Charleston Gears Up for City Paper Music Awards and 2025 Wine + Food Festival

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Charleston Celebrates Local Talent at the City Paper Music Awards

Charleston is buzzing with excitement as the City Paper Music Awards are just around the corner! This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for residents to shine a light on the best local musicians and creative minds in the Holy City. What makes this event even more special is that you, the audience, get to cast your votes for your favorite performers. Voting is open now through October 22, so it’s time to show your support!

How to Vote

vote.charlestoncitypaper.com and let your opinions be heard once a day until the deadline. It’s a great way to engage with the vibrant music community in Charleston and celebrate the talent that makes this city so unique.

Support Local Journalism

800 locations around the city. What’s even better? You can sign up for a free daily newsletter that brings the latest local news directly to your inbox each morning. It’s a fantastic way to stay informed!

Exciting News for Food Lovers: Charleston Wine + Food Festival 2025

Tickets for the 2025 Charleston Wine + Food Festival will be going on sale October 24 at 11 a.m. This year’s festival, happening from March 5 to March 9, aims to improve upon the successes and setbacks of its previous iteration. If you remember the challenges the festival faced in March 2024, like high tides and unexpected rainfall, then you’ll appreciate the extra measures being taken this time around!

Learning from Experience

The CHSWF team has thoughtfully considered how they can switch venues and develop contingency plans to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. As Alyssa Maute Smith, the festival’s executive director, put it, “It’s a beauty to live so close to the water. But water will always win.” This time, they are utilizing more versatile venues that allow for quick changes should the weather not cooperate.

What to Expect

80 events to explore, including signature dinners, bar takeovers, and the much-loved Culinary Village, there’s something for everyone. Individual tickets start at around $85, so you can pick and choose your favorites. Smith always recommends the festival’s signature dinners. They offer an amazing experience to taste a restaurant’s menu in a whole new way!

If you enjoy brunch or early lunches, you won’t want to miss the tasty options available. If big crowds aren’t your thing, don’t worry! The signature events hold fewer attendees but boast the same vibrant energy. Plus, there are wonderful beverage workshops and cooking classes that will dive into everything from American cider to Lowcountry specialties led by local legends.