About the Festival
The Sea Pines Resort invites you out for the 8th Annual Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival on Saturday, September 19th, 2026 from 1-4pm. This festival is a family-friendly event featuring: savory shrimp dishes prepared by over 15 Hilton Head-area chefs; craft beers from 15 breweries courtesy of Southern Crown Distributors; an array of goods offered by specialty vendors; live music performances by Nashville songwriters as part of the Hilton Head Island Jam Songwriters Festival. All ticket holders will be given voting cards for “People’s Choice Best Dish” and “Best Brewery” to vote on. Guests who purchase our General Admission 21+ ticket will receive a HHI Shrimp Fest engraved keepsake tasting glass to take home!
An activity-filled "Kid Zone" with a bounce house, face painting, arts & crafts and more, provided by event sponsors The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head, Technical College of the Lowcountry, Coca-Cola, Southern Crown Partners, E. & J. Gallo and US Foods.
Our good friend Forrest Gump is running by to enjoy the event as well! He knows all the ways shrimp can be prepared and loves attending The Hilton head Island Shrimp Festival to take part in voting with all guests on the People's Choice of Best Dish!
Each ticket includes shrimp samplings for all chefs and sample tastings from all breweries while supplies last. Non-alcoholic beverages and additional alcoholic beverages, including wine, will be available for purchase. For those with shellfish allergies we will have access set up to Harbourside for guests to order food for purchase.
Ticket Pricing
Early Bird Ticket Pricing (June 15 - July 31):
- General Admission 21 and Older: $65
- General Admission No Alcohol: $45
Pricing After August 1:
- General Admission 21 and Older: $79
- General Admission No Alcohol: $59
Children 8 and younger are free!
VIP Experience
$150 VIP tickets include:
- Early entrance at 12:30pm.
- A private cocktail demonstration and tasting featuring Elijah Craig at 1:30pm in the VIP tent.
- A private demonstration and tasting of the 2025 Shrimp Festival winning dish by Chef Dustin Nitschke of Links, an American Grill at 2pm.
- Two complimentary drink tickets to be redeemed for beer, wine, or soda at any Drink Station marked bar. Not available to be redeemed at any sampling tent.
- Complimentary Valet Parking in Harbour Town.
- All the tastings from participating Chefs and Breweries.
Participating Restaurants
Participating Breweries and Beverages
Meet The Chefs
Chef Frances Ostolaza
The Harbour Town Bakery & Cafe
Chef Ty Ware
Fraser's Tavern
Chef Clinton Barabas
Coast, Oceanfront Dining
Chef Herb Britton
Salty Dog
Chef Bernard Bennet
Okan
Chef Marty Pelicci
Crazy Crab
Chef Nathan Beriau
Palmetto Bluff
Chef Lee Lucier
Slowcountry BBQ
Chef Jimmy Monteleone
Local Pie
Chef Anne Pufal
FISH
Chef Byan Lee
Quarterdeck
Chef Asaya Nix
Harbourside
Chef Sean Carrol
Links, an America Grill
Chef Fabian Grey
Sea Pines Resort Catering
Chef Dave Peck
Bad Biscuit
Vendors
Sponsors & Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my ticket include?
Each ticket includes all-you-can-eat-shrimp (while supplies last) prepared by local chefs, as well as beer samples from more than 14 breweries for ticket holders 21 and older. Beer, wine and other beverages also will be available for purchase.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased online at https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/seapines/items/551554/availability/2104344645/book/?full-items=yes
Do I have to purchase a gate pass?
All pre-purchased tickets will receive complimentary entrance to Sea Pines on the day of the event. Guests should drive into the right-hand lane of the gate entrance and show the guard their mobile ticket confirmation, printed ticket or pre-purchased wristband. A paper guest pass will not be required. Sea Pines gate fee will be waived for guests with event wristband or advance-purchased Shrimp Festival ticket.
Where can I park?
All attendees are encouraged to park in Trolley Lot 1. Complimentary transportation will be available to and from Harbour Town, from 12pm to 5:30pm on the day of the event. The Sea Pines gate fee will be waived for attendees wearing an event wristband or with tickets purchased in advance.
What type of Shrimp dishes will be featured?
Local chefs will be serving up their best shrimp dishes featuring flavors of the Lowcountry. Those in your party who have a shellfish allergy or do not choose to eat shrimp may purchase food at Harbourside restaurant.
Can I buy tickets for this event on-site?
Yes. Any tickets that are still available will be sold on-site the day of the event. However, to ensure availability, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
Will seating be available?
Yes. Plenty of tables and chairs will be available underneath the oak trees.
If I can’t make it to the event will I receive a refund?
Yes. Tickets are refundable with 48-hours’ notice prior to the event.
What is the weather policy?
The Shrimp Festival will take place rain or shine.