09/24/2026
Lowcountry Living
Your October Guide to Hilton Head Island
Food festivals, classic cars, live music, and family fun — here's what's happening across the island this month.
October brings the best of Lowcountry fall to Hilton Head, Bluffton, and beyond — food festivals, live music, classic cars, and family fun as the island's high season winds down and the weather turns perfect for exploring.
Signature Festivals
October 3
Fish and Grits Music Festival
A family-friendly Gullah Geechee celebration with musical performances, traditional cuisine, arts and crafts, and vendors throughout the day.
October 3
Rhythm & Brews
Shelter Cove Community Park hosts unlimited b**r, spirit, and w**e tastings alongside live music, benefiting Ales for ALS.
October 9–10
Jeep Island
A weekend-long celebration for Jeep enthusiasts at Lowcountry Celebration Park and other venues, featuring a Show and Shine, live music, the new Slider Showdown with 15+ local restaurants, a Meet and Greet at Lincoln and South, and an afterparty at The Bank.
October 17
Gullah Food Festival
Held at the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, this festival showcases local Gullah cuisine alongside entertainment celebrating the island's living heritage.
October 24
Mac and Cheese Festival
Lincoln and South Brewery hosts this cheesy celebration from 5–8 PM.
October 23
Pumpkin Patch
Shelter Cove Park's fall tradition returns with a Halloween costume contest, pumpkins, games, and children's activities.
October 29–November 1
Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival
Over 200 rare pre-1974 vehicles compete for Best in Show, judged by 75 experts, alongside a Club Car Showcase and Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Mini Meet.
Music & Arts
Thursdays, Oct 1, 8 & select nights
Fall Music & Taste on the Harbour
Pet-friendly outdoor concerts at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, 6–9 PM, with a canned food donation requested.
October dates
The Concert Truck Mini-Residency
Presented by the Town's Office of Cultural Affairs and Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, free and open to the public.
October 25
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra: Olga Kern — Beethoven Emperor
A concert performance at First Presbyterian Church.
Weekly Traditions
Worth building your routine around.
Hilton Head Community Market — Saturdays, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM at Shelter Cove Community Park
Hilton Head Farmers Market — Tuesdays, 9 AM–1 PM at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
Looking Ahead to November
The season keeps rolling with the Hilton Head Half & Quarter Marathon & 5K (November 1), the Hilton Head Oyster Festival (November 6–7), and the glowing Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade (November 14).
Maureen Houston, REALTOR, RE/MAX Island Realty
Maureen Houston
REALTOR® with RE/MAX Island Realty, serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Hardeeville & Okatie. Thinking about making the Lowcountry your home? There's no better time to explore, with a calendar this full of reasons to fall in love with island life.