April 2025 Festivals and Events with Charleston County Parks

Starlight Yoga

Thursday, April 3, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Mount Pleasant Pier 

The moon and stars enhance this flowing yoga class. Live music provided. Participants will receive a special glow in the dark prize. What to expect: This class is open to all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking and restrooms available. Class is held at the end of the pier with cement tabby surface.

Fee: $12-$14
Ages: 10 and up 
15395

Toast Under the Oaks

Thursday, April 3, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Johns Island County Park

Enjoy Toast Under the Oaks while exploring Johns Island County Park. Guests will enjoy wine, beer and live music, while experiencing the beauty of this 738-acre park. Food truck fare will be available for purchase on site. 

Fee: $20-$25

Ages: 21 and up
https://ccprc.com/3527/Toast-Under-the-Oaks

Charleston County Parks Foundation Golf Tournament

Monday, April 7, 10 a.m.

Charleston National Golf Club

Don’t miss out on a round of golf, a delicious lunch, door prizes, a cocktail reception, and fun while supporting a great cause – the Charleston County Parks Foundation. This shotgun start, captains-choice tournament will be held at Charleston National Golf Club.

$160 per person or $600 per team

https://ccprc.com/3733/Golf-Tournament

Lowcountry Cajun Festival
Saturday, April 12, Noon – 6 p.m.

James Island County Park

Bring your family and friends and come experience a full day of Louisiana culture with Zydeco music, hot crawfish, and an all-around ragin’ Cajun good time! Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Visit charlestoncountyparks.com for more information.

Fee: $35 per vehicle – limited admission available

https://ccprc.com/137/Lowcountry-Cajun-Festival

Sunrise Yoga

Saturday, April 12, 6;30 – 7:30 a.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center

Stretch your body, awaken your mind, and fuel your spirit in this uplifting, intention-setting yoga class to enhance your day ahead. This class is open to all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking and restrooms available. Class held on a grassy meadow.

Fee: $10-$12
Ages: 10 and up
15397

Dancing on the Cooper: Mason Dixon Band
Friday, April 25, 7 – 10 p.m.            

Mount Pleasant Pier

Enjoy scenic views of the Charleston Harbor while dancing to live classic country and southern rock music from Mason Dixon Band. Live music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Fee: $10 – $15

Ages: 4 and up

https://ccprc.com/1175/Dancing-on-the-Cooper

Sunrise Yoga

Saturday, April 26, 6:30 – 7:30 a.m.
Folly Beach County Park

Stretch your body, awaken your mind, and fuel your spirit in this uplifting, intention-setting yoga class to enhance your day ahead. This class is open to all levels, including beginners. Accessible parking and restrooms available. Class is held on a grassy meadow.

Fee: $10-$12
Ages: 10 and up
15398

APRIL 2025 Programs

Beginners Night at the Climbing Wall

Thursday, April 3, 5 – 7 p.m.

James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Embark on an exhilarating journey at our “Beginner’s Night” at The Climbing Wall. This event is tailored for those stepping into the climbing world for the first time, promising an evening of excitement and shared experiences. Our friendly and knowledgeable instructors will guide you through the essentials, from harnessing up to conquering your first climbing challenges. The atmosphere will buzz with positive energy as you connect with fellow beginners, creating memories and building confidence together. Join us for a night filled with laughter, encouragement, and the joy of discovering the thrill of climbing. It’s not just an introduction; it’s a vibrant and welcoming kickoff to your climbing journey. Registration includes harness and shoe rental.
 Fee: $15
Ages: 18 and up 
16107

Seashore Exploration

Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. – Noon
Isle of Palms County Park
Spring is a great time to explore the beach. Join an experienced naturalist to familiarize yourself with many species that may be found there. We’ll search for artifacts and living creatures along the beach such as molluscs, sponges, corals, and more. Share in the discovery by learning intriguing stories about adaptations that allow for life near the ocean. What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the Park Center where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first-come, first served basis. This program takes place on a sandy beach and requires periods of slow walking, standing, and gazing upwards or downwards to observe wildlife.    

Fee: $10
Ages: 9 and up 
16020

Belay Basics

Sunday, April 6, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
Learn the ropes with our “Belay Basics” class, a comprehensive guide to the essential skill of top rope belaying in rock climbing. In this hands-on session, our experienced instructors will walk you through the fundamentals of belaying techniques, equipment usage, and safety protocols. Whether you’re a novice or looking to refresh your skills, this class is designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to securely manage the rope for your climbing partner. Join us for a practical and engaging session, where you’ll master the art of belaying, enhancing your climbing experience for you and your partner. Gear up and get ready to elevate your climbing skills! 
Fee: $25
Ages: 14 and up 
15620

Climbing Technique Essentials                                  

Sunday, April 6, 12 – 2:30 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone
There’s a lot to learn about climbing; getting your footing, learning the lingo, and starting out can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re new to climbing, or just trying to get past the crux on your project, our Intro to Climbing Technique class will help you reach your climbing goals. This 90-minute class will help kick off your new adventure with a 1:6 instructor to student ratio and lots of small group and partner work. Instruction takes place on both ropes and boulders, and the class will include your gear rental, too!
Fee: $25
Ages: 14 and up 
15630

Gator Tales         

Tuesday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park – Park Center 
Join us as we search for alligators and separate fact from fiction to learn why these large reptiles carry the special title of “keystone species.” Alligators captivate us with their ancient features, remarkable survival skills, and dangerous potential. Join us to learn about many of their fascinating behaviors and features while learning how you can keep yourself and alligators safe! What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available at this park. The trails are paved and flat and the program speed is moderate to slow. Benches are located along the program route.

Fee: $10
Ages: 12 and up 
16022

Lighthouse Inlet Bird Walk
Friday, April 11, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
This walk focuses on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island. Once the home of a Coast Guard station, this Heritage Preserve protects maritime forest, beach, dune, and marsh habitats for wildlife. This site boasts one of the largest bird lists in South Carolina. At this time of year, we hope to see spring arrivals such as Painted Buntings and Wilson’s Plovers, plus much more. What to expect: This program is open to birders of all levels, including beginners. No accessible parking available. No restrooms are available. The park includes a paved surface that leads to natural, unimproved surface out to a sandy beach.For more information, visit our website. 

Fee: $9
Ages 12 and up (chaperone required for ages 15 and under) 
16016

Johns Island Youth Pickleball Clinic Ages 8-14

Friday, April 11, 1 – 3 p.m.
Tennis Court at Haut Gap Middle School 
No experience required. Clinic will focus on the fundamentals of the game. Participants will learn how to effectively hit the ball, maintain a rally, keep score, and become familiar with the basic rules of the game.

Fee: $5

Ages: 8 – 14 years
15953

Caw Caw: Walking on History

Saturday, April 12, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center

The Stono Rebellion, the largest uprising of people who were enslaved in the British colonies, took place in 1739 within a 15-mile radius of the Caw Caw Interpretive Center. Come and walk on the actual ground where a key event in the rebellion occurred. After the tour, a discussion of the event and the implications will be held. The Stono Rebellion changed the face of slavery and the consequences of the uprising centered the Gullah Geechee community. Join us for this very special walk. What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available at this location. The program route is a flat loop and benches are available along the trail route. The trails are unpaved. The program speed is moderately slow.

Fee: $10
Ages: 15 and up 

15607

Lead Climbing Essentials

Sunday, April 13, 1 – 4 p.m.
James Island County Park – Outdoor Zone 
Embark on the next level of climbing mastery with our “Lead Climbing Essentials” class, tailored for those ready to elevate their skills and conquer new heights. This dynamic course delves into the intricacies of lead climbing, focusing on advanced techniques, risk management, and mental resilience. Our expert instructors will guide you through the fundamentals of clipping, rope management, and route reading, preparing you to take the lead on both indoor and outdoor climbs. Join a community of aspiring lead climbers, push your boundaries, and experience the exhilaration of ascending vertical challenges with confidence. Gear up for a transformative journey into the world of lead climbing where each ascent becomes a personal triumph! In order to gain the most knowledge from this class, you should be able to climb a 5.9 route.
Fee: $40
Ages: 14 and up 
15624

Johns Island Spring Break Bash

Wednesday, April 16, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
RR Complex at Haut Gap Middle School 
Celebrate the 5th Annual Community Spring Break Bash. Join us for live music, food, games, and more! No registration is required for this event and it is free to the public. For more information, contact Tonya Brown (843) 343-2153 or David Campbell (843) 300-7893.

Fee: Free
Ages: any 
15952

Homeschool in the Parks: Dragonfly Spy
Friday, April 18, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Palmetto Islands County Park – Meadow Tent
Darners, Hawks and Skimmers are just a few of the dragonflies you can spy at your Charleston County Parks. Bring your sense of adventure and be ready to learn more about these fast-flying insects. What to expect: Accessible parking is available at this site. Accessible restrooms are available at the meadow and accessible picnic tables are dispersed throughout the park. The park contains paved and unpaved trails and benches are placed alongside the trails. Most of this program takes place under an open-aired tent. Children will be invited to participate in catching dragonflies with an insect net which can require short running or jogging periods.
Fee: $7 
Ages: 6 – 12 years 
15984    

Early Birding

Saturday, April 19, 6:30 – 8:30 a.m
Stono River County Park – Park Center Parking Lot

Even the best birders were “fledglings” at one time. Join a naturalist to learn birding essentials, like proper gear and basic terminology. We’ll then take a walk to spot and identify some feathered friends. What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available at this park. Trails are paved and flat and the program speed is moderate to slow. Benches are located along the program route. Periods of standing and gazing upwards to observe wildlife are part of this program.

Fee: $9

Ages: 12 and up

16009

McClellanville Spring Break Bash

Monday, April 21, 5 – 7 p.m.
Basketball Gymnasium at Lincoln High School 
Celebrate the 5th Annual Community Spring Break Bash. Join us for live music, games, climbing wall, and egg hunting! Please bring your own basket. No registration required. Free to the public. For more information, contact Sonya Gardner at (843) 408-9425.

Fee: Free
Ages: any 
16142

Dock Discovery 

Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James Island County Park – Ashley Center 
Join one of our naturalists at the fishing dock at James Island County Park. We’ll explore the marsh edges, the organisms that live underwater on the dock itself, and even microscopic plankton that drift their way down the creek. A net specially designed to trap tiny planktonic organisms will be used and microscopes will be set up at an indoor location to allow us to view this seldom seen world. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available at this park. A portion of this program will take place in the salt marsh on a dock. Walking pace will be slow to moderate, and the trails are paved.

Fee: $9
Ages: 12 and up 
16023

Seashore Exploration

Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – Noon
Folly Beach County Park – Dunes House
Spring is a great time to explore the beach. Join an experienced naturalist to familiarize yourself with many species that may be found there. We’ll search for artifacts and living creatures along the beach such as molluscs, sponges, corals, and more. Share in the discovery by learning intriguing stories about adaptations that allow for life near the ocean. Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and accessible water fountains are available near the Park Center where the program begins and ends. An accessible route to a natural sand beach is present and beach wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first-come, first served basis.

Fee: $10
Ages: 9 and up 
16021

Junior Naturalist: The Art of Being A Naturalist

Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Bring your curiosity and engage all of your senses while exploring natural habitats at your county parks! Led by Charleston County Park’s Education staff, the multi-seasonal Junior Naturalist program series offers a wide variety of fun and educational nature-based activities focused around a central theme. Children who attend 8 classes earn the title of a Certified Junior Naturalist! Throughout time, nature has inspired people’s artistic expressions. Accompany us as we connect with nature and explore various creative art concepts. Bring your creativity and we will supply the rest! What to expect: Accessible parking, accessible restrooms, accessible water fountains, and accessible picnic tables are available at the Welcome Center where the program begins and ends. The park includes natural, unpaved trails that are mostly flat. The program route is a loop and benches are available along the trail route.

Fee: $10
Ages: 8 to 12 

15663

North Carolina Rock Climbing Adventure
Saturday, April 26 – Sun, April 27, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Embark on a vertical adventure in the stunning mountains of North Carolina. Join our experienced guides for an immersive journey that seamlessly blends the thrill of rock climbing with the tranquility of camping in the heart of nature. Scale rock faces suited to all skill levels and unwind at our campsite surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. Share stories around the campfire, stargaze, and immerse yourself in the perfect blend of outdoor exploration and camaraderie. Transportation, camping gear and rock climbing gear provided. Participants should bring their own food but we provide stoves and cookware. A suggested packing list will be provided. 
Fee: $300
Ages: 18 and up16007