The 49th Spoleto Festival USA will take place in Charleston, South Carolina, from May 23 to June 8, 2025. This renowned 17-day performing arts festival features over 120 performances across various genres, including opera, theater, dance, jazz, chamber music, and more
Highlights of the 2025 Season
Opera: The festival will present Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw and Jules Massenet’s Thaïs, both performed by the Festival Orchestra and Chorus
Theater: Notable productions include the U.S. premiere of White Box, a multimedia performance recounting a historic Arctic expedition, and The 4th Witch by Manual Cinema, which uses puppetry and live-action silhouettes to reimagine Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Front Row Series: Outdoor concerts at the College of Charleston Cistern Yard will include artists like Patti Smith, Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams, Band of Horses, and Jeff Tweedy .
Dance: The Limón Dance Company will perform Missa Brevis accompanied by the Festival Chorus, and Music from the Sole will present I Didn’t Come to Stay, celebrating Black dance and music .
Festival Venues and Events
Performances will be held in various historic venues throughout Charleston, including the Dock Street Theatre, Charleston Gaillard Center, and College of Charleston Sottile Theatre . The festival will commence with an Opening Ceremony on May 23 at Charleston City Hall, featuring speeches, surprise performances, and festive revelry