7th Annual Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival — A Quick Guide

Admin
Sep 2
2 min read

Harbour Town turns into a working tasting room on Saturday, September 20. The Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival runs 1:00–4:00 PM on the lawn by the Liberty Oak, with a new VIP entry at 12:30 PM. Expect all-you-can-eat shrimp tastings from 15+ local chefs and craft-beer samples from 16 breweries and also vendor tents. The culinary lineup features teams from Sea Pines standbys, Fraser’s Tavern, Coast, Links, Quarterdeck, Harbourside, along with Salty Dog, Okan, Crazy Crab, Local Pie, FISH and more. You’ll get a ballot for People’s Choice: Best Dish and Best Brewery with your ticket.

Music is handled by the Hilton Head Island Jam Songwriters Festival, with Nashville writers performing on the Liberty Oak stage during the event: Casey Beathard, Chuck Cannon, Jeffrey Steele, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Angie Aparo across the 1:00–4:00 PM window. (Entry to the set requires a Shrimp Fest ticket.)

Family details aren’t an afterthought. There’s a Kid Zone (bounce house, face painting, arts & crafts), and kids 8 and under are free. If someone in your group can’t do shellfish, they can purchase food at Harbourside while you make the rounds. Seating is available under the oaks. The event is rain or shine, with refunds up to 48 hours out.

Tickets

VIP $150 – Early entry 12:30 PM, private cocktail demo (1:30 PM), tasting of the 2024 winning dish (2:00 PM), valet parking, plus all chef and brewery tastings.
General Admission (21+) $79 – Unlimited shrimp and beer samples while supplies last, commemorative tasting glass.
General Admission (No Alcohol) $59 – All food tastings; beer/wine available for purchase separately. Kids 8 & under: free.

The Logistics

Where: Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Rd., Hilton Head Island. Sea Pines
Gate: Sea Pines gate fee is waived for advance ticket holders and wristbanded guests. Show your confirmation at the entrance.
Parking/Shuttle: Park at Trolley Lot 1; complimentary shuttle to Harbour Town runs 12:00–5:30 PM.
What’s included: All chef tastings + beer samples for 21+ while supplies last; non-alcoholic drinks and additional alcohol (including wine) available for purchase.

More info & tickets: Sea Pines’ official event page and the festival’s social updates have the latest details.