Festival Guide: South Carolina
Your Guide to This Season’s Arts Festivals in
SOUTH CAROLINA
Aakash Odedra Company at Spoleto Festival USA
INDIE GRITS
April 14 –17, 2016 | Columbia, SC
This film festival celebrates its 10th year. Check out the Waterlines Screening & Performance, the art installations around town, four days of film screenings, the Indie Grits River Concert, After Party at Art Bar, or the Puppet Slam, but leave the kiddies at home for that one!
IRON CITY FESTIVAL
April 15, 2016 | Blacksburg, SC
Thousands come to the Blacksburg every third Saturday in April where family fun meets small town charm. The festival has a street fair, live entertainment, art fair, cake contest, model trains, and kids activities.
ARTFIELDS
April 22 – 30, 2016 | Lake City, SC
The historic farming community of Lake City opens its arms for ArtFields’ nine-day festival. Artists from 12 Southeastern states are chosen to participate and show their work at the event. Festival goers will be able to cast their votes for their favorite artists in the running for as much as $50,000 in cash prizes. Featured in our spring issue.
Public Art at ArtiFields
ART MARKET AT HISTORIC HONEY HORN
April 30 – May 1, 2016 | Hilton Head, SC
This fine art festival is a juried art and craft festival. Held at the historic 68 acre property, over 90 artists and crafts vendors will set up shop. While pursuing the art, food and drink will be available for purchase from local vendors.
DIG SOUTH
April 26 –28, 2016 | Charleston, SC
DIG SOUTH is a hybrid of conference and festival, showcasing the tech and creative industries with panel talks, pitch sessions and demonstrations. They feature live music, Shindigs and Mashups, and showcase the most innovative folks through the new DIG Create series.
NORTH CHARLESTON ARTS FEST
April 29 – May 7, 2016 | North Charleston, SC
Hosted by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the nine-day festival provides affordable or free performances and events for the community to experience. Visual arts, dance, music, and theater performances will be performed in civic spaces such as libraries, schools, and community centers. The growing event benefits the community and all who visit and participate in the festival. Featured in our spring issue.
The Soap Bubble Circus at North Charleston Arts Fest
LOWCOUNTRY SHRIMP FESTIVAL
May 7, 2016 | McClellanville, SC
The 39th annual Lowcountry Shrimp Festival is a celebration of the annual Blessing of the Fleet, a long-standing tradition to bless fishermen and shrimpers with a good season…and an excuse to fill your belly with shrimp, beer, and other Lowcountry cuisine. They’ll also have live music and a kid’s corner filled with inflatables, face paint, and a petting zoo.
EDISTO DAY BAZAAR ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL
May 7, 2016 | Edisto, SC
Held annually on the first Saturday of May, this day bazaar features handmade quilts and gifts from local merchants, baked goods, books, attic treasures, plants, jewelry, and boutique clothing.
ARTISPHERE
May 13–15, 2016 | Greenville, SC
Artisphere closes the streets of downtown Greenville and brings more than 100 artists and thousands of visitors to the Upstate of South Carolina for one of the best arts festivals around. Enjoy artist demonstrations, culinary arts, live music, auctions, food, wine, and craft beer. Clemson University students will be engaging guests in demonstrations linking new technologies and art. Featured in our spring issue.
Brian Olsen at Artisphere
WORLD FAMOUS BLUE CRAB FESTIVAL
May14 –15, 2016 | Little River, SC
The Blue Crab Festival brings over 50,000 guests into their two-day family friendly festival by highlighting local stores, restaurants, and talent in the North Myrtle Beach area. Local bands will entertain guests as they enjoy food vendors, artists and craftsmen booths, and kid friendly activities. Proceeds from this event support local non-profits and community groups.
SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA
May 27 – June 12, 2016 | Charleston, SC
This 17-day festival engulfs the city of Charleston with opera, dance, theatre, chamber music, and more. Spoleto is the American counterpart to Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. Charleston’s historic churches, theaters, and public spaces are filled with some of the finest productions from international companies of the highest caliber. Featured in our spring issue.
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company at Spoleto Festival USA
PICCOLO SPOLETO FESTIVAL
May 27 – June 12,2016 | Charleston, SC
Piccolo Spoleto is the sister festival to the concurrent Spoleto festival. Piccolo has a strong visual arts presence, and offers 500+ free or low priced events that welcome both the local community and visitors to the Charleston boroughs and neighboring towns and islands. Featured in our spring issue.
Charleston Symphony Orchestra Sunset Serenade Concert at Piccolo Spoleto
SWEETGRASS FESTIVAL
June 4, 2016 | Mt. Pleasant, SC
Celebrate Charleston’s Gullah Geechee heritage with a two-day festival filled with dance, craft, music, skits, and traditional Geechee cuisine. More then 15 local restaurants will participate in this family friendly festival.
SOUTH CAROLINA FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS
May 24 – June 25, 2016 | Greenwood, SC
Come view works from SC students and professional artists at the Arts Center’s Youth Juried Art Show and Juried Art Show, respectively. Enjoy theater and musical performances or a day strolling through the beautiful gardens on tour. Don’t miss the legendary “Signature” Topiary Display in Uptown Greenwood.
CARIFEST
June 23 – 26, 2016 | Charleston, SC
June is Caribbean American Heritage Month and Carifest celebrates the deep lineage from the Caribbean Islands to the Lowcountry, heritage that dates back to the 17th century. Don’t miss their Carnival parade through downtown on June 25, immediately followed by Festival in the Park and All White After Party.
Spring Festival Guide
More Arts Festivals in North Carolina
Spring Festival Guide
Spoleto Festival USA
Visual Arts Feature
The Rise of the Art Hotel
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