Diana Lynn

After a crazy summer and settling back into the normal day-to-day routine with kids, a good solid date night in Charleston is always important to get on the books. In October it is no longer sticky hot in low country and given its rich history, and history of ghost stories, there are plenty of fun date night ideas for those who like to get in the spirit, or spooked! While I wish I could say my husband and I get out on a downtown Charleston date night weekly, we probably can escape two to three times a month. This means, we have to pick our date nights wisely! I’ve curated my top date night picks for Charleston in October below.

• Ghost & Graveyard Tour – Bulldog Tours (Daily in October): If you haven’t taken advantage of a ghost tour in downtown Charleston, now is the time to enjoy it! A great excuse to snuggle up if you get jumpy on date night. These tours are offered throughout the month, and even during the week, and most tours meet at 18 Anson St.
• Boone Hall Fright Nights (Friday-Sunday in October, some Thursdays): If you need another reason to hug your date, Fright Nights is designed to scare with three different attractions – a haunted house, circus, and hayride.
• Dessert with Death – Charleston Culinary Tours (Multiple days in October): Enjoy a 5-course dessert menu paired with spooky historical stories of Charleston. This hour and a half ‘tour’ is held at Charleston Culinary Tours State Street headquarters, in a private 19th-century dining room.
• Riverfront Revival (Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8): Turn a Charleston date night into a date weekend by seeing and listening to great line up, including Saturday’s headliner (and Revival mastermind) Darius Rucker. The venue is perfection, right on the water at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, one of my new favorite places to enjoy an event. There will be a plethora of food and drink vendors.
• Oktoberfest – Tradesman Brewing Company (Sunday, October 15): While this is more of a date ‘day’ idea, this Oktoberfest features the Dirndl Dames, food trucks, beer, music and games. Instead of flying all the way to Germany, why not take advantage of some celebrations right in our hometown?
• Clue: On Stage – Historic Dock Street Theatre (October 18 – November 5): Revisit your favorite childhood board game and enjoy Clue live, guessing who may have done it throughout the show. Who knows, maybe when you get home, you’ll extend your date night with the real game! These shows run Thursday to Sunday from mid-October to early-November.
• CF Bites! Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – The Porter Room (Friday, October 20): Support an event for a good cause inspired by one of our local children while enjoying a fun night of dancing, in costume!
• Hock-tober Fest – Stingray’s Opening Night (Saturday, October 21): I love hockey season, and the Stingray’s are celebrating opening night with a pregame party before the puck drops with beer, food, music, and free parking.
• Halloween Comedy Show – New Realm Brewing (Thursday, October 26): Instead of being scared this Halloween season, laugh with your loved one during a Halloween-themed comedy show. There is a costume contest mid-show if you are looking to get creative with your honey.

What do you have on the list for this October in Charleston? I would love to hear what events have become annual traditions every fall for my local friends.