The weather isn’t the only thing that is heating up this time of year. For art lovers in the Lowcountry, this is the season that kicks off some of the hottest arts festivals around.
First up is the North Charleston Arts Fest. Now in its 34th year, this annual arts festival features top artists and performers from across the country in a 9-day long showcase. From April 29 to May 7, you can explore the latest and greatest work, while meeting the inspirational people who made it all happen. 
Next is Spoleto Festival USA, one of the world’s leading performing arts festivals. This 17-day event features performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Not one to be confined to a single location, performances are spread out across the Holy City in 15 different venues, including historical theaters, churches and outdoor spaces. The festival kicks off May 27 and lasts through June 12.
Focusing primarily on artists in the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto Festival is the perfect complement to the international scope of its parent festival, Spoleto Festival USA. Presenting more than 500 performing, literary and visual arts events, Piccolo Spoleto Festival runs the same time as Spoleto Festival USA, from May 27 to June 12. While this festival presents professional work of the highest standard, it focuses on accessibility and community participation in the arts, ensuring nearly half of its events are admission free.
