The fall season may not necessarily look the same on the island as it does in other locations known for colorful fall foliage, but once the leaves begin to change across the country, Hilton Head Island’s festival season starts ramping up. Starting as early as September, festivals and events start filling up the calendar, only adding to the fun for visitors on vacation. If one thing is true about the island, is that we love celebrating food: seafood, Italian food, BBQ, shrimp, oysters…we can go on and on about the delicious plates that will be served up by local and award-winning chefs over the next coming months. Almost every event will feature amazing musicians and live entertainment, as well as offer collections of local vendors and specialty pop-up shops. The island’s Pumpkin Patch will even be popping up in October. Read on to learn more about some of the major events happening on Hilton Head this fall.
September
Hilton Head Island Jam 2025 LOCASH Golf Bash
September 18, 2025
7:30am Registration, 9am Shotgun Start
Atlantic Dunes Golf Course
Join LOCASH for an unforgettable day on the green during HHIJ 2025, set against the backdrop of Hilton Head’s picturesque Atlantic Dunes Course at Sea Pines Resort. This exclusive tournament blends the thrill of music with the passion for golf, offering fans a unique way to connect with their favorite artists in the heart of a golfing paradise.
Every player will receive access to all of the event’s activities including the Pairings Party on September 17th, as well as an awesome swag bag.
This event benefits the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Find more information on the event’s website.
Island Jam 2025 Songwriter Festival
September 18-21, 2025
Various Locations
Welcome back to the 3rd Annual Hilton Head Island Jam, where Nashville’s songwriting brilliance meets Hilton Head’s charm. Join us for music and storytelling in our picturesque Lowcountry settings. Featuring renowned, hit songwriters and emerging artists, the festival promises an intimate celebration of creativity and camaraderie.
The full schedule is coming soon, so check back for more details! Get ready for a lineup of events set across multiple iconic venues, including the serene Liberty Oak and the vibrant Lowcountry Celebration Park. Stay tuned for detailed times and dates.
For a full list of artists attending, to stay up to date with this year’s events, or even to take a look at last year’s inaugural festival, visit the Island Jam website.
Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival
September 20, 2025
1:00-4:00pm
Harbour Town
Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival held in Harbour Town within the Sea Pines property. In one afternoon, you’ll be able to sample shrimp dishes from local chefs, enjoy craft beers from 15 breweries, shop from specialty vendors, and listen to live music by Nashville songwriters in town for the Hilton Head Island Jam Songwriters Festival. This event is family-friendly, having a designated Kid Zone full of fun children’s activities, a bounce house, face painting, and more. You might even get to meet Forrest Gump! Children 8 and under will have free admission. A gate pass must be purchased to enter Sea Pines.
Visit the festival’s website for a list of participating chefs and breweries, or if you’d like to buy tickets.
Rhythm & Brews
September 27, 2025
VIP Admission: 1:00pm, General Admission: 2:00pm
Shelter Cove Community Park
Presented by the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival (March 19-22, 2026), this year’s Rhythm & Brews will be held at the beautiful, Shelter Cove Community Park. With a general admission ticket, festival guests will be able to enjoy live music by headliner, Kaylee Rose, as well has having access to purchase food from local vendors and unlimited tastings from over 100 breweries, distilleries, and wineries. A foodies dream, skip your lunch or dinner plans and spend your Saturday afternoon among friends and family in the Carolina sunshine with a stunning view of Broad Creek. All attendees must be 21 and over–no exceptions. Children and pets are not permitted.
This event is a participant in Ales for ALS, a program that raises money for vital ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute. For more information about this cause or the event in general, visit the festival’s website.
October
Off-Island: Beaufort Shrimp Festival
October 3rd, 2025 from 5:00-10:00pm
October 4th, 2025 from 11:00am-4:00pm
Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort, SC
Take the beautiful drive from Hilton Head to Beaufort, South Carolina, and attend the 31st Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival. Great for all ages and free to attend, stroll up and down Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to find the Arts and Crafts Market, delicious food and drinks, as well as live entertainment. The Run Forrest Run 5K will be held on October 4th to celebrate the filming location of the classic movie, Forrest Gump. If you happen to see Mr. Gump yourself, make sure to ask for a picture with him!
Visit the festival’s website for more information.
Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival
October 4th, 2025
12:00-6:00pm; Doors Open at 11:00am
Lowcountry Celebration Park
This is a can’t-miss experience that highlights the rich Gullah Geechee culture with delicious food, live music, and entertainment. The Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival is great for all ages and will feature a mix of folk, funk, jazz, spoken word, R&B, and more. The on-site market will include many vendors selling culturally relevant clothing, art, and various other merchandise. Food vendors will offer an array of delicious hot, cold, sweet, and savory items that will leave you wanting to go back for more!
Purchase tickets and find more information about this event online.
Jeep Island
Meet & Greet: October 10, 2025
5:00-7:00pm
Lincoln and South Brewing Company
October 11th, 2025
Main Event: 12:00-3:00pm at Lowcountry Celebration Park
After Party: 3:00-7:00pm at The Bank
A fundraiser that helps build the Island Recreation Association’s Children Scholarship, Jeep Island is a fun way for Jeep enthusiasts to gather together, show off their rides, have the chance to win a Jeep Wrangler, and more! Jeep Island Entry is $50 (for one Jeep and two people), includes access to Friday night’s Meet & Greet, Saturday’s Jeep Island & Chili Cook Off, afterparty, and a goodie bag.
Pumpkin Patch
October 17, 2025
4:00-7:00pm
Shelter Cove Community Park
All are welcome to this complimentary event hosted by the Island Recreation Association. This annual event features a field of pumpkins to choose from, as well as the highly anticipated Kid’s Halloween Costume Contest that begins at 5:45pm.
Along with pumpkins, there will be bounce houses and other games. Train rides, concessions, and chances at climbing the rock wall will be sold individually. Explore the shops and have lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants within the Shelter Cove Towne Centre.
Italian Heritage Festival
October 18, 2025
11:00am-4:00pm
The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
A celebration of Italian culture, the 15th Annual Italian Heritage Festival will be held on the beautiful grounds of Honey Horn. The festival lineup will feature traditional Italian foods ranging from cheeses, breads, pasta, gelato, biscotti and more, so arrive hungry! There are scheduled activities for all ages, and of course, we couldn’t leave out the yearly Pizza Eating Contest! Parking on-site is free of charge. This event is rain or shine!
Visit the event’s website for more information!
Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival
October 29-November 2, 2025
Various Locations
Since 2002, the Concours d’Elegance has been celebrated in the Lowcountry. The event’s charitable fund supports the youth who want to pursue a future in the automotive, aviation, and mobility industries while giving back to local youth programs and organizations in the community. A spectacular event showcasing the art and history of the industries, the festival kicks off with the Grand Motoring Film Festival at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. This year, the Flights and Fancy Aeroport Gala will be held that Saturday evening at the Hilton Head Island Airport. Also on Saturday, attendees will be able to tour the Car Club Showcase, where over 20 clubs will be on-site at the Port Royal Golf Club. To close the festival, Sunday’s final Concours d’Elegance will be held at the Port Royal Golf Club. VIP ticket packages are available for insider experiences you won’t forget.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and learn more about the schedule of events.
November
Hilton Head Oyster Festival
All You Can Eat Event: November 7, 2025
5:00-8:00pm
Shelter Cove Community Park
Festival Day: November 8, 2025
11:00am-5:00pm
Lowcountry Celebration Park
The Hilton Head Oyster Festival brings two days a year locals and visitors alike always look forward to. The All You Can Eat Event will be held on November 7th, from 5:00-8:00pm at the Shelter Cove Community Park. Here, you’ll be offered all-you-can-eat Lowcountry boil, seafood chowder, pulled pork, and of course, steamed local oysters. This is a rain-or-shine event. The actual festival day is on that Saturday, November 8th, at Lowcountry Celebration Park from 11:00am-5:00pm. A full day of delicious food, great music, artisan pop-up shops, and kid’s activities, a lineup of local bands will be on the main stage for most of the afternoon. At 2pm, the festival swaps its live music for live entertainment–the Oyster Shucking Contest!
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for either event.
Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade
November 22, 2025
5:30-8:00pm
Be on the lookout for more information about this annual event!
Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Walk
November 27, 2025
8:00am-9:00am
Run Start: 397 Squire Pope Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
What better way to start your Thanksgiving than a Turkey Trot? Register your family and friends now for the 37th Annual Turkey Trot hosted by the Island Recreation Association.
The run starts at 8am in front of Dockside on Skull Creek.
Registration fee is $40 per entry, and $50 per entry after November 1st. Click here to register.
