Celebrate 20 years of tradition at the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival!
Enjoy a variety of activities that showcase locally harvested seafood and Lowcountry cuisine, all while highlighting the area’s rich history and culture.
May River Ducks Unlimited Fall Frenzy
- Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St.
This fall frenzy will be another great event promoting wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Bring your friends and family to see what Ducks Unlimited is all about. $50.00 per person. Dinner, beverages, raffles.
Styles of the Sea-son Matinee
- October 5 @ 2-4 p.m.
- May River Theatre, 20 Bridge St.
Join the May River Theatre along with a selection of Bluffton boutiques as fashion takes center stage! Silent Auction Items representing multiple Old Town Bluffton business owners and supporters will also be available to bid on. Proceeds from this event will help fund the May River Theatre Scholarship program.
James McGhee Lecture and Tour
- AME Campbell Chapel, 25 Boundary St.
Walk For Freedom
- October 12 @ 9-11 a.m.
- Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St.
This event is a collective effort led by A21, a global nonprofit organization determined to eradicate human trafficking through awareness, intervention, and aftercare. Walk For Freedom is A21’s global response to human trafficking, raising awareness and funds for the millions enslaved in the world today. Free.
Bluffton State of Mind Supper Soirée
- October 12 @ 6 p.m.
- 45 Calhoun St.
Come enjoy a night under the stars! Eat in the street 4 Course Dinner with music, wine, …served in the center of Historic Calhoun Street highlighting some of our local chefs. $150 per person; limited to 120 attendees. Buy your tickets here.
Art In The Park- A Celebration of all Things Local
- October 13 @ 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St.
Stroll Old Town Bluffton and see our state-designated cultural district come alive! POP UP ART on gallery lawns, on gallery porches and in Martin Family Park – temporary art displays join the many galleries to highlight the artistic and cultural side of Bluffton. A celebration of exceptional handmade, original local art. Free.
Blessing Of The Fleet, Boat Parade
- October 13 @ 4-6 p.m.
- Wright Family Park, 111 Calhoun St.
Bring your lawn chair, view the Boat Parade and enjoy Gospel music by Lavon Stevens on the bluff in Wright Park or join the parade in your own boat. Free.
Oyster Fest
- October 13 @ 5-8 p.m.
- Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St.
Bluffton Oyster Factory Park’s First Oyster Roast of the Season ($20 for a bucket of oysters), Shrimp Boil & BBQ, Live Music by Crosstown Traffic.
May River Boat Tour
October 14-19 @ 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Calhoun Street Public Dock, 110 Calhoun St.
Join Capt. Chris and his crew for a one-hour guided “Skiff” cruise on the May searching for local wildlife, discussing history and soaking up the tidal estuary air. $35/ per person…subject to availability. All trips leave on the hour every hour from the public dock at the end of Calhoun Street. $35.00.
Dinner & Learn Cherish our Waterways
- October 14 @ 4:30-6 p.m.
- Waddell Mariculture Center, 211 Sawmill Creek Rd.
Tour the Waddell Mariculture Center, view the updated facilities, and learn from Director Erin Levesque how important this research facility is to our area and our resources. The tours will be given at four times, followed by dinner at Toomers Bluffton Seafood Restaurant, 27 Mellichamp Dr., Historic Downtown Bluffton.
May River Oyster Farm Tour with May River Excursions
- October 15 & 17 @ 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Calhoun Street Public Dock, 110 Calhoun St.
Come enjoy a rare opportunity for an up-close-and-personal experience with May River Oyster Company’s pioneering oyster farm in collaboration with the Bluffton Seafood Festival and May River Excursions. This 2-hour in-depth tour brings you out to a working oyster farm where the farmers demonstrate the techniques and methods used to produce some of the best oysters in the world. Afterward enjoy lunch at Bluffton Seafood House in Historic Downtown Bluffton. Limited availability. $115.00 per person (includes lunch at Toomers Family Seafood Restaurant).
Author Night
- October 16 @ 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Rotary Community Center, 11 Recreation Ct.
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by Southern Spice Catering and Events; 6 p.m. showtime with Dr. Carolyn Grant, Thomas Barnwell, and Emory Shaw Campbell, the Co-Authors of Gullah Days: Hilton Head Islanders Before the Bridge 1861-1956, at the Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park (11 Recreation Court). Cost: $15.00; additional donations accepted; proceeds to the Waddell Mariculture Center. Reservations required. Purchase your tickets here.
Outdoor Pops in the Park
- October 17 @ 7:30-9:30 p.m.
- Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St.
Enjoy the sweet sounds of your own Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
Red Apron Sips & Seafood Prelude Party at Hewitt Oaks
- October 18 @ 5-10 p.m.
- Hewitt Oaks, 205 Stillwell Rd.
Presented and hosted by Hewitt Oaks Join us for a grand culinary celebration under the stars on the beautiful grounds of Hewitt Oaks. The evening will include sensational Lowcountry dining, savory cocktails, along with contagious excitement with live and silent auctions as we raise money to support our Bluffton neighbors in need.
Old Town Oyster Race & Run
- October 19 @ 8-10:30 a.m.
- Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St.
Join us for a run through Old Town Bluffton with scenic river and marsh views. Compete in a fast-paced 10K or complete the 5K with the entire family! Both events will be professionally timed. Awards presentation and After-Party immediately follows. Music, Mimosas, Cold Beer, Oysters and much, much more!
Street Fest
- October 19 & 20 @ 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Old Town Bluffton
Enjoy our juried art show featuring over 100 local and regional artists from 10 different states, displaying an array of fine art: oils, pastels, acrylics, photography, pottery, ceramics, watercolor and more. Area restaurants serve local seafood and Lowcountry cuisine. Take a break at the Tailgate area and catch up on your favorite team’s game while enjoying craft beer, premium wine and music. Favorite bands will entertain on two stages throughout the day.
