Festivals & Events

Art walks, food festivals, golf tournaments, fireworks and holiday light displays—no matter the time of year, there’s always something exciting happening in the Palmetto State.

Festivals & Events

Art walks, food festivals, golf tournaments, fireworks and holiday light displays—no matter the time of year, there’s always something exciting happening in the Palmetto State.

Get to know the people, food and culture of South Carolina at festivals across the state.

Each year, South Carolina hosts more than 300 fairs and festivals around the state, celebrating everything from food, art and wine to Gullah culture, the American Revolution and azaleas. Click here to download a complete list of events.

The Gullah Heritage Art Gallery

Serving as a creative space for established and emerging artists, the Gullah Art Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to teaching and spreading Gullah culture by providing educational and public service programs through the arts. Featuring a vibrant collection of Gullah art that is inclusive of all styles and mediums, the gallery highlights cultural art and showcases art that represents the history of all indigenous and Native people of the Lowcountry.

Attractions and Events You Won’t Experience Anywhere Else

Below are curated, seasonal events and not representative of all of the events happening across the state. Download a copy for our events calendar for full list of festivals and events across South Carolina.

Festivals & Events

Check our South Carolina events calendar to keep up with more than 300 annual events. Plan your next getaway around upcoming South Carolina fairs, festivals and unique cultural experiences.

Download the PDF

2023 SC Vacation Guide

Venture beyond the landmark attractions of South Carolina and discover off-the-beaten path destinations and locals’ favorites. Download the guide or request your free copy today and start planning your next adventure in the Palmetto State.

Travel Tools

Download a variety of South Carolina maps and guides to help you plan your Palmetto State getaway.

View the Guides

Featured Music & Arts

Take a break from the ordinary to explore the enthralling sights and sounds of South Carolina's thriving cultural scene at art exhibitions, concerts and music festivals.

Enjoy Live Music Year-Round at South Carolina Music Festivals

Plan your next road trip to South Carolina around some of the best annual music festivals in the state.

May

12 to 14

Artisphere

Artisphere provides the perfect opportunity to spend a weekend exploring Greenville’s charming downtown. One of the country’s top art shows, this annual three-day event features a vast range of live music, theater and dance performances, 143 visual artists with live demonstrations and do-it-yourself opportunities, plus award-winning dishes and unique bites from local restaurants.

Jun

11 to 17

Southeastern Piano Festival

This weeklong festival features nightly concerts by world-class pianists and culminates with the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, winners of which will have the opportunity to perform with the South Carolina Philharmonic.

Featured Food Fests & Fairs

Sit front row at a fashion show, try your first taste of Frogmore stew or sip craft beer as a homegrown bluegrass band plays the soundtrack—get a taste of something unexpected at a wide variety of exciting events across the state.

12 Things to Try at the South Carolina State Fair

With a wide variety of entertainment and all the carnival food you can eat, here are some of the not-to-miss joys of the South Carolina State Fair.

May

14th Annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival

Enjoy a day of family fun with live music, rides, eating contests, a car show and, of course, strawberry goods of all kinds.

May

Rosewood Crawfish Festival

Taking place at the South Carolina State Fair Grounds, the Rosewood Crawfish Festival offers an afternoon of fun for the whole family. The festival features arts and crafts by local artisans, rides, inflatables, crawfish races and, of course, crawfish—10,000 pounds of crawfish.

Celebrate South Carolina’s Culinary Best at Food Festivals

From major, weeklong festivals to local weekend events, these food festivals celebrate the bounty of South Carolina from the sea to the mountains.

May

11 to 13

The South Carolina Poultry Festival

This annual 3-day event held in Historic Downtown Leesville features three stages of continuous entertainment, a chicken cooking contest, a tractor and car show, carnival rides and many other family-friendly activities.

May

20 to 21

World Famous Blue Crab Festival

Located at the Historic Little River Waterfront in Little River, the World Famous Blue Crab Festival is one of the largest festivals in the Southeast. Enjoy two days of scenic views, live music, shopping and fresh, local seafood.

Download the Festivals & Events PDF

Check our South Carolina events calendar to keep up with more than 300 annual events. Plan your next getaway around upcoming South Carolina fairs, festivals and unique cultural experiences.

Download the PDF

Featured Nature & Outdoor Events

Whether you’re uncovering hidden waterfalls in the Upstate or exploring the lush gardens of the Lowcountry, South Carolina’s diverse landscape offers the perfect backdrop for adventure.

Unique Programs at South Carolina’s State Parks

Discover South Carolina State Parks in a unique way with programs that capture the beauty and essence of South Carolina nature, wildlife and history.

Jun

08 to 11

SC Festival of Flowers

Come celebrate the beginning of summer in the beautiful town of Greenwood as the Festival of Flowers kicks off a fun-filled weekend featuring an arts and crafts show, the Flower Power 5K, garden tours, an ice cream social and so much more.

Jun

11 to 12

Lexington and Richland County Ag and Art Tour

This free, self-guided tour of farms and markets features local artisans, live music and opportunities to learn more about where our food comes from.

Featured Sporting Events

In South Carolina, our love of the game runs deep. From college football to premier tennis tournaments, you'll always feel like part of the team here in the Palmetto State.

Check out these SC Horse Events

Venture to the heart of Thoroughbred Country for one of South Carolina's most celebrated traditions.

May

12 to 14

NASCAR Darlington Raceway Weekend

Head to Darlington Raceway for NASCAR’s Official Throwback Weekend featuring the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, the Xfinity Series and the Goodyear 400 Cup series race. This 3-day event will honor the legacy and heritage of NASCAR while looking ahead to the exciting future of the sport.

Jun

05 to 11

BMW Charity Pro-Am Presented by TD Synnex

The only tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with Tour professionals, the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX is a three-day better-ball competition over two courses in South Carolina’s beautiful Upstate.

Featured Family Events

From scenic mountain lakes and city-side zoos to barbecue restaurants galore and kid-friendly coastline attractions as far as the eye can see, South Carolina is the family-friendly vacation spot you've been searching for.

South Carolina’s Zoos and Aquariums Offer Fun for the Whole Family

Explore a variety of family-friendly animal attractions with up-close encounters and extraordinary add-on experiences.

May

19 to 20

Red Rose Festival

Enjoy a weekend of family fun at the Red Rose Festival, Lancaster’s signature event. There’s no admission to this popular two-day festival featuring live music, children’s rides and activities, arts and crafts, food vendors, the Red Rose Photography Contest and much more.

Jun

Greenville Funfest

This one-day festival is perfect for anyone curious about a plant-based diet. Featuring food trucks, live music and a family fun zone with face painting, life-sized games, coloring and more, this festival offers a day of family fun.