19 Southern Festivals Worth Planning A Trip Around
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.