Charleston Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Charleston, West Virginia - WV, USA)

Each year there are numerous events staged in and around the West Virginian city of Charleston. These include everything from open-air summer music festivals, family themed activities, the July 4th Independence Day celebrations and the Springfest Fun Day, to indoor exhibitions, markets, street fairs, concerts, fireworks and many other things to do, which are often based alongside the Kanawha River or within the Capitol Grounds.

Located close to the West Virginia Capitol complex, the University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field regularly plays host to some of Charleston's biggest sporting events, such as athletics and football. The stadium is capable of seating more than 18,000 spectators and opened back in the late 1970s. Also of note are the frequent baseball games staged at the Appalachian Power Park on Morris Street.

February sees the arrival of the annual Charleston Grumble Run. This takes place on the weekend following Valentine's Day and is a very relaxed 3-mile / 5 km road race, which many people choose to walk, stopping off along the way for ice cream and coffee breaks.

Charleston Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

Each year at the end of April, the West Virginia Dance Festival is a particularly popular event, with local dance students performing at the West Virginia State Theater.

At the beginning of May, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences regularly chooses to stage a musical of some kind. Soon after, on Memorial Day weekend, literally thousands of visitors come to enjoy the Vandalia Gathering within the grounds of Charleston's State Capitol, where live music, dancing, storytelling, handicrafts and food stalls are all highlights, as well as the completely free admission.

When the first weekend of June makes its appearance in the capital, Symphony Sunday takes place. First held in the early 1980s, Symphony Sunday offers performances by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on the lawn outside of the University of Charleston. The festival is usually closed by a performance of the patriotic 'Stars and Stripes Forever' and a huge fireworks display.

Towards the end of June each year (on West Virginia Day), FestivALL comes to town with many completely free events. These include the Mayor's Concert, theatrical performances staged by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company, an art fair along Capitol Street, a Dance Gala at the Culture Center Theater, and concerts at the Clay Center. Also of note during FestivALL is the Wine and All That Jazz event at the University of Charleston, where you can enjoy renowned jazz artists and some of the best wine produced at vineyards around the state of West Virginia.

This is followed in late September by the historic Daily Mail Kanawha County Majorette and Band Festival, which started in the late 1940s and is held on an annual basis at the University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field. This is now the longest-running of all the state's music festivals and reliably draws large crowds, with people coming to see the high school bands and talented majorette groups from around Kanawha County.