Discover Beaufort: Exciting Events May 16-18

Welcome to The Beaufort Blog – your go-to guide for what’s happening around town!

From live music and local markets to family-friendly fun, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy Beaufort. We've got hot weather in store. Check out what’s happening around town and make your weekend plans now!

Editors Picks:

🥕 Friday, May 16 – Habersham Farmers Market
Welcome the weekend with an evening at the Habersham Farmers Market! From 4:00–7:00 PM, enjoy fresh produce, handmade goods, and live music in the charming Habersham Marketplace. On the third Friday of each month, the festivities extend with music from 5:00–8:00 PM and dining options ranging from casual to fine at one of the Marketplace eateries. Habersham, SC

🌽 Saturday, May 17 – Port Royal Farmers Market
Start your Saturday at the Port Royal Farmers Market, open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Heritage Park (1615 Ribaut Road). Browse a wide selection of local produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and more. Enjoy the lively atmosphere with live music and a variety of prepared food vendors.

🎬 Friday, May 16 – Sankofa Nights -6 PM
An intimate evening of storytelling, dinner and dancing 📍 USCB Hilton Head Island Campus. Tickets are $75. Guest speaker is Eternal Polk, who will give an in-depth understanding of the critical state of Black land loss in the United States. Details.

🎭 Friday–Sunday, May 16–18 – Beaufort Children's Theatre: Alice in Wonderland Jr. – Travel down the rabbit hole with young Alice in this whimsical stage production. Performances take place May 16 & 17 at 7:00 PM and May 18 at 3:00 PM. 📍 USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort.
Tickets: $24 adults, $20 seniors/military, $16 students.

🤰🏾Saturday, May 17 – Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Symposium – This free community lunch and wellness symposium at the historic Penn Center explores the impact of maternal and infant mental health in the Lowcountry. Enjoy mini healing sessions, wellness workshops, and a nutritious lunch. Event runs from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. 📍 Frissell Hall, Penn Center, St. Helena Island.

👛 Saturday, May 17 – Designer Bag Bingo & Brunch – Join Madison’s Miracles for a fabulous morning of fun at Frankie Bones Bluffton. Your $65 ticket includes brunch, 8 exciting rounds of bingo (3 boards per round), and chances to win gorgeous Michael Kors purses. Proceeds benefit families navigating grief and healing. Event runs from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 📍 Frankie Bones Restaurant, 26 Discovery Dr, Bluffton, SC. Learn more: facebook.com/Madisonsmiraclesinc

🎉 Saturday, May 17 – Marshview Mercantile 2-Year Anniversary Celebration – Stop by between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM to browse local artist booths, enjoy a pop-up by Meg’s Sweet Treats, and grab a bite from the Lobster Dog Food Truck. 📍 2631 Boundary Street, Beaufort. Free to attend. Birthday gifts with $25 purchase while supplies last.

🐢 Saturday, May 17 – Make Your Own Mosaic Turtle (Art Class) – Join artist Tatiana Tatum for a hands-on mosaic workshop at 11:00 AM at 📍 Thibault Gallery, 815 Bay Street, Beaufort. All materials provided. Participants will create a 15-inch mosaic turtle to take home.

Saturday, May 17 – 10:30 AM - Papermaking Workshop at Port Royal Sound Foundation
Turn scrap paper into something beautiful! Learn the art of paper-making in this hands-on workshop—perfect for all ages (kids must be with an adult). $15 plus fees. More info HERE.

Sunday, May 18 -4 PM - Let Freedom Ring Spring Concert
Join the Lowcountry Chorale for an afternoon of patriotic music and community spirit at their 2025 Spring Concert. 📍St. John's Lutheran Church 157 Lady's Island Drive. Free admission.  

Sunday, May 18 – Community Sing at Penn Center.

Celebrate Older People Month with a joyful evening of song and togetherness at the Penn Center’s Community Sing. This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging.” Free will offering supports the History & Culture Department. Light refreshments served. 5:30 p.m., Frissell Community House, 16 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena Island.

Later This Month....

🧘 Tuesday, May 20 – Rooted in Wellness: Yoga & Wine at Windhorse – Join Effervescence Yoga Studio for an evening flow from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a guided tasting of skin-contact wines with the Windhorse Wine Guru. 📍 809 Paris Ave, Port Royal. Part of the Windhorse “Rooted In Wellness” series. All levels welcome.

🎬 Friday, May 23 – Lilo & Stitch Movie Night – Join The Village Co-Op for a family-friendly night under the stars at Hwy 21 Drive-In Theater from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 📍 55 Parker Drive, Beaufort. Bring your blankets, snacks, and ohana for a summer movie kickoff. Open to the public.

📚 Friday, May 24 – Silent Book Club Beaufort Meetup – Join host Ashley Meijerink and fellow book lovers for this popular monthly meet-up. Bring any book you like and enjoy two hours of silent reading and literary connection in a cozy community setting. Meetup runs from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. 📍 Pat Conroy Literary Center, 601 Bladen Street, Beaufort.
Learn more: silentbook.club

🐢 Wednesday, May 28 – Make Your Own Mosaic Turtle (Art Class) – A second session with Tatiana Tatum will be held at 6:00 PM at 📍 Shellring Aleworks, 1111 11th Street, Port Royal. Great for art lovers of all skill levels.

The Original Gullah Festival

The Original Gullah Festival is coming up. Want to volunteer? Click here sign up.

🎭 Thursday, May 22 – Decoration Day Play – Step back in time with this entertaining, informative, and historical re-enactment of the City of Beaufort, highlighting the rich culture of the Sea Islands. The performance begins at 7:00 PM at the USCB Center for the Arts. Tickets are $55 online, $60 at the door, and $20 for children 12 and under. 📍 USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort.
Learn more: originalgullahfestival.org

🤎 Friday–Sunday, May 23–25 – The Original Gullah Festival – Celebrate the rich Gullah heritage with a weekend of music, dance, storytelling, and traditional cuisine. Highlights include cultural workshops, live performances, and community celebrations. Events run daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. 📍 Downtown Beaufort.
Learn more: originalgullahfestival.org

📍 Festival Overview

• Dates: Friday, May 23 – Sunday, May 25, 2025
• Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, 1010 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC
• Admission: General festival entry is free; select events and workshops require tickets.
• Website: originalgullahfestival.org(Original Gullah Festival)
  

🏊🏽‍♀️ Saturday, May 31 – 19th Annual Beaufort River Swim & 5K Run – Participate in this exciting event offering multiple race options: 3.2-mile swim, 1-mile swim, 3.2-mile swim with 5K run, 1-mile swim with 5K run, and relay options. The event starts at 7:30 AM at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. All proceeds benefit the Wardle Family YMCA's Learn to Swim program. 📍 Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort.
Learn more: trisignup.com

📕 Saturday, May 31 – An Evening with Annelore Harrell – The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an afternoon with Annelore Harrell, author of Et Cetera Y’all, Volume 1. This free event includes a book talk, signing, and conversation with a Southern storyteller whose work has touched generations. Seating is limited—please call 843-379-7025 to reserve. 📍 Pat Conroy Literary Center, 601 Bladen Street, Beaufort.
Learn more: patconroyliterarycenter.org

Coming this June:

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