The Beaufort Water Festival is a weeklong celebration. It can be a big task to plan, experiencing everything Beaufort has to offer while also catching all of the best events.
We are here to help you make the most of your time spent in our historic town for Water Fest! Keep reading for our carefully crafted itinerary for your 10 days of Beaufort Water Festival.
Friday, July 15
After you check in to The Cuthbert House Inn, head a few blocks into downtown and grab a late lunch before the opening ceremony at Lowcountry Produce.
Next, make your way to the Waterfront Park to enjoy the first day of the Festival Arts & Crafts Market from 2 pm – 7 pm. Later, the gates to the Opening Ceremony will open at 6pm. The event, featuring the Parris Island Marine Band complete with fireworks, begins at 7pm.
Saturday, July 16
Wake up and enjoy an early breakfast at The Cuthbert House Inn. A sweet or savory breakfast menu is offered daily. Some of our favorites include: Eggs Benedict with Bearnaise Sauce, Orange-Blueberry Pancakes with Grand Marnier Syrup and Pina Colada Pancakes with Fresh Pineapple, Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream
Now it’s time to enjoy your first full day of the Beaufort Water Festival! The first Saturday is sure to be fabulous. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen to check out the events:
Raft Race
Sponsored by Aire Serve of the Lowcountry & Savannah
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: 8:30 am – Noon
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 7 pm
Bocce Tournament
Sponsored by JoCo Construction and the PIZZO Family
Location: Waterfront Park Main Field
Event Details: Play starts at 8 am
Badminton Tournament
Sponsored by A.C. Harvey’s Screenprinting
Location: Waterfront Park Stage Field
Event Details: Play starts at 9 am
Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by Plair Enterprises, Inc
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – Noon | Ages 12 and under only | Bring your own rod, reel and tackle | Bait provided
Sponsor’s Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – 2 pm
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm
Take a break and enjoy lunch at Paninis while you look out over the festival grounds and make plans for the week ahead.
At 5pm join us for happy hour at the Cuthbert House Inn. We offer sunset beverages and hors d’oeuvres for our guests each evening. A great way to unwind before you head back downtown for the Concert in the Park:
CONCERT IN THE PARK
Sponsored by Dick Broadcasting / Bob 106.9
Headline Performer: Eli Young Band
Also Performing: Kidd G
Opening Act: Tyler Reese Tritt
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $30 | Gates open at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm | No strollers, coolers, outside food or beverages or professional photography | No Refunds | FREE Shuttle service from Beaufort County Government Center | Children age 5 and under FREE | No pets allowed
Sunday, July 17
Today is another great day to spend at the Waterfront Park! Let us pack you a picnic to take with you downtown after breakfast at the Cuthbert House Inn.
The Sunday events include the following:
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 5 pm
River Rally
Sponsored by Safe Harbor Beaufort
Location: Local Waters
Event Details: 9 am – 1 pm
Children’s Day
Sponsored by Capital Waste Systems
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 11 am – 3 pm | Featuring Games, Activities, Shows, Bounce Houses and Prizes
Shrimp Boat Tours
Sponsored by Sea Eagle Market
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm
Ski Show
Sponsored by Alpha Graphics
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1 PM
After a long day outside. Come back to the inn and change for a nice dinner at Saltus River Grill.
If you’re visiting with teens, they will want to check out the dance:
TEEN DANCE
Sponsored by John 3:16
Entertainment: Veteran’s Pride Entertainment Services
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $10 | 6 pm – 9 pm | Gates open 6 pm – 9 pm, No entry after 8 pm (NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED) | Ages 13 – 17 only, ID Required | Clutch Purses Only (6” x 9” size) | Please Wear Appropriate Clothing | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | No pets allowed
Monday, July 18
Rest your feet and explore the historic district with Emma’s Golf Cart Tours
The Historic Beaufort Golf Cart Tour lasts approximately an hour. During this time you will take a ride through The Point and other various locations in Downtown Beaufort. Each tour is a unique experience for individuals and families!
Relax away from the crowd and enjoy a concert from the back deck of Plums:
MOTOWN MONDAY
Sponsored by South State Bank
Entertainment: Deas-Guyz
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $15 | Gates open 7 pm, Show at 8 pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | FREE Shuttle Service from the Beaufort County Government Center | Children age 5 and under FREE | No pets allowed
Tuesday, July 19
Downtown shopping, be sure to stop at The Tabby Shore Gift Boutique, Bay Street Outfitters, Bathe, and Amidst the Alders.
Enjoy a great cup of coffee and a quick lunch at the newly opened Carolina Cider Company
Catch an early dinner at Breakwater before the evening show:
ISLAND TIME TUESDAY
Sponsored by Lockheed Martin
Headline Entertainment: Island Time Band
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $5 | Gates open 7 pm, Show at 8 pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | No pets allowed
FIRST RESPONDER & MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT – free admission with active duty ID
Wednesday, July 20
Slow down under our sweeping oaks and Spanish moss on a carriage ride with Sea Island Carriage Company
While you’re exploring off the beaten path, check out Herban Market for lunch and head back to the Festival Arts & Crafts Market to pick up anything you were eyeing earlier in the week
Enjoy dinner at Old Bull Tavern– be sure to call ahead for reservations.
The evening event is as follows:
TALENT SHOW
Sponsored by CPM Federal Credit Union
Hosted by: The Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $10 or FREE with Official 2022 66th Annual Water Festival T-Shirt | Gates open at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE | No pets allowed
Thursday, July 21
Enjoy another delicious breakfast at our Inn and take it easy with a cup of coffee on our porch while you watch the boats on the water.
Grab lunch at Rain N Bagels before taking a kayak tour or renting a paddle board at the downtown Marina with Beaufort Land’s End Paddling. Exploration Through Beaufort’s Historic District Take a high tide tour through the marsh and beside the historic district. Our low tide tour takes you out to a sandbar where you can test your skills with a cast net.
Enjoy your evening meal at the …
LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER
Sponsored by GMFS Mortgage
Headline Entertainment: Steel Rail Express
Opening Act: Katie Godowns
Featuring: Chris Jones
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $15 | Gates open at 6 pm | Supper served 6 pm – 7:30 pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages, or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE | No pets allowed
Friday, July 22
Spend some time walking downtown like the local you’re becoming and grab lunch at Hearth.
At 5pm return to the Cuthbert House Inn for Happy Hour and to watch the Bed Race, Sponsored by The Greenery, Inc, from our front porch.
7pm: The gates open for ROCKIN’ the RIVER, Sponsored by Finance of America Mortgage, LLC. This year Metallica fans can rock out to, Hardwire, a Metallica tribute band with the Opening Act Killin’ Quaid.
Event Details: $15 | Location: Waterfront Park | Gates open at 7 pm, Show at 8 pm | Must be 18 or Older with Valid ID to attend | No refunds, outside food or beverages, coolers or strollers| FREE Shuttle service from Beaufort County Government Center
Saturday, July 23
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 7 pm
Water Festival Grand Parade
Sponsored by Lowcountry Insurance
Organized by: The Beaufort Lions Club
Location: Downtown Beaufort
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 10 am – Noon
Non-Profit Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Event Details: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm
Air Show
Sponsored by Executive Flight Training
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: FREE EVENT | 1 pm – 4 pm | Stunt Planes | Parachutists
Have another local favorite dining experience for dinner at Q on Bay before the evening event:
COMMODORE’S BALL
Sponsored by Mike’s Marine
Entertainment: Chairmen of the Board
Location: Waterfront Park
Event Details: $10 | Gates open at 7 pm, Show at 8 pm | No refunds, outside food or beverages or coolers | Children age 5 and under FREE | No pets allowed
Sunday, July 24
Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Event Details: 9:30 am – 3 pm
Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Sponsored by The Past Commodores of the Beaufort Water Festival
Location: Beaufort River in front of Waterfront Park Seawall
Event Details: Noon – 2 pm | FREE registration | Boats must register to be eligible for prizes | All applications must be at the judge’s table prior to Noon
Grab coffee for the road at City Java and News.
