NOTE: Please check all venue websites for updated information.
April 13-June 2
Georgia Renaissance Festival
Fairburn
16th-century entertainment includes a medieval amusement park, jousting knights, Shakespearian plays, juggling, sword fighting, live music, entertainment, a 32-acre world bazaar and more than 1,000 costumed characters. Weekends 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. garenfest.com
April 23-27
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival
Myrtle Beach
Filmmakers from around the world showcase their work at what’s billed as “The East Coast’s Answer to the Sundance Film Festival.” Many films will be making their world premieres. myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com
April 28
Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
Mount Pleasant
Festival features shrimp-eating contest, live beach music, shag contest, art show, arts and crafts, boat parade and kids’ activities. Bring chairs and blankets. Free parking and shuttles. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Memorial Waterfront Park. Free. experiencemountpleasant.com
May 1-5
North Charleston Arts Fest
Charleston
Event includes more than 100 national, regional and local artists and performers of dance, music, theater, visual arts, crafts, photography, media arts and literature. northcharlestonartsfest.com
May 3
SCAD Sand Arts Festival
Tybee Island
Watch Savannah College of Art and Design art students and alumni compete and create sand sculptures. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion. tybeeisland.com
Zach Williams
Charleston
The contemporary Christian music artist performs his Hundred Highways tour with special guest Riley Clemmons. 8 p.m. North Charleston Performing Arts Center. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
May 4
Lowcountry Shrimp Festival
McClellanville
Festival includes live music, Blessing of the Fleet, local artisans, fried shrimp, Frogmore Stew, chicken kebobs, shrimp kebobs, barbecue, hot dogs, desserts, beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. lowcountryshrimpfestival.com
Savannah Scottish Games
Savannah
Event includes bagpipes, highland dancing, athletics, Scottish re-enactors, Celtic music, border collie herding demonstrations and children’s events. Bethesda Academy. savannahscottishgames.com
May 6-7
Taste of Beaufort
Beaufort
Music, arts and seafood festival includes dishes from local restaurants, live music, lawn games, arts and crafts market, 5K and children’s area. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. explorebeaufortsc.com
May 9
Bonnie Raitt
Charleston
The Grammy-winning blues singer and guitarist performs her Just Like That tour at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. 7:30 p.m. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
May 10-12
Artisphere
Greenville
Named one of the 100 Best Fine Arts Shows in the country, festival features visual, performance and culinary arts in downtown Greenville. artisphere.org
May 10-19
Myrtle Beach Bike Week & Spring Rally
Myrtle Beach
Rally features biker events, concerts and activities for 60 miles along the coast. Includes poker runs, tours, games, contests and entertainment. myrtlebeachbikeweek.com
May 11
Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival
Hiawassee
Festival features live music, art vendors, food vendors, tours of the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens and tastings from more than 20 wineries. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
May 11-12
Chastain Park Arts Festival
Atlanta
Named one of the Nation’s Top 100 Arts Festivals. Event features more than 185 artists, live music, gourmet food trucks and children’s area. chastainparkartsfestival.com
May 17
Jim Jefferies
Charleston
The comedian performs his Give ’Em What They Want tour at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. 7 p.m. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
Beach Bum Parade
Tybee Island
Humorous parade for kids and adults is the South’s largest water fight. Locals and tourists on parade floats battle spectators with buckets of water, squirt guns and hoses. 6:30 p.m. tybeeisland.com
May 17-19
Greek Festival
Greenville
Experience three days of Greek culture through food, beverages, dance and vendors at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. greekforaday.com
May 18
Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival
Hiawassee
Outdoor festival features more than 100 cooks and chefs preparing everything from barbecue to desserts on grills, griddles and smokers. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tasting ticket $30. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
May 22-June 9
Spoleto Festival USA
Charleston
Festival features more than 120 fine arts performances throughout Charleston. Includes music, drama, dance and visual arts. Venues and prices vary. spoletousa.org
May 23-26
Iris Festival
Sumter
South Carolina’s oldest continuous festival is a Southeastern Tourism Top 20 Event. Includes plants, flowers, concerts, arts, antiques, classic car shows, children’s activities and more. Swan Lake Iris Gardens. sumtersc.gov/irisfestival
May 24
Tye Tribett
Charleston
The gospel music artist performs his Only One Night Tho tour at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. 7:30 p.m. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
May 24-26
Hilton Head Island Arts Festival
Hilton Head
Featured works include pottery, glass, wood, jewelry, metal, painting, photography and more. Free admission. Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. hiltonheadartfestival.com
Original Gullah Festival
Beaufort
Learn the history, customs, cultures and language of African Americans of the Lowcountry through live music, art, storytelling and dance. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. theoriginalgullahfestival.org
May 25-27
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Atlanta
One of the country’s largest free jazz festivals. Includes jazz legends, new artists, food vendors and family activities. Piedmont Park. atlantafestivals.com
May 26
Flashback Funk Fest
Charleston
Headliners include Morris Day & The Time, ConFunkShun, Midnight Star and Brick. 7:30 p.m. North Charleston Performing Arts Center. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
May 30-June 1
Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival
Helen
The South’s oldest balloon event and the nation’s only long-distance balloon race begins in the Alpine village and ends at I-95. helenballoon.com
May 31-June 1
Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale
SC Highway 23
44-mile yard sale along Highway 23 winds through the seven towns of Batesburg-Leesville, Monetta, Ridge Spring, Ward, Johnston, Edgefield and Modoc. Includes furniture, antiques, toys, clothing, jewelry, farmer’s markets, artist’s markets, local restaurants and more. ridgespringsc.com
June 2
David Spade
Charleston
The comedian and actor performs his Catch Me Inside tour at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. 8 p.m. northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com
To have your event considered for publication, please submit materials to info@columbiacountymag.com. All listings require a two-month lead time.
