Hilton Head Island Events & Festivals

Check out these Hilton Head Island events and festivals happening on and around the island during your stay to make your trip even more special.

If you enjoy vintage, high-end, and unique cars, don't miss the annual Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival. This event usually takes place in late October through November and features over 150 vintage automobiles competing for various awards and honors.

Photo by Simon Davison

HarbourFest is a summertime highlight at Shelter Cove Harbour. Featuring live entertainment every night, food, arts and crafts, and fireworks, all HarbourFest events are FREE and open to everyone!

Troubadour Shannon Tanner blends the sounds of the ‘60s with sing-a-longs and his own original ballads. He performs two one-hour shows each night at 6:30 and 8:00pm, Monday thru Friday. For the kids, he also offers a "Wonderful Wacky Wizzle Cruise" on which the kids can drive the boat, he performs a music & magic show, and leads a treasure hunt in the harbor. Find the cruise at Shelter Cove on Dock C in front of San Miguels Restaurant at the Boat called "HOLIDAY" at 8:15am. For more info contact Captain Mark at 843-785-4558.

A weekly fireworks show begins just after dusk during the summer. Check the HarbourFest schedule for exact days and times. Several of the boat tour providers listed above offer evening cruises to watch the display from the water, including Outside Hilton Head which offers a "Fireworks Paddle" guided kayak tour during the summer.

Visit the HarbourFest Schedule for all the details!

Photo by Lee Coursey

• February: Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration

• February: Annual Hilton Head Island half marathon

• Early March: Hilton Head Food & Wine Festival

• Mid-March: Hilton Head Shamrock 5K Run

• April: Salty Dog Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Salty Dog Ice Cream shop in South Beach Marina Village, 10AM. Prizes, candy, kid's entertainment, and appearances by Jake the Salty Dog and the Easter Bunny.

• April: Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground, photos with the Easter Bunny following the hunt. Free event.

• April: Verizon Heritage on the Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort. One of the nation's premier golf events, featuring the nation's top players competing for a $6 million prize.

• April: Hilton Head Seafood Fest at Shelter Cove Community Park. Samples from local restaurants, an Iron Chef Competition, live music, Kid’s Zone, silent auction and “The Famous Crab Races.”

• May: 2nd Annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour. Fine art and crafts on display and for sale.

• July 4th: Fourth of July Fireworks Show and Shannon Tanner at Shelter Cove; Calibogue Sound Fireworks display. Watch the fireworks show from Calibogue Sound between Harbour Town and Dafuskie Island. Live children's entertainment under the "big oak"; Skull Creek fireworks and entertainment. Restaurants provide extra entertainment.

• September: 30th Annual Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit local children’s charities.

• November: 5th Annual Daufuskie Island Autumn Festival. Live music and entertainment, oyster roast, offerings from local restaurants, and arts and crafts at Freeport Marina on Daufuskie Island.

• November: Concours d'Elegance features over 150 vintage cars and motorcycles competing for the coveted top honors of Best of Show and People’s Choice. Located at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.

And don't forget – Savannah is only an hour away! Check out our page on Savannah, Georgia for information on the major Savannah festivals and events going on through the year!

If any of these Hilton Head events sound like a must for your family, then plan your trip around them - and plan early! That way you'll be sure not to miss any of the fun!