Historic Charleston Foundation
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Festival Frequently Asked Questions
Do the house and garden tours sell out? Can we purchase tickets once we arrive in Charleston?
We will happily sell tickets to any of our tours as long as they are available. Many tours do sell out, so we advise you to purchase your tickets well in advance. Please be advised that we have a no refunds and no exchanges policy.

Where do we park? Where is the nearest restroom?
The closest parking and restrooms will vary by tour. We are proud that Charleston is a “living” city, and our tours take place in residential neighborhoods. Therefore, public facilities and vendors within those neighborhoods are limited by city ordinances. Please take advantage of the restrooms at the Festival Ticket Office, 108 Meeting Street, prior to your tour.

Will the tour take the entire three hours allotted?
Our tours are self-paced, so it is possible for a tour to take less than three hours. We do advise that you begin promptly at the start time so you can see everything offered on that particular tour.

May we take pictures on tour?
In accordance with South Carolina state law and to protect the safety and security of our homeowners, photography is not allowed in the houses and gardens on tour.

What happens if it rains?
Our tours do go on rain or shine. If weather is a concern, please feel free to bring an umbrella.

If we want to attend two of your events in a row, will we have enough time to get to the second event?
Yes, we make sure to schedule all of our events within close proximity to one another so it is easy to walk from one event to the next.

What flowers are in bloom during the Festival?
Springtime in Charleston is beautiful, and you should expect to see various flowers in bloom throughout the Festival. While nature’s timeline is not exact, camellias are often in bloom as the Festival begins. Azaleas, as shown on the brochure cover, typically begin their blooming period at the end of March and last into April. Many varieties of roses are in bloom during the Festival, especially in April. Other blooming plants, flowers and trees that you might see include wisteria, narcissus, Confederate jasmine, redbud and dogwood trees.