Know Before You Go

Bag Policy

Find out more information about what you are allowed to take to the event.

All Bags Must be Clear

Except for small personal clutches (no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″)

Safety + Security

Objects likely to endanger persons, or which violate any laws, ordinances, or regulations, are not allowed on the event property. Guns and knives are expressly prohibited along with any other dangerous weapons.

Health + Safety

An inherent risk of exposure to communicable diseases, including COVID-19, exists in any public space where people are present. By attending Charleston Wine + Food, you expressly agree to comply with any and all rules and safety guidelines put in place by the event organizers, and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to communicable diseases, waiving all claims and potential claims against Releasees relating to such risks.

Holder agrees to abide by health + safety requirements put in place at the Event and understands that policies + procedures are subject to change based on government mandates. For more information on the Health + Safety policies, visit chswf.org.

Symptoms

Are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking, muscle pain / achiness, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea, fatigue, or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Close Contact

Do not need to quarantine due to close contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19

Self Quarantine

Are not under any self-quarantine orders

Code of Conduct

People First. Community. Good Stewardship.

These are the driving principles of Charleston Wine + Food, and we ask that they drive your own participation in our community gathering. We hope you will enthusiastically support our organizational code of conduct.

If you experience harassment or discrimination in any way as a part of your engagement, please report immediately to your Charleston Wine + Food point of contact.

Any violations of our code of conduct will be investigated immediately and mitigated.

Be yourself! Participating authentically lends your uniqueness to the tapestry that is our festival.

We have zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination. If you are a target, please let us know.

Violence and threats of violence will not be tolerated; the “heat of the moment” is not an excuse.

Harassment and discrimination can include but are not limited to offensive comments pertaining to disability, physical appearance or body type, gender, gender identity, sexuality, mental or cognitive function, religion, body size, race, or ethnicity.

Deliberate intimidation, unwelcome sexual attention, and other aggressions like mis-gendering or harassing will not be tolerated.

Accessibility

Charleston Wine + Food seeks to create welcoming + inclusive spaces with facilities that are physically accessible (ADA compliant) and open to people of any identifying gender, or “gender neutral,” as an important way to show full welcome + inclusion. We are dedicated to ensuring attendees have access to all festival goods + services, regardless of ability.

In continually striving to make our festival more accessible, we encourage you to contact us at [email protected] for any of your accessibility-related needs. Additionally, if you have any questions about ADA policies or services, please reach out to us. We welcome + encourage any feedback and suggestions from our attendees.

Wheelchairs

We encourage guests and participants to utilize personal forms of transportation, including wheelchairs and scooters. Please note we will not have charging stations available for scooters and wheelchairs. Email [email protected] with any questions regarding wheelchair accessibility or parking options.

Culinary Village Parking

There will be ADA accessible parking options at Culinary Village. Follow way-finding signage on site. We will also provide on-premise transportation to assist with the route from the parking lot to the main entrance. This transportation will be first-come, first-served.

Medical

A safety plan for medical emergencies is in place for all festival events, and EMS personnel will be available at our larger-scale offerings. Additionally, a fully-equipped medical site staffed by trained personnel is located at the Culinary Village.

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted throughout the festival. They must be properly trained and under proper care of their owners; remain by the handler’s side at all times and be harnessed, leashed, or tethered; be housebroken and relieve themselves outdoors; and be up to date on all legally required vaccinations. Anyone bringing a service animal will be responsible for and liable for any damage or injury the animal causes. No emotional support, therapy, or companion animals will be permitted.

Dietary Needs

If you are attending an in-restaurant brunch, lunch, or Signature Dinner and have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please email [email protected] no later than February 1, 2026. The chefs at these events will do their best to accommodate special dietary needs, but we emphasize this is only a request. While chefs provide a variety of food offerings at events, all other events are not able to accommodate special dietary needs or food allergies.

Sustainability

We strive to be a good steward of our city and its foodways and to produce the most sustainable + environmentally-friendly festival possible.

Compost

We are committed to using 100% compostable or reusable serviceware and work with a local compost company to compost at all festival events. Look for the appropriate bins throughout the festival that are dedicated to composting, recycling, and waste management.

Reduce

Through efforts like going strawless, offering napkins upon request, implementing water usage protocols in our prep kitchens, digitizing handbooks + documents, launching a festival app, and implementing eco-friendly cleaning materials + pesticides, we have made considerable efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

Reuse

We strive to find a new life for as many items used during the festival as possible. Over 75% of all design elements are reused year-over-year or rented, and many festival events include a commemorative wine glass with the purchase of a ticket. Last, all leftover food product that is suitable for donation is given to a local community kitchen to feed homeless individuals in Charleston.

Recycle

Festival items that cannot be composted are recycled, and wine bottles from the Culinary Village become recycled glass countertops and “foam glass” to be used in building + construction. Additionally, all oyster shells are recycled in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources.