The 2nd Sunday on King Street Community April 2026

April 11, 2026Experiences, Shopping, ArtSusan Lucas

Thanks for the memories

February 10, 2026ArtSusan Lucas

Jaime Emfinger with Meraki Photo by Jaime sent us the best gift, a professional photoshoot of 2nd Sunday on King Street. A relative newcomer, this talented photographer is going to make a big splash. Meet Jaime at the 2nd Sunday VIP Tent in front of the Apple Store March 8.

At the Gaillard 2026 When the Trees Become the Monuments

February 8, 2026Artist Spotlight, Experiences, ArtSusan Lucas

Monuments by Craig Walsh February 27–March 31, 2026 | Nightly from 6:30pm to 10:00pm (free and open to the public)

In 2026, the Charleston Gaillard Center will present artist Craig Walsh's Monuments—a striking outdoor installation that honors local community members who make an extraordinary impact in quiet ways.

This spring, Charleston’s idea of a monument changes.

Instead of bronze figures on pedestals, Monuments turns living trees into portraits of real community members — projected onto bark and branches after dark. The free outdoor installation runs February 27 – March 31, 2026 at the Gaillard Center grounds.

Walsh’s work honors people who rarely receive formal recognition: educators, advocates, mentors, caregivers — the civic infrastructure of a city. Rather than memorializing distant history, it highlights the people actively shaping Charleston right now.

Set near the future Anson Street African Burial Memorial site, the project quietly asks a question Charleston continues to wrestle with:

Who deserves to be remembered — and how?

You don’t stand in front of these monuments.

You walk among them.

Free · Nightly · Outdoors

Palmetto City Ballet

February 7, 2026Art, Artist Spotlight, Guess Who’s ComingSusan Lucas

Meet the fabulous Palmetto City Ballet in front of Lululemon at 279 King Street.

SEWE at Second Sunday

February 6, 2026Art, Dogs, Experiences, ShoppingSusan Lucas

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) will be at 2nd Sunday on King Street in Charleston on Sunday, February 8th, offering attendees the opportunity to purchase SEWE Day Tickets and official SEWE lanyards in person. With online Day Ticket sales closed, this is a convenient way to secure your tickets ahead of the event.

SEWE representatives will be on hand to answer questions, share event details, and provide SEWE show brochures and information about what to expect during the weekend celebration of wildlife art, conservation, and sporting traditions.

Stop by the SEWE table during 2nd Sunday to grab your tickets and lanyards and get ready for SEWE the following weekend! They’ll be near 237 King Steet, Amalfi of Florence.

A Lithophane Nightlight Christmas

January 4, 2026Shopping, ArtSusan Lucas

What an excellent choice these Lowcountry Lithophane Nightlights were for family, friends and corporate gifting! We used fancy monograms, Finnish symbols and photographs to create custom pieces for each recipient. We included a statement with each piece and the gratitude flowed. Thank you Blane Shirley for your unique historical creations and excellent customer service.

The hit gift of our Christmas season. You are the designer, making these an especially personal gift.

2nd Sunday on King Street November 9th

November 8, 2025Art, Books, Charleston Made, Dogs, Experiences, FlowersSusan Lucas

Here’s a special offer from Tate Nation on his birthday (we won’t say which one).

Best gift ever! The luminous art of lithophanes.

The Lowcountry Nosh returns.

Tomorrow is the second Sunday of the month, and you know what that means—2nd Sunday on King Street! From Queen to Calhoun—pedestrians rule the street and the whole Charleston peninsula buzzes with activity, transforming one of America’s best shopping streets into a vibrant, open-air celebration of Charleston’s rich culture.

The food scene is equally impressive, with everything from lobster rolls and pierogis to oysters, barbecue, ice cream, and fresh baked sourdough. Many restaurants offer outdoor dining, making it easy to enjoy a meal al fresco while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

Street musicians perform throughout the event, and local artists and galleries often have special demonstrations and exhibits from noon to 5:00 PM.

Join your friends and neighbors—and their dogs—for the perfect blend of shopping, dining, music, atmosphere and surprises that make Charleston special.

Shopping, culture, food, fun at 2nd Sunday on King Street.

The Weekend with Tate Nation

November 8, 2025Art, Artist SpotlightSusan Lucas

Mount Pleasant is the place for a running tradition, the Old Village Harbor 5K Saturday, November 8 sponsored by Tate Nation.

Followed by… “2nd Sunday falls on my birthday, November 9th, I want to celebrate by doing a special thing ‘My birthday / You get the gift!’. I’ll give a free “Crab” poster to the first 20 people who stop by my space and mention that they saw my post or 2nd Sunday’s! 🥳🎈🦀 🎉 “ 257 King Street.

Happy Birthday, Tate!

The Luminous Art of Lithophanes rescheduled for November 9th

November 5, 2025Art, Artist Spotlight, Guess Who’s ComingSusan Lucas

Lowcountry lithophanes — Lithophane Nightlight

There’s something magical about holding a seemingly ordinary piece of porcelain up to the light and watching a detailed image emerge from within. This is the world of lithophanes—sculptures that reveal hidden images when backlit, transforming varying thicknesses of translucent material into gradients of light and shadow. The word “lithophane” comes from Greek, literally meaning “light in stone.” These works of art are created by carving or molding translucent porcelain into panels of varying thickness. Thicker areas appear darker when backlit, while thinner sections allow more light through, creating a grayscale image that glows from within.

Lithophanes emerged in early 19th-century Europe. The mid-to-late 1800s marked their golden age, when they adorned Victorian homes as window panels, lampshades, and fire screens—serving as affordable art for the middle class. Traditional lithophanes required exceptional skill, with artisans carefully carving molds to create varying depths. Today, 3D printing and digital tools have revived the art form, making creation accessible to modern artists while preserving the enchanting effect.

What makes lithophanes captivating after nearly two centuries? Perhaps it’s the hidden image waiting to be revealed, or the mastery required to transform solid material into ethereal light and shadow—quiet testaments to human creativity and the timeless appeal of light itself.

At the 2nd Sunday Hospitality Tent (in front of the Apple Store): Meet Blane Shirley, Owner, Lowcountry Lithophanes and see some of his mesmerizing products.

Shakespeare on the Steps at 2nd Sunday

June 6, 2025Art, Experiences, TheatreSusan Lucas

The Charleston Library Society will present Shakespeare on the Steps at 2nd Sunday on King Street.

The front steps transform into a stage for a plein air, abbreviated Shakespearean performance. This noteworthy production represents a continuing collaboration between Charleston Library Society’s Special Collections and Igoe Shakespeare Library, and the Theatre and Dance Department. This year’s offering: “Dark Magic: Shakespeare’s Antagonists and Alchemists,” a collection of speeches, scenes, and sonnets from The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and more.

Shakespeare on the Steps is a walk-up-and-watch performance. Join the large and lively standing crowd to turn out for this one-of-a-kind event, and have a bite to eat from one of several enticing food offerings from local trucks. 164 King Street.

Spoleto Farewell

June 6, 2025ArtSusan Lucas

Art in the park via SCOAE, on the water at the Juried Exhibition at City Gallery, on King Street at 2nd Sunday, Charleston is crazy with art! Drink it in.

November Hurricane Artists

November 9, 2024ArtSusan Lucas

2nd Sunday on King Street extended an invitation to Artisans affected by the November hurricane. And, we got some good ones! Stop in and support them on Lower King Street!

Don’t Mess With Moms. Get MADD at 2nd Sunday!

November 9, 2024Art, Charleston Made, Dogs, Flowers, ShoppingSusan Lucas

Volunteers from Mothers Against Drunk Driving will be at 2nd Sunday on King Street this weekend to promote 2024 Walk Like MADD Lowcountry.

Birth of a Nation

November 7, 2024Art, Guess Who’s ComingSusan Lucas

Tate Nation that is. Our beloved, always around and brightly colored prolific Charleston artist Tate Nation will be in front of his gallery, 257 King Street (on the bricks). Stop by and wish him a happy birthday. He’ll have prints for you to gift during the holidays. Take him a cookie!

Opera, books, little white dogs and music at 2nd Sunday

October 12, 2024Art, Dogs, Flowers, Food, MusicSusan Lucas

What you can expect at this month’s 2nd Sunday; lots of world class shopping, seeing neighbors and friends, live music, Charleston culture and so many memorable experiences.

Brian Livingston Author of The Habits of Squirrels will be at the Info Tent at Liberty Street.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with an irate squirrel.

In this charming, thoughtful meditation on all of life’s journeys, Brian Livingston finds humor, grace, and sunburn on one of the country’s great hikes. His character encounters the Trail’s eccentric inhabitants, who will help him, challenge him, and ultimately shape his journey and determine what kind of person he wants to be.

Meet Bryan, pick up a copy of his book—we have ours!—and join him on this wonderful squirrley journey.

Music

In addition to our eclectic group of talented buskers, The Charleston Vibes, the Charleston Opera Theater, The Trippentones, an encore performance by the excellent jazz trio you saw at 2nd Sunday last month, and bagpipes leading the Westie Pawrade down king street.

Join the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League (CSOL), and fellow interior design and architectural aficionados for the fall must do “do,” the 27th Annual Kiawah Island Tour of Homes. As the longest running island house tour in the Lowcountry, the Symphony Tour has become an annual fall destination for Charleston locals and hundreds of visitors to the Lowcountry.

At Wagoween, pups parade through the beautiful Charleston Place courtyard at 205 Market Street, where local celebrity judges award drool-worthy prizes across several costume categories.

Watch as the courageous K9 Unit of the Charleston Police Department demonstrates how it keeps our city safe at 1 PM. Meet Watson and Holmes, the hero horses of the Mounted Patrol and discover more Wagoween surprises!

Wagoween benefits the Charleston Police Department's courageous K9 Unit and public safety initiatives through the LENS Foundation.

Evensong at st Philip’s At 4:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month (October through May), St. Philip's offers a service of Choral Evensong, a time of contemplative worship, psalmody, and prayer. Please join; public is invited! A note about Evensong from the Rev. Brian McGreevy: The term “Evensong” is derived from the Old English ǣfensang, originally applied to the pre-Reformation service of Vespers during the Middle Ages. Contemplative in tone, the liturgy for this service has remained essentially unchanged for some 500 years, and connects us to the countless host of saints who have gone before.

Toppl in to Woof Gang on 2nd Sunday

September 7, 2024Art, Dogs, MusicSusan Lucas

Customers can bring their own Toppl or purchase one at the store. Woof Gang will have yummy stuffings and treats to try so guests can get creative with their Toppl while preparing a yummy enrichment treat for their dog. 341 King Street

Ryan Peterson and his Jazz Band will play at (approximately) 313 King Street.

Music by the CofC’ Trippentones at 3:00!

We’re excited about Mabel Mae’s Bakery all natural baked goods. We hear her stuff is amazing!! Look for Mabel Mae’s around Beaufain Street.

Lil tuft, she’s a rug maker. Such cute rugs!! We’re after the sardine can!

It’s Not Raining Inside Candlefish and it’s Restaurant Week!

September 7, 2024Art, Charleston Made, Dogs, Experiences, Fine Dining, FlowersSusan Lucas

If it’s raining, you can duck the raindrops inside at The Restoration, corner of King & Wentworth. Choose Coffee at The Rise, lunch at The Watch Rooftop, or their beautiful library space off the lobby. Hazel Twenty Boutique on Wentworth Street is right next door. Here’s a list of more ideas:

367 King DFTI

356 Craft DIY

354 State and Liberty

345 King Street Kenny Flowers

341 King Street Woof Gang

338 Francesca’s

337 King Street Rusty Bull

333 King Street Chubbies

300 King Street My Sisters Cottage

273 King Street Collared Greens

270 King Street Candlefish

231 King Street Spartina

208 King Street AW Shucks

200 King Street Peyton William

171 King Street Beau and Ro

161 King Street Charleston Shoe

And at 51 George Street House of Sage

Also at 2nd Sunday in July

July 14, 2024Art, Food, Guess Who’s ComingSusan Lucas

At the Information Tent kookoomonkey will hold a raffle to benefit Meowdog Rescue. Purchase a ticket to win a sweatshirt with your school/logo design on it from kookoo!

No dairy, no problem! Nautical Bowls serves cool and healthy açaí bowls for you in front of Lululemon at 279 King Street.

Of course you’ll want a lobster roll! Look for our friends &Lobster at Beaufain Street, right next to James Browns Famous Peanuts.

The International African American Museum is open today from 10-5:00 at 14 Wharfside Street. Get out of the heat and into history. The experience is profound.

Summer Food: 2nd Sunday is all about it!

July 13, 2024Art, Food, Music, ShoppingSusan Lucas

Tempest Restaurant Ocean Rolls will be at Market & King. What’s an Ocean Roll? Nori milk bread, whipped butter, furikake. You’re welcome! Grab your ocean rolls and walk across to the Riviera marquee, where Crews Subaru will display their 2025 Subaru Forrester for the summer life-saving raffle.

Empanada Cuisines, Heavenly Cheesecakes by Tony, Food Art Catering and more… Just South of Market Street.

Rodney Scott and Hero Doughnuts, not one but two ice cream creators. So much to tempt you all the way up and down King Street. Save room there’s pie

June 9th 2nd Sunday with art, culture, music, food and you!

June 8, 2024Art, Charleston Made, Dogs, Fine Dining, Flowers, ShoppingSusan Lucas

Woof Gang Bakery will have their pup-ular Dog Cooling Station again this month along with 15% off life vests and Soggy Doggy products. 341 King Street.

Sweetgrass Artist Karen Smalls Horlback is cueing up to be part of 2nd Sunday. Look for her Sweetgrass inspired pieces in the tradition of her family and heritage.

Loblolly Farm will be here with a fun, Next Big Thing game you won’t want to resist. Look for them around the Antique store at 191 King Street and get ready to play!

Piccolo Spoleto Artists will be in Marion Square for their last hurrah of the season. Look for our pal and 2024 Piccolo Spoleto Poster Artist Tate Nation up that way along with so many local artists who stay just to make 2nd Sunday even better!

Charleston Library Society will partner with College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance to present Stelle di Domani, their annual Piccolo Spoleto offering. Don’t miss this special Shakespearian experience that returns for its second year! The front steps of the Charleston Library Society serve as a stage for a plein air, abbreviated performance of “In Love and Death”. This noteworthy production represents a continuing collaboration between Charleston Library Society’s Special Collections, Igoe Shakespeare Library and the Theatre and Dance Department. Bring a chair and your friends to experience live theatre during your Second Sunday stroll. Shakespeare on the Steps is a walk-up-and-watch performance that is free and open to the public! 2:00 pm. 164 King Street.

Introducing Miss Cocky! Joining us for the first time, this Miss Cocky has the newest arrivals of game day apparel, accessories and gifts. Show your spirit with Miss Cocky!

Xfinity, Zola Vida and Playful Pack return to 2nd Sunday this weekend and we’re grateful for their support.