Charleston Literary Festival has announced two new ticket packages for its 2025 season: the Festival Insider Pass and the VIP Literary Weekend Experience. Both are now on sale and offer exclusive access to a wide range of literary events, author sessions, private parties, and curated experiences during the festival, which runs Nov. 7–16.
THE FESTIVAL INSIDER PASS
Individual pass: $750 (valued at $1,500)
The Festival Insider Pass provides all-access to 45+ literary events and two exclusive parties over 10 days at the Dock Street Theatre. Priced at $750, this discounted pass (valued at more than $1,500) includes:
Unlimited admission to all author sessions: One ticket to attend 45+ events during the festival (Nov. 7–16).
Launch party invitation for two: Two tickets to the official Charleston Literary Festival Launch Party on Sept. 4. This invite-only event will be held at a secret location in downtown Charleston.
Insider pre-party invitation for two: Two tickets to an invite-only event on Oct. 30 at a historic downtown home, where guests can mingle with festival staff, sponsors, VIPs, and more.
Insider gift bag and perks: Upon check-in, pass holders will receive a tote bag filled with festival merchandise and special offers from local bookstores and businesses.
THE VIP LITERARY WEEKEND EXPERIENCE
One guest: $2,000 | Two guests: $3,500
This three-day experience includes unlimited VIP access to all literary events during one festival weekend (Nov. 7–9 or Nov. 14–16), along with invitations to private parties, access to the donor lounge, guided tours, luxury hotel discounts, and more.
“We’re delighted to offer this luxury literary experience for visitors to the Charleston Literary Festival,” said Executive Director Sarah Moriarty. “Attending the festival as a VIP guest is an unforgettable way to experience world-class authors, thoughtful dialogue, and literary magic.”
Highlights of the VIP Literary Weekend Experience include:
All-access to author events during one selected weekend.
Nov. 7–9: Joyce Carol Oates, Colum McCann, Michael Cunningham, Glory Edim, Imani Perry, Aria Aber, Max Boot, Kevin Sack, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and others.
Nov. 14–16: Stephen Greenblatt, Maggie Smith, Adam Gopnik, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Patricia Lockwood, David Szalay, Adam Haslett, Katie Kitamura, and more.
Private donor lounge access at the Dock Street Theatre with complimentary cocktails, bites, and conversation with fellow VIPs and authors.
Curated tours and exclusive parties:
Welcome Reception with Executive Director Sarah Moriarty (location TBA)
Evening Soirée at an 18th-century private home
Private Garden Tour of a 19th-century South of Broad home
Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday Party at a historic Legare Street residence (First Weekend only)
Literary Walking Tour led by Charleston author and historian Harlan Greene
The Great Gatsby Party celebrating the novel’s 100th anniversary (Second Weekend only)
Sunday Brunch with authors and donors at a private home
Guided tour of the International African American Museum, named one of TIME’s greatest places of 2024
Additional perks for Weekend VIPs include:
Discounted luxury hotel rates, including at the festival’s lead partner, The Mills House
Saturday night dinner reservations at exclusive, in-demand Charleston restaurants
The VIP Literary Weekend Experience is designed for discerning literary enthusiasts by festival founding development director and Charleston tastemaker Suzanne Pollak. For more information, contact Suzanne at suzanne@charlestonliteraryfestival.com or visit charlestonliteraryfestival.com/2025tickets.
Mark your calendar: All general admission tickets go on sale Sept. 4, when the full list of 50 featured authors will be released. Confirmed authors include:
Joyce Carol Oates – Five-time Pulitzer Prize finalist will discuss Fox, a novel about an English teacher who disappears from an elite boarding school.
Kevin Sack – Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist will present Mother Emanuel, joined by Princeton professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. and a performance by the Mother Emanuel Choir.
Max Boot – Foreign policy analyst and bestselling author will discuss Reagan: His Life and Legend, a New York Times bestseller.
Michael Cunningham – Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Hours will honor the 100th anniversary of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.
Glory Edim – Founder of Well-Read Black Girl will share her new memoir Gather Me.
Other featured authors include:
Colum McCann (Twist), Viet Thanh Nguyen (To Save and To Destroy), Katie Kitamura (Audition), Bill McKibben (Here Comes the Sun), Maggie Smith (Dear Writer), David Szalay (Flesh), Patricia Lockwood (Will There Ever Be Another You), Stephen Greenblatt (Dark Renaissance), Adam Haslett (Mothers and Sons), Chris Pavone (The Doorman), and Aria Aber (Good Girl).