Are you looking for the best music festivals in South Carolina in 2024? Well, look no further than this list of the state’s best upcoming musical events!
South Carolina is located towards the center of the east coast. This position makes it an easy travel point for musical artists and audiences. Not to mention, the state’s wonderful weather coupled with its southern hospitality makes it a prime place to enjoy any event.
There’s a genre everyone can appreciate, from bluegrass to county and techno to rock music. You can catch up with your favorite performers and discover new ones too.
Top 10 South Carolina Music Festivals
There are some pretty incredible music festivals in the USA, and the ones found in South Carolina really immerse you in the state’s culture. Apart from music, many venues also offer local food, drinks, and fun activities. So, get ready to mark your calendar. Here are the best South Carolina music festivals!
Also, be sure to read my guides on Festival Hydration Backpacks, Festival Camping Packing List, Festival Shoes, and Festival Gadgets to help you make the most of your time!
1) Carolina Country Music Festival 2024
When: June 6-9, 2024
Where: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
https://carolinacountrymusicfest.com/
The Carolina Country Music Festival is a three-day event that takes place on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk every June. The world’s hottest country artists set the tone for an outdoor celebration right by the beach. The line-up for 2023 included 30 performers like Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, and so many more! There are three stages spread out over 18 acres, with plenty of food and drink options throughout the venue. Make sure to purchase your wristband ahead of time, as this is one of the most popular SC music festivals. Your wristband is suitable for all three days.
2) High Water Music Festival
Credit: High Water Music Festival
When: April 20-21, 2024
Where: North Charleston, South Carolina
https://www.highwaterfest.com/
The High Water Music Festival was created by local indie duo Shovels & Rope. Following a two-year break, this beloved North Charleston country music festival is making a return in 2024. There are two alternating stages that host musicians from all over the world. Between sets, you can enjoy the local and regional eateries that set up shop to serve mouth-watering delights as well as craft beer and cocktails. Local craft vendors are also present at the festival. Apart from the performer’s merch, you’ll find local jewelry, t-shirts, and leather products for sale. Tickets are valid for both days of the festival. They range from general admission to ‘weekender tickets’ that include accommodation and a whole host of other perks.
3) Albino Skunk Music Festival
When: October, 2024
Where: Greer, South Carolina
The Albino Skunk Music Festival is a family-friendly event with a laid-back atmosphere.It features many different genres, like bluegrass, folk, Americana, alt-country, and roots & rock music. Most of the performances are acoustic. Guests of this SC music festival can camp out right at the venue during the event. Skunk Farm offers primitive tent camping and an RV area. It’s right on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and within easy walking distance to the festival. Staying here certainly adds to the epic experience. For your meals and drinks, there are local food vendors and craft beer and wine available for purchase. Guests are also welcome to bring their own refreshments (excluding alcohol) inside the venue. If you’re traveling with kids, there’s a playground, child-friendly activities, kid’s shows, and drive-in movies. For wholesome fun and entertainment, this Carolina music festival is hard to beat.
4) Charleston Bluegrass Festival
Credit: Charleston Bluegrass Festival
When: March 22-23, 2024
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
https://www.charlestonbluegrassfestival.com/
“The Charleston Bluegrass Festival takes place on the pristine 6,000-acre grounds of the Woodlands Nature Reserve, a hidden gem in one of the world’s top destinations, Charleston, South Carolina. Patrons can expect a weekend of boot stompin’ revelry complete with some of the finest names in bluegrass. The event offers plush camping options, local food / craft vendors, and outdoor activities.”
5) Charleston Jazz Festival
When: April 18-21, 2024
Where: Multiple venues around North Charleston, South Carolina
https://charlestonjazz.com/festival
https://www.facebook.com/charlestonjazz
“The mission of Charleston Jazz is to grow a local and global community for Jazz through performance, education and outreach while celebrating and preserving Charleston’s rich history in Jazz.”
The Charleston Jazz Festival is a fun event that features international jazz artists as well as local jazz groups and student musicians. It celebrates Charleston’s jazz roots, and tickets for the event directly support the city’s jazz community. You can purchase passes for the whole festival as well as single performances. Several of their ticket packages include vanguard seating, drink tickets, and an invitation to the festival reception.
6) Lowcountry Cajun Festival
When: April 13, 2024
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
https://www.ccprc.com/137/Lowcountry-Cajun-Festival
The Lowcountry Cajun Festival celebrates the Louisiana Cajun culture. This full-day festival features Zydeco music, a type of dance music with French, African American, and Afro-Caribbean origins. While you’re grooving to the music, you can chow down on authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, like jambalaya, alligator, sausage, and crawfish. There are also classic South Carolina staples, like seafood and savory barbecue dishes. The atmosphere is family-friendly, with kid’s activities to keep your little ones entertained.”
7) Spoleto Festival USA
When: May 24-June 9, 2024
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Spoleto Festival USA would be an ideal pick for you. This popular American event was founded in 1977. It takes place over 17 days in multiple venues around downtown Charleston. Each location is within walking distance of the other. All sorts of different musical performances are featured, from classical to jazz and bluegrass to soul. There are also theater and dance performances. The lineup includes both established and emerging artists.
8) Edisto Beach Music & Shag Festival
When: September, 2024 (Labor Day weekend)
Where: Edisto Island, South Carolina
https://www.facebook.com/EdistoBeachMusicShagFestival/
The Edisto Beach Shag Festival takes place each Labor Day weekend. It highlights Carolina shag, which is a type of partner dance that’s enjoyed to beach music. It’s similar to swing dance and combines quick footwork with catchy rhythm and blues. The festival is held right on the beach, at Bay Creek Park. The setting is outstanding, with a family-friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Enjoy three full days of music and dancing. Weekend tickets and day passes are available. Coolers aren’t allowed in the park, but there are local food trucks set up and vendors selling beer and wine. Bring a lawn chair or a beach towel, and you’ll be all set to enjoy the upbeat atmosphere of this fun local event.”
9) Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival
When: October, 2024
Where: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
http://myrtlebeachjazzfest.com/
“The Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival is a free event that takes place each fall on Carver Street, next to the city’s historic Charlie’s Place. It was the location of a former nightclub that was opened in 1937 by Charlie Fitzgerald. Many iconic jazz musicians performed here, like Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington. The Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival honors this bygone era of jazz and brings people together to celebrate the unifying sounds of this genre of music. For three days, live music and entertainment set the tone for a good time. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as the mood is so upbeat and cheerful that you won’t be able to resist dancing in the street. When you’re not grooving to the music, you’ll be able to chow down on some of Myrtle Beach’s vendors’ delicious food creations. There is always lots of variety, so there’s something all palates will appreciate.”
10) Fall for Greenville
Credit: Fall for Greenville
When: October 11-13, 2024
Where: Greenville, South Carolina
https://www.fallforgreenville.net/
“Fall for Greenville is a music and food festival that’s held each year in October. It takes place along Main Street, in downtown Greenville. It features 40 to 50 different eateries that offer mouth-water menus. There are also more than 50 beer taps and wine vendors. The six different stages host 75 bands over four days. It’s safe to say you’ll be entertained during the whole festival. Children can join too. There are rides and activities geared just towards kids. The event is free to attend; you’ll just need to purchase tickets for food, drinks, rides, and activities.”
11) MOJA Arts Festival
When: September, 2024
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
https://www.facebook.com/mojafestival/
The MOJA Arts Festival is an annual event that showcases the diverse music of African American and Caribbean artists. It features an eclectic range of performances, like jazz, R&B, classical, gospel concerts, dance companies, and more. There are also literary artists and educational workshops. The event is family-friendly. There are children’s activities to involve and pique the interest of your kids. Traditional crafts and ethnic food are also offered. This is the kind of music event that will entertain and educate you with exhilarating experiences.
Am I missing any South Carolina music festivals 2024?
The music scene in South Carolina is eclectic and constantly changing, which means new artists and events are popping up all the time. For this reason, it’s possible that I might have missed a music festival in South Carolina or two. If you’ve discovered any that aren’t on this list, make sure to leave me a comment and let me know.
More resources for planning your South Carolina music festival experience…
Here are some more resources to check out to help you plan your music festival trip to SC. They range from accommodation guides in South Carolina to gadgets and gifts all music festival fans will appreciate.
- 15 Perfect Gift Ideas for Music Festival Lovers
- 15 Epic Festival Gadgets to Enhance Your Festival Experience
- The 10+ Best Festival Shoes for Men & Women in 2021
- The 20 Coolest & Best Airbnbs in Charleston, South Carolina
- 18 Best Airbnbs in South Carolina, USA *Cabins, Treehouses & Cottages)
