Outdoor Family Events & Park Activities · Charleston · Oct 30 – Nov 5

This McLeod foodways presentation explores why Charleston's plantation table, though deeply connected to the Caribbean, did not fully preserve the bold tropical flavors of Barbados and the wider West Indies. The program examines how ingredients were limited by English food memory, South Carolina's environment and...

Live, local music in the gardens every Friday and Saturday afternoon, 3-6 PM. Free and open to the public - bring a picnic and find a seat.

Step inside the shelter at the Structure 2 excavation and discover what archaeologists have unearthed, thus far, at the site of one of Charles Towne’s most dynamic lots. Talk with a park educator about the intriguing finds that have been made here over the past decade and what the evidence tells us about the people...

Come join us for a festive fall evening where costumes are encouraged and fun is guaranteed! Enjoy an abundance of candy, delicious food, exciting games, and much more with your family and friends. Registration is not required to attend. — Location: Lincoln Rec Ctr

Celebrate Halloween with an evening of climbing, costumes, and spooky fun! Experience our climbing walls under festive lighting while enjoying music, decorations, and other seasonal surprises in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Costumes are encouraged (provided they can be worn safely with a climbing harness), and...

Ideas about what it means to be clean and how best to achieve it have changed dramatically over the centuries. Join a park educator to learn why the once-popular practice of bathing fell out of fashion in Europe during the early modern period. Discover the techniques that seventeenth-century Europeans and their...

Come meet our animal ambassadors; they’re quite diplomatic. This program series will feature a diverse array of animal ambassadors which will help provide insights into their natural habitats, behaviors, and conservation needs. Each week we will offer a different program, so make your plans now and don’t miss...

To create a stimulating environment for our zoo animals, keepers use enrichment. Enrichment is an item or change to a habitat to stimulate and engage the animal in natural behaviors. Peanut butter biscuits for the bears, scented burlaps for the pumas, and pool toys for the otters; all different things keepers may...

Rats, snakes, poop, animal bones, and garbage may seem gross, but archaeologists view them as evidence! Discover how gross, grimy, and discarded remains found at Charles Towne can reveal surprising stories about the people, animals, work, and daily life of the settlement 350 years ago. Get ready to investigate some...

A weekly open-air market celebrating local flower farms, food vendors (King of Pops, Charleston Tea & Spice, and more), and live music. Sundays 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM through Nov 8. Free to attend.

Free outdoor movie night on the Grand Lawn at American Gardens. Arrive 5:30 PM for snacks, local vendors, and kid-friendly pre-show activities; the movie starts at 6 PM. Bring blankets and chairs. No outside alcohol; nearest restrooms at Charleston Place.

Embrace Your Creativity in Nature! Prepare to unleash your artistic side in the park as you discover the marvels of the natural world with Eco-Explorers! Each week, we will present a new theme through an engaging story, explore the wonders of nature, and channel our creativity by crafting something inspired by...

Full-day Election Day camp for ages 5-12 at the St. Andrew's Gymnasium while schools are closed. Register ahead.

Storytime walk through the gardens.