Off-Season Activities

With the weather cooling down, off-season activities on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are

heating up for locals and visitors alike. Here are just a few fall/winter Island ideas:

Cultural Activities at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

For such a small island, Hilton Head truly provides a spectrum of spectacular cultural

experiences thanks to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. From musicals and comedies, to

festivals celebrating Island heritage, to world-class performances, the Arts Center is offering an

incredible lineup this fall and winter. Mark your calendar: From November 29th to December

24th, the theatre will present Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn”, a heartwarming show for all ages,

and January 31st to February 24th is the Tony-award winning play “Fences”.

Festival goers and history lovers will also enjoy the Taste of Gullah Festival on February

10th from 12 to 3 p.m. For 28 years the Arts Center has partnered with the Gullah

community to bring our area this enriching and entertaining festival, as well as host the

annual exhibit and sale of De Aarts Ob We People, one of the largest displays of

original work by emerging and acclaimed artists representing the life of Gullah people in

the Lowcountry.

The Holidays at Harbour Town

With festively decorated yachts, restaurants like The Quarterdeck serving local fare and

beverages, and stores selling everything from stocking stuffers, to kids’ toys to that special gift

for that certain someone, ’tis the season to visit Harbour Town. And for those of you looking to

fill that gap between Christmas Day and New Year's, come to the famous Liberty Oak in Harbour

Town on December 27th and 28th at 5:30 p.m. and watch classic holiday movies, roast

marshmallows, and enjoy a train ride.

Shopping

Hilton Head abounds with both boutiques and outlet retail shops. You really can find something

for everybody on your list. Popular shopping venues include (once again) Harbour Town, The

Village at Wexford, Coligny Plaza, Shelter Cove, Old Town Bluffton, and the Tanger Outlets.

And if you’re in the market for decking your own halls, check out the Greenery Antiques and

Garden Collectibles and Branches. The Greenery is one of the oldest businesses on the Island

and its retail shop, a 100-year-old church, offers an array of Lowcountry-inspired local art,

baskets, European garden containers, and more. Branches of Hilton Head specializes in

permanent (faux) botanicals and florals, custom faux floral and greenery design, home decor,

salvaged goods, and antiques.

Hilton Head Distillery

Get a group of friends and an Uber and head to Hilton Head Distillery. There you can try

seasonal favorites like the Yultide Nog and year-round cocktail frontrunners like the spiced rum

at the tasting bar, take a tour of the production facility, browse the bottle shop, and/or schedule a

cocktail class.

Plan an Oyster Roast

No need to wait for an invitation, you can host your own oyster roast in six easy steps. Step 1:

Pick a date with a month that ends in the letter “R”. Step 2: Make a guest list. Step 3: Call up

Benny Hudson Seafood, let them know how many people you are expecting and they will let you

know how many bushels you will need. Step 4: Visit a local hardware store like Grayco and get a

propane burner with a big oyster steam pot, as well as a few foldable tables. Step 5: Get some

beer from Hilton Head Brewing Company and some wine and spirits from Rollers. Step 6: Get

some BBQ and sides from The Smokehouse.