Although the state of South Carolina is a beautiful destination to visit year-round, there’s something special about this Southern charmer in the fall. The air is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and everywhere you turn, there’s an outdoor festival to enjoy. From picking apples and pumpkins to enjoying wine and craft beer, there’s something for every age and interest. So, when you’re planning for autumn travels this year, make sure to schedule some time in the Palmetto State so you can enjoy these fall favorites.
MFBG Beer Fest, Lake City
Every year, Moore Farms Botanical Garden hosts the Annual Beer Fest. In addition to exploring the botanical gardens, guests can also sample beers from more than 20 different local and regional craft breweries, enjoy food from local food trucks and listen to live music.
Date: September 16th, 2023
Official Website
SpartOberfest, Spartanburg
SpartOberfest in Spartanburg isn’t your typical Oktoberfest celebration. Not only will you find plenty of German food, including pretzels and strudel, and of course, plenty of beer, but the festival also hosts the 5-10K Pretzel Run. Although it takes place in September, you’ll also find an authentic German-style Christmas market with a variety of artisans and craftsmen, where you can get some of your holiday shopping done early.
Canceled for 2023
Official Website
Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture, Columbia
The Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture has been celebrating black history in South Carolina for more than 40 years. The free outdoor festival includes live entertainment from dancers, musicians and storytellers, as well as artist demonstrations, vendors, food and beverages, and family-friendly activities. Guests can also take tours of the historic Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House or hop on the African American Historic Sites Bus Tour.
Date: September 16th, 2023
Official Website
Irish Italian International Festival, North Myrtle Beach
If you’re looking for some good food this fall, check out the Irish-Italian International Festival in North Myrtle Beach, where nearly 15,000 visitors will get together to celebrate these two dynamic cultures. In addition to delicious food from area restaurants, the event also features street performers, live music, arts and crafts vendors, a children’s area and dance groups that feature an Irish-Italian theme. Festival-goers can also try their luck (and their stomachs) at a spaghetti-eating competition!
Date: September 30th, 2023
Official Website
Beaufort Shrimp Festival, Beaufort
The Beaufort Shrimp Festival, held at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort, celebrates fall and all things shrimp. During this two-day festival, local restaurants offer some of their best shrimp dishes and compete against one another for the Silver Cup award. Guests can also participate in a shrimp heading competition (or a shrimp peeling competition for the little ones), take part in the Run Forrest Run 5K, or adopt a shrimp in the Sea Island Rotary’s Charity Rubber Shrimp Race.
Dates: October 6th & 7th, 2023
Official Website
Fall for Greenville, Greenville
Fall for Greenville is the largest food and music festival in upstate South Carolina and stretches across eight blocks on downtown Greenville’s Main Street. This massive three-day fest includes live music on multiple stages and over 250 menu items from more than 50 different Greenville-area restaurants. Plus, there are live cooking demonstrations, several food competitions, a variety of local wine and craft beer and a kids’ area that fills an entire city block and includes a funhouse, carousel, slides and more.
Dates: October 13th-15th, 2023
Official Website
SC Pecan Festival, Florence
You don’t want to miss the South Carolina Pecan Festival in Florence in November. For more than 15 years, this “nutty” festival has welcomed more than 50,000 pecan enthusiasts who travel to downtown Florence to enjoy food, crafts, a car and antique tractor show as well as a cook-off competition, art demonstrations, 5K, 10K and half marathon and amusement rides. Of course, there’s also plenty of pecans.
Dates: November 4th, 2023
Official Website
