Summer festivals are back! After many events were cancelled or held virtually in 2020, many events are returning to in-person in summer 2021. See a list of summer festivals happening in some of our LHG destinations below.
UNwineD, Panama City Beach, FL – June 4-5, 2021
UNwineD is an award-winning culinary event held in Aaron Bessant Park, featuring craft beer, spirits and wine from around the world, culinary creations by the region’s leading chefs and a Southern garden party presented by Southern Living. Guests can raise a glass at the Friday Night Kickoff Party, a time to mix and mingle with some of the South’s most elite chefs, mixologists and tastemakers. The celebration continues Saturday with the Grand Afternoon Tasting & Cocktail Competition, followed by a live concert. For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined/.
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, Panama City Beach, FL – June 4-6, 2021
The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam brings the best of today’s country music to the beach. Previous artists include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock and Eric Church. As the sun begins to set, free shuttles will take guests to the headline stage at Frank Brown Park. For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/events/.
FestivalSouth, Hattiesburg, MS – June 5-26, 2021
Hattiesburg’s FestivalSouth is an annual, multi-week festival presenting a variety of musical and other arts-related entertainment aiming to transcend social, cultural and economic lines. Events include a live concert by Motown Downtown Revival, a music theatre mashup Broadway in the ‘Burg, an International Ballet Competition Showcase, and A Night at the Opera. FestivalSouth offers exceptional performing and visual artists enriching and engaging Hattiesburg’s vibrant cultural community. For more information, visit www.visithburg.org.
Summer Light: Art by Night at Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC – June 9-Aug. 21, 2021
Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina’s premier botanical garden, will hold an event series allowing after-hours access to the historic gardens. Summer Light: Art by Night will feature nine lighted art installations throughout the sculpture gardens and arboretum, live music and food vendors. The event begins June 9 and continues every Wednesday through Saturday until Aug. 21. In addition to the ethereal lighted displays throughout the grounds, Brookgreen’s indoor gallery spaces will be open and a pianist will play nightly on Anna Hyatt Huntington’s baby grand piano. For more information, visit https://www.brookgreen.org/.
Art Week, Marquette, MI – June 21-26, 2021
The City of Marquette Arts & Culture Division is excited to present the 2021 City of Marquette Art Week. Art Week is an annual event held during the last week of June that kicks off the summer event season. Local artists, organizations and businesses are invited to come together and collaborate on a series of free arts and cultural programming for the community including concerts, workshops, performances, exhibits and more. For more information on Art Week, visit www.mqtcompass.com or https://bit.ly/2PSH0XT. The 2021 City of Maquette Art Week is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.
Marquette Trails Festival, Marquette, MI – June 25-27, 2021
Whether it is biking, hiking or running, Marquette Trails Festival is a fun-filled weekend that celebrates the many outdoor adventures that the area has to offer. Featuring mountain bike races, trail running races and socials, there is something for everyone to enjoy. All proceeds from the event support the Noquemanon Trail Network trail building program. For more information on the Marquette Trails Festival, visit https://marquettetrailsfestival.com/.
Real.Fun.Fourth, Panama City Beach, FL – July 3-4, 2021
Panama City Beach will hold the largest display of fireworks on the Gulf Coast for an all-American weekend of Independence Day celebrations during Real.Fun.Fourth. Friends and family can gather on their beach in red, white and blue to enjoy an electrifying firework show.
International Folk Art Market, Santa Fe, NM – July 7-18, 2021
This summer, the showcase of global folk art traditions is back in Santa Fe, with 160 master artists from 53 countries descending on the city to put together a temporary gallery of handmade folk art traditions. Visitors can shop craft goods of a wide variety of handmade forms, textures and designs such as textiles, jewelry, beadwork, basketry, wood carvings, ceramics, rugs, glass and metalwork, sculpture, mixed media, toys and more. Meanwhile, a variety of live music performances and culinary offerings will round out the experience for visitors as well. For more information, visit https://folkartmarket.org/.
Blueberry Festival, Marquette, MI – July 30, 2021
Washington and Front streets will be bustling with sidewalk sales during 2021’s Blueberry Festival. Downtown restaurants will satisfy cravings for blueberry fare, from blueberry pizza to blueberry beer, while many downtown shops will offer “blue” specials. This year’s festival has been scaled back to better comply with COVID-19 best practices. The festival will not have outside vendors as in past years, which will allow the focus to be on showcasing the wonderful shops and restaurants that comprise downtown Marquette. For more information on the Blueberry Festival and modifications to accommodate COVID-19 safety precautions, visit https://www.downtownmarquette.org/downtown-events/blueberry-festival.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Santa Barbara, CA – August 4-8, 2021
Since 1924, a five-day festival celebrating the Spanish history, spirit, culture, heritage and traditions of Santa Barbara has taken place at the beginning of August. This year’s in-person events are back after the celebration was fully virtual in 2020. This year, the lineup of pageantry and dance-filled events that make it the largest annual festival in Santa Barbara will be available for visitors to experience in person and will feature virtual components viewers can experience from home. The festivities kick off on the steps of the Old Mission Santa Barbara, with traditional flamenco and folklorico dance performances at “Fiesta Pequeña”, while two days later “El Desfile Historico” is a large parade honoring Spanish traditions with colorful floats, marching bands, traditional horse-drawn carriages and carefully coordinated equestrian groups, just to name two highlights. For more information, visit https://www.sbfiesta.org/
Railbird Music Festival, Lexington, KY – August 28-29, 2021
Returning after its successful debut in 2019, the Railbird Music Festival will be held at the Keeneland Racecourse and will feature Grammy Award-winning headliners, culinary demonstrations with Lexington’s top chefs, plus exclusive bourbon tastings. The festival takes its name from a “railbird,” a horse racing enthusiast known for hanging on to the rail as the horses come barreling down the track. For more information, visit https://www.railbirdfest.com/.
Touchdowns & Tunes, Paducah, KY – September 3-5, 2021
Touchdowns and Tunes Tailgate Party is a 3-day music festival where live country music meets televised college football to create the ultimate tailgating environment! This event will feature live performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brantley Gilbert, Chris Young, Ashleigh McBryde, Lauren Alaina, Craig Morgan, Michael Ray, Parker McCollum, Eric Paslay, The Steel Woods, Larry Fleet, Kameron Marlowe, SixForty1, Walker Montgomery and Elvie Shane. Three dedicated zones will be showing televised college football games and offering tailgate games. Held in Paducah’s Carson Park, tent and RV camping passes are available. For more information and tickets, visit www.touchdownsandtunes.com.