From the soulful strumming of bluegrass in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the spicy sizzle of Cajun cuisine along the Gulf Coast, the American South pulses with a vibrant, eclectic spirit, best experienced through its many festivals.
Festivals in the Southern U.S. often center around food, art, or music. While you will find some of these festivals celebrate one thing exclusively, many include several different facets making them even more fun to attend. Forget fleeting tourist traps; these festivals are worth building an entire trip around, promising unforgettable experiences that will leave you craving the warmth, flavor, and rhythm of the South long after you’ve returned home.
The Original Round Top Antiques Fair
Over 100,000 people visit Round Top, Texas for The Original Round Top Antiques Fair. The fair is held three times a year once in each season except summer. From home accessories to art to bespoke furniture, endless aisles of tailgate-style tents sell everything you can imagine. Plus, don’t miss out on the Big Red Barn where they have 30,000 square feet of incredible antiques.
Artsplosure
At Artsplosure in Raleigh, North Carolina, there are more than 175 featured artists. What makes these artists special is that they are all injured visual artists. They work in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, ceramics, fiberglass, stone, and jewelry. Along with all the amazing art, you will find art installations, crafts for kids, and some cool live performances.
Spoleto Festival USA
Check out this unique 17-day celebration of a different kind of art! Charleston, South Carolina is home to Spoleto Festival USA, which is a showcase of the performing arts. Everyone from churches to operas to symphonies gets in on the act taking over multiple venues to celebrate the city’s diverse talents.
Hot Luck Fest
Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Aaron Franklin, this Austin, Texas festival has something for everyone. Spanning three days over Memorial Day Weekend, it showcases a lineup of top chefs from across the country and includes performances by 22 bands at various venues throughout the city.
World Food Championship
Held annually in Dallas, Texas, this self-proclaimed largest food-sport competition attracts around 1,500 chefs from 42 states and 6 countries. Each chef vies for the top spot in their specialty dish or cuisine. Attendees can enjoy this culinary showcase by purchasing tickets to sample dishes from all the competing chefs.
Austin City Limits Music Fest
Austin’s vibrant music scene reaches its peak in October when thousands flock to Zilker Park for two consecutive three-day weekends. During this Texas-sized jam session, attendees enjoy performances from hundreds of bands. This event is a must-see for music lovers, showcasing the best of Austin’s musical talent.
Hangout Fest
Set against the backdrop of lapping waves and swaying palms, this Gulf Coast music festival is a must-attend beach bash every May. Featuring a diverse lineup of artists from various genres, the festival offers an unforgettable experience with its stunning coastal setting and top-tier musical performances.
Shaky Knees Music Festival
Since its inception in 2013, this festival has stayed true to its indie-rock origins, featuring over 60 bands including The Killers, Futurebirds, Alabama Shakes, and The Lumineers. Held in Atlanta’s Central Park, it not only highlights major headliners but also introduces emerging artists. Attendees can also enjoy food from popular local spots and favorite food trucks from across the Southeast.
Harvest Wine & Food Festival
The picturesque gardens of Florida’s WaterColor community provide a perfect backdrop for this food festival. Located just steps from the ocean, it features numerous tents offering exceptional food and wine. Plus, all festival proceeds go to the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which supports children’s charities in Northwest Florida.
Beer Cheese Festival
In 2013, the Kentucky legislature designated Clark County as the official home of beer cheese. Joe Allman, owner of the historic Driftwood Inn in Winchester, crafted this flavorful mix of sharp cheddar, beer, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Typically served cold with soft pretzels, veggies, and fries, this popular dip is celebrated annually at the Beer Cheese Festival, featuring contests, tastings, a beer garden, and more.
New Orleans Oyster Festival
In New Orleans, many people enjoy their oysters on a saltine cracker with a dash of hot sauce, typically Tabasco or Crystal. However, oysters are also savored fried, charbroiled, or as shooters, provided they’re fresh from Louisiana waters. While locals eat oysters frequently, the New Orleans Oyster Festival, a two-day event, really showcases the city’s oyster obsession with contests, cooking demos, and shucking by vendors from various restaurants.
Art Basel
Art Basel takes place in countries around the world. The American edition is held in Miami, Florida. It features artists from five continents and runs the gamut from masters to emerging new stars. Modern and contemporary art is borrowed from leading galleries around the world to create this stunning collection.
Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival
They say everything is bigger in Texas and that is certainly true of the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival. 200 juried artists take part in the annual festival held in downtown Fort Worth. There is also a large selection of food from fried Oreos to empanadas as well as musical performances at Music on Main.
Charleston Wine + Food
Charleston is renowned for its vibrant food scene, and its annual food festival highlights this perfectly. Over five days, the event features top chefs, mixologists, bakers, brewers, and winemakers from across the country. Attendees can enjoy the Culinary Village at Riverfront Park and choose from various special chef lunches, dinners, and beverage workshops to enhance their experience.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
If you’ve ever enjoyed a relaxed Saturday morning watching cooking shows on Food Network or Cooking Channel, you might be familiar with the renowned food festival these networks host. Taking place in the third week of February annually, this event in Miami offers a fantastic opportunity to taste dishes from top chefs worldwide and escape the winter chill.
CMA Fest
Nashville is a mecca for country music fans, drawing them to iconic spots like the honky-tonks on Broadway, the Ryman, and the Grand Ole Opry. The ultimate event is CMA Fest, the longest-running country music festival, celebrating over 50 years. This four-day event features more than 250 artists performing on nine stages citywide.
Beale Street Music Festival
Memphis, renowned for its musical heritage, shines each May with the Beale Street Music Festival. Held at Tom Lee Park, attendees enjoy views of the downtown skyline and can also attend the World Champion Barbecue Cooking Contest that same weekend. Memphis excels in both barbecue and music, offering a perfect blend of both at this festival.
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
Fernandina Beach, located on Amelia Island in northeastern Florida, is where America’s modern shrimping industry began. Mediterranean boat builders started crafting shrimping vessels here, leading to today’s annual haul of about 4 million pounds of shrimp from U.S. waters. For 56 years, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival has celebrated this industry with a variety of events, including a shrimp boat-decorating contest, a parade, and ample shrimp to enjoy.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Jazz Fest, a beloved New Orleans event since 1970, attracts nearly half a million visitors annually. It offers an array of musical performances spanning jazz, R&B, gospel, rock, and folk. Attendees can also indulge in the city’s famous cuisine, including gumbo, etouffee, and beignets, making it a true cultural celebration.
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