Top 15 Festivals on Hilton Head Island
Spring
Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival | March
Enjoy beautiful weather, wine tasting, and yummy bites at the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival. You can enjoy this spring festival with a week-long celebration!
Music & Taste On The Harbour | April – May
This special festival spotlights local musicians and features delicious food from Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants. Feel free to bring your own chairs or dance the night away to live music for Music & Taste on the Harbour!
MayFest | May
MayFest is one of the best hometown festivals where you'll get to check out local and regional arts and crafts, live music, and delicious local food. You're in for a laugh with the Ugly Dog Contest and the pie-eating contest!
Summer
Enjoy The Hilton Head Island Art Festival this Memorial Day Weekend. The festival runs around the harbor & marina promenade, where visitors can shop for handmade pottery, glass, wood, jewelry, and other types of artworks crafted in the USA.
HarbourFest | June, July, & August
HarbourFest is an all summer-long signature Shelter Cove summer event. Your family will love watching fireworks, playing carnival games, face painting, and lots of live music!
Fall
Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival | September
Enjoy this four-day festival in honor of the South's staple, shrimp! Participate in shrimp eating contests, live music, drinks, and fun zones for the kids! Everyone will love the Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival!
Bluffton Oktoberfest | October
Enjoy this outdoor beer festival with yummy German-style music, food, and beer samples! Put on your lederhosen and start planning your trip to Bluffton Oktoberfest!
Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival | October
The Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival is a family-friendly, week-long celebration that highlights all the things we love about our special island. Check out artwork from over 100 local artists, enjoy fresh local seafood, and learn more about the area on a historical tour in Bluffton's historic district!
Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival | November
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival. Young and old are welcome to enjoy competitions and attractions like a pizza-eating contest, playing bocce ball, and chowing down on Italian fare.
Hilton Head Oyster Festival | November
Enjoy plenty of oysters at the weekend-long Hilton Head Oyster Festival! There's also lots of love music, artisan craft vendors, and an oyster shucking contest.
Winter
Hilton Head Winter Wonderland Festival | December
Enjoy a beach-style Christmas at Hilton Head Winter Wonderland Festival with family-friendly activities like face-painting, carnival games, bounce houses, and photo time with Santa! You'll love the festive treats and local favorites like a Lowcountry Oyster Roast.
Harbour Town Lights | December
Start the holiday with a beautiful tree lighting ceremony at Harbour Town Lights. Harbour Town is also the home of the island's famed candy-striped lighthouse!
Hilton Head Island Snow Day | January
Come experience snow in the South at this family-friendly event. Kids will love the inflatable rides and entertainment!
Gullah Celebration | February
Every February, Hilton Head Island hosts one of the most culturally significant affairs in the Southeast to celebrate the Hilton Head Island Gullah Culture. You can learn about the history through storytelling and basket-weaving events and treat your tastebuds to delicious soul food!
Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival | February
Seafood lovers, don't miss this! The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival provides seven days to enjoy the local food and culture of the island. You can take part in celebrity guest chef dinners, cooking demos, wine tastings, local wildlife, and more!
Stay Close to the Best Festivals on Hilton Head Island
After choosing the Hilton Head festival you want to attend, start planning your trip here! We have tons of stunning oceanfront homes all over the island you can choose from, so you can stay as close to the fun as possible! Be sure to request access to our 7-Day Itinerary for the best things to do while you're here!
We have all the local insight you need on the best things to do on Hilton Head Island, including the best outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, ziplining, and paddleboarding! So, find your favorite Hilton Head festival and get ready to enjoy our local culture like a local!
Plan your trip to experience one of our amazing festivals on Hilton Head Island today!
