Home > Top 20 Events
Southeast Tourism Society's TOP 20 EVENTS in the Southeast USA
OCTOBER 2007
Oct. 4-14, Georgia National Fair. “The Best Ticket in Town” attracts 431,000 with thrilling rides, carnival games, free circus, livestock shows, nightly fireworks, laser displays! Perry, Ga., 478-987-3247; mtreptow@gnfa.com. (www.georgianationalfair.com)
Oct. 5-6, Beaufort Shrimp Festival. This delicious event packs the Lowcountry! Mounds of seafood, Walk Through History, shrimp peeling contests, 5K and “Popcorn Shrimp Run” for kids. Beaufort, S.C., 843-986-5400, x22; tourism@beaufortsc.org. (www.beaufortshrimpfestival.com)
Oct. 5-6, 21st Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival. Free admission, parking, entertainment! Boat show, regatta, SasSea's Island Playground for children, golf and fishing, fireworks, Open Aire Seafood Market. Morehead City, N.C., 252-726-6273; fun@ncseafoodfestival.org. (www.ncseafoodfestival.org)
Oct. 5-6, Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. All-day earfuls of mountain music! Fiddle, harmonica, mandolin, banjo and dulcimer competitions; country cooking, old-time singing, and buck dancing, to boot! Athens, Ala., 256-233-8100; rmould@athens.edu. (www.athens.edu/fiddlers)
Oct. 5-7, 29th Annual Destin Seafood Festival. Family fun includes live music, street dancing and one-of-a-kind crafts, fly-casting lessons, kite flying on the beach, and a bounty of succulent shrimp fish! Destin, Fla., 850-837-6241; mail@destinchamber.com. (www.destinseafoodfestival.org)
Oct. 5-7, Gretna Heritage Festival. The Beach Boys, Supremes, Temptations, beer gardens, crafts, and a deliciously diverse display of foods attracting all cultures who pledge their international allegiance to good times on the Mississippi River! Gretna, La., 888-4-GRETNA; info@gretnafest.com. (www.gretnafest.com)
Oct. 5-7, Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla & Treasure Hunt. What’s a pirate’s favorite letter? If ye weren’t a scurvy ridden swab, ye’d know! Cannons boom and fireworks blast! Guard your booty, landlubbers; there be rascals about. Wilmington, N.C., 910-815-3426; dianeboissiere@bellsouth.net. (www.invasionofthepirates.com)
Oct. 5-7, 35th Annual National Storytelling Festival. The clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages echoes around ghost stories, folk tales, and side-splitting yarns shared by locals and storytellers. Jonesborough, Tenn., 800-952-8392; info@storytellingcenter.net. (www.storytellingcenter.net)
Oct. 5-7, Oktoberfest on the River. Don your lederhosen and come, “Oompha, ya’ll!” The SE’s largest Oktoberfest features foam-topped refreshments, fireworks, wiener dog races, and Wet Willie on the waterfront! Savannah, Ga., 912-234-0295; info@riverstreetsavannah.com. (www.riverstreetsavannah.com)
Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, St. Mountain Park's 5th Annual Pumpkin Festival. The plumpest patch you’ll find this fall! Who’s that peeking around the hay wagon? Scooby-Doo – “Boo!” Pumpkin Palooza, jack-o’-lantern carving and bonfire picnics. St. Mountain, Ga., 770-498-5690; generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com. (www.stonemountainpark.com)
Oct. 6-7, Muscle Shoals Music Cityfest. Includes a bicycle tour and junior ride; a car, truck and motorcycle "cruise in". Showcases gospel and contemporary Christian music and FAME story. Tuscumbia, Ala., 256-383-0783; info@cityofmuscleshoals.com. (www.cityofmuscleshoals.com)
Oct. 6-7, The Cotton' Pickin' Fair. Return to 1910, where the Farmhouse, Cotton Gin and Cotton Warehouse backdrop 21st century fun! Mountain music, crafts, clogging, and Southern-style vittles. Gay, Ga., 706-538-6814; info@cpfair.org. (www.cpfair.org)
Oct. 11-14, 36th Annual National Shrimp Festival. Continuous concerts, 300 crafters, sand sculpturing, International Marketplace, Children’s Art Village and shrimp served every which way! Gulf Shores, Ala., 251-968-4327; shrimpfestival@gulftel.com. (www.nationalshrimpfestival.com)
Oct. 11-14, Museum of Appalachia Tennessee Fall Homecoming. Log cabin village celebrates pioneer life, with 250 costumed artisans sharing spinning, rail splitting and sawmilling skills. Bluegrass, gospel and folk music – dancing. Norris, Tenn., 865-494-7680; museumappalachia@bellsouth.net. (www.museumofappalachia.com)
Oct., 12-14, Celtic Nations Festival. Bagpipes, Highland games, Celtic dancing – all in Louisiana! High-spirited events include regattas, whiskey and beer tastings, carnival, petting zoo and magical Children’s Village. Lake Charles, La., 800-456-7952; info@visitlakecharles.org. (www.celticnations.org)
Oct. 13-14, MUMfest. An explosion of chrysanthemums decorates the Cola Family Festival! Midway, concerts, roving dancers and magicians, maritime exhibits, flotilla, Chevy Racing Tour and Keith King’s Bike Stunt Show! New Bern, N.C., 252-638-5781 swissbear@swissbear.org. (www.mumfest.com)
Oct. 13-14, Taste of Atlanta. Appetizing adventures in the Southeast’s coolest city! Celebrity chefs, wine tastings, entertainment and avant garde eateries. The trendy event perfectly blends Atlanta’s incredible energy and ethnic diversity. Atlanta, Ga., 404-875-4434; info@tasteofatlanta.com. (www.tasteofatlanta.com)
Oct. 18-21, Biketoberfest®. Get your motor running as 100,000 motorcycle fans show off their metal at this fun to watch, fun to ride event. Championship racing, charity rides, and rock to reggae. Daytona Beach, Fla., 866-296-8970; info@daytonabeach.com. (www.biketoberfest.org)
Oct. 20-21, Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Over 300 visionary artists, from basket weavers and blacksmiths to painters, sculptors, and potters. Art is just the start! Storyweavers, every genre of music, and kids’ corner. Northport, Ala., 205-758-1257;Kentuck@dbtech.net (www.kentuck.org)
Oct. 27, The Barbecue Festival. Board the “Barbecue Express!” Hop a plane, bus, or thunder in on horseback! Follow the hickory smoke to discover fine, swine fun. Concerts, rides, 300 exhibits, and “Hogway Speedway” pig races! Lexington, N.C., 336-956-1880; ss@barbecuefestival.com. (www.barbecuefestival.com)
Oct. 28-29, Alabama Renaissance Faire. All the world’s a stage in a kingdom not so far away this autumn weekend. Costumed knights, strolling balladeers, minstrels, jugglers, and mischievous jesters spread the medieval merriment! Florence, Ala., 866-FLO-Tour; lindseyh@flo-tour.org. (www.alarenfaire.org)
NOVEMBER 2007
Nov. 1-4, 8th Annual Pow Wow & Indian Festival. Native Americans gather for dance and drum competitions, and primitive skills demonstrations like hide tanning and fire making. Indian arts, crafts, music and kids’ events. Stone Mountain, Ga., 770-498-5690; generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com. (www.stonemountainpark.com)
Nov. 2-4, Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival. Top fine arts and crafts show brings 200 artisans and 150,000 art fans to the Emerald Coast city’s historic Seville Square. Exceptional foods, entertainment and children’s art festival. Pensacola, Fla., 850-432-9906; ggaf@duncanmccall.com. (ggaf.org)
Nov. 2-4, Savannah Seafood Festival. Eat a fish, or paint one! The Japanese art of gyotaku is part of the fun, along with headliner bands, Champ Boat Races, art shows, and riverfront fireworks. Savannah, Ga., 912-234-0295; info@riverstreetsavannah.com. (www.riverstreetsavannah.com)
Nov. 3-Dec. 9, Louisiana Renaissance Festival. The king bids you join him in this merry ole English village, where a tapestry of talent roams the realm: jugglers, chamber singers, swordsmen, wizened wizards and medieval monks. Hammond, La.; 985-429-9992; rick@la-renfest.com (www.larf.org)
Nov. 7-10, Cucalorus Film Festival. Spectate or participate in this annual screening of over 120 films, from serious documentaries to funny short films by artists of tomorrow. Workshops, industry panels and social events in historic surroundings. Wilmington, N.C., 910-343-5995; mail@cucalorus.org. (www.cucalorus.org)
Nov. 7-Feb. 28, Gatlinburg Winter Magic. Half a million travelers holiday here for the Festival of Trees, Fantasy of Lights, top entertainment, parades, and New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show at the space needle. Gatlinburg, Tenn., 865-436-0526; (www.eventsgatlinburg.com)
Nov. 8, 18th Annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest Kickoff. With one flip of the switch, the mountain city becomes a twinkle town of over five millions lights at this kickoff to a four month celebration! Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 800-251-9100; inquire@mypigeonforge.com. (www.mypigeonforge.com)
Nov. 8-11, AIAC/American Indian Art Celebration. Gather at this living Seminole Indian village for dancing, children’s programs, Native American foods, and friendship! Authentic Indian art includes paintings, pottery, wood carvings, metals, jewelry and clothing. Clewiston, Fla., 954-797-5562; mickifree@semtribe.com. (www.AHTAHTHIKI.com)
Nov. 9-10, Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show. Free admission to see sky-high thrills provided by the famous precision flight demonstration team that makes its home at the Naval Air Station in the seafront city! Pensacola, Fla., 850-452-2583; (www.blueangels.navy.mil)
Nov. 9, Holiday Festival of Lights. Magical miles of forest paths, aglow with 600 displays of light-sculptured art! Surprises around every bend, like shimmering sea creatures, glittering dinosaurs, and mittened children hurling electric snowballs! Charleston, S.C., 843-795-4386; mstarnes@ccprc.com. (www.holidayfestivaloflights.com)
Nov. 10-Jan. 1, Tanglewood Festival of Lights. From storybook themes to holiday scenes, the rolling hills sparkle with 100 illuminated displays and a million lights! Roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate at the enchanting gift village. Clemmons, N.C., 336-778-6300; jaykf@forsyth.nc.us. (www.tanglewoodpark.org)
Nov. 10-11,16-18, 23-25, 30, Dec. 1-2,7-9,17-30, A Stone Mountain Christmas. Nightly snowfalls, seasonal fare, 4D Christmas movie, train rides, and nightly Santa visits give a magical, small town feel to this holiday treat. Stone Mountain, Ga., 770-498-5690; generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com (www.stonemountainpark.com)
Nov. 15-Dec. 30, Christmas in Roswell. Historic District celebrates the holidays with candlelight tours of antebellum homes decked in seasonal splendor. Reenactments of Mittie Bullock’s Christmastime 1853 wedding to Theodore Roosevelt, High Teas and musicals. Roswell, Ga., 800-776-7935; info@cvb.roswell.ga.us. (www.cvb.roswell.ga.us)
Nov. 16-Dec. 30, Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens. Incredible, ride-thru event illuminated by eight million lights! Santa’s Workshop, March of the Toy Soldiers, Snowflake Valley, holiday gardens, and Snow Angel appearances. Pine Mountain, Ga., 800-CALLAWAY; info@callawaygardens.com (www.callawaygardens.com)
Nov. 17-Dec. 31, Holidays in the City. Unique, multi-city, multicultural celebration of holiday observances – including Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year’s – attracts 200,000 to the Hampton Roads Region. Grand Illumination Parade themed, “Holidays Around the World.” Norfolk, Va., 757-623-1757; dnc@downtownnorfolk.org. (www.downtownnorfolk.org)
Nov. 16-Dec. 31, Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park. Ride the Mini-Train Express through a dazzling dreamland of lighted, animated figures representing the season, as well as Bluegrass favorites! Santa, pony rides, crafts, and seasonal music. Lexington, Ky., 859-255-5727; foundation@khpfoundation.org. (www.khpfoundation.org)
Nov. 17-18, Seagrove Pottery Festival. “Feel the turn in you!” The festival emphasizes hand-made pottery and Colonial crafts, with demonstrations and an auction offering limited edition pieces signed and dated by local potters. Seagrove, N.C., 336-873-7887; ncpottery122@earthlink.net. (www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com)
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Huntsville Botanical Garden Galaxy of Lights. Lights line lanes and dolphins fly overhead as you drive past illuminated nursery rhyme characters, animals and botanicals. Fireworks and an inspiring icicle forest not to be missed! Huntsville, Ala., 256-830-4447. (www.hsvbg.org)
Nov. 23-Dec. 30, Lights Before Christmas. Enter the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden through a magnificent Snow Palace to follow winding paths past 350 hand-crafted animal images illuminated by 500,000 lights. Enchanting light shows and musicales. Columbia, S.C., 803-779-8717; dbroadway@riverbanks.org. (www.riverbanks.org)
Nov. 23-24, North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach. Scenic city becomes a seasonal wonderland! Tree Lighting Ceremony, Festival in the Park, crafts, entertainment and kiddie rides. Illuminated boat parade under a stunning fireworks canopy! Wrightsville Beach, N.C., 910-256-2120. (ncholidayflotilla.org)
DECEMBER 2007
Dec. 1, A Celtic Christmas. Fort Smith Symphony's holiday concert. Anderson: "A Christmas Festival," Tchaikovsky: "Nutcracker" Suite, Anderson: "Sleigh Ride." A special selection of Holiday favorites performed with a Celtic twist by guest artists "Mithril Celtic Quartet." Fort Smith, Ark., 479-452-7575; fssymphony@aol.com. (www.fortsmithsymphony.org)
Dec. 1, Charleston Parade of Boats. Fabulous, free event kicks off the holidays with a bang – literally! Fireworks soar into the moonlit sky as festively festooned and lighted boats float down the historic harbor. Charleston, S.C., 843-724-7414; swagertyr@ei.charleston.sc.us. (www.charlestoncity.info)
Dec. 1, Christmas Open House. Petit Jean State Park dressed in Christmas finery. Activities, crafts, and seasonal entertainment are planned for the afternoon at historic Mather Lodge. Rumor has it that Santa will be making an appearance. Morrilton, Ark., 501-727-5441; petitjean@arkansas.com. (www.petitjeanstatepark.com)
Dec. 1, 14th Annual Christmas in Collierville. Kids from one to ninety-two find this 19th century-themed event delightful! Seasonal music, holiday shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides and children’s festivities take place in the quaint town square. Collierville, Tenn., 901-854-8307; mnstreetcv@aol.com. (www.mainstreetcollierville.org)
Dec. 1-2, Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour. Private historic homes decorated for the season and lovingly restored, public buildings, along with unique, “Candlelight Shopping on the Square” and elegant “Merry Olde Marietta Tea Room.” Marietta, Tenn., 800-835-0445; welcomem@bellsouth.net. (www.mariettapilgrimage.com)
Dec. 1-2,6-9, Nutcracker Ballet. Tchaikovsky’s beloved fairytale performed by NC School of the Arts students. Glittering costumes and sets designed by the School of Design and Production students. A holiday tradition. Winston-Salem, N.C., 336-721-1945; performances@ncarts.edu. (www.ncarts.edu/performances)
Dec. 1-31, Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival. Fifty-thousand people celebrate the season with a lighted flotilla, giant balloon parade, carnival, concerts, fireworks and mistletoe topped trees. Someone’s gonna get a Christmas kiss! Lake Charles, La., 800-456-7952; info@visitlakecharles.org. (www.cityoflakecharles.com)
Dec. 2, Plantation Christmas. Built in 1828, Belle Mont is the scenic locale of this signature holiday event. Homemade treats, Celtic music, dancers in vintage clothing, and a Virginia Reel in the courtyard just for kids. Tuscumbia, Ala., 800-344-0783; ColbertTourism@comcast.net. (www.colbertcountytourism.org)
Dec. 6, Christmas Towne. Everything’s free at this family event, from Wendy’s chili to Cheerwine, hot chocolate and cookies! Plus, wagon rides, photos with Santa, LEGO building, petting zoo, crafts and entertainment! Myrtle Beach, S.C., 800-356-3016; info@mbchamber.org. (www.visitmybeach.com)
Dec. 7-9,14-16,21-22, Christmas Shop at Gumdrop Square. Around decorated trees, children share their wishes with Santa, then elves assist the wee shoppers in the “Secret Shop” as they find gifts for their families! Warrenton, Va., 540-349-8606. (www.historicwarrenton.org)
Dec. 7,14,21, SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas. St. Nicholas and a twinkling Christmas tree; toy workshop, live Nativity, Victorian Era costumed street musicians and carolers, horse-drawn carriages, storytelling, parade and adorable pet costume contest. Roanoke, Va., 540-342-2028, x10; tinaw@downtownroanoke.org. (www.downtownroanoke.org)
Dec. 8-27, Christmas in Hopelands (closed Dec. 12, 19, 24, 25). Candy canes and lollipops along lighted pathways wind through this enchanted garden setting. Santa, snowflakes, an ice castle, and star-topped trees with gifts underneath! Aiken, S.C., 888-AikenSC; adavis@aiken.net. (www.aiken.net)
Dec. 8-9, 4th Annual Holiday Tour of Inns. Food and wine sampling, Christmas trimmings and trolley trips highlight this holiday tour of 26 historic inns along the decorated streets of our nation’s oldest city. St. Augustine, Fla., 904-824-2229; relax@oldcityhouse.com. (www.staugustineinns.com)
Dec. 8,15, Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens Christmas Candlelight Tour. It’s 1770 and Governor Tryon invites you to an elegant evening of dining, dancing and fireworks to celebrate his palace’s completion and King George’s birthday! New Bern, N.C., 800-767-1560; info@tryonpalace.org. (www.tryonpalace.org)
Dec. 13,14 Victorian Christmas. Jingle bells and twinkling lights; live Nativity; Victorian museum; costumed carolers and dancers; carriage rides over brick-paved streets, seasonal treats, jolly Old St. Nick and real snow in the Winter Wonderland! Thomasville, Ga., 229-227-7020; info@downtownthomasville.com. (www.downtownthomasville.com)
Dec. 15, Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. Try a twist of the unusual with your holidays! This floating lollapalooza begins with a black tie ball, Family Fun Days, and a decorating extravaganza! Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 954-767-0686; info@winterfestparade.com. (www.winterfestparade.com)
Dec. 22-23, The “Nutcracker.” International stars perform with the Central Florida Ballet in this visually stunning version of the classic fairytale. Student dancers from tots to teens make this an engaging holiday outing. Orlando, Fla., 407-849-9948; apetrutiu@centralfloridaballet.com. (www.centralfloridaballet.com)
Dec. 31, Enchanted Eve. Alcohol-free event provides a safe environment, where adults, tots, ‘tweens and teens can welcome the New Year with music, dancing, great food, train rides, and cultural activities. Vinton, Va., 504-387-6078, x251; wschultz@roanokecountyva.gov. (roanokecountyva.gov/parks)
