There is something special about the Lowcountry in the fall. The temperatures begin to get cooler (at least a little), football is in high gear, pumpkin spice makes a reappearance, and there are festivals pretty much every weekend. So get outside and experience all that the Lowcountry has to offer, and bring your whole family to these fun festivals:

10th Annual Boiled Peanut Festival, September 11, 12 – 6 p.m., Common Ground at the Heyward House Museum & Welcome Center, Bluffton, S.C. Admission: Adults, $15; children 10 and under, free.  

Come out and celebrate South Carolina's delicious state snack, the boiled peanut! The event features all-you-can-eat boiled peanuts, live music, food trucks, a boiled peanut eating contest, the Little Ms. Peanut and Mr. Goober Competition and the World’s Largest Peanut.

27th Annual Beaufort Shrimp Festival, October 1-2, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort, S.C.

You’ll need to come hungry for this festival which features unique shrimp dishes from the region’s foremost restaurants and chefs. But that’s not all! You can also run in the Run Forrest Run 5K, sponsor a shrimp in the charity shrimp race, and check out the arts and crafts area.

Festival on Main, October 15-16, Main Street (behind City Hall), Hardeeville, S.C.

Bring the whole family to this fun festival. You’ll enjoy carnival rides, food, and entertainment featuring the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Pachanga, and Deas-Guyz!

17th Annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival, October 16-24, Calhoun Street, Bluffton, S.C.

There’s literally something for everyone at this week-long festival: road races, kids fishing tournament, oyster roast and shrimp boil, author night and boat tours, to name just a few. But perhaps the highlight of the week is the Street Fest, held on Saturday, October 23, and Sunday, October 24, which features a juried art show with 100 local and regional artists, music and entertainment, and, of course, your favorite seafood served by your favorite local restaurants.

The 11th Annual Italian Heritage Festival, October 23, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum/Honey Horn Plantation, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Admission: $6.

This celebration of Italian culture features activities, entertainment and delicious Italian food (cheeses, breads, pasta, fish, meatballs, sausages, calzones, and delicious sweets, including Italian ice, gelato, biscotti and zeppolis). Yum!

5th Annual Gullah Food Festival, October 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Admission: $5.

Not only can you sample some delicious Gullah cuisine at this festival, but you can also hear Gullah storytellers and speakers and listen to Gullah music. For your kids, there will be face-painting and Gullah games and storybooks.

Know Before You Go: Due to changing COVID-19 restrictions, check the festival websites for updates.

Looking for more fun (and free!) events for the whole family?

There is always something happening at LowCountry Community Church. Take a look at LCC's events in Bluffton, South Carolina.