Get Your Free 2024 Vacation Guide

Start planning your ultimate South Carolina adventure with a free copy of the 2024 Vacation Guide. Request your free copy, view the guide online or download a PDF version below.

Vacation Guide Cover
View Our Other Guides

Get Entertained in Small Town South Carolina

Nicole Newsome Nicole Newsome
Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Read more from some of South Carolina’s locals and discover what’s happening in the Palmetto State.
More from "Nicole Newsome"

With traditional Bluegrass concerts and cultural festivals, South Carolina has a diverse entertainment sphere that will suit the entire family.

Upstate

Experience "Gemutlichkeit -- Good Spirits, Good Times, Laughter and Goodwill" at the annual Walhalla Oktoberfest in Oconee County. From polkas to wurst, kraut and strudel, this festival will cater to all of your German cravings. Travel to another culture with Gaffney's Irish Fest, which honors the city's heritage with dancing, road races and more. Or relive more than 230 years of local Southern culture at the Heritage Jubilee Festival in Edgefield, the "Gateway of Southern History".

For an action-packed event, visit Ed Brown's Championship Rodeo in Blacksburg and soothe your inner cowboy.

There's so much to do in the Upstate, but if you just want kick back and relax to the sounds of the area, be sure to check out Music on the Mountain at Table Rock State Park. Also, the McCelvey Center's Southern Sound Series in York showcases both established and emerging Southern musicians.

Midlands

In Aiken there is a special opportunity for lovers of the performing arts. The Joye in Aiken Festival brings the world's finest young musicians, actors, and dancers to the area via the Julliard School. The Hopelands Summer Concert Series is another way to spend an evening in Aiken, and is even free.

The Jazz Under the Stars series offers concerts in both Aiken and Columbia. Or catch a performance at the historic Sumter Opera House. If you're in the mood for something fun and a little less musical, don't miss the Come-See-Me Festival in Rock Hill, a 10-day springtime extravaganza with more than 80 events and activities. You also could start a new family tradition by attending the Boykin Christmas Parade, which starts off with what else but traditional Southern road kill (aka barbecue).

Pee Dee

Come one, come all to you NASCAR fans out there. The Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Race Fest features the NASCAR Sprint Cup Teams transporters making their way to the Darlington Raceway for a festival to include inflatable rides, music and other festivities.

Keep up the trend of traditional, classic music with the South Carolina Jazz Festival in Cheraw, featuring more than 20 regional bands performing in eclectic venues.

Lowcountry

On one of South Carolina's favorite non-commercial beaches, you'll find the annual Edisto Christmas Parade, Boat Parade, and Tree Lighting. The name says it all for this family favorite event.

For a laid back evening up the coast, enjoy some wine and music at La Belle Amie Vineyard in Little River. This lovely outdoor venue hosts many concerts, including several "Rock Back the Clock" Oldies nights.

Nicole Newsome
Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Read more from some of South Carolina’s locals and discover what’s happening in the Palmetto State.