Mark your calendars. We’ve rounded up 15 of South Carolina’s best art festivals from February to November (including a few in our own backyard) for the ultimate art #RoadTrip.
February
🎨 Columbia Stamp Scrap Art Tour | February 16-17 | Columbia, S.C. | $6 | See the latest in stamping and scrapbooking techniques, attend classes and demonstrations, and of course, desserts and door prizes.
March
🎨 Spring Art & Craft Festival | March 1-3 | S.C. State Fairgrounds | Columbia, S.C. | $8 | Featuring hundreds of artists + designers, see exhibit demonstrations, purchase free return pass to take advantage of all three days
April
🎨 Columbia Open Studios | April 6-7 | Columbia, S.C. | Free | Self-guided, weekend-long, free tour of artists’ studios in the Greater Columbia area – featuring nearly 70 artists this year.
🎨 Myrtle Beach Spring Art in the Park | April 27-28 | Market Common Valor Park | Myrtle Beach, S.C. | Free | Featuring local art including woodworking, pottery, photography, painting, and more.
🎨 Hilton Head Art Market | April 27-28 | Coastal Discovery Museum | Hilton Head Island, S.C. | $3 | Event features more than 80 artists.
May
🎨 North Charleston Arts Festival | May 1-5 | North Charleston City Hall | North Charleston, S.C. | Free | National, regional, local artists + performers in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, media arts, + literature. The festival also includes concerts, theatre presentations, children’s programs, film screenings, workshops and demonstrations, exhibitions and public art installations.
🎨 Artisphere | May 10-12 | Main Street | Greenville, S.C. | Free | We love Artisphere for all the tents full of everything from paintings to photography to jewelry + sculptures. Stroll up and down Main Street and listen to live performances, try samplings of new cuisine, and of course, stop and see each artists’ work.
June - July
🎨 Edisto Island Arts in the Park | June 9, July 14, August 11 | Bay Creek Park | Free | Edisto Island, S.C. | The perfect summer night: browse artwork, listen to local musicians, enjoy great performances and eat delicious, local food
August
🎨 Myrtle Beach Craftsmen’s Classics Art & Craft Festival | Aug. 2-4 | Myrtle Beach Convention Center | Myrtle Beach, S.C. | $8 | See the show that won the title of “200 Best” by Sunshine Artist and “Top 20 Events” by The Southeast Tourism Society for its 37th annual show this year.
September
🎨 Aiken’s Makin’ Arts & Crafts Show | Sep. 6-7 | Aiken, S.C. | Free | Pottery, woodcrafts, furniture, baskets, stained glass, quilts, clothing, needlecrafts, toys, jewelry, and ceramics. The show also features children’s clothing, baked goods, homemade candy + yard art.
🎨 Greenville Stamp Scrap Art Tour | Sept. 21-22 | Greenville Convention Center | Greenville, S.C. | $6 | Attend “make and take classes”, watch live demonstrations, and learn all about the latest in stamping and scrapbooking.
🎨 Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival | Sept. 27-29 | Huntington Beach State Park | Murrells Inlet, S.C. | $10 | Live music, crafts and over 100 artisans share their work and talents.
October - November
🎨 Myrtle Beach Fall Art in the Park | Oct. 12-13, Nov. 9-10 | Market Common Valor Park | Myrtle Beach, S.C. | Free | If you missed the Spring Art in the Park, now is your chance to see local artists’ work before the year ends.
🎨 Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival | Oct. 19-20 | Old Town Bluffton Historic District | Bluffton, S.C. | Free | Showcases 100+ local artists and includes river boat tours, tournaments, and live music. Festival activities also include paddle board tours, river boat tours, 5k run, children fishing tournament, kid’s activities and games, Gullah village, live music + seafood tastings.
🎨 Greenville Open Studios | Nov. 2019 (TBD dates) | Greenville, S.C. | Free | Self-guided tour through the studios + spaces of 100+ artists across the Upstate, from downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest to Simpsonville. ProTip: Download the app to easily navigate the tour.
Interested in becoming even more involved in our local art scene? See how you can become a member of the MAConnect, a group for young professionals that connects them with our city’s cultural amenities through educational events. Learn more here.
