upper 60s! We’re talking light jackets, a few sunny days, and mostly partly-cloudy days. At night, we’ll see some lows in the mid-30s to low-50s in January. But you might want to bring a waterproof jacket because we’re expected to get 12 days of rain (including a few thunder showers) in January 2026.

Charleston Weather in February

In February, you can expect the highs to be in the 60s and the lows in the 40s. And the best part? We rarely get any rain in the month of February (about five days on average).

That means you can spend more time outside and less time in your hotel. And with so many outdoor activities (boating, hiking, picnicking, and touring), you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors here.

2. Visit the Beach

Yes, we’ll say it again: the best reason to visit Charleston in winter is the weather. But we’ll go as far as to say that this is also the best time of year to head to the beach.

The days are warm and the nights are cool (but not bitterly cold). Which means there’s more time to spend on one of Charleston’s white-sand beaches. While you won’t be able to don your two-piece and jump in the surf, you’ll enjoy a few rays of the sun and some fresh sea air.

We recommend:

Dressing in layers (in case the sun makes a longer appearance or the clouds roll in a little faster)
Bringing a few beach games to keep your crew entertained
Packing a picnic to enjoy while you gaze at the horizon

3. Take Advantage of Low Tourist Season

If you’re the type of traveler who doesn’t like running into other travelers, you’ll love Charleston in winter — because you probably won’t run into any tourists this month.

January, February, and March are relatively quiet in the Holy City, and most of our tourist attractions are equally quiet. That means you can stroll through the historic market without running into crowds, take a boat tour with little or no wait, or visit one of our plantations without fighting through the crowds.

While spring in Charleston is marvelous, you’ll experience higher crowd levels at this time.

4. Attend the Charleston Winter Wine Festival 2026

If you love wine, we recommend heading to Charleston in January and February. Our Winter Wine Festival takes place here every winter and features some of the best wineries in the Lowcountry.

This year, it will take place on January 17, 2026, at the Charleston Winter Wine Festival at Festival Hall. You can choose between two time slots, on in the afternoon, from noon until 4:00 p.m., or one in the evening, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

But don’t just visit the wine festival! Several Charleston festivals take place in the winter.

Talk to the winemakers, taste a few vintages, and enjoy some light snacks. It’s a great reason to visit Charleston in February and geek out with fellow wine lovers.

5. Take a Walking Tour in Charleston in January and February

Yes, we happen to believe that pretty much any time of year is the perfect time for a walking tour. Maybe we’re biased? But we also happen to believe that walking tours in Charleston in January and February are simply wonderful for the following reasons:

Smaller group sizes
Comfortable temperatures for wandering the city
Quiet ambiances
Less foot traffic

We love our tours (and guests) so much this time of year, we’d have to say they’re one of the best reasons to visit Charleston, South Carolina, in winter.

Want to go solo? Check out our Charleston self-guided history tour!

6. Find a Little Romance

Let’s face it: we always consider Valentine’s Day when thinking about February getaways. Not only is Charleston a great destination for nature lovers and outdoorsy types, but there are plenty of romantic things to do in the Holy City.

Visiting Charleston in January and February gives you another opportunity to snuggle up with your sweetie.

Charleston is home to dozens of romantic restaurants and hotels. If you’re headed to Charleston for Valentine’s Day, we recommend taking a romantic boat ride, heading to a spa for a couples’ massage, or taking a bike ride for two across the Ravenel Bridge. Or, take a tour of the prettiest streets in Charleston.

And if you’re single? There are still plenty of things to do in Charleston that don’t require you to partner up.

Just some of the events happing on and around Valentine’s Day, 2026, include:

SpiritLine Cruises 2026 Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise
Wentworth Mansion Nights of Romance Package
Sweet & Savory Classroom Valentine’s Date Night 2026: Tuesday, February 10th

7. Eat Some Oysters at the Lowcountry Oyster Festival

Charleston is known for its seafood — especially its oysters. And the best time to slurp a few salty morsels? Winter!

Winter is ‘oyster season’ in Charleston. The handy trick for determining the best months for oysters? Any month with the letter ‘R’ in its name! Generally, that means the colder months.

You can swing by the Lowcountry Oyster Festival on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Boone Hall Plantation. The event runs all day, from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

Or, you can search for oysters yourself. Oysters love the South Carolina coast because of its flat coastline. You’ll find plenty of oyster beds along our coast, but if you’d rather take it easy by heading to a restaurant, we recommend:

Amen Fish & Raw Bar
The Shellmore
NICO
The Darling Oyster Bar

8. Save Money

One of the savviest reasons to visit Charleston in winter? The heaviest season for tourism in Charleston is the summer (when most families have the flexibility to travel because kids are on summer break).

Since fewer people can jet off to the Holy City in winter, this also happens to be one of the cheapest months for travelers! You’ll find some of the lowest seasonal prices at hotels and certain attractions. You might even discover a few deals here, too.

Some hotels even offer package deals in winter that include a discounted room rate and tickets to popular attractions.

9. Get Out Into the Wild at the Southern Wildlife Expo in 2026

The Southeastern Wildlife Expo takes place in Charleston every February! That means wildlife aficionados head here for a three-day showcase of nature and wildlife. The expo attracts nature lovers, artists, hunters, and fishermen.

Just some of the events include an art auction, a sheep and duck herding demo, and a wildlife sanctuary show. There are even a few events for kids, so feel free to bring your wildlife lovers in training.

This year, the Wildlife Expo will take place on February 13 to 15, 2026, in venues across Charleston, including Brittlebank Park, The Gaillard, and Marion Square.

Or, head to our wildlife sister city for a Savannah day trip.

What are your favorite reasons to visit Charleston in January and February? What do you love about South Carolina winters?