Charleston in November brings mild afternoons and cool evenings. According to NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals, average highs reach 69°F and average lows drop to 47°F. Rainfall is light, making November the driest month of the year in Charleston. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
November sits between the high-energy fall season and the quiet weeks before Christmas. Temperatures are comfortable for walking the Historic District and strolling King Street without summer heat or crowds. Daylight is shorter after DST ends on November 2, with sunset arriving around 5:20 PM for the rest of the month.
Visitors arriving in November include families planning Thanksgiving travel, couples looking for a quieter stretch than spring, and food travelers drawn to the Food & Wine Classic Charleston, which runs November 13-15.
What Is the Weather Like in Charleston, SC in November?
November weather in Charleston is mild and dry. NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals place the average high at 69°F and the average low at 47°F. Average monthly precipitation is 2.66 inches, making November the driest month of the year in Charleston.
Daylight saving time ends on November 2, 2026. Sunset shifts from approximately 6:30 PM in late October to around 5:20 PM through the rest of November. Plan outdoor activities, harbor walks, and photography for the early afternoon to make the most of the light.
| Period | Avg High | Avg Low | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early November (Nov 1-14) | 70-72°F | 48-50°F | Mild afternoons, cool mornings. Light jacket needed after dark. DST ends Nov 2; sunset shifts to ~5:20 PM. |
| Late November (Nov 15-30) | 65-68°F | 44-47°F | Noticeably cooler evenings. Layering essential. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods. |
Rain, when it occurs in November, tends to come in short showers rather than sustained storms. A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket covers most situations without adding bulk.
For comparison, Charleston in December is cooler, with average highs near 60°F. November is the better month for extended outdoor time.
What to Wear in Charleston in November?
Layering is the right approach. Mornings start in the high 40s to low 50s°F and afternoons can reach 70°F in early November, so clothing you can add or remove through the day is more useful than a single heavy coat. By evening, temperatures regularly fall below 50°F.
| Activity / Time of Day | What to Wear |
|---|---|
| Morning walk or outdoor sightseeing | Base layer plus a medium-weight jacket. Temperatures start in the high 40s to low 50s°F and warm through mid-morning. A beanie or light hat is useful in late November. |
| Afternoon (warmest part of day) | A single mid-layer such as a cardigan, fleece, or light down vest. Afternoons can reach 68-72°F in early November. You may want to carry your jacket rather than wear it. |
| Evening dining or events | A warm jacket is required. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset, typically falling below 50°F by 7 PM. Smart-casual attire works for most King Street restaurants. |
| Food & Wine Classic sessions | Business casual at minimum. Many ticketed sessions and the Grand Tasting are held indoors, but some are on outdoor terraces. Bring a jacket you can carry inside. |
| Outdoor walking, day trip | Comfortable, grip-soled shoes. The Historic District has cobblestone streets and uneven brick surfaces that are slick when wet. |
Late November (the week before and after Thanksgiving) is cooler than early November by roughly 4-5 degrees on average. If your trip falls after November 15, lean toward a heavier mid-layer and a warm jacket for evenings.
What Should I Pack for Charleston in November?
A medium-weight jacket, layering pieces, and comfortable walking shoes cover the core needs. November is dry enough that a compact rain layer is all the weather preparation most visitors need. Heavy winter coats are not necessary for the first half of the month.
| Item | Why You Need It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-weight jacket | Evenings drop to the mid-to-upper 40s°F | A fleece or light down jacket works well |
| Layering pieces | Mornings start cool, afternoons warm to 70°F | Cardigan, button-down, or light sweater |
| Rain jacket or compact umbrella | November averages 2.66 inches of rain | November is the driest month of the year, but showers do occur |
| Comfortable walking shoes | Most of the Historic District and King Street is on foot | Cobblestones on some streets; avoid slick-soled shoes |
| Sunglasses | Sunny afternoons are common | Sun is lower in the sky in November. Good for golden-hour photography. |
| Smart-casual layer for dining | Charleston restaurants range from casual to upscale | Food & Wine Classic events are business casual or better |
Comfortable walking shoes matter more than most visitors expect. The Historic District is largely navigable on foot, but some streets and alleyways have uneven brick surfaces. Shoes with some grip are worth it, especially after rain.
What Events Are on in Charleston in November 2026?
November 2026 has four confirmed events worth planning around. The Food & Wine Classic on November 13-15 is the most significant ticketed event of the month. The Holiday Festival of Lights opens at James Island County Park on November 13 and runs through December 31.
| Event | Dates | Location | What It Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest Festival | Nov 7, 11 AM-5 PM | Johns Island County Park | Family-friendly festival with local vendors, seasonal food, and outdoor activities. |
| Food & Wine Classic Charleston | Nov 13-15 | Downtown Charleston venues | Three-day culinary festival with 40+ sessions, a Grand Tasting, and guest chefs including Tyler Florence and Nancy Silverton. Tickets sold separately. |
| Holiday Festival of Lights | Nov 13 - Dec 31 (nightly) | James Island County Park | Drive-through light display, one of the largest in the Southeast. Opens mid-November each year. Hours and ticket prices on the County Parks website. |
| Charleston Holiday Market | Nov 20-22 | Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston | Indoor holiday market with gifts, crafts, gourmet food, and jewelry. Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5. |
| Charleston Farmers Market | Saturdays through late Nov | Marion Square | Weekly open-air market with local produce, prepared food, and crafts. Saturday mornings. |
The Food & Wine Classic draws chefs and culinary talent to Charleston across the weekend. Sessions and tastings are ticketed separately through the official festival site. The Grand Tasting covers more than 100 winemakers and local restaurants.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Charleston in November?
The mild temperatures make November well-suited to walking and outdoor time. The major Historic District sites - Rainbow Row on East Bay Street, Waterfront Park, and the Battery - are all free and open year-round. Foot traffic is lighter than spring and the October high season.
Walking tours, including carriage tours of the Historic District, run through November. Ghost tours remain popular in the weeks before Thanksgiving. Fort Sumter ferry tours continue through the fall season; book tickets through Fort Sumter Tours, the authorized NPS concessioner, at nps.gov/fosu.
Boone Hall Plantation, approximately 8 miles from downtown, offers the Avenue of Oaks, a guided house tour, a wagon tour, and a Gullah presentation. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM.
For those who visited in October, the [I-1] things to do in Charleston in October guide covers outdoor attractions that remain open and accessible through November.
King Street restaurants and independent shops are fully open through the month. Thanksgiving week brings sharply increased restaurant demand; reservations for Thanksgiving dinner service fill well ahead of the holiday and are worth booking as early as possible.
Where to Stay in Charleston for a November Trip?
257 Rutledge Avenue is four short blocks from King Street, in the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood just north of the Historic District. That puts Food & Wine Classic venues in downtown Charleston within easy walking distance, Marion Square and the Farmers Market a short walk away, and King Street restaurants and shops accessible on foot.
The property includes four private-entry suites, five apartments with full kitchens, and a standalone three-bedroom home across three restored Victorian houses from circa 1890. The five apartments with full kitchens are particularly useful for Thanksgiving week travel, when groups often prefer cooking some meals over relying entirely on restaurants during one of the city's busiest dining periods.
The shared heated saltwater guest pool at 257 Rutledge is available year-round, including through November. Guest parking is available at the property, which is a practical advantage in a neighborhood where street parking near King Street is limited.
From the property, the Battery at White Point Garden is approximately a 45-50 minute walk, about 2.1 miles via South Battery Street.
Thanksgiving week booking note: November 24-30 is one of the heaviest travel periods of the year for Charleston. Accommodation in the central neighborhoods around King Street books out well ahead of arrival dates. If your trip falls in that window, checking availability and booking early is advisable. 257 Rutledge offers direct booking across all accommodation types through the property website.
FAQs
Yes. The weather is comfortable for outdoor activities, with average highs of 69°F and low humidity compared to summer. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so it does not represent a quiet stretch. Early and mid-November are generally less crowded than peak spring and October travel dates.
Average lows in November are 47°F, according to NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. Temperatures can dip into the low 40s during cold fronts, particularly in the second half of the month. A medium-weight jacket and layering pieces are sufficient for most visitors. Heavy winter gear is not necessary.
November is the driest month of the year in Charleston. Average monthly precipitation is 2.66 inches based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. Showers tend to be brief. A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket is enough preparation for most November visits.
Confirmed November 2026 events include the Food & Wine Classic Charleston (November 13-15), the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park (opens November 13), and the Charleston Holiday Market at the North Charleston Coliseum (November 20-22). The Charleston Farmers Market runs Saturdays through November at Marion Square.
Ocean swimming at Folly Beach becomes very cool in November. The shared heated saltwater guest pool at 257 Rutledge is available year-round for guests staying at the property.
Thanksgiving week - November 24 through 30 - is one of Charleston's peak travel periods. Accommodation in the neighborhoods close to King Street and the Historic District books out well ahead of those dates. Booking at least six to eight weeks in advance is a reasonable guideline, though availability varies by property and year.