Arts, Culture & Events in Hilton Head Island

Music is a universal language, and best enjoyed alongside the sounds of crashing waves and songbirds. During your visit, enjoy world-class performances — from the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra to intimate jazz nights at The Jazz Corner. The Hilton Head Choral Society kicks off its 50th season in the autumn of 2025 and promises it to be a spectacular one with special concerts, guest artists, and cherished favorites. Locals and visitors alike are inspired by the sounds of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, which embodies and shares the spirit of the Lowcountry through music. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out The Jazz Corner, the South East’s premier jazz club and restaurant offering smooth and elegant jazz with gourmet dining in an intimate and relaxed environment nightly.

There’s something special about watching a live performance unfold right here on America’s Favorite Island®. At the heart of our art scene is the award-winning regional Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, a beloved local theatre where creativity takes center stage year-round. Centered around creating entertaining and meaningful art, The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina focuses on producing musicals, comedies, and dramas — often mixing things up with a rotating schedule of visiting performers, musicians, vocalists, artists, puppeteers, and more. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, each experience feels brand new. From Broadway staples like Waitress to local features such as Voices of Gullah, you’ll find the perfect show in their 349-seat main stage or the black box theater.

Gullah-Geechee, descendants of West Africans who inhabited the Sea Islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida prior to and since the Civil War, enrich and weave the tapestry of Hilton Head Island. A fantastic way to experience this culture is to take part yourself. Gullah Heritage Trail Tours, led by Hilton Head-native Gullah guides, take guests on a curated tour of the Gullah trail. You can also check out the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, who fully embody their mission of reviving, restoring and preserving the Hilton Head Island Gullah history.

For a relaxing evening stroll, meander over to the Shelter Cove Sculpture Trail, which connects Shelter Cove Community Park to Shelter Cove Veterans' Memorial Park. Situated along the trail is an array of public art sculptures that feature island wildlife and environmental themes. Included in the sculptures are temporary pieces that get swapped out every 12 to 18 months, so you will routinely find something new.

This year, we welcome the ninth Annual Crescendo Celebration of Arts & Culture. This event, hosted from October 10 through November 23, 2025, by the Office of Cultural Affairs for the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Arts Council of Hilton Head, highlights the vast array of arts, culture and history organizations, individual artists, performers, and authors residing and working on Hilton Head Island. Each year, this event draws over 10,000 attendees; will you be one of them? Perhaps, as you wind down your vacation on America’s Favorite Island®, you find yourself looking for a souvenir to take home or a piece of art that is meaningful to you. Venture over to First Thursday Artisan Alley at the Shops at Sea Pines Center, and take part in the monthly Art Walk, featuring local artists, live music, food vendors, and community charity partners. You are sure to enjoy great tunes, amazing food, and get a real sense of what makes Hilton Head Island so special at this local event.

Whether you’re visiting Hilton Head Island for a weekend or a while, this place has a way of surprising you. Yes, America’s Favorite Island® is home to breathtaking ocean views and winding bike trails, but it’s also a place where stirring performances, deeply rooted history, and a vibrant arts community thrive. Ready to experience the artistic side of Hilton Head Island for yourself? Explore our upcoming events and start planning your cultural getaway to Hilton Head Island today.