Historic Festivals
Sprin
g brings fun community jubilees that honor the arts, crafts and music of historic South Carolina counties and walking tours of historic homes and gardens. Summer festivals include nationally recognized Revolutionary War reenactments and the award-winning All-American City July 4th Festival.
When the weather cools, family farm festivals feature sheep shearing, herding, spinning and weaving demonstrations; and “The Day of the Catawba” explores the lifestyles and history of the Catawba Indians.
In winter, historic festivals offer a glimpse into colonial times with open-fire cooking, goldsmithing, spinning, blacksmithing and musket firing demonstrations. Holiday celebrations feature guides in 18th century period clothes demonstrating the Yuletide customs of Colonial settlers.
No matter when you visit, you’re sure to find a memorable South Carolina historic festival in full swing. Check our Calendar of Events to add a festival to your South Carolina vacation plans.
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Craftworkers demonstrate the skills practiced by slaves as they prepared the antebellum plantation for harvest time. Different aspects of 18th and 19th century plantation life will be explored each Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 17 & 18 and Nov. 14 & 15): domestic skills, African-American traditional arts, Lowcountry foodways and the plantation natural environment. Included in regular admission.
SCHEDULE
- November 7, 2009 - November 29, 2009, 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Every Week on Saturday
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 Charleston |
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Heritage Days Celebration is a three-day cultural event celebrating the Gullah/Geechee/Sea Island history, folk arts, food, music, crafts and West African cultural legacy. Located at the Penn School, one of the first schools for enslaved Africans on St. Helena Island, visitors can experience the unique setting of the 50-acre historic campus of Penn Center. Special events for the weekend include demonstrations of the West African/ Gullah cultural connection including bateau making, quilting, basket making and net making; live demonstrations of rice production in an authentic rice shack; Gullah storytellers; singers; African drummers; dancers; gospel singers; a craft fair; a parade; and fun fuh de chillun (fun for the children). This year's theme will be: "HBCU Reunion Weekend - The Homecoming" to celebrate the history of historically Black colleges and universities, many of which originated from freedmen's schools. An educational symposium will feature HBCU presidents and commissioners from the National Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
SCHEDULE
- November 12, 2009, 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- November 13, 2009, 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- November 14, 2009, 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- November 11, 2010 - November 13, 2010
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 St Helena Island |
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Start a new holiday tradition with your family by stepping back into history. The past will come to life as you walk into the historic cabin, where costumed interpreters will be demonstrating backcountry life in the 1700s during the holidays.
SCHEDULE
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 Ninety Six |
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Light up your family’s holidays with a tour of classically-decorated historic homes during Historic Brattonsville’s Christmas Candlelight Tours. Costumed interpreters will depict holiday life, from the practices of the settlers in the 18th century to those living on antebellum plantations, in family-friendly theatrical scenarios.
SCHEDULE
- December 5, 2009, 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- December 6, 2009, 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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 McConnells |
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Cowpens National Battlefield hosts the anniversary of this key battle of the Revolution. Living history encampments, tactical demonstrations, and lantern-lit walks from 6-8:30 pm are among the scheduled events.
SCHEDULE
- January 16, 2010 - January 17, 2010
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 Gaffney |
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Carolina's Largest Outdoor Drama. Cast of Hundreds! History comes alive with cannons, cavalry horses and living history experts as portrayed in the movies Gettysburg, and Glory. Dramatic recreation of one of the last battles of the Civil War. Period crafts, art, and exhibits all day. Food vendors open all day. Historic music. Historical lectures, programs, and demonstrations. Governor's Award (PRT Bundy Award) for best SC event. Dr. Butler award for nation's best living history event.
SCHEDULE
- February 19, 2010 - February 21, 2010
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 Aiken |
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Vintage Rotar Wing Aircraft, Parachute Teams, Military Vehicles, Military History Timeline, interactive activities for the whole family and ending with the CFF show (similar to a Bob Hope USO Show).
SCHEDULE
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 Columbia |
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This event will feature a Friday night dinner (ticket required) with people in 18th century attire serving and telling of life in first person. After dinner entertainment with a special guest each year at the Spring House Tavern. On Saturday and Sunday we will have "Conflicts and Trails" to show the problems in the area UNDER THE CROWN rule. This event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the " Rogers Ordinary." The event will be held rain or shine.
SCHEDULE
- June 4, 2010 - June 5, 2010
- June 5, 2010
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North Augusta |
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Kings Mountain National Military Park, along with partner organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, honor those that fell at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Special ceremonies will be held with a keynote speaker and wreath laying ceremony.
SCHEDULE
- October 7, 2010
- October 7, 2011
- October 7, 2012
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Blacksburg |
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Guided tours proceed along the one-mile historic trail, which is illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight and torchlight. Along the way, costumed volunteers portray Colonial citizens and soldiers who tell stories of peace and war at old Ninety Six in the 1700's. It’s an unusual program you will want to see and share with the whole family!
SCHEDULE
- October 9, 2010
- October 8, 2011
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Ninety Six |
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