From late September into the first week of October, the city-sponsored MOJA Arts Festival (843/724-7305, www.mojafestival.com, varied venues and admission), highlights the cultural contributions of African Americans and people from the Caribbean with dance, visual art, poetry, cuisine, crafts, and music in genres from gospel to jazz to reggae to classical. In existence since 1984, MOJA’s name comes from the Swahili word for “one,” and its incredibly diverse range of offerings in so many media have made it one of the Southeast’s premier events. Highlights include a Reggae Block Party and the always-fun Caribbean Parade. Some events are ticketed, while others, such as the kids’ activities and many of the dance and film events, are free.

For five weeks from the last week of September into October, the Preservation Society of Charleston hosts the much- anticipated Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens (843/722-4630, www.preservationsociety.org, $45). The tour takes you into over a dozen local residences and is the nearly 90-year-old organization’s biggest fundraiser. Tickets typically go on sale the previous June, and they tend to sell out very quickly.