Free SC events April/May 2013


I wanted to share with you my list of free events coming up in South Carolina. This isn't an exhaustive list and I'm mostly focusing on the midlands area but I wanted to have a central place to list all these. It's a great time to be outside and there are lots of festivals going on. Feel free to share your own!

Thursday, April 18 - Sunday, April 21 - Spring Plant and Flower Festival at the State Farmers Market
  • 8 am - 6 pm Thursday thru Saturday, 12 - 5 pm Sunday
  • Lexington County
  • you can stock up on your plants for spring and Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions
  • there's also a restaurant on the premises if you want a bite to eat
  • There's an Upstate one as well, May 2-5 in Greenville 
Friday, April 19 - Sunday, April 28 - ArtFields - http://www.artfieldssc.org/
  • Lake City, near Florence
  • various free events, live music, dancing, food, art
Friday, April 19 - Saturday, April 20 - South Carolina BBQ and Shag Festival - http://www.scbbqshagfestival.org/
  • Hemingway, near Conway
  • music, bbq contest, fireworks, petting zoo, car show, dancing
Friday, April 19 - Sunday, April 21 - Abbeville French Heritage Festival - http://abbevillefrenchheritagefestival.com/
  • Abbeville, between Columbia and Anderson
  • flower show, art show, historical tours, opera, concerts, garden tours
  • some activities have a cost
Saturday, April 20 - Olympia Fest - http://www.olympiafest.com/
  • 10 am - 5 pm
  • near downtown Columbia
  • music, food, games for kids, and the unique Quarry Crusher Run
  • quarry and mill tours as well
Saturday, April 20 - Planets for the People - http://www.scmuseum.org/events/planets.aspx 
  • 6 - 10 pm
  • meeting downtown Columbia
  • they'll have telescopes for people to look at
Saturday, April 20 - Soft Shell Crab Festival - http://www.oldvillageportroyal.com/index.htm
  • Noon - 5 pm
  • Port Royal, near Beaufort
  • food, drink music, car show, crab race
  • 11 am - 3:30 pm
  • Newberry, near Columbia
  • tours, kids activities, dancing, music, bbq competition
Saturday, April 20 - Pickens Azalea Festival - http://www.pickensazaleafestival.org/home
  • 10 am - 9 pm
  • Pickens, outside of Greenville
  • pageant, music, exhibits, historical tours, kids craft area, magic show, rides (for a fee)
Saturday, April 20 - Saturday, June 15 - Rhythm on the River - http://www.rhythmontheriversc.com
  • 6 - 9 pm
  • Cayce/West Columbia
  • free live music every Saturday night. Bring your chairs, blankets, food or drink. Enjoy the amphitheater with views of the Congaree River. I recommend arriving early to be sure to get parking. Or you can dine at one of the great restaurants in the area before the concert. 

Sunday, April 21 - The Big Nosh - http://www.bignosh.org/
  • 11 am - 4:30 pm
  • Forest Acres, near Columbia
  • Jewish food and cultural event - entertainment, games, activities, education and shopping
Thursday, April 25 - Saturday, April 27 - Artista Vista - http://www.artistavista.com/ 
  • Thursday 5 - 9 pm, Friday night concert at 8 pm, Saturday activities all day
  • art gallery viewings, concerts, gallery talks, a family bike ride (Saturday morning), history tours, theater
  • Vista, downtown Columbia 
Thursday nights April 25 - May 16 - Five After Five - http://fivepointscolumbia.com/
Thursday, April 25 - Loading Doc Live! - http://www.thetownship.org/events.cfm?event_id=236
  • 6 - 8 pm
  • behind the Township Theater, downtown Columbia (outdoors)
  • food trucks, music
  • lawn chairs and families welcome but NO coolers!
Saturday, April 27 - Lexington Kids Day - http://www.lexingtonkidsday.com
  • 10 am - 2 pm
  • Main Street, Lexington 
  • family activities, information, crafts, food vendors, screenings, safety exhibits and mascot visits
Saturday, April 27 - Riverwalk Music Festival - http://riverwalkmusic.com/ 
  • 2 - 9 pm
  • West Columbia Riverwalk ampitheater
  • free concerts, free parking
  • extra cost - wine and food tasting
  • I believe you can bring your cooler and food or drinks
Saturday, April 27 - Central Railroad Festival - http://centralrrfestival.org/
  • 10 am - 6 pm
  • Central, near Clemson
  • tours of the Railway Museum, local food, music, arts and crafts, entertainment and rides for children
Thursday, May 2 - First Thursday on Main Street - http://firstthursdaysonmain.com/
  • 6 - 10 pm
  • Main Street Columbia
  • food vendors, art displays, live music, car show, street fest
Thursday, May 2 - Saturday, May 4 - Abbeville's Spring Festival - http://www.abbevillespringfestival.com
  • Abbeville, between Columbia and Anderson
  • crafts, entertainment, food, amusement rides, car show, road race, book sale, tours
Friday, May 3 - Saturday, May 11 - North Charleston Arts Festival - http://northcharlestonartsfest.com/
  • North Charleston - Charleston Area Convention Center
  • free parking
  • vendors, antiques, gem and mineral show, craft stations, food, music, entertainment, cultural heritage
  • main events take place Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday, 2 pm - 5 pm
Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5 - Orangeburg Festival of Roses - http://www.festivalofroses.com/
  • Orangeburg
  • rose display, road race, river race, pagent, tournaments, food vendors, arts and crafts, kids area
Saturday, May 4 - South Carolina Strawberry Festival - http://www.scstrawberryfestival.com
  • 10 am - 10 pm
  • Fort Mill, outside of Rock Hill
  • concerts, food, arts, crafts, fireworks, car show, eating contests, kids activities
Saturday, May 4 - South Carolina State House Free tours - http://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/explore/fieldtrip.shtml
  • 9 am - 3:30 pm
  • free guided tours for the first Saturday of each month
Thursday, May 9 - Saturday, May 11 - Cooterfest - http://www.cooterfest.com
  • Allendale, between Aiken and the coast
  • cooter (turtle) races, carnival rides, music, parade, vendor booths, mud bog, fireworks
Saturday, May 11 - Eau Claire Fest - http://eauclairefest.com/
  • 11 am - 9 pm
  • Eau Claire, Columbia (North Main Street)
  • walking tours, music, food games, drum circle, car show
Saturday, May 11 - Mayfest on Main - North Myrtle Beach - 
  • 10 am - 6 pm
  • North Myrtle Beach, Main Street
  • arts, crafts, food, childrens area, entertainers, concert, 
  • **note that this is around the time of Bike week in Myrtle Beach
Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19 - St George Greenville Greek Festival - http://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/GreekFestival.html
  • downtown Greenville
  • costs $1, but you can download a free ticket from their website!
  • I highly recommend - one of the best gyros I've ever had
Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19 - South Carolina Book Festival - http://www.scbookfestival.org
  • downtown Columbia
  • Free admission on Saturday and Sunday
  • some events cost money
Friday, May 17 - Saturday, May 18 - Red Rose Festival - http://www.lancastercitysc.com/red-rose-festival.aspx
  • Lancaster, outside of Rock Hill
Sunday, May 19 - Columbia Museum of Art - http://www.columbiamuseum.org
  • Noon - 5 pm - free admission to the museum
  • for Association of Art Museum Directors' (AAMD) Art Museum Day (I didn't see it on their website but I found out through an email). Other museums may be hosting a free day as well. 
  • The Columbia Museum of Art is free on Sundays usually, but this is another special event. 
Friday, May 24 - Sunday May 26 - Iris Festival - http://www.sumtersc.gov/iris-festival.aspx
  • 10 am - 7 pm (closes 5 pm on Sunday)
  • Sumter, outside of Columbia
  • art, parade, kids activities, vendors, flower show, music, veteran display, car show

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