There are many fall festivals in South Carolina. Whether you plan to visit this coming season or have been a local for a while now, attending a fall festival is one of the best ways to experience the Palmetto State.
Best Fall Festivals in South Carolina to Attend
South Carolina is a gorgeous state with many historical landmarks, natural landscapes, and cultural points of interest. But, if you truly want to get a taste of the SC experience and rub elbows with locals, attending a fall event is one of the best ways to do it.
Here are the top things to do in South Carolina this fall.
1. Rock Around the Clock Festival
Location: Downtown Winnsboro
Event Date: October 6 to 7, 2023
Admission: Free
In Winnsboro, the Rock Around the Clock Festival combines street dancing, concerts, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and games into one fantastic experience. This year, visitors can look forward to live music by The Hitmen.
2. Beaufort Shrimp Festival
Location: Downtown Beaufort
Event Date: October 6 to 7, 2023
Admission: Free
When it comes to South Carolina fall events, the Beaufort Shrimp Festival should top your list. If you love shrimp, you’ll love this festival, which features some of the best regional shrimp dishes you’ll ever taste. Apart from shrimp, visitors can enjoy an arts and crafts market as well as a performance by Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi tribute band.
3. Newberry Oktoberfest
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Location: Newberry
Event Date: October 7, 2023
Admission: Free
October is all about Oktoberfest, and Newberry is one of several locations that holds its own. Featuring live music, arts and crafts, fun rides, exciting games, and food vendors, this is one fall event you shouldn’t miss.
4. Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival
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Location: Hilton Head Island
Event Date: October 7, 2023
Admission: Starts at $15 ($5 for children below 12 years old)
The Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival is one of SC’s most well-known fall festivals. It’s an event that spotlights the rich Gullah Geechee culture through food, music, and clothing. Jazz, funk, folk, R&B, and spoken word are just some of the genres you can expect.
5. MOJA Arts Festival
Location: Charleston
Event Date: September 28 to October 8, 2023
Admission: Varied
The MOJA Arts Festival celebrates Black arts and culture. Featuring good music, delicious food, traditional arts, visual arts, theater, poetry, and storytelling, this festival will surely leave you feeling enlightened.
6. South Carolina State Fair
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Location: Columbia
Event Date: October 11 to 22, 2023
Admission: Starts at $10
The South Carolina State Fair is perhaps the most recognizable of all the fall events in South Carolina. Featuring a diverse range of attractions, including live music performances, food vendors, exhibits, rides, and local artisans, this annual event is a delight for all ages. Indulge in the vibrant atmosphere and create lasting memories with friends and family.
7. Fall for Greenville
Location: Greenville
Event Date: October 13 to 15, 2023
Admission: Free
Greenville is definitely one of the best places to visit in South Carolina in the fall. Bask in orange hues as lush trees and landscapes frame the city. If you’re in the area during the second weekend in October, participate in the Fall for Greenville festivities. Live entertainment, food, and drinks await along Greenville’s Main Street.
8. Oktoberfest on Main
Location: Sumter
Event Date: October 14, 2023
Admission: Starts at $10
You can’t have a list of South Carolina fall festivals without Oktoberfest, and Oktoberfest on Main is worth visiting. Billed at the largest street party in Sumter, Oktoberfest on Main celebrates German heritage with live music, food, and drinks. It is also the largest fundraiser of the Sumter United Ministries, a program that benefits the community.
9. Pendleton Fall Harvest Festival
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Location: Pendleton
Event Date: October 14, 2023
Admission: Free
Taking place on the historic Village Green, the Pendleton Fall Harvest Festival boasts music, entertainment, games, crafts, and food for everyone. The festival also features a Scarecrow Contest that will surely put a smile on anyone’s face. If you find yourself in Pendleton on October 14, this festival is worth a stop.
10. South Carolina Jazz Festival
Location: Cheraw
Event Date: October 19 to 22, 2023
Admission: Varied
The South Carolina Jazz Festival celebrates John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, a founder of modern jazz. Gillespie was a native of Cheraw, and the town honors him to this day by holding a 4-day jazz festival featuring various artists. The lineup has yet to be announced, but it is surely the place to be for jazz lovers across the country.
11. Walhalla Oktoberfest
Location: Walhalla
Event Date: October 20 to 22, 2023
Admission: $5 ($3 for children ages 3-10, free for children under 3)
If you want to experience German culture right in Walhalla, then Oktoberfest is for you. Prepare for a weekend full of music, dancing, delicious food, arts and crafts, rides, and games. The festival will also feature an amazing fireworks display that will certainly be one for the books.
12. Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee
Location: North Augusta
Event Date: October 27, 2023
Admission: Free
If you’re looking for fall activities in South Carolina, consider the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee in North Augusta. This two-day event features arts and crafts vendors, food and drinks, rides, games, and contests. There are also plenty of activities for the kids, so it’s an experience for the whole family.
13. Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival
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Location: Hilton Head Island
Event Date: November 3 to 5, 2023
Admission: Starts at $80
The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival is a prestigious annual event that celebrates automotive heritage and excellence. It showcases meticulously curated collections of vintage and classic automobiles and displays of automotive history, craftsmanship, and design. If you like admiring automobiles against a stunning backdrop of Hilton Head Island’s scenery, this festival is for you.
14. Holy Smokes Barbecue Festival
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Location: North Charleston
Event Date: November 11, 2023
Admission: Starts at $95
The Holy Smokes Barbecue Festival is one of the must-see SC fall festivals. It is a flavorful celebration that pays homage to the state’s rich barbecue heritage. It brings together pitmasters and chefs from near and far, serving a selection of mouthwatering barbecue styles. Combine that with live entertainment and a shared passion for the grill, and you’ve got a true Southern culinary experience.
An Experience Worth Having
As you can see, South Carolina has no shortage of fall festivals. If you find yourself in this part of the country, dip your toes in a world of culture, arts, and cuisine.
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