School’s out for summer — and the Lowcountry is ready to celebrate. From educational opportunities for the kiddos to summer concert series, here’s what’s going on this month from Hilton Head to Savannah.
Hilton Head Island:
International Women’s Golf Day — 1-4 p.m. June 4 at The First Tee of the Lowcountry
Come out to The First Tee and learn the basics of golf from local female pro-golfers and volunteers. Through easy-to-learn drills and activities, learn the fundamentals of chipping, full swing and putting. Then put your new skills to the text and play a 12-hole match on a Par 3 course.
Snacks and soft drinks will also be available.
This event features PGA Professionals Jean Harris and Monica Franklin. Read more here.
Cost: Free.
Sweetgrass Basket Classes — 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 8 at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
Want to learn how to make one of the Lowcountry’s best known art forms? Head to the Coastal Discovery on June 8 for a Sweetgrass basket class led by a 7th generation Gullah basket maker. The classes will begin with a history lesson about the Sweetgrass basket, then you can try your hand at making a basket using locally found natural materials. Read more here.
Cost: $65 per person
Reservations required: Call 843-689-6767 ext. 223
Food Truck Night — 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 12 at Christian Renewal Church
Christian Renewal Church’s food truck night will include live music, bounce houses, Kona Ice and more local food trucks. Read more here.
Cost: Free.
The Juneteenth Celebration! — 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 15 at Mitchelville Freedom Park
For one day only, the first self-governed freedmen’s town in America will be revived! Historical reenactments at the homestead and praise house will celebrate the historical significance of the Mitchelville story as part of the national African American freedom story.
The event will also include a children’s play area, art, great food and live music — including a performance by “Just a Few Cats,” featuring American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
Cost: $15 per person; Children 12 & under are free.
For more information: Call 843-255-7301 or read more here.
Busy Bees — 5-7 p.m. June 20 at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
This hands-on, after hours class is new and a great way to learn about the vital importance of our honey bees. Learn about the fascinating biology and social structure of honey bees and take a closer look at how they work through the glass wall of an observation hive at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Through hands-on experiences, learn more about and get a taste of what honey bees make. Then make your own beeswax products to take home and enjoy.
This class is appropriate for ages 10 and older.
Cost: $15 per person.
Reservations required: Call 843-689-6767 ext. 223. Read more here.
Hilton Head Island Music Festival — June 22 & 23 at The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
Come and enjoy local Island favorites and discover amazing new talent at the largest-ever Hilton Head Island Music Festival that will feature 15 electrifying live performances right in your own backyard!
This two-day Music Festival will feature a variety of local, state and regional acts.
Saturday commences at 3 p.m. with the Original Music Showcase that will feature up-and-coming singers/songwriters and bands.
Sunday’s lineup kicks off at 12:30 p.m. and includes Classic Covers & Touring Bands performing a wide range of music from rock and blues to reggae and funk.
Legally Blonde the Musical — June 26-30 at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
Elle Woods appears to have it all. But, her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Packing up her trusty pooch, Bruiser, she bags herself a place at the prestigious Harvard Law School to try and win him back. With the support of her new friends she learns that you can be both smart and fashionable!
Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal! Nominated for seven Tony awards, Legally Blonde is a blast for all ages!
Ongoing June events on Hilton Head
Discover Hilton Head history:
Fort Mitchel Tours — every Monday at 10 a.m. in Hilton Head Plantation
Immerse yourself in the fascinating Civil War history of Hilton Head Island with a visit to Fort Mitchel. The site contains the remains of a coastal defense battery erected in 1862 to protect the Port Royal Sound by way of Skull Creek from incursions by Confederate gunboats based in the Savannah River.
Costumed characters and an expert tour guide will demonstrate the vital historic importance of this place and the role the fort and its namesake, General Mitchel, played in shaping Hilton Head history, including historic Mitchelville.
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child
Registration required. Click here for more information.
Historic Bike Tours — every Wednesday at 10 a.m. starting at Squire Pope Community Park
Explore the historic district of Hilton Head! Visit historic plantations, understand fishing and farming life post-Civil War, view Tabby Ruins and enjoy a meet and greet with volunteers from the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island.
Bring water, sunscreen & bug spray.
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (ages 10 & up only) if you bring your own bike OR $25 per adult, $20 per child to include a bike rental.
Forts of Port Royal Tour — every Wednesday at 10 a.m. starting at Port Royal Golf Clubhouse
During the Civil War, Hilton Head Island was occupied by Union forces early in November 1861. The island’s proximity to Charleston and Savannah made it an important strategic location for the Union and was occupied throughout the War. On this guided history tour, learn about the Battle of Port Royal and the historic sites of Fort Walker and a later era Steam Cannon used for coastal defense.
Not recommended for children under 7 years old.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Cost: $12 per adult; $7 per child
Hilton Head Haunted History Tales — every Wednesday at 9 p.m. at the Zion Historic Cemetery
\After dark, in the eerie setting of the Island’s oldest burial ground, come and hear spine-tingling tales of Hilton Head’s shadowy past. More history than horror, our tales involve real events that have occurred in Hilton Head’s 500+ year history and real people who once lived here … who are still reported to roam the Island from time to time!
Cost: $20 for children ages 8-16; $25 per adult
Zion Living History Tours — every Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Zion Historic Cemetery
Meet historical characters who lived on the Island during the Antebellum period and see inside the oldest existing structure on Hilton Head Island. Tour where Revolutionary War soldiers are buried and explore the location of the planter’s antebellum church and muster house.
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child
Civil War Era Tours — every Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Coastal Discovery Museum
The Civil War is one of the most important events in the history of our country. South Carolina played a key role in the development and ending of the war. Hilton Head Island was home to thousands of Union soldiers during the Civil War. Find out why they were here and how they spent their time. Historic photographs, maps and artifacts tell the story of Hilton Head from 1861-1865.
Duration: 1 hour.
Not recommended for children under 7 years old.
Cost: $7 per person
Learn about Lowcountry creatures at The Coastal Discovery Museum:
Discovery Lab Open House — Mondays & Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m.
Drop in and explore the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Discovery Lab!! Visiting the lab is a fun educational experience for all ages. Get a closer look at some live lowcountry animals like fish, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, frogs, lizards, snakes, and a friendly alligator. Discover unique and fascinating stories about the lowcountry’s history and environment through hands-on, interactive displays and games.
Cost: Suggested $2 per person donation.
No reservations required. Learn more.
Reptiles & Amphibians of the Lowcountry — Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m.
Alligators, snakes, and turtles oh my! Take a closer look at the fascinating and unique characteristics of local reptiles and amphibians. Interact with a few live critters and discover the importance of these often misunderstood animals. Learn how to protect these amazing creatures and safely enjoy sharing the lowcountry with them.
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child aged 4-12. Children under 4 are free.
Blue Crab Discovery — Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
The blue crab’s life cycle begins with millions of microscopic eggs that eventually develop into active predators with powerful claws. Learn all about the intriguing life of the Atlantic Blue Crab and the important role they play in the coastal ecosystem and lowcountry history. Experience recreational harvesting, cooking, cleaning, and eating of the blue crab!
(This is a hands-on learning experience and includes just a taste of blue crab meat).
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child aged 4-12. Children under 4 are free.
Critters Meet & Greet — Wednesdays & Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
This is a casual “Meet and Greet” to learn about the alligators, snakes, and other critters that share Hilton Head Island with us. Take this opportunity to walk-in and see these animals up close, gets hands-on and hold a critter or two, take pictures of or with your favorite critters, and learn more about these amazing animal and how to safely share the Lowcountry with these important critters.
No reservations required.
Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per child aged 5-12. Children under age 5 are free.
Sea Turtle Life — Thursdays from 1-2 p.m.
Sea turtles live an extraordinary life. Explore the amazing journey of Loggerhead Sea Turtles from egg to adulthood. Discover just how easy it is to help protect these fascinating sea creatures.
You will not see live sea turtles but this is a hands-on, eye-opening, experience filled with unique educational materials to see, touch, and interact with.
Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per child aged 4-12. Children under 4 are free.
Marsh Critters Preschoolers Program — Thursdays from 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m.
The salt marsh is an important and unique habitat that is full of life! Get up close and hands-on with several marsh critters as your guide shares a fun short story about the many critters you might encounter while spending a day in the salt marsh.
Preschool programs are designed for ages 4-6 and require at least one registered adult. Other family and friends are welcome to register too. Only registered participants will be admitted into the program area.
Cost: $10 per child & adult; $5 for additional humans ages 3 & up. Children under 3 are free.
Under the Sea — Fridays from 1-2 p.m.
What lives under the sea? There is an amazing world of marine life under that sparkling blue ocean. Take a closer look at some of the smaller marine creatures. Find out what lived in those shells you find on the beach, feed a horseshoe crab and watch it chew with its legs, help a hermit crab find a new home, and much more!
Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per child aged 4-12. Children under 4 are free.
Marsh Tacky Horse Tour — Fridays from 2-3 p.m.
Descended from horses brought to the Lowcountry in the 1500s, there are now around 300 Marsh Tackies left in existence. Learn about the history of these adaptable horses and take a trip to our historic barn. There you will meet the museum’s two resident horses Comet and Hawk and learn about their care and conservation.
Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per child aged 4-12. No children under age 4 please.
Beach Discovery Tour — Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Fish Haul Beach
Join a museum naturalist on a nature tour of the wonders and creatures that inhabit our local beaches. Ever wonder who lives in those holes in the sand? Or, when sea turtles come ashore to nest on Hilton Head Island? Learn about the horseshoe crab that has been lurking in our coastal waters for millions of years.
Come explore our ever-changing marine environment at hidden Fish Haul Beach along Port Royal Sound. With its mud flats and sandy areas, this beach is ideal for finding beach creatures, shorebirds, and sea shells. Learn about how our beaches are formed and changed with each cycle of the tide.
Meet docent at the picnic tables near the beach pathway for an orientation before heading to the beach.
Cost: $12 per adult; $7 per child aged 4-12; Children under 4 are free.
Summer Camps for the kiddos hosted by The Island Rec Center
The Island Rec Center hosts a variety of summer camps for kids of all ages. This includes:
The All-Day Summer Camp — for kids in Kindergarten through 8th grade
This camp helps your child develop character, learn valuable life skills, make new friends and discover new interests.
Daily activities include arts & crafts, swimming, games and sports. Morning and afternoon round-ups are the perfect time for campers to get energized with a fun-filled, action-packed day of camp activities.
Each week of Summer Camp is a different theme with the week will be centered around. The weekly field trips, activities and daily rotations will be based around the theme of the week.
Please have your child bring a lunch, swimsuit and a towel. Two snacks a day for each camper will be provided. The Island Rec also offers an inclusive camp for children with special needs. The full day rate for Summer Camp is less than $3 an hour. ASK about our reduced rate for multiple children.
Summer Sports Camps:
- Surf Camp (Ages 7&up, adults welcome)
- Jr. Golf Camp (Ages 6-18)
- Fast Track Youth Tennis (Ages 6-14)
- Boys Lacrosse Camp (Grades 2-8)
- Gator Cheer Camp (Girls ages 5-12)
- Girls Lacrosse Camp (Ages 6-14 & Ages 14-18)
- Tormenta FC Academy Soccer Camp (Half day for ages 3-14 & and full day for ages 7-14)
- Jesse Eddy Basketball Camp (Ages 7-14)
- Gator Football (Boys ages 5-12)
- Karate (Ages 5-12)
- Swim Lessons
- Sailing Camp
- Outdoor 2-day Camp
See all Island Rec Center Summer Camps & Classes for the kids here.
Summer Concert Series:
Greg Russell Summer Concerts — Every week night from 8-9:30 p.m. in Sea Pines
Over the years, Gregg Russell has become a Sea Pines classic. You’ll find him under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town entertaining adults and children alike. His concerts are not to be missed.
Summer Jams at Shelter Cove — Every Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. in Shelter Cove Community Park
The Island Recreation Association is proud to bring you a fun-filled, festive atmosphere with the highlight of the night fireworks which start around 9 pm. Kids of all ages can enjoy inflatable bounce houses and face painting for a minimal fee.
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fireworks!
Sunset Celebration at Shelter Cove — 7-10 p.m. every Friday starting June 14 in Shelter Cove Community Park
Join us on the banks of Broad Creek for a picnic and a sunset serenade at the pavilion in Shelter Cove Community Park. Bring a beach chair, blanket, and pick up take-out from one of our local merchants. Sunset Celebration, featuring live local music and laid back family entertainment, is brought to you every Friday each summer by the merchants of Shelter Cove Towne Centre.
Parrot Palooza — Thursdays starting June 13 at 7 p.m. at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
Enjoy entertainment from Shannon Tanner and the Oyster Reefers on Thursdays during the summer playing a live Caribbean concert featuring all your favorite island tunes.
Other family-friendly, ongoing summer fun:
Kids Water Fun day — Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines
A fun-filled morning of sail and power boat rides on Calibogue Sound to see the Dolphins, crabbing, beach games, water balloon toss, and a scavenger hunt.
Tom Doyle, owner of Commander Zodiac, directs the camp. Tom has been operating Kids Water Fun Day for over 25 years.
Please bring/wear: bathing suit, flip flops, sunscreen.
For children ages 4-12.
Cost: $45
Harbourfest Fireworks — Tuesdays starting June 11 from 6-11 p.m. at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina on Hilton Head Island is a weekly celebration during the summer with live music featuring Shannon Tanner, kids activities with Cappy the Clown, bouncy houses and more. Tuesday nights during HarbourFest are the traditional fireworks nights featuring a spectacular show that lights up the summer nighttime sky at dusk. This family-friendly event has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors for the last thirty years!
More info and later summer dates here.
Movie Night in the Park – Thursdays starting June 13 at 9 p.m. at Shelter Cove Community Park
After the sun sets over Broad Creek, join us waterside at Shelter Cove Community Park for a summer full of blockbuster hits! Watch all your favorites under the stars on a 20′ movie screen.
No admission fee! Beach chairs, blankets and take-out food from Shelter Cove Towne Centre merchants recommended!
For a full schedule of films, visit here.
Summer Mondays Family Magic Show — 8-9:15 p.m. at Comedy Magic Cabaret
Family magic show suitable for all ages. Doors open at 7:15 with showtime starting at 8:00 PM.
Cost: $16.00 per person. Children under 3 are free.
Bluffton
Remembrance of the Burning of Bluffton — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 4 at the Heyward House Museum & Welcome Center
Learn more about Bluffton’s history and the role that it played during the Civil War while commemorating the 156th anniversary of the Burning of Bluffton, which took place on June 4, 1863.
This open house event will allow guests access to the museum FREE of charge. Docents will be available to answer any questions. Light refreshments will be provided.
Live music will be provided from 12:00-3:00 p.m. by Southern Gratitude.
For more information: Call the Heyward House at (843)757-6293.
Bluffton Hemp Festival — 12 p.m. on June 8 on Old Town Bluffton’s Calhoun Street
Come and experience a unique opportunity to see, experience and learn about hemp and CBD products – all at one fun, festive and FREE event. This first-ever festival will feature many of the leading hemp/CBD retailers from the Lowcountry, as well as several manufacturers in the expanding product marketplace.
Experience & learn about the benefits of CBD & HEMP products.
*Must 18 years old and must have a valid ID to purchase.
Bluffton Juneteenth Festival — 4-9 p.m. June 8 at the Heyward House
A family friendly event on Common Grounds at the south side of the 178-year old Heyward House, which serves as the official town information and welcome center. Come celebrate and have a great day of family fun with us.
Well behaved pets are allowed, please bring lawn chairs for seating. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Cost: $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free.
Blues & Brews on the Bluff — 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 14 at Oyster Factory Park
The Brews & Blues on the Bluff “Taste of Summer Beer Festival” will offer more than 50 different beers from around the world — IPA’s, Wheats, Blondes, Sours, Radlers and many more great summer beer styles.
The Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine is the designated local charity for the night.
Lawn chairs and leashed pets permitted. No outside food or drinks.
Cost: $5 per person. Children ages 12 and under are free.
Lowcountry PRIDE Parade & Celebration — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 22 at Frazier Park
Come celebrate Bluffton’s first PRIDE event at Frazier Park’s Field of Dreams. Everyone’s welcome to walk in the parade that will step off at 10 a.m. The celebration will include speakers and other performers; a kids’ area with bounce houses, face painting, crafts and more; and live music from Heavy Honey – MXM Productions.
Savannah
Savannah Water Lantern Festival — 5:30-10 p.m. June 15 at Lake Mayer
Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven’t met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience.
The festival will also include food trucks, live music and more. Lantern launch starts at 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 per person if purchased by June 5.
To buy tickets and get more info, visit here.
Juneteenth Savannah 2019 — 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Wells Park
Celebrate African American freedom and emphasize cultural arts and achievement at the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in America.
The event includes free food, entertainment and cultural education.
Love Unity No Hate Festival — 3-7 p.m. June 30 in Forsyth Park
An event to display love and unity in the community. Fun-filled family oriented festival with various activities for children and adults.
Includes: Bounce House, face painting, entertainment, celebrity guest and more.
