CATCH THESE CHARLESTON HOSTS A WHOLE CALENDAR of can’t-miss festivals and celebrations, each contributing to the city’s hip vibe. Diners delight in Jan-uary’s Charleston Restaurant Week . This culinary cel-ebration features select three-course dinners – appetizer, entrée and dessert – at more than 25 locally-owned restaurants for one of two price points: $25 or $35. The newly renovated Charleston Col-iseum & Convention Center hosts the International Auto Show and Hunt-ing & Fishing Show each winter. Tens of thousands of people come to see the newest cars and trucks, and the latest angling and hunting gear. Charleston’s Celtic Calling , celebrates Scottish, Irish and Welsh culture, music and dance throughout the city each March. The weekend’s highlights include a kilt run/walk, cooking classes and competitions, and a special Moun-tain Stage performance. Shops, galleries and local businesses greet guests with a variety of art and music during ArtWalk . This fami-ly-friendly, self-guided walking tour of downtown Charleston takes place the 8 charlestonwv.com CAN’T-MISS EVENTS! third Thursday of every month from March to December. Live on the Levee kicks off Me-morial Day weekend, pro-viding a free concert and street fair each Friday through Labor Day at Haddad Riverfront Park amphitheater. Savvy concert-go-ers bring their lawn chairs and coolers – or take advantage of food trucks and vendors – to en-joy an evening of entertainment. The Vandalia Gathering, held on the lush grounds of the State Capitol over Memorial Day weekend, celebrates Appalachian traditions with old-time music compe-titions, West Virginia artisans and food, and popular events like square dancing and a liar’s contest. The mother lode of events is FestivALL , a 10-day multi-arts extravaganza featuring more than 600 artists and 300 perfor-mances at 35 venues citywide where music, theater, dance, visual arts and the humanities take center stage. Learn about the area’s seasoned past at the BB&T Malden Salt Festival in September. Enjoy live music, tours of J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works , children’s activities, craft beer, tasty food and a parade. OktoberWest on Charleston’s West Side boasts craft brews, local foods and live tunes – no lederhosen re-quired. Hot rods and cool classics line Kanawha Boulevard in October for the Charleston Rod Run and Doo Wop . The Rod Run is one of the city’s most well-attended events and includes free concerts and fireworks. The West Virginia Book Festival draws best-selling authors and features writing workshops, children’s activities and a huge used-book sale each October. The Christmas Parade is an annual tradition featur-ing music, fun and, of course, Santa! The city also gets in the holiday spirit with a nautical-themed Lighted Boat Pa-rade . GoodNight is Charleston’s fami-ly-friendly and free New Year’s Eve celebration featuring performances by local music groups, ballet ensembles and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra . ● MORE ABOUT TURN TO PAGES 16 -19 TO LEARN TON’S SISTER CITIES! SIGNATURE EVENTS IN CHARLES SEE MORE EVENTS! events.charlestonwv.com
Charleston Area Inspiration Guide Charleston Area Inspiration Guide 2019: Page 8
