Plan Your Experience
What To Expect
At just over 1,800 seats, the Gaillard Center is buzzing with activity before any performance. Give yourself plenty of time to park, walk to the concert hall, go through security, and find your seat. We suggest you arrive at least 30 minutes before the baton is raised.
Great music belongs to everyone. Masterworks. Pops!. Chamber. Choral. Family concerts. Whether you've been studying orchestral music your whole life or you're walking through our doors for the first time, you'll find a performance that moves you — body and soul.
The Charleston Gaillard Center is at 95 Calhoun Street. Parking is available at 2 nearby garages — 33 Alexander St. and 24 Calhoun St.
The Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall is a spacious opera house style performance space with extensive floor seating and three balconies. Give yourself enough time to make your way to your seat.
The George Street and Calhoun Street entrances are handicap accessible, with handicap-accessible elevators in the shared lobby and within the Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall.
If you’re planning to visit or vacation in Charleston — Welcome! We’re happy you have chosen to include us in your plans.
The Charleston Gaillard Center is located in historic downtown Charleston on the peninsula. There are several hotels and excellent restaurants located nearby, though generally not within easy walking distance.
Getting to the Gaillard Center
If you are arriving via bus or ride share (like Uber or Lyft), you will be directed to use the dedicated bus/ride share lane located on George Street. This is the only location for pick-up and drop off for events at the Gaillard Center.
For more information on getting here, click the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because the Gaillard Center is an indoor venue, all performances are rain or shine. Only in rare weather emergencies will a performance be canceled or rescheduled. Ticket holders will be notified immediately via email. Updates will also be posted promptly on the Charleston Symphony website and on Facebook.
For other venues, visit their website for information or contact the venue with questions. Links to their sites can be found in the Venues Section below.
At the Gaillard Center, food and beverages are available for all events held in the Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall. Food is not allowed into the Performance Hall. Per the Gaillard Center, “All food and beverage concessions are cashless. Credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay mobile payment app will be accepted.”
For other venues, visit their website for information or contact the venue with questions. Links to their sites can be found in the Venues Section below.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited at all performances. Cell phone photography is typically allowed before and after the concert, as well as during intermission and applause. We encourage guests to share their Symphony experiences on social media. Before the concert begins, please silence your cell phone and other electronic devices. Kindly keep your screen dim, as bright light can be distracting to performers and fellow audience members.
For concerts at the Gaillard Center, please contact the Gaillard Ticket Office at (843) 242-3099 or ticketing@gaillardcenter.org for assistance with replacement tickets at this venue. Contact Charleston Symphony Patron Services at 843-723-7528 for concerts at all other locations.
For concerts at the Gaillard Center, yes. Please contact the Ticket Office at (843) 242-3099 or ticketing@gaillardcenter.org for assistance. Will Call opens two hours prior to a performance.
For other venues, visit their website for information or contact the venue with questions. Links to their sites can be found in the Venues Section below.
At the Gaillard Center, Will Call tickets may be picked up in the lobby. Will Call opens 2 hours prior to each performance. Photo ID may be required for ticket pick up.
For other venues, visit their website for information or contact the venue with questions. Links to their sites can be found in the Venues Section below.
GAILLARD TICKET OFFICE
(843) 242-3099
ticketing@gaillardcenter.org
11am-6pm Monday - Friday
Box Office opens two hours prior to a performance
CHARLESTON SYMPHONY PATRON SERVICES
(843) 723-7528
info@charlestonsymphony.org
9am-5pm Monday - Friday
Yes. Before every Masterworks performance at the Gaillard Center, we host a free talk with special guests and musicians. We invite you to arrive at 6:30pm when doors to the hall open to learn more about the program.
Our musicians perform across the Lowcountry. String, brass, woodwind, and chamber ensembles (just to name a few) can be heard in smaller venues throughout the year. Visit the location websites for directions and additional information.
- Chamber Music at the Charleston Library Society
- Holy City Messiah performances at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, and St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church
- Young Artists Series at the Church of Our Savior
- Chorus concert at the Circular Congregational Church
- Family concerts and opera at the Sottile Theatre
- Chamber concerts at Grace Episcopal Church and Bishop Gadsden
- Fellowship Showcase at the Second Presbyterian Church
- Sunset Serenade at the U.S. Custom House
- Community events at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site
- Brass on the Grass at The Refinery Charleston
- CSO Polka Band at Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co & Taproom and Fam’s Brewing Co
- Pops at the Seabrook Lake House
- Special Events at the Festival Hall and The Joe
- String performances at St. Andrew’s Church
I have a group of friends made at the CSO. We all sit together at the concerts, meet for dinner beforehand, and keep in touch about all the cultural events around Charleston, especially anything having to do with classical music. We are now a strong group of friends, thanks to the CSO!
- Kyle Lee
I am a member of a group of 4; dinner before the concert and the concert. Totally look forward to this ritual.
- Miriam JonesI always arrive early to hear Brian Olasov’s interviews. He’s invariably prepared and the conversations are so interesting. Afterwards time is spent chatting with my friends, who are equally ardent classical music buffs. Settled in my seat, I turn off my phone, clear my mind and prepare for the experience to come.
- Judith Green
