With the mercury rising and the kids out of school, summer is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy some local fun and festivities. Charleston, WV has a lot to offer for the family, and best of all, many events are free! The arts and music scene in Charleston draws quite the crowd and for good reason: each event offers activities and entertainment the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re in the mood for live musical entertainment, look no further than Live on the Levee, a series of outdoor concerts held every Friday from 5 pm to around 9:30 pm. Live on the Levee features a variety of musical styles including local and national performers. These outdoor concerts are held at the Haddad Riverfront Park along Kanawha Boulevard from May 25th until August 31st. Food, beer, wine, and t-shirts are available for purchase, but admission is free.
Charleston’s art scene has blossomed with the help of the Charleston ArtWalk, an event created to make art more accessible and boost the local economy. The Charleston ArtWalk takes place on the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 pm during which local businesses display art. The ArtWalks aren’t only about art–musical entertainment, street performers, and more participate in the monthly event. These walks are free and refreshments are provided.
Each summer, the city of Charleston holds a week long celebration of what the city has to offer. FestivALL offers musical entertainment, art shows, a wiener dog race, art parade, a variety of walking tours, and much more. Many of these events are free and family friendly. This year’s FestivALL celebration begins June 15 and ends June 24.
The Clay Center also participates in FestivALL with their Summer Fun Day on June 17. The Clay Center opens its doors for free with family crafts, games, and performances by local groups such as Capital High Dance Company and No Pants Players. From noon to 5 pm, the whole family can enjoy these free activities and performances, as well as explore the Avampato Discovery Museum which includes science exhibits, the art gallery, and planetarium and theater showings. As part of FestivALL activities, you and your family can enjoy a complimentary trolley ride to West Side Main Street’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social where you’ll get a tasty treat and more entertainment.
No celebration would be complete without good food and FestivALL offers a solution in the form of Taste-of-ALL where you can enjoy food samples from many local restaurants. Taste-of-ALL takes place on June 17 at the Charleston Civic Center from 11 to 5. Admission is free, but you must purchase tickets to enjoy the food. This event includes a cake contest, swing dance contest, and musical entertainment and performances for your enjoyment. There are plenty of activities for the little ones with games, free tree seedlings, and more.
Grab the kids and explore Charleston this summer. With a variety of events, many low cost and free, everyone is sure to be pleased.
