Summerville
Sweet Tea Festival
Celebrate the birthplace of sweet tea!
- Third Saturday in September
- 2024 Sweet Tea Festival Saturday September 21st 2P-7P
- Historic Downtown Summerville Hutchinson Square, SC
The Sweet Tea Festival is a celebration of the birthplace of sweet tea, right here in Summerville SC. Our Historic Downtown is transformed into a massive open house/street fair with different food trucks, artisanal vendors and entertainment. Of course, there is plenty of sweet tea and you can help select the Tea of the Year by sampling and voting for your favorite!
Enjoy the Fest and Stay for the Downtown
Historic Downtown Summer is everything you imagine a small town to be. It’s filled with quaint shops, historic buildings, creative boutiques and world class restaurants.
Our business owners and their staff represent true Southern hospitality with remarkable customer service and genuine care for all who visit. Everyone feels as if they have been transported to a special place and time. Come find out why … “it’s sweeter here.”
Sweetest Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM)
Shop our local boutiques, eclectic shops and restaurants throughout Historic Downtown Summerville for the one of a kind special item, gift or fine cuisine.
Sweetest Farmers Market
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
The Summerville Farmers Market features over 70 vendors which include farmers, artisans, and specialty foods. Grab your coffee, breakfast, home decor and veggies all in one place!
Hold My Tea Bar Crawl & Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest
September 16 – 22, 2024
Different bars are competing in the Summerville Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest. You get to explore various venues and indulge in the entries of Summerville’s most talented bartenders! Vote for your favorite during the 6-day-long Hold My Tea Bar Crawl.
Sweetest Third Thursday EVER!
Thursday, September 19, 2024 (5:30 PM-8:30 PM)
Join us as we celebrate the Sweetest Third Thursday ever. Bring your favorite people, and celebrate this wonderful community with local artisans, crafters, merchants, and food!
2024 Sweet TEE Golf Outing
Friday, September 13, 2024 (Noon Tee Time)
Golf outing to support Summerville DREAM mission to improve small business opportunities & entrepreneur development.
2024 Sweet Tea Contest
Saturday, Sept 21, 2024 (2:00 PM – until supplies last)
Free no purchase necessary and while supplies last. Pick up your ballot at the DREAM vendor booth on West Richardson. Tea is positioned at multiple merchant and vendor locations, you can sample 3oz of tea – see the map below and look for the “Tea Contest” sign posted. Select the BEST OF THE FEST and return the ballot to the DREAM tent located on West Richardson. Awards are announced at the end of the festival and posted on social media.
Southern Songwriter Festival
Thursday, Sept 19 – Saturday, Sept 21, 2024
Over 40 different songwriters have performed at various venues throughout Historic Downtown Summerville. Featured stages, Songwriters Alley on Short Central and Headliner performance at Public Works Art Center. Scan the QR Code on the poster for more details.
General Safety and Event Housekeeping
Dogs and animals at the Fest
The Sweet Tea Festival hosts thousands of neighbors and community guests. For the health and safety of your pets and participants, we strongly recommend that they do not attend the festival. Please note you are required to follow all laws associated with animal care and are responsible for property damage and personal injury. Police are vigilant throughout the festival. They are there to assist with public safety, please alert Summerville Police of any safety concerns.
Street Closures and Parking
Festival permitted area includes: Doty Street, Hutchenson Square, W. Richardson & Short Central
Street closure schedule
- 7:00am Little Main scheduled opening 8pm
- 11:00am Doty from Main Street to mid-block scheduled opening 8pm
- 11:00am West Richardson from Main to Central … transition to Cedar Street
- 1:30pm West Richardson from Main to Cedar scheduled opening 8:00p
Parking around the event zone is limited. Please make sure you are prepared to park several blocks away.
Parking Garage available throughout the day
During the Summerville Farmers Market 8a-1p access & exit from Central
1:30p Access from First Citizens Bank Parking Lot and Exit on Central. Cars will make a U-turn using the parking lot adjacent to Four Green Fields (barricades and signs to be placed) scheduled opening 7:00p.
Note: There are multiple outside factors that may disrupt the best of plans. We are requesting grace and understanding with adjustments.
Handicap Assistance
There are several handicap porta-potties positioned throughout the fest. Handicap parking is in the Town of Summerville garage and scattered throughout the downtown area, however, please make sure you are prepared to park several blocks away.
