Celebrating Southern Heritage and Culture with Food + Drink

February 20 - 26, 2023

Expand your culinary and cultural horizons

Over the course of seven days guests take in celebrity guest chef dinners, the best of southern pitmasters, local wildlife, cooking demos, wine tastings, mixologist, scholars and more. The festival explores the South's evolving food culture, which has been returning to its roots in recent years by honoring its rich native agriculture. Experience our coast's  rich fishing heritage during the weeklong festival. Here you can sample restaurants' fresh catch specials, try fresh oysters, and maybe even learn how to fish yourself. From incredible seafood meals to rustic barbecue and bonfires, world-class talent and southern charm collide on one gorgeous Island setting. 

“We’ve donated our millionth dollar to local charities this year, so that just means the world. There is so much to be excited about this year, plenty of evolution but the same core spirit of adventure in the outdoors that defined David so much.”

OUR HEART AND HISTORY

The David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation was established by the Carmines family, owners of Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks, in memory of their son, and the seafood festival is the organization's main fundraiser. The 16th annual Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival, hosted by the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization helps raise money for other non-profit organizations including the Coastal Discovery Museum, Island Recreation Scholarship Fund, Waddell Mariculture Center, Port Royal Sound Foundation, Gullah Heritage Museum and Medical University of South Carolina.