Ready to dance the weekend away?

The Charleston Carifest will host events starting Thursday, June 29 through Saturday, July 1 to celebrate Caribbean culture in the Lowcountry.

The three-day celebration will consist of various events with keynote speakers, Caribbean food, Soca and Reggae music, and costumes with education and culture.

The nonprofit organization behind the celebration is the South Carolina Caribbean Culture and Heritage Inc. Established in 2006, its mission is to unearth, study, preserve, and promote the cultural heritage of the Caribbean. Each year, they showcase a different Caribbean country at the culture festival. This year will highlight the Bahamas.

All festival proceeds will benefit Healthy Lifestyle Network, Inc.

Thursday, June 29

Carifest Symposium & Opening Reception Beatty Center, 5 Liberty St. | 6-9 p.m. | Free | Keynote speakers include - Bahamas Ambassador to the US Hon Wendall Jones, Hon Fred Mitchell, Dr. Chris Curry, and Malika Martin.|

Friday, June 30

All White Fete | Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing, 1500 Old Towne Rd.| 6-11 p.m. | $80 | Welcome Cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, and a Cash Bar will be availible.

Saturday, July 1

Street Parade | Starting point on King St. winding through Congress St., Hagood St., and Lockwood St. to end at Brittlebank Park | 4 p.m. | Free to watch | Show up and show out at this colorful and costume filled parade.
Carnival Village| Brittle Bank Park | 3-11 p.m. | $15 | This carnival includes activities for children, arts & crafts, vendors, food, dancing, and live music.

You can purchase tickets online.