From onions to airplanes, pirates to azaleas, these events remind us there is always something to celebrate
ATLANTA, GEORGIA—JANUARY 2021—Southeast Tourism Society (STS) is dedicated to promoting and developing tourism in its member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. In 1985, in recognition of the unique, diverse and unparalleled events in the region, STS began the Top 20 Events award program. A Top 20 Award seeks to bring more publicity and recognition to the best events in the Southeast, whether it be media, attendees or both! STS selects the Top 20 events, per month, and publishes them on a biannual basis. Learn more about Southeast Tourism Society at www.SoutheastTourism.org
As noted below, some of these events will be virtual for 2021 but the spirit of celebrating life and culture remains strong. Regardless of how these events take place, these celebrations represent the soul of the South and serve as inspiration for future explorations of the Southeast region.
Current Top 20 Events
Click here for full event descriptions.
STS Top Events
January-June 2021
January 6-February 16, 2021, Mardi Gras Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles, LA, www.swlamardigras.com
January 16-18, 2021, Martin Luther King Jr. Festival, Lake Charles, LA, https://www.facebook.com/mlkswla/
January 30, 2021, 20th Annual African American Cultural Celebration, Raleigh, NC, https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/aacc-2021
This year the event will be virtual.
February 27, 2021, NHRMC Wilmington, NC Marathon, Wilmington, NC, https://www.wilmingtonncmarathon.com/
Select Weekends in March, 2021, Shamrock City, Lookout Mountain, GA, www.seerockcity.com/shamrock
Fridays, March-September, 2021, Main Street Fridays, Greenville, SC, https://www.greenvillesc.gov/1322/Greenville-Heritage-Main-Street-Fridays
March 4-7, 2021, Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Selma, AL, https://www.selma50.com/
This year the event will be virtual.
March 13-14, 2021, Art in the Park: Art, Crafts & Music Festival, Brooksville, FL, https://www.hernandoarts.org/art-in-the-park
March 25-28, 2021, Festival of Flowers, Mobile, AL, https://festivalofflowers.com/
March 26-27, 2021, Springtime Tallahassee Festival, Tallahassee, FL, http://www.springtimetallahassee.com/
March 27-28, 2021, Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, Conyers, GA, https://www.georgiahorsepark.com/p/calendar-of-events/conyers-cherry-blossom-festival
Select Weekends in April, EarthDayz, Lookout Mountain, GA, www.seerockcity.com/earthdayz
April 7-11, 2021, North Carolina Azalea Festival at Wilmington, Inc., Wilmington, NC, https://ncazaleafestival.org/
April 21-25, 2021, Beaufort Wine and Food Weekend, Beaufort, NC, www.beaufortwineandfood.com
April 22-25, 2021, Vidalia Onion Festival, Vidalia, GA, https://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com
April 30-May 9, 2021, Louisiana Pirate Festival, Lake Charles, LA, https://www.louisianapiratefestival.com/
Saturdays, May-October, 2021, Saturday Market, Greenville, SC, https://www.saturdaymarketlive.com/
Select Weekends in May, 2021, Southern Blooms Festival, Lookout Mountain, GA, www.seerockcity.com/southernblooms
May 5-8, 2021, Pigeon Forge’s A Mountain Quiltfest, Pigeon Forge, TN, www.MyPigeonForge.com
May 7-8, 2021, Market Street Festival, Columbus, MS, www.marketstreetfestival.com
May 14, 21, 28 and June 4, 2021, Downtown at Sundown – Outdoor Concert Series, Lake Charles, LA, https://www.visitlakecharles.org
Weekends, Memorial Day-Labor Day, 2021, Summer Music Weekends, Lookout Mountain, GA, www.seerockcity.com/summermusic
June 4-6, 2021, Chennault International Airshow, Lake Charles, LA, https://chennaultairshow.com/
June 5-7, 2021, North Georgia Highlands Seafood and Wine Festival, Young Harris, GA, http://www.northgeorgiahighlandsseafoodfestival.com/
June 10, 24 and July 8, 22, 2021, Sounds of Summer, Columbus, MS, www.columbusmainstreet.com
June 11-13, 2021, Ferguson North American Sand Soccer Championships, Virginia Beach, VA, www.sandsoccer.com
June 25, 2021, Gulf Coast Shrimp & Jazz Festival, Lake Charles, LA, www.visitlakecharles.org