The 66th Annual Water Festival

July 15th-29th

Downtown Beaufort, South Carolina

We want to welcome y'all to the Annual Water Festival here in Beaufort, South Carolina. Our low country city is full of traditions, good food, hospitality, and waterfront fun! Our annual water fest is a mid-summer tradition we have had since 1956. The festival encompasses some of our city's richest traditions for y'all to learn about and grow to love, just like us. The festival started small and has since grown tremendously. Our community and it's sponsors join together each year to provide entertainment such as sporting events, concerts, arts and crafts to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the festival. As the years go on the festival continues to grow with the times in order to keep guests returning for the tradition events as well as current ones to make sure all interests are satisfied. For this year's 66th Water Festival there will be an arts and crafts market each day, sports, water and air events, as well as nighttime entertainment. The Water Festival website can be used to purchase tickets for each event; the concert lineups, guidelines, and locations/times of events are also on the website.

Make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time for each day of the festival through The Water Festival website.

Festival Overview

Friday, July 15

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at Waterfront Park
Time: 2 pm – 7 pm

OPENING CEREMONY
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: FREE EVENT | Gates open at 6 pm, Ceremony at 7 pm

Saturday, July 16th

Bocce Tournament
Location: Waterfront Park Main Field
Time: Play starts at 8 am

Raft Race
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Time: 8:30 am – Noon

Badminton Tournament
Location: Waterfront Park Stage Field
Time: Play starts at 9 am

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: 9:30 am – 7 pm

Children’s Toad Fishing Tournament
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Time: FREE EVENT | 10 am – Noon

Sponsor’s Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Time: FREE EVENT | 10 am – 2 pm

Shrimp Boat Tours
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Time: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm

CONCERT IN THE PARK
Performers: Eli Young Band, Kidd G, Tyler Reese Tritt
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $30 | Gates open at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm

Sunday, July 17th

River Rally
Location: Local Waters
Time: 9 am – 1 pm

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: 9:30 am – 5 pm

Children’s Day
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: FREE EVENT | 11 am – 3 pm

Shrimp Boat Tours
Location: Waterfront Park Seawall
Time: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm

Ski Show
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: FREE EVENT | 1 PM

TEEN DANCE
Entertainment: Veteran’s Pride Entertainment Services
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $10 | 6 pm – 9 pm | (NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED)

Monday, July 18th

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: Noon – 7 pm

MOTOWN MONDAY
Entertainment: Deas-Guyz
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $15 | Gates open 7 pm, Show at 8 pm

Tuesday, July 19th

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: Noon – 7 pm

ISLAND TIME TUESDAY
Entertainment: Island Time Band
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $5 | Gates open 7 pm, Show at 8 pm

First responder & military appreciation night- FREE admission with active duty ID

Wednesday, July 20th

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: Noon – 7 pm

TALENT SHOW
Hosted by: The Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $10 or FREE with Official 2022 66th Annual Water Festival T-Shirt | Gates open at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm

Thursday, July 21st

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: Noon – 7 pm

LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER
Entertainment: Nashville recording Artist Mike Ponder & Steel Rail Express, Katie Godowns, Chris Jones
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $15 | Gates open at 6 pm | Supper served 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Friday, July 22nd

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: Noon – 7 pm

Bed Race
Location: Corner of Bay & Harrington
Event Details: $25 entry per team | 4:30 pm check-in | 5 pm start time

ROCKIN' the RIVER
Entertainment: Hardwired, Metallica tribute band, Killin' Quaid
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $15 | Gates open at 7 pm, Show at 8 pm | Must be 18 or Older with Valid ID to attend

Saturday, July 23rd

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: 9:30 am – 7 pm

Water Festival Grand Parade
Location: Downtown Beaufort
Time: FREE EVENT | 10 am – Noon

Non-Profit Expo
Location: Waterfront Park Pavilion
Time: FREE EVENT | Noon – 4 pm

Air Show
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: FREE EVENT | 1 pm – 4 pm | Stunt Planes | Parachutists

COMMODORE’S BALL
Entertainment: Chairmen of the Board
Location: Waterfront Park
Time: $10 | Gates open at 7 pm, Show at 8 pm

Sunday, July 24th

Festival Arts & Crafts Market
Location: Promenade at the Waterfront Park
Time: 9:30 am – 3 pm

Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Location: Beaufort River in front of Waterfront Park Seawall
Time: Noon – 2 pm | FREE registration

Arts and Crafts Market

The arts and crafts market is a market full of tradition and locally sourced products. The low country culture is heavily influence by the arts and we love that we get to share that with you, your family, and friends. See the festival website for the market times as it varies day to day.

Sports, Water & Air events

The Beaufort Water Festival consists of several different events and competitions. Registration for each of the competitions, along with the times and locations can be found on The Water Festival Website.

Musicians perform on stage in Beaufort, SC

Nightly Entertainment

The nightly entertainment varies to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy & participate in. Event registration and tickets, lineups, as well as guidelines can all be found on the festival's website.