South Carolina is in bloom with a bushelful of seasonal festivals from corner to corner of the state, celebrating everything from azaleas and peach blossoms to fine art and South Carolina traditions. Here are some of the fun and family-friendly festivals you’ll find throughout our state this spring. For more upcoming festivals and events, check out our online events page.
The South Carolina Strawberry Festival takes place May 2–3, 2025, in Fort Mill.
Photo by Nathan Bingle Photography, provided by Town of Fort Mill.
ARTS
Artisphere, May 9–11
Immerse yourself in visual, performing and culinary arts all along Greenville’s charming Main Street. The weekend-long festival, which last year drew more than 92,000 visitors, is dedicated to celebrating fine arts, with 135 visual artists displaying their work and with musical performances across seven downtown stages. The festival is free to attend.
Located along Main Street, Greenville
Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto, May 23–June 8
Spoleto is a renowned destination for internationally accomplished and emerging artists in opera, theater and dance along with chamber, orchestral, choral, jazz and contemporary music, with performances spread throughout historic Charleston’s theaters, churches and outdoor venues. The concurrent Piccolo Spoleto festival turns the spotlight on local and regional artists, including visual arts exhibits, children’s activities, and music, dance and theater performances. Ticket prices vary per event.
Various locations in Charleston
spoletousa.org and piccolospoleto.com
FOOD
Columbia Food & Wine Festival, April 22–27
Local chefs and mixologists anchor this weeklong festival, which features 15 events spread across the capital city, including an educational session on breadmaking, a dinner dedicated to Gullah culinary traditions, storytelling and discussion with local authors, and a series of collaborative dinners featuring menus curated by multiple chefs. Ticket prices vary per event.
Various locations in Columbia and surrounding areas
columbiafoodandwinefestival.com
A Taste of Beaufort, May 2–3
Lowcountry cuisine is the star of the festival, with Beaufort restaurants showing off their best concoctions in this two-day event at Waterfront Park. Fill up on food and drinks and enjoy live music, a crafts market and kids’ activities. Admission is free, and food and drink tickets cost $1 apiece.
Located at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, 1010 Bay St., Beaufort
World Famous Blue Crab Festival, May 17–18
For more than 40 years, the town of Little River has celebrated its bounty of local seafood along the town’s historic waterfront, with live music and more than 250 vendors. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and up; food and drinks are purchased separately.
Located at Historic Little River Waterfront, 4468 Mineola Ave., Little River
AGRICULTURE
Pickens Azalea Festival, April 25–26
Celebrating the annual emergence of colorful blossoms across the small town of Pickens, this two-day festival features food, concerts, art and craft vendors, a cruise-in, amusement rides, a pie-baking contest, a pet pageant and a husband-calling competition (with points for originality, volume and clarity!). The festival is free to attend.
Located along Main Street, Pickens
Johnston Peach Blossom Festival, May 3
Little ol’ South Carolina is the second-biggest peach-producing state in the country (harvesting three to four times as much fruit each year as our “Peach State” neighbor Georgia). Downtown Johnston celebrates this signature crop with a festival featuring a parade, rides, games, and arts and food vendors.
Located in downtown Johnston
South Carolina Strawberry Festival, May 2–3
A strawberry baby contest and strawberry eating contest are just two of the sweet ways to celebrate, you guessed it, strawberries at this juicy two-day festival. You’ll also find live music, cornhole, rides, vendors and more—and don’t miss the strawberry sales stands on your way to or from the festival.
Located at Walter Y. Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., Fort Mill
CULTURAL
The Black Cowboy Festival and Rodeo, May 22–25
More than just a rodeo, this festival celebrates the legacy of African American cowboys and pioneers. In addition to rodeo and horse-showing events, there’ll be agricultural workshops, documentary viewings, line dancing, gospel and other musical performances, a fish fry and more. Saturday rodeo tickets cost $35 for ages 13 and up and $15 for ages 12 and under. Ticket prices vary for other festival events.
Located at Greenfield Farm, 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert
The Original Gullah Festival of South Carolina, May 23–25
Gullah culture shines at this weekend of storytelling, dancing, music, education and a plethora of Gullah cuisine. Dig into a dish of delicious soul food while listening to the sounds of African drums and perusing the array of vendors, and catch the Decoration Day play at the USC Beaufort Center for the Arts. The festival is free to attend, and tickets for Gullah tours and the play cost $45 each.
Located at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, 1010 Bay St., Beaufort