Celebrating Fall on Hilton Head Island: A Season of Festivals, Music, and Culture

September 2024

As summer winds down and school routines resume, Hilton Head Island shifts into the vibrant fall "festival season." This time of year is a special one for our community, as locals reconnect after summer travels and activities. The Island comes alive with a variety of cultural events and celebrations that we heartily look forward to. I especially enjoy blending some culture and fun into my Town meeting schedule.

One of the highlights is the Hilton Head Island Jam Songwriters Festival, returning for its second year from September 18 through 22. The Town of Hilton Head Island is thrilled to be the presenting sponsor once again. This event, which brings Nashville songwriters to perform at various venues across the Island, was a great success last year. Artists, patrons, and sponsors alike are excited about the line up of performers this year.

So far this year, over 30 performers, including award-winning songwriters and chart-topping artists, will be featured at venues like Liberty Oak, Lincoln & South, The Jazz Corner, The Westin Resort's Ocean Lounge, Fish, Big Bamboo, Beach House and the Lowcountry Celebration Park. This year's lineup includes songwriters of the CMA Song of the Year winners and nominees, Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame members, writers of ACM and CMA Single of the Year, and chart-topping performers. Notably, this year's festival will include two free community concerts at Lowcountry Celebration Park on September 20 and 21, headlined on Friday by LOCASH, who are also hosting a Golf Bash to raise funds for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. Saturday's headliner is Jeffrey Steele, the hall of fame songwriter who's co-written more than 60 hit songs for some of country music's biggest names.

Following this musical celebration, the Island will host the Latinos Unidos Food Festival on September 29 at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Now in its 13th year, this event is a cherished local tradition that supports Volunteers in Medicine, which provides essential medical care for individuals who live and work on Hilton Head Island. The festival features live music, entertainment, authentic Latin cuisine, and family-friendly activities.

October ushers in the Crescendo celebration of art, culture, and history, which will run through November and conclude with the Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade on November 23. This season is filled with performances, art exhibitions, workshops, and historical tours, showcasing the rich cultural life of our Island. The Crescendo Kickoff Party on October 15 at Shelter Cove Community Park will feature Grammy award-winning artist Charlton Singleton and his band Contemporary Flow.

Also in the fall are two other favored events that I am looking forward to: Jeep Island on October 12 and the Oyster Festival on November 8. Both take place at the Lowcountry Celebration Park.

As we look forward to these exciting events, I encourage you to stay connected with all the upcoming festivities and their details by visiting culturehhi.org. I hope to see you out and about enjoying all that our wonderful Island has to offer this fall!