Upcoming Area Events

Looking for something new and different to try? Look no further than Hilton Head Island! Just a few minutes from your home at Courtney Bend at New River, Hilton Head Island is setting up to host all sorts of activities and celebrations in the upcoming months...

14th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration
February 1 – 28
The 2010 schedule of events will include De Aarts Ob We People XII Art Show & Sale, an Ol’ Fashioned Gullah Breakfast, National Freedom Day, A Gullah Film Fest Series, A Taste of Gullah – Food & Entertainment, The Arts, Crafts & Food Expo on Presidents Day Weekend and The Youth Musical.
The De Aarts Ob We People XII Art Show & Sale is a month-long art exhibit, which kicks off the Gullah Celebration with an opening reception featuring a live auction and a diverse display of original paintings, woodcarvings, burnt woodcraft, sweet grass baskets and sculpture created by contemporary and emerging artists from the Lowcountry.
The Ol’ Fashioned Gullah Breakfast typically takes place at St. James Baptist Church (est. 1886) Annex, on Hilton Head’s Beach City Road, and offers very good home cooked food – a Gullah tradition. Prepared by Native Islanders, this breakfast traditionally features local and cultural delicacies such as stewed oysters, shrimp and grits, fried fish, homemade biscuits, and beverages.
For additional information, please contact the Gullah Celebration office: (843) 682-3742 or gullahcelebration.com.

25th Annual Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival
February 4 – 7 & March 1 – 15
What began as a humble outdoor festival has grown to become one of the country’s premier epicurean experiences. Hosted by the Hilton Head Hospitality Association, The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival includes one of the East Coast’s largest outdoor public tastings, and kicks off with a world class International Wine Judging & Competition, February 4 – 7, at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort & Spa.
In celebration of its silver anniversary, the 25th Annual Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival will feature an even greater selection of amazing opportunities than ever before. Wine and food enthusiasts will relish these complimentary events:
Uncork the Festival: February 5; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at RedFish Restaurant
Great Chefs of the South / Food Activities: March 1 – 15; various HHI locations
Wine Centered Women: March 11 – 13; several HHI locations
Grand Tasting: March 12; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Sea Pines Country Club
Public Tasting & Auction (“Winefest”): March 13; noon – 4 p.m. at Honey Horn, HHI
For additional information, please visit the Hilton Head Hospitality Association, or call (843) 686-4944.

2010 Hilton Head International Piano Competition
March 8 – 15
The Hilton Head International Piano Competition (HHIPC), presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, is an annual, eight–day event, which has been held on the island since 1996. Featuring incredibly skilled pianists from around the globe, it is considered a leading international piano competition for competitors ages 18 – 30.
Of the 125 individuals representing 30 countries, who applied to perform in the 2010 competition, 20 were selected to participate. They will compete for $33,000 in cash prizes and concerts, advancing to the finals by qualifying through four rounds of intense competition. On the final night of the competition, the three finalists will perform with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra led by Maestra Mary Woodmansee Green.
Michail Lifits, Winner of the 2009 HHIPC, will perform at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Performing Arts Center January 13 at 7:30 p.m. Call (843) 521–4145 or visit www.beaufortscperformingarts.com for additional details.


Reserve your tickets to the 2010 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, beginning January 11, by calling (843) 842–2055 or visiting www.hhipc.org. Learn more about the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra by visiting www.hhso.org.


All information is courtesy of the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce - For additional information about these and other events, head directly to their website:
www.hiltonheadisland.org/chamber-of-commerce/