October is a great time to visit Hilton Head Island, with pleasant weather and minimal crowds. Almost all attractions are open and activities available, and it is easier to secure restaurant reservations and find reasonably priced accommodations. Along with May and September, October is considered to be one of the best months to experience the island.
The weather in October is generally very good: most days are warm and sunny, without the heat and humidity of summer. The only downside is that hurricanes and tropical storms are a risk throughout the fall months, and can make for some fairly windy and wet days even if the South Carolina coast is not directly impacted.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Hilton Head during October. It’s an ideal time for biking, mini-golf, full-size golf, and other outdoor pursuits, including water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Additionally, boat excursions and dolphin tours provide opportunities to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the lowcountry.
The area also offers many historic attractions, from African-American history tours on Hilton Head Island and St Helena Island to historic forts, museums, and the downtown historic districts of Savannah, Bluffton and Beaufort.
More Hilton Head Island events: November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
See also:
– Attractions and things to do in Savannah
– Savannah-Hilton Head transport options
– Airports near Hilton Head, SC
– Bluffton, SC events
!Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at short notice. Please check dates, venue and other details at the event’s official website before making plans to attend.
– Come From Away, September 24 - October 26 2025
Musical at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. More details
– Music and Taste on the Harbour, October 2 2025
Free outdoor concert series at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. More details
– Hilton Head Community Market, Saturdays
Weekly farmers market, 9:30am-12:30pm, at Shelter Cove Community Park, with local farmers, food producers and makers. More details
– Fish and Grits Music Festival, October 4 2025
Annual festival of Gullah/Geechee food and music, featuring local and international music and spoken word performers, Lowcountry dishes, arts and crafts, vendors and more. More details
– Fall Native Plant Sale, October 4 2025
Plant sale and gardening advice at the Coastal Discovery Museum. More details
– Hounds on the Harbour, October 4 2025
Annual pet-friendly event at Harbour Town, Sea Pines Resort, with dog activities, pet adoptions and more. More details
– Hilton Head Island Octoberfest, October 4 2025
Oktoberfest celebration at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, with craft beers, stein holding competition, costume contest, live music and more. More details
– Come From Away, September 24 - October 26 2025
Musical at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. More details
– Hilton Head Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 9am-1pm
Weekly farmers market at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, with local produce and farm vendors, baked goods, seafood, food trucks and other activities. More details
– Music and Taste on the Harbour, October 9 2025
Free outdoor concert series at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. More details
– Jeep Island, October 10-11 2025
Annual Jeep festival with car show, live music, chili cook-off and tastings, children’s activities and more. More details
– Hilton Head Community Market, Saturdays
Weekly farmers market, 9:30am-12:30pm, at Shelter Cove Community Park, with local farmers, food producers and makers. More details
– Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival, October 11-19 2025
Bluffton’s biggest annual festival, celebrating the local seafood industry and the arts, with seafood and southern food, street festival, fine art show, live music, history and nature tours, and other activities and entertainment. More details
– Jazz For All Ages, October 12-13 2025
Annual jazz music festival at the Sonesta Resort. More details
– The Second City 65th Anniversary Show, October 13 2025
Comedy show at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. More details
– Come From Away, September 24 - October 26 2025
Musical at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. More details
– Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival, October 11-19 2025
Bluffton’s biggest annual festival, celebrating the local seafood industry and the arts, with seafood and southern food, street festival, fine art show, live music, history and nature tours, and other activities and entertainment. More details
– Hilton Head Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 9am-1pm
Weekly farmers market at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, with local produce and farm vendors, baked goods, seafood, food trucks and other activities. More details
– Music and Taste on the Harbour, October 16 2025
Free outdoor concert series at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. More details
– Pumpkin Patch, October 17 2025
Free Halloween event at Shelter Cove Park, with costume contest, bounce houses, games, pumpkins and more. More details
– Hilton Head Community Market, Saturdays
Weekly farmers market, 9:30am-12:30pm, at Shelter Cove Community Park, with local farmers, food producers and makers. More details
– Italian Heritage Festival, October 18 2025
Annual food and heritage festival of the Italian-American Club of Hilton Head at The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, with traditional Italian foods and deserts, silent auction, contests, live entertainment and other activities. More details
– Gullah Food Festival, October 18 2025
Annual food festival of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, featuring traditional local dishes and other entertainment. More details
– Dvořák Cello Concerto, October 19-20 2025
Concert at First Presbyterian Church. More details
– Come From Away, September 24 - October 26 2025
Musical at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. More details
– Dvořák Cello Concerto, October 19-20 2025
Concert at First Presbyterian Church. More details
– Hilton Head Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 9am-1pm
Weekly farmers market at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, with local produce and farm vendors, baked goods, seafood, food trucks and other activities. More details
– Hilton Head Community Market, Saturdays
Weekly farmers market, 9:30am-12:30pm, at Shelter Cove Community Park, with local farmers, food producers and makers. More details
– Rock n Ribs, October 25 2025
Annual food and music festival to benefit Second Helpings, with live music and all-you-can-eat barbecue. More details
– Halloween on the Harbour, October 26 2025
Annual Halloween event at Harbour Town, Sea Pines Resort, with trick-or-treating, Halloween fashion show and more. Costumes welcome. More details
– Hilton Head Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 9am-1pm
Weekly farmers market at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, with local produce and farm vendors, baked goods, seafood, food trucks and other activities. More details
– Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, October 29 - November 2 2025
Popular annual car show and festival with several events in Hilton Head Island including driving tours, aircraft display, vintage cars and more. More details
– Hilton Head Community Market, Saturdays
Weekly farmers market, 9:30am-12:30pm, at Shelter Cove Community Park, with local farmers, food producers and makers. More details
– Hilton Head Half & Quarter Marathon & 5K, November 2 2025
Annual races series through the South and North Forest Beach neighborhoods. More details
→ See more November events
More Things To Do In Hilton Head, SC
– Boat rentals
– Kayak tours
– Paddle boarding
– Creek Cat tours
– Daufuskie Island
– Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
– Sunset cruises
See also:
– Savannah events
– Beaufort, SC events
– Fall food festivals near Hilton Head