The smells, the sights, the flavors – food festivals are a multi-sensory experience we can't get enough of in the Palmetto State! And surf and turf is no different! From the best barbecue to the ultimate catch of the day, these festivals are a must-see in South Carolina!
Meat and Seafood
Revel in South Carolina's bounty, from land and sea:
Barbecue
In South Carolina, barbecue is a noun that refers to tender, tantalizing pork slow-cooked in huge smokers, then typically slathered in one of four sauces: vinegar-based, light tomato-based, heavy tomato-based and mustard-based. Celebrate a time-honored tradition at these barbecue-centric festivals:
Pig on the Ridge, Ridgeway (November)
Smoke on the Harbor, Mt. Pleasant (November)
Pork in the Park, Newberry (April)
BBQ Cook-Off and Festival, Greenville (April)
Beach-Boogie and BBQ, Myrtle Beach (September)
Hub City Hog Fest, Spartanburg (April)
Seafood and Fish
South Carolina waters are brimming with delicious treasures. From freshwater catches to briny oysters, succulent shrimp and other gifts from the sea, you’ll be hooked at first bite when you indulge at one of these festivals:
Catfish:
Society Hill Catfish Festival, Society Hill (November)
Hardeeville Catfish Festival, Hardeeville (September)
Catfish Feastival, Ware Shoals (May)
St. Stephen Catfish Festival, Society Hill (April)
Crab:
World Famous Blue Crab Festival, Little River (May)
Awendaw Blue Crab Festival, Awendaw (August)
Port Royal Soft Shell Crab Festival, Port Royal (April)
Oysters:
Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Mt. Pleasant (January)
South Carolina Oyster Festival, Columbia (November)
Hilton Head Oyster Festival, Hilton Head Island (November)
Shrimp and Crawfish:
Beaufort Shrimp Festival, Beaufort (October)
Little River ShrimpFest, Little River (October)
Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet, McClellanville (May)
Shrimp Festival of Yemassee, Yemassee (September)
Shrimp Festival, Beaufort (July)
May River Shrimp Festival, Bluffton (October)
Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival – Mt. Pleasant (April)
