From hot air balloon rides to biking and camping with the blues, from lighted Christmas caves to cultural commemorations, these events demonstrate the resilience of communities and travel across the Southeast
ATLANTA, GEORGIA—JUNE 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, by month, and publishes them on a biannual basis. Learn more about Southeast Tourism Society at www.SoutheastTourism.org
While the pandemic canceled many festivals in 2020 and others were virtual, the number and scale of events in the second half of 2021 demonstrate the spirit of resilience on the part of communities, tourism organizations and the traveling public. These celebrations represent the soul of the South and serve as inspiration for future explorations of the Southeast region.
Travelers are advised to check websites for the most up-to-date info regarding masks and other safety precautions should pandemic restrictions still be in effect.
Current Top 20 Events
Click here for full event descriptions.
JULY 2021
July 15-17, 2021, Virginia Lake Festival, Clarksville, VA, https://clarksvilleva.com/festivals-celebrations/virginia-lake-festival/
AUGUST 2021
August 7, 2021, Bikes, Blues, and Bayous, Greenwood, Mississippi, www.bikesbluesbayous.com
August 12-14, 2021, Danchuk Tri-Five Nationals, Bowling Green, Kentucky, https://www.americantrifive.com/tri-five-nationals.html
August 12-21, 2021, Wilson County Fair, Lebanon, Tennessee, https://www.wilsoncountyfair.net/
August 13-14, 2021, Historic Valdese Waldensian Festival, Valdese, North Carolina, http://www.waldensianfestival.com/
August 13-15, 2021, Spirit of Woodstock, Brooksville, Florida, https://spiritofwoodstock.org/
August 28-September 12, 2021, Perspectives: Georgia Pottery Invitational, Watkinsville, Georgia, https://ocaf.com/perspectives/
SEPTEMBER 2021
September 10-11, 2021, Historic Morganton Festival, Morganton, North Carolina, www.morgantonfest.org
September 16-19, 2021, Mississippi Songwriters Festival, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, https://mssongwritersfestival.com
September 27-October 2, 2021, Hahira Honey Bee Festival, Hahira Georgia, https://www.hahirahoneybeefest.com/
September 30, 2021, Art Walk Downtown, Columbus, Mississippi, www.columbusmainstreet.com
Weekends, September 30 – October 31, Dread Hollow, Chattanooga, Tennessee, www.dreadhollow.com
OCTOBER 2021
Weekends in October, Rocktoberfest, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, www.seerockcity.com/rocktoberfest
October 1-2, 2021, Cotton Pickin’ Fair, Gay, Georgia, https://cpfair.org
October 8-9, 2021, MumFest, New Bern North Carolina, https://mumfest.com
October 15-16, 2021, Havelock Chili Festival, Havelock, North Carolina, www.chilifestival.org
October 15-17, 2021, Camping with the Blues, Brooksville, Florida, https://www.campingwiththeblues.com
NOVEMBER 2021
November 7-8, 2021, Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, www.peterandersonfestival.com
November 10-14, 2021, Cucalorus Film Festival, Wilmington, North Carolina, http://www.cucalorus.org
November 19-January 1, 2022, Enchanted Garden of Lights, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, www.seerockcity.com/lights
DECEMBER 2021
December 1-23, 2021, Ruby Falls Christmas, Chattanooga, Tennessee, www.rubyfalls.com/special-events/christmas-underground
December 9 – 23, 2021, Community Holiday Light Show, Danville, Virginia, https://www.danville-va.gov/2114/Community-Holiday-Light-Show
December 11 and 18, 2021, Tryon Palace’s Candlelight Christmas Celebration, New Bern, North Carolina, www.tryonpalace.org/candlelight