Free SC Fall Events



Fall! Time for cooler weather, Oktoberfests, Fall festivals, and other great outdoor and free activities.
This list just covers October and November, I'll be working on another one just for all the holiday events (though some are mentioned in here). Go enjoy the great weather and fun events!
Events in bold indicate Columbia-area events.

Late September/Early October - MOJA Arts Festival - http://www.mojafestival.com/home/
  • Charleston area
  • a festival for African-American and Caribbean art
  • some events are free, some have a charge

October 
Early October
- Congaree Bluegrass Festival - http://www.cityofcayce-sc.gov/cbf/ 
  • free admission, free parking
  • Saturday, 11 am - 6 pm
  • bluegrass music, historical tours, food vendors, games for kids
  • bring lawn chairs, but no outside food or coolers. Also, bring a canned good to donate to a local food pantry.
- Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair - http://www.carolinafoothillsheritagefair.org/
  • $5 adults, $3 kids, preschoolers - free
  • one day - free admission with food donation
  • farm machinery demonstrations, animals, parade, bull riding
  • Hwy 123 between Seneca and Westminster
- Beaufort Shrimp Festival - http://www.downtownbeaufort.com/beaufort-shrimp-festival
  • food and drink vendors, crafts, road race and shrimp race, music, games
  • downtown Beaufort
 - Congaree Swamp Festival - http://www.congareeswampfest.com/
  • food, music, games, a shuttle to the Congaree Swamp National Park, demonstrations, activities for kids
  • East of Columbia, off of Bluff Road
- Gaston Collard and BBQ Festival - http://gastonsc.org/home/31st-annual-gaston-collardbarbeque-festival
  • free rides for kids, BBQ contests, live entertainment, antique car and tractor display
  • Friday beginning at 7:00 pm, Saturday beginning at 10:00 am
  • south of Columbia, on Hwy. 321
- Squeelin on the Square - Laurens - http://www.mainstreetlaurens.org/archives/129
  • BBQ contest, arts and crafts, antique tractor and classic car show, kids activities
  • between Columbia and Greenville
- Charleston Fall Greek Festival - http://charlestongreekfestival.com/fall/
  • Greek food, drinks, entertainment, vendors and tours of the church
  • this festival actually costs $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, children under 12 and active military are free
  • free parking and shuttle
- Fall Harvest Festival - Pendleton - http://www.squidoo.com/fall-festival
  • this one may change weekends, check website for dates
  • 10 am - 5 pm 
  • crafts, vendors, entertainment, old-fashioned children's games, and a scarecrow contest
  • also a Historic Downtown Scavenger Hunt
  • Pendleton is south of Greenville, just outside of Clemson
- Oktoberfest - Newberry - http://www.visitnewberrysc.com/area-attractions/newberry-oktoberfest
  • Biergarten, food, cooking demonstrations, a video game truck, live music, and classic cars
  • 10 am - 5 pm, followed by an outdoor concert starting at 7:30 pm
  • Newberry is northwest of Columbia
Mid-October
- Balloons over Anderson - http://www.balloonsoveranderson.org/
  • live music concerts, "balloon glow" Saturday night, car show, triathlon, vendors and a "Thomas the Train" ride for kids
  • Anderson is south of Greenville
- Fall For Greenville - http://www.fallforgreenville.net
  • featuring food and drink from Greenville's downtown restaurants, you purchase tickets to use for the food and drink
  • also there will be live music, free shuttles for free parking, tasting areas and cooking demonstrations
  • downtown Greenville
- Oktoberfest - Columbia - http://www.incarnationlutheran.com/oktoberfest/
  • German food and drink, arts and crafts vendors, live music
  • hosted by Incarnation Lutheran Church on Devine Street, Columbia
- Mayor's Walk Against Domestic Violence - http://www.columbiasc.gov/
  • downtown Columbia at 9 am; free
- Pumpkintown Pumpkin Festival - website is down right now. I'm not sure if they're still doing the festival but hopefully so!
  • popular, small town fall festival, parade begins at 9 am, followed by crafts, vendors, live bluegrass music and dancing, food
  • northwest of Greenville
- Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival - http://www.blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.com/
  • music, entertainment, contests, food, arts and crafts, tours (some have a fee), fireworks (on the 19th)
  • Bluffton is just west of Hilton Head, north of Savannah
- HILLarity Festival, Chester - http://www.chestercounty.org/visitors/festivals.aspx
  • 9 am - until, food, music, arts and crafts, pet show, children rides
  • between Columbia and Charlotte, off of I-77
- Loris Bog-off Festival - http://lorischambersc.com/bog-off2009/events.html
  • free movie night on Thursday, the 17th; Saturday, starts at 9 am
  • Chicken Bog Cooking Contest, live music, fireworks, children's area, car & tractor show, arts and crafts
  • West of Myrtle Beach, near the North Carolina border
Late October
- Art on the Trail, Travelers Rest - http://www.artonthetrail.com/index.html
  • over 50 artist booths, demonstrations and crafts for kids, food court
  • northwest of Greenville
- Fall for Liberty Bluegrass - http://www.libertyscevents.com/p/fall-for-liberty.html
  • 10 am - 5 pm
  • vendors and chili cook-off (check website for more information)
  • Liberty is south of Greenville, off of Hwy 123
- Family Fall Festival at First Baptist Church - http://firstkids.me/
  • 3:00 - 7:00 pm
  • fun, games, food, preschool-only area, climbing wall, costume contest, rides
  • downtown Columbia at the corner of Sumter and Washington Streets. 
- Korean Festival, Columbia  - http://www.koreanfestival.co/ 

  • 11 am - 7 pm, downtown Columbia
  • heritage shows, food, culture; proceeds go to local charities

November 
Early November 
- Pecan Festival, Florence - http://www.florencedowntown.com/pecan-festival/
  • Food & Craft Vendors, Art Demonstrations, a Free Kids Zone, Amusement Rides, and Antique Tractor Show, Car Show, Cook-off Competition, Races
  • see website for more details
- Greenville Open Studios - http://www.greenvillearts.com/art-scene/open-studios/
  • 124 artists studios are free and open to the public, smartphone app is available
  • 15-mile radius of downtown Greenville with Easley, Greer, Travelers Rest and Dacusville included
- Columbia's Blues Festival & Five Points Chili Cook-off  - not sure if this is still being held in 2014. We'll see!
  • Five Points, Columbia, music takes place in MLK Jr. Park
  • concerts are noon to 10 pm, chili cook-off runs from 11 am - 6 pm with free chili tastings
  • local retailers will be having a sidewalk sale (get your Christmas shopping done early!)
- Native American Cherokee Trail River Festival  - looking for updated info
  • Native American dancing, history, music, food and story telling
  • 10 am - 4 pm
  • Cayce City Hall, across the Congaree River from Columbia
- Park Day on Daniel Island - http://www.danielislandparkday.com/
  • 11 am - 4 pm 
  • live entertainment, games, jump castles, animal exhibits and Food Truck Rodeo, exhibits from local charitable organizations
  • Daniel Island, north of Charleston, off of I-526
Mid-November
- St Nicolas BBQFest - http://stnicholasbbqfest.com/
  • BBQ competition (North vs South Carolina), children’s activities, rides, games, food vendors, live music, animal exhibits
  • Conway - west of Myrtle Beach
- Vista Lights - http://www.vistalightssc.com/
  • usually the Thursday before Thanksgiving
  • 5 - 9 pm
  • Columbia's kick-off to the Christmas season - tree lighting, food vendors, stores open, crafts, holiday activities
  • downtown Columbia

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