Southern Affairs | Festivals, Events, and Things To Do
Summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy all that the south has to offer. The abundance of festivals and events that happen throughout every state are the perfect excuse to soak up some sun, try something new, and even visit a new place. You’ll have no trouble finding a celebration for all your different interests like food, music, classic cars, the arts, and more.
May 3-5
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
Breaux Bridge, LA
Every May, thousands of hungry people flock to Breaux Bridge to be part of The Crawfish Festival. This three-day event has become one of the largest gatherings of world-famous Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop musicians. You’ll also enjoy tasting crawfish prepared in every imaginable way—fried, boiled, in an étouffée, bisque, boudin, and more. Bring the whole family and enjoy the other highlights such as the crawfish race, carnival, parade, dance contests, cook-offs, and more.
bbcrawfest.com
May 17-19,2019
Pasadena Strawberry Festival
Pasadena, TX
The Strawberry Capital of the South invites you for a weekend of family fun in celebration of the sweet little fruit that put Pasadena on the map: the strawberry. Since 1974, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds for carnival games and rides, contests, live music, the world’s biggest strawberry shortcake, and much more. This year’s festival will include over 280 vendors and more thrill shows and contests.
strawberryfest.org
May 23 – June 9
Spoleto Festival
Charleston, SC
For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston, South Carolina’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music. Now approaching its 43rd season, Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. Witness a play or opera, listen to a symphonic arrangement, be amazed by an acrobatic performance, and so much more.
spoletousa.org
May 24 & 25
Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Que Music Festival
Augusta, GA
The 10th annual Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Que Music Festival, held at Lake Olmstead Park, will be on Memorial Day weekend for 2019. Get ready to enjoy some of the best roots, americana and bluegrass music you can find, tasty barbeque, a large selection of craft beer, a petting zoo, pig races, a fun playground and so much more. All proceeds benefit the Joseph R. Pond Memorial Foundation, which supports local charities in the CSRA.
banjobque.com
May 24-26
Rocklahoma Music Festival
Pryor, OK
The world's largest rock festival of its type, Rocklahoma features high-energy acts, the sound of thrashing guitars, pyrotechnics and roaring vocals. Embrace your inner rocker and head to the Catch the Fever Music & Festival Grounds to mingle with the likes of bikers, 80s metal enthusiasts and classic rock fans. This year's lineup includes Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed, Shinedown, Bush, Seether, Asking Alexandria and New Years Day, as well as over 50 other bands.
rocklahoma.com
May 30 – June 2
Mountain Music Festival
Oak Hill, WV
The Mountain Music Festival is the best weekend of the summer in West Virginia. The stage sits right in the middle of ACE Adventure Resort, a 1,500-acre outdoor adventure property. Festival attendees are always close to the Gorge’s best outdoor activities, ranging from white-water rafting, to rock climbing, to mountain biking, and basically anything in between. Not to mention, the kind of comfortable cabins and nice bathrooms/showers that you’ll find on an established campground like ACE.
mountainmusicfestwv.com
May 31 – June 2
Wildman Days
Lawrenceburg, KY
Kentucky’s Only Bigfoot Street Festival is a title that Wildman Days is proud to claim. This three-day festival is full of non-stop action from Karaoke to live music to presentations on Bigfoot that will leave you wondering how you'll be able to fit everything in. Participate in one of their many contests, shop at one of the over 50 unique vendors, and try your best to beat the Wildman to the finish line in the 5K Fun Run! wildmandays.com
June 6-9
Highlands Motoring Festival
Highlands, NC
The name says it all…what better place to be in the middle of June than in the cool, crisp Blue Ridge Mountains at an altitude of 4118 feet? The Highlands Motoring Festival has been recognized as THE motoring festival event in June in the Southeast. The focus, of course, is the field of over 125 classic cars. Enjoy the mountain town with a casual and sophisticated atmosphere and cool climate. Improve your attitude by improving your altitude!
highlandsmotoringfestival.com
June 14 – 23
Chautauqua Festival
Greenville, SC
Starring: Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Malcolm X, Jackie Kennedy and Hamilton’s Women. Get ready to laugh, cry and flat out have a great time at this ten-day – two-weekend festival of non-stop live history and fun for the whole family. 30 shows performed in costume by nationally acclaimed historical interpreters. And almost all the shows are FREE. Meet revolutionary people – hear their stories – ask them how their world changed.
greenvillechautauqua.org
June 29 & 30
Made in Georgia Festival
Young Harris, GA
The Made in Georgia Festival is an indoor event featuring only items grown, made, stitched, brewed, and crafted, in the State of Georgia! Vendors from all over Georgia offer pecans, jellies, pickles, kale chips, cheese straws, cutting boards, metal work, honey, soaps, jewelry, fiber art, bbq rubs, and so much more! This year's event will also feature mobile dairy farm, cooking classes for kids and adults, face painting and demonstrations by attending artists.
madeingeorgia.net
