Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival
Bluffton’s October festival: a week and a half of river and seafood events in Old Town, ending in a Street Fest with 100-plus artists.
The Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival is a weeklong celebration of the town’s river, its locally harvested seafood, its art and its history. It runs through Old Town and the waterfront each October, and it is the one to plan a trip around if you want the town at its busiest. It is also what people mean by the Bluffton oyster festival: oysters are roasted at one of the evening events.
What Happens at the Arts & Seafood Festival
The 2024 schedule shows the shape of the festival. Individual events change from year to year.
Daufuskie Island excursion: a historical tour of island buildings and Gullah heritage sites.
Local artist showcase: an invitational show of Bluffton artists.
Blessing of the Fleet: a river boat parade and blessing ceremony.
Oyster roast: oysters, a shrimp boil and barbecue, with oyster knives and cocktail sauce provided.
Waddell Mariculture Center tour: a tour of the educational facility, with a gumbo dinner.
Author night: food, drink and local Lowcountry authors.
Rockin’ the Dock: live bands, a seafood tasting and a fireworks finish at the Oyster Factory Park.
Arts & Seafood Street Fest: the highlight: a juried art show with 100-plus artists, live music, seafood and barbecue, a children’s art show and a fishing tournament.
River tours: May River history and wildlife tours, plus kayak and paddleboard tours, through the week.
When and Where
Mid-October, in Old Town Bluffton along Calhoun Street and at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park. In 2024 it ran October 12 to 20, with Rockin’ the Dock and the Street Fest on the final weekend. Get this year’s dates and tickets from the festival’s own site, blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org.
The waterfront park where the river events and Rockin’ the Dock take place. 63 Wharf Street.
More October Events
The Bluffton International & Craft Beer Fest has been held at the Oyster Factory Park in late October, after the festival. For the rest of the year, see the Bluffton events calendar, including Mayfest in May.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival?
In mid-October each year. In 2024 it ran October 12 to 20, with the Street Fest and Rockin’ the Dock on the last weekend.
Where is the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival?
In Old Town Bluffton, along Calhoun Street, and at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park on the May River.
Is there an oyster festival in Bluffton?
The festival’s oyster roast is the oyster event: oysters, a shrimp boil and barbecue, with oyster knives and cocktail sauce provided.
What is Rockin’ the Dock?
A Saturday-night party at the Oyster Factory Park with live bands, a seafood tasting and a fireworks finale.
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