There’s plenty going on this Memorial Day Weekend in Charleston, and our weekly roundup of fun events is here to prove it. Attend a world-renowned arts festival, see a country music concert, learn about bears and campsites, and more! Whatever you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company wish you a safe and happy weekend!

Each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills the Holy City’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists and emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and music. Approaching its 42nd season, this 17-day event is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. Spoleto starts on May 25th this year and runs through June 10th. Attend the Opening Night Fête Friday at Bedon’s Alley at 8pm, where you’ll toast the Miami City Ballet and the opening of the 2018 season with refreshing cocktails, delicious tropical food, and live music.

Held concurrently with Spoleto, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to the international festival, primarily focusing on artists from the Southeast region. The 39th annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition takes place in Marion Square starting this Friday. The exhibition features the work of more than 70 fine artists in a free, open-air venue the entire family can enjoy. South Carolina’s premier artists will set up their “art camp” for 17 days during Spoleto, and visitors will have a unique opportunity to watch daily painting demonstrations and personally connect with the artists.

Also on Friday night, Budweiser hosts its Salute to Service Memorial Day Concert to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. The concert takes place from 6pm until 10pm at Joe Riley Stadium and features country artists Brothers Osborne, Logan Mize, and Chase Bryant. General admission tickets are $30 for the general public and $20 for active duty military. This event benefits Folds of Honor, a charitable organization with a mission to empower military families by providing educational scholarships to the children and spouses of our fallen and disabled service members while serving our nation.

If you have a beard to beat all beards, get down to the Music Farm this Saturday at 7pm for the 9th Annual Southeastern Beard and Moustache Championships. The Holy City Beard & Moustache Society has raised over $65,000 for local charities over the past 8 years, and this weekend’s event will add to that number. This year’s Championship will benefit Big Brothers & Big Sisters of the Lowcountry. Come out and enjoy a pre-party Friday night at the Tattooed Moose, BBQ lunch on Saturday, competition on Saturday night, and a farewell brunch Sunday morning at Holy City Brewing.

If camping is in your plans for the summer, you might want to attend Charles Towne Landing’s Bear Awareness Day this Saturday at 2pm. Novice and expert campers and everyone in between will join the Animal Forest keepers to learn how to make a campsite less attractive to wildlife like bears and raccoons. There will even be a demonstration by the bears on what happens when you don’t follow good camping practices!