Calendar of Events

January

Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Charleston. Steamed buckets of oysters greet visitors at Boone Hall Plantation. Enjoy live music, oyster-shucking contests, kids' events, and other activities. Contact the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association at tel. 843/577-4030. End of January.

February

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Charleston. More than 150 of the finest artists and more than 500 exhibitors participate at 13 locations in the downtown area. Enjoy carvings, sculpture, paintings, live-animal exhibits, food, and much more. Call tel. 843/723-1748 or visit www.sewe.com for details. Mid-February.

Africa Alive, Rock Hill. Learn about the African heritage by way of storytelling, craft activities, exhibits, music, and dance from the Museum of York County. Call tel. 803/329-2121. Late February.

March

Festival of Houses and Gardens, Charleston. For nearly 50 years, people have been enjoying some of Charleston's most historic neighborhoods and private gardens on this tour. Contact the Historic Charleston Foundation, P.O. Box 1120, Charleston, SC 29402 (tel. 843/722-3405; www.historiccharleston.org) for details. Mid-March to mid-April.

April

Cooper River Bridge Run, Charleston. Sponsored by the Medical University of South Carolina, this run and walk starts in Mount Pleasant, goes over the Cooper River Bridge, and ends in the center of Charleston. The run is the best organized and best conducted 10K race in the world. In 2006, the participants ran over the new Arthur Ravenel, Jr., Bridge, which is 2 1/2 miles long and 200 feet high. For information, call tel. 843/792-0345 (www.bridgerun.com). Early April.

Carolina Cup, Camden. The elaborate picnics with silver candelabras and crystal champagne flutes make this annual steeplechase race an event to remember. Contact the Springdale Race Course at tel. 803/432-6513 (www.carolina-cup.org). Early April.

Flowertown Festival, Summerville. More than 180 booths of arts and crafts, a road race, a "Youth Fest," and lots of entertainment are set in this historic city surrounded by brilliant azalea and dogwood blossoms. Contact the YMCA at tel. 843/871-9622 or online at www.flowertownfestival.com to learn more. First weekend in April.

Family Circle Cup, Charleston. Moved from Hilton Head to a tennis center in Charleston, the Family Circle Cup WTA tournament is one of the oldest on the women's pro tour. For information, call tel. 843/856-7900, or go to www.familycirclecup.com. Early April.

Verizon Heritage, Hilton Head. This $5.3-million tournament brings an outstanding field of PGA tour professionals to this event each year. The weeklong tournament is held at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Plantation. Contact Classic Sports, Inc., 71 Lighthouse Rd., Suite 414, Hilton Head, SC 29928 (tel. 800/234-1107 or 843/671-2448; www.verizonheritage.com). Mid-April.

World Grits Festival, St. George. This unique festival is a celebration of that famous Southern staple, grits! For years, contestants have competed in grits-grinding, corn-shelling, grits-eating, and best recipes, as well as traditional festivities. Call tel. 843/563-7943 (www.worldgritsfestival.com) to find out more. Early April.

May

Spring Fling, Spartanburg. Live entertainment mixed with arts, crafts, and games make this a popular annual event. Contact Spartanburg Community Events at tel. 864/594-5080 for details. First weekend in May.

Iris Festival, Sumter. The world-famous Swan Lake Iris Gardens is the setting for this elaborate festival of arts and crafts, food, concerts, garden tours, and a parade. Call tel. 800/688-4748 (www.irisfestival.org). Late May.

Carolina Dodge Charger 500 and Diamond Hill Plywood 200, Darlington. This is stock car racing's original superspeedway. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series now features a full weekend of night racing, called "under the lights." For tickets, contact tel. 843/459-7223 or 843/395-8877 (www.darlingtonraceway.com). Mother's Day weekend.

Pontiac GMC Freedom Weekend Aloft, Anderson. This 4-day extravaganza features big-name entertainment, amusement rides, 100 hot-air balloons, fireworks, and more at the city's Sports & Entertainment Center. Contact Freedom Weekend Aloft at tel. 864/222-0051 or 864/232-3700, or go to www.freedomweekend.org. Memorial Day weekend.

Spoleto Festival U.S.A., Charleston. This is the premier cultural event in the tri-state area. This famous international festival -- the American counterpart of the equally celebrated one in Spoleto, Italy -- showcases world-renowned performers in drama, dance, music, and art in various venues throughout the city. For details and this year's schedule, contact Spoleto Festival U.S.A., P.O. Box 157, Charleston, SC 29402 (tel. 843/722-2764; www.spoletousa.org). Late May through early June.

June

Edisto Riverfest, Walterboro. The main attractions at this festival are guided trips down the "blackwater" (water darkened from tree tannins) Edisto River. Call tel. 803/734-0156 (www.edistoriver.org) for details. Mid-June.

July

Lake Murray's July 4th Celebration, Columbia. Lake Murray plays host to some 100 boats decorated in red, white, and blue. A fireworks display is held at night. Contact the Lake Murray Tourism and Recreation Association at tel. 866/SC-JEWEL (www.lakemurraycountry.com). First Saturday in July.

Two Days, Round the Fourth, Conway. You can gather along the banks of the Waccamaw River for 2 days full of arts and crafts, live entertainment, food, Jell-O jumps, raft races, boat rides, and fireworks. Contact the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce at tel. 843/248-2273 (www.roundthefourth.com). Early July.

August

Shawfest, Shaw Air Force Base, near Sumter and Cherryvale. This annual event takes the form of a community-appreciation festival. Onlookers are treated to an air show featuring some of the Air Force's top pilots and jets. Call tel. 800/511-SHAW (www.shaw.af.mil) for additional information. Early August in odd years.

Summerfest, York. Loads of live entertainment is presented here with four stages, crafts, country food, and a classic car show. Contact the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau at tel. 803/684-2590. Fourth Saturday in August.

September

South Carolina's Largest Garage Sale, Myrtle Beach. One person's trash is another person's treasure, and you're likely to find yours here. Vendors set up shop in a large parking garage to sell clothing, furniture, household goods, and hundreds of other bargains. Contact the Myrtle Beach Area Visitor Information at tel. 800/36-3016 or 843/626-7444. Early September.

Scottish Games and Highland Gathering, Charleston. This gathering of Scottish clans features medieval games, bagpipe performances, Scottish dancing, and other traditional activities. Call the Scottish Society of Charleston at tel. 843/224-7867 (http://charlestonscots.org/joomla). Third Saturday in September.

Candlelight Tour of Homes & Gardens, Charleston. Sponsored by the Preservation Society of Charleston, this annual event provides an intimate look at many of the area's historic homes, gardens, and churches. For more information, call tel. 843/722-4630 (www.preservationsociety.org). Mid-September to late October.

MOJA Festival, Charleston. Celebrating the rich African-American heritage in the Charleston area, this festival features lectures, art exhibits, stage performances, historical tours, concerts, and much more. Contact the Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs at tel. 843/724-7305 (www.mojafestival.com). Late September to early October.

October

Fall for Greenville, Greenville. This annual 3-day event features more than 40 restaurants and food vendors from around the city presenting a wide variety of their tasty wares. Events include a chili "cook-off," a cooking school, an ice carving, a bartender's mix-off, a waiter's race, and a bike race, along with free entertainment. For more information, call 864/467-5780. Early October.

A Taste of Charleston, Charleston. Held in 2004 at Boone Hall Plantation, this annual event offers an afternoon of food, fun, entertainment, and more. A selection of Charleston-area restaurants offers their specialties in bite-size portions so you can sample them all. For more information, call tel. 843/577-4030 (www.charlestoncvb.com). Early October.

Fall Festival of Houses, Beaufort. Frank Lloyd Wright's Aldbrass Plantation is only one of the beautiful homes on this tour. The public is invited to get a rare view of this coastal city's most stately residences during a 3-day tour. Call tel. 843/379-3331 or go to www.historic-beaufort.org. Late October.

Governor's Cup, Columbia. This event, more than half a century old, is comprised of a half-marathon, an 8km run, a 4-mile EdVenture Walk, and a Kids Fun Run beginning at 8:30am on the State Capitol grounds. Conducted by the Carolina Marathon Association. Call tel. 803/929-1996 (www.carolinamarathon.org). Mid-October.

November-December

St. Francis Festival of Trees, Greenville. Professionally decorated trees are displayed in the Hyatt Regency. A Teddy Bear tea, Gingerbread Land, and family brunch are special attractions. Call tel. 864/255-1199. Late November to late December.

Merrily Myrtle -- A Holiday Celebration, Myrtle Beach. The Grand Strand is decorated in a profusion of lights. This months-long celebration has a lineup that includes concerts, parades, and festivals. Contact the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce at tel. 800/356-3016 (www.mbchamber.com). November to January 15.

Colonial Cup, Camden. Every year, this prestigious steeplechase race determines the champion and winner of the NSA's Eclipse award. Tailgating in style is a trademark of this event, with tables covered in linen and patrons dressed in hats and sport coats. Contact the Springdale Race Course at tel. 803/432-6513 or go to www.carolina-cup.org. Late November.

Lights Before Christmas, Columbia. The Riverbanks Zoo becomes a holiday wonderland when thousands of lights are strung around the park. Contact the Riverbanks Zoo at tel. 803/779-8717 (www.riverbanks.org). Late November to late December.

Christmas in Charleston, Charleston. This month-long celebration features home and church tours, Christmas-tree lightings, craft shows, artistry, and a peek at how Old Charleston celebrated the holiday season. For more information on how to participate or to visit, call tel. 800/774-0006 (www.christmasincharleston.com). Early November to late December.