As the chill of winter fades and the first blooms of spring emerge, the Southeast comes alive with festivals celebrating everything from food and music to culture and the great outdoors. Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or just looking for a fun weekend getaway, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a roundup of some of the best spring festivals happening across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia this season.
South Carolina
Charleston Wine + Food Festival (March 6-10, 2025 – Charleston, SC)
One of the most anticipated culinary events of the year, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival brings together top chefs, winemakers, and food lovers for five days of tastings, special dinners, and interactive experiences. The festival’s Culinary Village is a must-visit, offering bites from renowned chefs, craft cocktails, and live music.
Columbia Food & Wine Festival (April 22-27, 2025 – Columbia, SC)
Get ready for even bigger bites, bolder flavors, and deeper community impact as we proudly announce its exciting new status as a nonprofit organization under the esteemed Post and Courier Foundation (501(c)3)! This move unlocks new opportunities to elevate the festival’s future growth and shine an even brighter spotlight on Columbia’s vibrant hospitality scene.
Artisphere (May 10-12, 2025 – Greenville, SC)
Greenville’s vibrant downtown sets the stage for Artisphere, one of the top-ranked art festivals in the country. Featuring more than 135 artists from across the U.S., live demonstrations, interactive art experiences, and performances, it’s a weekend of creativity and culture you won’t want to miss.
South Carolina Strawberry Festival (May 3-4, 2025 – Fort Mill, SC)
Nothing says spring like fresh strawberries, and Fort Mill’s South Carolina Strawberry Festival is the ultimate celebration of the beloved berry. Enjoy strawberry-themed treats, live music, a parade, carnival rides, and a strawberry-eating contest.
Spring Means Babies Festival (April 5, 2025 – Anderson, SC)
A heartwarming festival for animal lovers, the Spring Means Babies Festival at the Anderson County Museum highlights the joy of spring with baby farm animals, petting zoos, and interactive activities for families. Enjoy live demonstrations, educational exhibits, and plenty of adorable photo opportunities with baby goats, chicks, and more.
North Carolina
Boone Docs Film Festival (March 15, 2025 – Boone, NC)
Film lovers and documentary enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Boone Docs Film Festival, a celebration of Appalachian storytelling through compelling short and feature-length documentaries. Held in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, this festival offers a unique look at regional culture, history, and creativity.
Cold Mountain Music Festival (May 18, 2025 – Canton, NC)
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Logan, Cold Mountain Music Festival brings together top musical acts for a day of live performances, local food trucks, and craft beverages. This family-friendly event is perfect for those looking to experience the vibrant music scene of Western North Carolina.
North Carolina
April 2-6, 2025 – Wilmington, NC)
Wilmington’s annual Azalea Festival is a celebration of springtime beauty, featuring grand parades, garden tours, concerts, and a street fair. Don’t miss the stunning azalea blooms, the crowning of the festival queen, and the waterfront fireworks display.
MerleFest (April 24-27, 2025 – Wilkesboro, NC)
A must for bluegrass and folk music lovers, MerleFest is one of the premier music festivals in the country. Named after Merle Watson, son of legendary guitarist Doc Watson, the festival brings top-tier musicians to the stage in a family-friendly atmosphere with jam sessions, workshops, and late-night performances.
Whitewater Center’s Tuck Fest (April 19-21, 2025 – Charlotte, NC)
For outdoor enthusiasts, Tuck Fest at the U.S. National Whitewater Center is an adrenaline-packed weekend of adventure sports, live music, and outdoor fun. Experience whitewater rafting, kayaking, trail running, rock climbing, and mountain biking, all while enjoying live performances from local and national artists.
Georgia
Atlanta Dogwood Festival (April 12-14, 2025 – Atlanta, GA)
Piedmont Park turns into a vibrant hub of art and music during the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. As one of the oldest arts festivals in the country, it showcases hundreds of artists, live entertainment, food vendors, and a kid-friendly fun zone, all set beneath the city’s blooming dogwood trees.
Savannah Music Festival (March 28 – April 13, 2025 – Savannah, GA)
If you love live music, the Savannah Music Festival is an absolute must. Spanning over two weeks, this diverse festival features world-class performances in jazz, classical, bluegrass, folk, and global music genres, all taking place in historic venues throughout the city.
Vidalia Onion Festival (April 26-28, 2025 – Vidalia, GA)
Georgia’s famous Vidalia onions take center stage in this quirky, small-town festival. The event features onion tastings, an air show, a carnival, and even an onion-eating contest. It’s a fun, unique way to experience Georgia’s agricultural heritage.
With so many exciting festivals happening across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, there’s no better time to get outside and explore. Whether you’re indulging in gourmet cuisine in Charleston, admiring azaleas in Wilmington, or enjoying live music in Savannah, the Southeast’s festival scene is thriving this spring.
Mark your calendars, grab your friends and family, and make the most of this beautiful season with a festival-filled road trip. Spring is calling—where will you go first?
For more travel ideas and event updates, stay tuned to Anderson Magazine!
Spring into Festival Season: The Best Spring Events Across SC, NC & GA
As the chill of winter fades and the first blooms of spring emerge, the Southeast comes alive with festivals celebrating everything from food and music to culture and the great outdoors. Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or just looking for a fun weekend getaway, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a roundup of some of the best spring festivals happening across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia this season.
South Carolina
Charleston Wine + Food Festival (March 6-10, 2025 – Charleston, SC)
One of the most anticipated culinary events of the year, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival brings together top chefs, winemakers, and food lovers for five days of tastings, special dinners, and interactive experiences. The festival’s Culinary Village is a must-visit, offering bites from renowned chefs, craft cocktails, and live music.
Artisphere (May 10-12, 2025 – Greenville, SC)
Greenville’s vibrant downtown sets the stage for Artisphere, one of the top-ranked art festivals in the country. Featuring more than 135 artists from across the U.S., live demonstrations, interactive art experiences, and performances, it’s a weekend of creativity and culture you won’t want to miss.
South Carolina Strawberry Festival (May 3-4, 2025 – Fort Mill, SC)
Nothing says spring like fresh strawberries, and Fort Mill’s South Carolina Strawberry Festival is the ultimate celebration of the beloved berry. Enjoy strawberry-themed treats, live music, a parade, carnival rides, and a strawberry-eating contest.
Spring Means Babies Festival (April 5, 2025 – Anderson, SC)
A heartwarming festival for animal lovers, the Spring Means Babies Festival at the Anderson County Museum highlights the joy of spring with baby farm animals, petting zoos, and interactive activities for families. Enjoy live demonstrations, educational exhibits, and plenty of adorable photo opportunities with baby goats, chicks, and more.
North Carolina
Boone Docs Film Festival (March 15, 2025 – Boone, NC)
Film lovers and documentary enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Boone Docs Film Festival, a celebration of Appalachian storytelling through compelling short and feature-length documentaries. Held in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, this festival offers a unique look at regional culture, history, and creativity.
Cold Mountain Music Festival (May 18, 2025 – Canton, NC)
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Logan, Cold Mountain Music Festival brings together top musical acts for a day of live performances, local food trucks, and craft beverages. This family-friendly event is perfect for those looking to experience the vibrant music scene of Western North Carolina.
North Carolina
April 2-6, 2025 – Wilmington, NC)
Wilmington’s annual Azalea Festival is a celebration of springtime beauty, featuring grand parades, garden tours, concerts, and a street fair. Don’t miss the stunning azalea blooms, the crowning of the festival queen, and the waterfront fireworks display.
MerleFest (April 24-27, 2025 – Wilkesboro, NC)
A must for bluegrass and folk music lovers, MerleFest is one of the premier music festivals in the country. Named after Merle Watson, son of legendary guitarist Doc Watson, the festival brings top-tier musicians to the stage in a family-friendly atmosphere with jam sessions, workshops, and late-night performances.
Whitewater Center’s Tuck Fest (April 19-21, 2025 – Charlotte, NC)
For outdoor enthusiasts, Tuck Fest at the U.S. National Whitewater Center is an adrenaline-packed weekend of adventure sports, live music, and outdoor fun. Experience whitewater rafting, kayaking, trail running, rock climbing, and mountain biking, all while enjoying live performances from local and national artists.
Georgia
Atlanta Dogwood Festival (April 12-14, 2025 – Atlanta, GA)
Piedmont Park turns into a vibrant hub of art and music during the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. As one of the oldest arts festivals in the country, it showcases hundreds of artists, live entertainment, food vendors, and a kid-friendly fun zone, all set beneath the city’s blooming dogwood trees.
Savannah Music Festival (March 28 – April 13, 2025 – Savannah, GA)
If you love live music, the Savannah Music Festival is an absolute must. Spanning over two weeks, this diverse festival features world-class performances in jazz, classical, bluegrass, folk, and global music genres, all taking place in historic venues throughout the city.
Vidalia Onion Festival (April 26-28, 2025 – Vidalia, GA)
Georgia’s famous Vidalia onions take center stage in this quirky, small-town festival. The event features onion tastings, an air show, a carnival, and even an onion-eating contest. It’s a fun, unique way to experience Georgia’s agricultural heritage.
With so many exciting festivals happening across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, there’s no better time to get outside and explore. Whether you’re indulging in gourmet cuisine in Charleston, admiring azaleas in Wilmington, or enjoying live music in Savannah, the Southeast’s festival scene is thriving this spring.
Mark your calendars, grab your friends and family, and make the most of this beautiful season with a festival-filled road trip. Spring is calling—where will you go first?
For more travel ideas and event updates, stay tuned to Anderson Magazine!