MAKE THE MOST OF THE COAST
Nestled on the Charleston Harbor, Mount Pleasant is a charming coastal destination in South Carolina.
welcome to mount pleasant
Nestled on the Charleston Harbor, Mount Pleasant is the largest coastal town in South Carolina. Explore at your leisure and stay fueled with Southern cuisine at its finest. Experience our slice of paradise as you’d like; there’s something for everyone. Make the most of the coast and experience Mount Pleasant! Take our Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring.
Explore OUR SLICE OF PARADISE
Get a Taste of Our Culture
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or a sweet treat in between, Mount Pleasant can satisfy every taste. Find your perfect waterfront view or venture inland.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOUNT PLEASANT
Apr 22, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Town of Mount Pleasant will host a Blessing of the Fleet Art Exhibit on Wednesday, April 22nd, as part of the annual Fleet Week activities leading up to the Blessing Of The Fleet & Seafood Festival on April 26th. This event showcases and promotes artists in a variety of media, focused on the Lowcountry landscape, boat life, and animal life.
Follow the Facebook Event page for updates and details!
Apr 24, 2026
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
2026 Dates: April 24th-26th & May 1st-3rd
The annual Lowcountry Strawberry Festival at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in Mount Pleasant is one of the most popular family-friendly events near Charleston, SC. This seasonal festival celebrates the Lowcountry’s strawberry harvest with fresh local berries, carnival rides, live entertainment, and interactive activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy classic festival favorites like pie-eating contests, a petting zoo, and a wide variety of food vendors, all set on the scenic grounds of one of America’s oldest working plantations. Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Charleston, the Lowcountry Strawberry Festival is a must-do spring event for locals and visitors searching for Charleston events, festivals, and things to do near Mount Pleasant!
Apr 24, 2026
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dancing on the Cooper is a popular spring and summer event in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, held on the scenic Mount Pleasant Pier at Memorial Waterfront Park. Featuring live music, dancing over Charleston Harbor, drinks, and sunset views beside the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, it’s one of the most unique things to do in the Charleston area during the summer!
April 24, 2026: Gino Castillo
Apr 24, 2026
6:00 pm -
Party at the Point is one of the most popular live music events in Mount Pleasant and a favorite thing to do near Charleston during the spring! Held at the waterfront Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, the weekly concert series features live bands, food and drinks, and dancing by the harbor with stunning sunset views. Get tickets by clicking the “Visit Website” button on this page.
April 24, 2026: The Yacht Club
Apr 26, 2026
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival is the most popular event of the year in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina! This is a must-see festival for anyone looking for things to do in the Charleston area. With the iconic Ravenel Bridge and Cooper River as a backdrop, this family-friendly waterfront festival honors the Lowcountry’s fishing heritage with a traditional Blessing of the Fleet and shrimp boat parade, where working shrimp boats receive a ceremonial blessing for a safe and successful season. Festival-goers can enjoy local seafood samplings prepared by Mount Pleasant chefs, live music throughout the day, a craft show, free activities for all ages, and a Mount Pleasant Artists Guild juried art exhibit featuring regional artists! #JustAsk where your seafood came from before you buy! Support local and wild-caught to support your fishermen; nothing beats Wild American Shrimp!
Crowd favorites are the festival’s signature competitions! The Shrimp Eating Contest delivers fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fun as contestants race to claim seafood bragging rights, while the lively Shag-Dance Contest celebrates South Carolina’s official state dance with smooth moves, classic beach music, and plenty of audience energy. Whether you’re visiting the Lowcountry, planning a Charleston-area getaway, or searching for a unique South Carolina festival, the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival offers an authentic coastal experience filled with tradition, entertainment, and unforgettable waterfront views! Admission and activities are free!
Event Day Schedule
- 11:00 AM National Anthem with Mount Pleasant Fire Department Honor Guard, Mayor’s Welcome
- 11:20 AM Procession begins at the Pier Entrance Gate (Honor Guard, Ministers, Mayor, Dignitaries)
- 11:30 AM Blessing at the end of the Pier + Boat Parade in Charleston Harbor
Listen live in the park and on your phone via 92.5 Kickin’ Country - 12:30 PM Opening Band performance – The Smythes
- 2:00 PM East Coast Party Band performance
- 3:00 PM Shrimp Eating Contest (presented by Top Shelf Catering & Beverage Company)
- 3:30 PM Bowers Beach Boogie Contest with East Coast Party Band (presented by Harris Teeter)
- 5:00 PM Bon Voyage!
Restaurants & Food Vendors
Enjoy delicious seafood and plenty of other festival-favorite menu items offered by some of Mount Pleasant’s favorite restaurants and caterers – come hungry! Below is a list of restaurants that participated in the 2025 festival.
- Graze
- Mazyck’s Grill
- Charleston Festival Foods
- Zeus Grill & Seafood
- Charleston Bay Gourmet
- The Caterer of Charleston
- Top Shelf Catering
- Plus vendors serving kettle korn, funnel cakes, shaved ice, ice cream, baked goods, and more.
Parking & Shuttles
There is limited parking at Memorial Waterfront Park. Handicapped-accessible spaces are available.
Park & Walk: Parking is available at the Patriots Point Soccer Complex (85 Patriots Point Road).
- 10:45 AM – 5:15 PM – Free shuttle buses run continuously throughout the day
- 5:00 PM – Last shuttles depart from the park
- Accessible – Wheelchair-accessible shuttles available from Town Hall and the Novant Health Mullis Building
- Riders are welcome to bring chairs and festival gear on the shuttle buses.
- Find Shuttle Details & Locations Here!
Event Beneficiary Information
Continuing a tradition begun by the Magwood family when the festival started in 1988, the net proceeds from the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival are donated each year to local nonprofit organizations that partner with the Town on volunteer recruitment and management for the event. The 2026 festival beneficiaries are the East Cooper Mount Pleasant Kiwanis and Lonon Foundation. Be sure to stock up on official event memorabilia during the festival; every purchase helps support these wonderful local causes!
Watch the “Behind The Blessing” video series to get a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day of Mount Pleasant’s shrimpers! Follow the Facebook event page to stay up-to-date on event information and join the discussion.
Support Our Sponsors For This Event!
Artisan Application Closed | Interested Sponsors & Vendors, email events@tompsc.com
Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival FAQ
- Are pets allowed?
This event is pet-friendly; however, several thousand people attend. There is live music, large crowds, and children playing. Please use your discretion when bringing pets into a festival environment. Only service animals are allowed on shuttles, and pets are not permitted on the Mount Pleasant Pier.
- What food and drinks are available?
Local restaurants and caterers will serve up some of the Lowcountry’s finest seafood. Food tickets are NOT needed; cash/card only to purchase food. Non-alcoholic drinks are available at most restaurant tents, the River Watch Café, and at concession vendor booths. Beer & wine is sold only in the Cooper River Room Beer Garden and at the River Watch Café. Alcohol must be in a cup or can with koozie. No glass bottles! No alcohol is allowed in the playground. Please consume responsibly! Public intoxication and other alcohol-related offenses will be enforced..
- Are there restrooms?
Restrooms are available at the Visitor’s Center, Pier Shop, and near the roundabout between the pier and the park.
- Can I bring a tent or umbrella?
Tents and large umbrellas are not permitted if they obstruct the view or movement of other attendees.
- Is the Mount Pleasant Pier open during the festival?
Yes, the pier remains open during the event. However, no pets, fishing, or bicycles are allowed during the festival. Chairs may be set up on the pier.
FIND LOCAL ARTISANS & NAME BRAND DESIGNERS
Shopping in Mount Pleasant reflects our coastal lifestyle. A casual attitude with a sophisticated style and an everlasting Southern charm. Bring a little piece of Mount Pleasant home with you.
places to stay
Stay where you play with 5-star and boutique hotels in the heart of it all. Mount Pleasant’s diverse local hospitality landscape ensures every traveler has a home away from home.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MOUNT PLEASANT
