19th Annual Historic Bluffton
Arts & Seafood Festival
Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival
October 14 - 22, 2023
The award-winning Annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival is held annually in the charming and eclectic historic district, well known for its quirky art community, amazing restaurants, and natural river beauty.
The Seafood Festival is a weeklong event offering a myriad of activities, showcasing the locally harvested seafood, delicious Lowcountry cuisine, rich history, culture and art of the area and Southern hospitality found only in Bluffton.
The highlight of the festival has always been the Street Fest. The 2023 Street Fest will be held Saturday October 21st & Sunday October 22nd.
It includes a juried fine art show featuring over 100 artists from ten different states displaying and selling art, delicious food provided by the area’s premier culinary spots, along with great music and entertainment
-
Saturday, October 14th
Art & Chalk
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Field of Dreams, Oscar Frazier Park
Chalk the Walk art competition for children 13 and under; presented by the Bluffton Rotary Club
Registration 9:30; Chalk Art Competition for children - 10:15Bluffton State of Mind Supper Soirée
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Calhoun Street, Historic Old Town Bluffton
Eat in the street 4 Course Dinner with music, wine,... served in the center of Historic Calhoun Street highlighting some of our local chefs.
Come enjoy a night under the stars!
$125 per person; limited to 120 attendees.
Advanced Purchase Required. -
Sunday, October 15th
Art on The Street
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Stroll Old Town Bluffton and see our state designated cultural district come alive!
POP UP ART on the street, on gallery porches and in Martin 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 including oil and acrylic paintings, pottery and much, much more. Enjoy music by Angela Easterling 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Art Exhibits, Music and More in Old Town.A Dedication to the Living Legacy of Campbell Church
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
AME Campbell Chapel, Boundary Street
Honoring the historic Campbell Chapel Nine. A celebration through history, singing and dance.Blessing of The Fleet, Parade
4:00 pm
GOSPEL MUSIC WRIGHT PARK
Bring your lawn chair, view the Boat Parade and enjoy Gospel music by Lavon Stevens on the bluff or join the parade in your own boat. Make plans now to gather at the sandbar before 3:00 PM and process to the Public Dock in Wright Park following our Admiral of the Fleet.Oyster Fest
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bluffton Oyster Factory Park
First Oyster Roast of the Season ($20 for a bucket of oysters), Shrimp Boil & BBQ, Live Music with Muddy Creek. -
Monday, October 16th
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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 in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878Dinner & Learn
TOUR OF WADDELL MARICULTURE CENTER
Tours available at 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm, 21 Sawmill Creek Road, Bluffton. Only closed toe shoes.
Reservations required. $45/ per person. Proceeds to Waddell Mariculture Center. To make your reservation: blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org
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 five times, 4:00PM, 4:30PM, 5:00PM, 5:30PM and 6:00PM followed by dinner at Toomers Bluffton Seafood Restaurant, 27 Mellichamp Drive, Historic Downtown Bluffton. The dinner buffet includes Gumbo 2 Ways (chicken and seafood), Caesar salad, cornbread, cookies and tea. Beer, wine and cocktails will be available for purchase. During dinner presentations will be given concerning preservation of our natural resources by Kim Jones and Al Stokes. -
Tuesday, October 17th
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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 in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878Author Night
5:30 pm hors d'oeuvres, 6:00 pm showtime
Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park
11 Recreation Court Bluffton SC 29910
"Cherishing Bluffton's Past" through a panel of local historians sharing stories and history of Bluffton through the decades.
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided by Southern Spice Catering and Events; Cost: $15.00; additional donations accepted; proceeds to the Waddell Mariculture Center. Reservations required: click below, or call Mary at 843-815-2472 or 843-815-2474. -
Wednesday, October 18th
MAY RIVER BOAT TOUR
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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.
$30 per person, subject to availability. All trips leave on the hour every hour from the public dock at the end of Calhoun Street in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878AUTHOR NIGHT
5:30 pm hors d'oeuvres, 6:00 pm showtime
Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park
11 Recreation Court Bluffton SC 29910
Featured authors are Roger Pinckney and "Captain Woody" Collins. Mr. Pinckney resides on Daufuskie Island. He is the author of The Beaufort Chronicles, The Right Side of the River, Blue Roots, and Reefer Moon. Mr. Collins of Beaufort is a lifelong local resident, shrimper and author of Where Have All the Shrimp Boats Gone? Get ready for engaging history and funny stories of shrimping in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided by Southern Spice Catering and Events; Cost: $15.00; additional donations accepted; proceeds to the Waddell Mariculture Center. Reservations required: click below, or call Mary at 843-815-2472 or 843-815-2474. -
Thursday, October 19th
May River Boat Tour
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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 in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878May River Oyster Farm Tour
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
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 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.
Call 843-304-2878 to reserve. $105/ person (incl. lunch).Outdoor Pops in the Park
7:30 pm (rain or shine)
Martin Family Park
68 Boundary Street
Celebrate the return of live concerts! Enjoy the sweet sounds of your own Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra under the stars. General lawn seating; please bring your own folding chairs and blankets and a picnic dinner. -
Friday, October 20th
May River Boat Tour
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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 in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878Sips & Seafood Party
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hewitt Oaks
Join us for a grand celebration under the stars on the beautiful grounds of Hewitt Oaks. The evening includes sensational Lowcountry dining, savory cocktails, along with contagious excitement with a wine pull, live auctions as we raise money to support our Bluffton neighbors in need.
Limited tickets and sponsorships are available and can be purchased online at sipsandseafood.com.
All proceeds benefit Bluffton Self Help. -
Saturday, October 21st
There will be NO PARKING in Downtown Bluffton Saturday and Sunday!
(Except for the Oyster Race & Run at the Oyster Factory Park on Saturday morning)
Free Shuttles provided by our sponsor, Old Town Trolley Tours, from Red Cedar Elementary
Saturday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
For more information, call 843-757-BLUF (2583).
May River Boat Tour
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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 in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878Old Town Oyster Race & Run
8:00 - 10:30 am
10K Road Race, 5K Run Options
Bluffton Oyster Factory Park
Presented by Beaufort Memorial Hospital
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 following. Music, Cold Beer, Oyster Shooters, May River Mimosas, and much, much more!Take a Kid Fishing Tourney
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Wright Park
Take a Kid Fishing Tournament sponsored by Bluffton Marine Sports and Supplies, Boat Floats, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, Spartina Marine Education Charters, and managed by the Bluffton Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association.
Register between 9:30-10:30AM at Wright Park. Weigh-In at 12:30PM at Wright Park. Children 13 and under welcome with parents. There is no fee. Prizes will be awarded.
Bring your own fishing equipment if possible; limited equipment will be available on a first come first serve basis.
To pre-register call Tom at 912-210-1222.Street Fest
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Historic Downtown Bluffton. Fun for All!
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, water color and much, much more.
Local seafood and low country cuisine served by area restaurants. Enjoy the delicious seafood and view the outstanding art on the street. Take a break at the tailgate area and catch up on your favorite team's game while enjoying craft beer and music.Music & Entertainment
All Day
Favorite bands will entertain on two stages throughout the day.Art in The Park
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
DuBois Park on Boundary Street
Children's art activities conducted under the pavilion. Visit the stations around the pavilion and create your very own masterpiece. Prizes, games, fun and much, much more for the budding artists of all ages.Rockin' on the Dock
6:00 pm - Dusk
Bluffton Oyster Co. -
Sunday, October 22nd Continued
There will be NO PARKING in Downtown Bluffton Saturday and Sunday!
Free Shuttles provided by our sponsor, Old Town Trolley Tours, from Red Cedar Elementary
Saturday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
For more information, call 843-757-BLUF (2583).
May River Boat Tour
Monday-Sunday, every hour on the hour
Meet at Public Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.
Join May River Excursions 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 in Wright Park.
Please call Capt. Chris for reservations and more information. 843-304-2878Street Fest
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Historic Downtown Bluffton. Fun for All!
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, water color and much, much more.
Local seafood and low country cuisine served by area restaurants. Enjoy the delicious seafood and view the outstanding art on the street. Take a break at the tailgate area and catch up on your favorite team's game while enjoying craft beer and music.Music & Entertainment
All Day
Favorite bands will entertain on two stages throughout the day.
Art in The Park
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
DuBois Park on Boundary Street
Children's art activities conducted under the pavilion. Visit the stations around the pavilion and create your very own masterpiece. Prizes, games, fun and much, much more for the budding artists of all ages.
Become a
Bluffton Insider
Find Your Island Time
Hilton Head is America’s favorite island®, offering 12 miles of pristine beaches and everything you need for the ultimate retreat. Enjoy easy days relaxing in the sun, sand and surf on some of the best beaches in the country.