February

Gullah Celebration - The term “Gullah” is used to refer to the culture that was first brought to Hilton Head by freed slaves after the Union took the island. It has thrived over the years, and is known the amazing preservation of African linguistics in both grammar and sentence structure. It is related to Jamaican Creole, Bahamian Dialect, and Krio, a language found in Sierra Leone. The Gullah culture is one steeped in tradition, and has strong roots and is a strong influence in the Hilton Head area. The Gullah celebration is held at Shelter Cove Community Park. Look for Hilton Head vacation rentals during this time for a rich, cultural experience.

March

WineFest - Held at the Shelter Cove Community Park, this is a gigantic wine festival that features more than 1500 wines from both domestic and foreign vineyards. It is the largest outdoor wine festival to be found on the east coast, and is something every wine connoisseur should make an attempt to attend.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade - This is a yearly parade held along Pope Avenue. Attendance has grown exponentially over the past few years, and it is certainly a sight to behold with colorful floats, marching bands, and anything else you can imagine.

WingFest - Another activity held at Shelter Cove Community Park is the annual wing fest. This is a smorgasbord of delicious buffalo wings, ribs, and a variety of other foods. Parking and admission are free, but food and drink tickets must be purchased once inside if you want to sample the goods. And believe me, you won’t be able to say no.

Obviously March is a great time to be in town with Hilton Head vacation rentals. Don’t wait — these weeks book up fast as the weather is warm and the activities can’t be beat.

HarbourFest - Held at Shelter Cove Marina, this festival has arts and crafts, fireworks, and live bands. It is held every Tuesday night from June 5 until near the end of August, in addition to a special celebration on the 4th of July.

Verizon Heritage - The Verizon Heritage golf tournament takes place yearly in April and is part of the PGA FedEx Cup tournament. It is held at Harbour Town Golf Links, and is a must see for all golfers.

Rib Burnoff & Barbecue Fest - If you’re looking for Hilton Head vacation rentals in May, be sure to spend a day at the annual Rib Burnoff & Barbecue Fest. It’s held in May at the Honey Horn Plantation. Bring a roll of paper towels and a big appetite.

Celebrity Golf Tournament - This annual event is held at the end of August at the Golf Club at Indigo Run, the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes, and of course Harbour Town Golf Links. This is another must-see for avid golfers.

FoodFest - This event is focused around the local hotel and restaurant industry and is held annually in September. Events include The Best Bartender Drink Making Contest, The Hospitable Waiter’s Race, and The Tailgate Gourmet Challenge. This festival is a great time that should definitely be taken advantage of for those with Hilton Head vacation rentals in September.

Chili Cookoff - This event is pretty self-explanatory, and should get your mouth watering just thinking about it. It’s held annually during the first half of October at the Honey Horn Plantation.

Community Festival - Again at the Honey Horn Plantation, this is a Halloween centered festival that has haunted trails, haunted forests, and other Haloween-based activities. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family, and is held in late October.

I hope this list will give you a taste of what Hilton Head vacation rentals have to offer throughout the year, and not just in the summer when the water is warm and the sand hot. Think about tailoring your vacation around on of these annual events, and turn it into a family tradition.

The actual Town of Hilton Head Island became an official municipality in 1983. Interestingly, the Natural Resources Division has a considerable amount of control over development and has the last say as to where new buildings may be erected, and what level of impact they may have on the local environment. Due mostly to this control, visitors will notice an unusually high number of large trees in developed areas, something that gives the area a very natural feel. Also, several large land-buying deals have been brokered by the local government to reduce and control commercial growth. If you do your research and choose carefully, the Hilton Head vacation rentals you stay in will be well shaded and have an old-town feel to them.

Just to the north of Hilton Head is Savannah, GA, a city that you’ll definitely want to take a day trip to visit if you’re into historical architecture. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in America, with its countless squares full of Live Oak trees, Spanish Moss, fountains, and statues. The city itself could easily be the topic of an entire week long trip, and we’ll cover the highlights in another article.

Another interesting fact that you’ll find while enjoying Hilton Head vacation rentals is the amazing number of refined, cultural activities that the town of Hilton Head offers. Between their quality plays, Hilton Head Choral Society and Hilton Head Symphony, you won’t have a problem finding sophisticated ways to fill your free time while not on the beach or playing in the water.

If golf is your game, you’ll be excited to know that Hilton Head is home of the Verizon Heritage, which is a PGA Tour FedEx Cup event played on Harbour Town Golf Links, a course designed by Pete Dye with consultation by Jack Nicklaus. The course is always high on every “best courses” list, and is something you won’t want to miss.

Hilton Head offers some of the most diverse opportunities for vacationers to enjoy. If sight seeing is your passion, you’ll be able to fill weeks and weeks of time taking everything in. If you love golf, you won’t have a very restful vacation trying to take in all the championship quality courses. Or, if lounging on the beach is what you want, Hilton Head vacation rentals offer plenty of that as well.