Local Events

6 unique Beaufort SC events to check out in May, from restaurant tastings to car shows

Looking to plan ahead for any upcoming events you might want to attend?

If you’re searching locally, there are plenty of happenings to look forward to for all kinds of interests and hobbies.

Get ready to mark your calendars. Here are six upcoming events to attend in Beaufort County this May.

Music & Taste on the Harbour (May 4, 11, 18)

Attend Music & Taste on the Harbour at the Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina beside the Neptune statue on the evenings of May 4, 11 and 18 from 6-9 p.m. This pet-friendly outdoor concert series will feature a variety of bands such as Deas Guyz (May 4), Stee & the Ear Candy Band (May 11) and Target feat. Headliner Horns (May 18). Several included Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants will be offering a variety of specially-priced light appetizers, wine, beer and cocktails at this weather-permitting event. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned good donation for Deep Well as well.

A Taste of Beaufort (May 5 & 6)

This year’s A Taste of Beaufort will be occurring on May 5 from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission into this two-day food festival event is free and tickets are sold for all food & beverages at $1 per ticket. A Taste of Beaufort will take place in downtown Beaufort at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

An employee of Gilligan’s assembles a shrimp taco for a patron during the Taste of Beaufort on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort.
An employee of Gilligan’s assembles a shrimp taco for a patron during the Taste of Beaufort on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort. Delayna Earley dearley@islandpacket.com

Mayfest (May 13)

The 43rd annual Mayfest in Bluffton will be underway on May 13 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Also known as the Bluffton Village Festival, this year’s event offers free admission for all to attend and will feature more than 150 artists and food vendors. Guests can expect live music, entertainment, regional arts and crafts, an array of local foods, a pie eating contest and even an ugly dog contest.

Ten-year-old Charlie was crowned Bluffton’s ugliest dog at the contest during Mayfest on Saturday, May 7, 2022. It’s the fifth time he’s taken the title.
Ten-year-old Charlie was crowned Bluffton’s ugliest dog at the contest during Mayfest on Saturday, May 7, 2022. It’s the fifth time he’s taken the title. Sarah Haselhorst

The event will also include free parking and a free shuttle service for those who have to park farther away. Mayfest will take place in Old Town Bluffton and in areas along Calhoun Street and will be hosting events around the Martin Family Park area.

The 40th annual Bluffton Village Festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018 on Calhoun Street in Bluffton, South Carolina.
The 40th annual Bluffton Village Festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018 on Calhoun Street in Bluffton, South Carolina. File

Bluffton’s Sunset Palooza #2 (May 19)

The second Sunset Palooza for this year is set to take place on May 19 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Oyster Factory Park, which is located at 55 Wharf Street in Bluffton. This event will be held regardless of the weather and will feature food, a beer garden, wine bar and live music. Thomas Claxton & The Myth and special guest Pete Carroll will be the evening’s entertainment. Leashed pets are welcome and Kids aged 12 and under are granted free admittance. Tickets for all older ages may be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunset-palooza-bluffton-sunset-party-2-tickets-546403015127.

Tom Paige, owner of Grandma Battaglia’s Authentic Italian Sausage, preps some of his Italian sausages to be served during the last year’s Bluffton Sunset Party Pizza and Pasta Palooza night at Oyster Factory Park in Bluffton.
Tom Paige, owner of Grandma Battaglia’s Authentic Italian Sausage, preps some of his Italian sausages to be served during the last year’s Bluffton Sunset Party Pizza and Pasta Palooza night at Oyster Factory Park in Bluffton. Delayna Earley dearley@islandpacket.com

Cars and Coffee (May 20)

This month’s Cars and Coffee car show event will take place on May 20 from 8-11 a.m. Each month, the event is hosted at the USCB Campus in Bluffton. From the past several events, an average of over 200 vehicles have been brought to display for guests to view. Car enthusiasts will have a chance to meet and speak with others who share the same interest at this car event.

Brandon and Doug Jordan at the ‘Cars and Coffee’ car meet in Bluffton on Father’s Day weekend. The duo were in town to show their 1969 blue and white Z-28 Camaro.
Brandon and Doug Jordan at the ‘Cars and Coffee’ car meet in Bluffton on Father’s Day weekend. The duo were in town to show their 1969 blue and white Z-28 Camaro. Sarah Claire McDonald

Hilton Head Island Art Festival (May 27 & 28)

This year’s Hilton Head Island Art Festival will take place on the weekend of May 27-28. The event, hosted by the Nash Gallery, will be held at the Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina on May 27 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on May 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All art at the festival will be U.S. made.. Attendees may shop, dine and view entertainment while perusing through countless works from the artists, which feature mediums including glass, wood, pottery, jewelry, painting, photography and metal. Admission for this year’s festival will be free.

Patrons walk in front of the Lory & Co. tent, of Austin, T.X., left, and artist Elginia McCrary, of Chesapeake, V.A., during the sixth annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour on May 25, 2014.
Patrons walk in front of the Lory & Co. tent, of Austin, T.X., left, and artist Elginia McCrary, of Chesapeake, V.A., during the sixth annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour on May 25, 2014. File photo

This story was originally published April 26, 2023 at 8:00 AM.

Sarah Claire McDonald
The Island Packet
Sarah Claire McDonald worked as a Service Journalism Reporter for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. She specialized in writing audience-focused, unique, spotlight stories about people, places and occurrences in the Lowcountry. Originally from the Midwest, Sarah Claire studied news media, communications and English at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she graduated in 2021.
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