The City of Charleston Hosting Annual First Day Festival August 7

The city of Charleston will host the annual Back to School First Day Festival on Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Charleston Gaillard Center (2 George Street) and South Carolina Aquarium (100 Aquarium Wharf).

Sponsored by the city of Charleston since 2003, the First Day Festival is a celebration of the start of the new school year.

The purpose of the event is to provide children and families with the supplies and information they need to start the school year off right.

At the event, children receive free school supplies, families are given free, fresh foods courtesy of the Lowcountry Food Bank and provided information from close to 100 community organizations. Attendees also enjoy free admission to the South Carolina Aquarium during the hours of the festival.

The First Day Festival is possible because of long-standing partnerships with the Charleston County School District, South Carolina Aquarium, Lowcountry Food Bank, and the many exhibitors, volunteers and donors who give of their time, talents and resources.

Thank you to our top event sponsors:

Gold Level Sponsors - TD Bank and United Bank

Silver Plus Sponsor - Limehouse Produce

Silver Level Sponsors - Charleston Southern University, J Henry Stuhr Funeral Home and The Citadel.

Parking information: Festival parking will be available for $1 at the South Carolina Aquarium (24 Calhoun Street) and $1 at the Gaillard Center (33 Alexander Street) parking garages. A free shuttle service will run between the South Carolina Aquarium and Gaillard Center throughout the afternoon so festival attendees can easily move between locations.