Spoleto Festival USA kicks off this Friday, May 23, in various Charleston historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces, and runs through Sunday, June 8, with more than 100 performances across music, dance, and theater.

With so many events to choose from, narrowing down your must-sees can feel like a challenge. If you’re short on time — or just don’t want to overthink it — start with this curated guide featuring one standout event from each genre.

Special events

Thursday, May 22 Opening Gala | Celebrate in style at the Opening Gala — indulge in cocktails, a seated dinner, live auction, and unique performances by Festival artists.

Traditions

Fri, May 23Opening Ceremony | Kick off the 49th season at this public celebration at City Hall. Pro tip: This event is free and open to the public — no ticketing required.

Opera

“Thaïs” | Experience Jules Massenet's romantic opera in this grand staging that features the Festival Orchestra and Chorus performing alongside a cast of acclaimed vocalists and dancers.

Dance

“Music from the Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay” | Enjoy a performance blending tap, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and funk. Eight dancers and five musicians pay tribute to Black dance and music traditions.

Theater

“Manual Cinema: The 4th Witch” | Shadow puppets, live-action silhouettes, and music bring Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" to life in this world premiere.

The initimate setting at Chamber of Music at Dock Street Theatre. | Photo by William Struhs provided by Spoleto Festival.

Physical theater

“Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours” | In this US premiere, eight elite acrobats perform gravity-defying feats.

Music

Bank of America Chamber Music Series | This beloved 11-part series features world-class musicians performing timeless classics and bold new works.

Wells Fargo Jazz

Cécile McLorin Salvant | Three-time Grammy winner Cécile McLorin Salvant joins her jazz trio and the Festival Orchestra for a special performance.

Front row

Corinne Bailey Rae | This soulful singer-songwriter behind hits like “Put Your Records On” opens the Front Row Series with an intimate performance.

Artist talks

Jazz talk | Join Jazz Curator Larry Blumenfeld for insightful conversations with artists from the 2025 Wells Fargo Jazz Series.