About Spoleto Festival USA
Following its 1958 Italian predecessor, Spoleto Festival USA was founded in 1977 with a singular mission: to bring worldwide artistry to the masses. Founded by composer Gian Carlo Menotti with the support of Christopher Keene and local leaders, the first Spoleto Festival USA season intentionally included Charleston, to serve as an American counterpart to Menotti’s arts festival in Italy. What began as an ambitious cross-continental effort has evolved into a cultural melting pot of fine art, music, and entertainment. If you like jazz, Terrence Blanchard and Sullivan Fortner are performing. Mary Queen of Scots will take the ballet stage. And live performances at the Cistern Yard promise to bring heart to the crowd. Don’t miss these events and more in the Holy City.
When: May 22nd through June 7th, 2026
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
- St. Matthews Lutheran Church
- Charleston Gaillard Center
- College of Charleston Sottile Theater
- Dock Street Theatre
- Festival Hall
- Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston
- Simons Center Recital Hall at College of Charleston
- College of Charleston Cistern Yard
- Charleston Music Hall
- The Cooper
Tickets and Information: 2026 Season | Spoleto Festival USA 2026
Follow the Dance and Music
Immerse yourself in classical orchestras, choirs, and chamber ensembles with Mozart’s Mass in C Minor and Appalachian Spring and American Classics.
Some of the other chosen pieces also include Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5, Bank of America Chamber Music, Mahler Symphony No. 1 and The Chorus Concerts. Get your fill of classical notes, talented musicians, and standing ovations each night and leave with unforgettable memories.
If you prefer something unique, The Old Maid and The Thief offers an authentic approach to the comedic radio opera, written in 1939 by Gian Carlo Menotti, the festival’s founder. This will be the first time the production is performed on stage since its inception. Don’t miss out; experience the ingenious storytelling set in the golden age of radio.
There’s also celebrations of heritage and dance from artists such as Mali Obomsawin, Peditro Martinez Group and Humans 2.0 by Circa. Circa presents a defying show, while Mali brings indigenous tradition to modern jazz. And Peditro’s group returns for a third time to bring audiences out of their seats.
The performances will be the talk of Charleston so get tickets before they are sold out.
Live at the Cistern
Folk-rock, bluegrass, and country artists are set to attend and entertain live at the Cistern Yard at the College of Charleston. From well-known names such as Emmylou Harris and Molly Tuttle to the Indigo Girls, who are making their Spoleto debut, there’s an artist for everyone.
Punch Brothers will return to open the festival here, known for their inventive, boundary breaking blends. The Mountain Goats with guitarists duo William Tyler and Yasmin Williams are listed to return to perform their story based folk-rock on May 31st as well.
Free Community Programs
Explore Charleston’s history with the sights, sounds and stories through free shows such as Tell Your Story and The Untold Story of Porgy and Bess. Tell Your Story features new works with vocals of locals drawing you into the personal narrative through imagery and sound.
The Gullah roots and old Charleston come to life in The Untold Story of Porgy and Bess, an operatic look into the history of the city around the 1920s. This production highlights the struggles of the Jim Crow Era for anyone who enjoys history and stories of hardship.
27 State Street: The Ultimate Summer Getaway
Tell them you slept in history during the festival. Whether you are taking some time to shop on King Street, or walking the French Quarter, 27 State Street is ready to welcome visitors as one of the many reminders of Charleston’s past. Rest comfortably and enjoy all that the city has to offer. Spoleto is an amazing opportunity to stay in and experience the history of Charleston, South Carolina in the French Quarter.