Every year, the Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival draws thousands of visitors, and 2019 looks to promise one the largest celebrations yet! From time-honored dishes to Italian-inspired art and kid-friendly activities, this one-of-a-kind event has something for everyone. Read on to discover how to make the most of your trip! And, if you are looking for more fun things to do on your fall getaway, take a look at our free 7-Day Guide. Inside our guide, you’ll find more than 100 family-friendly attractions, including restaurants, outdoor recreation, and more, so you’ll never need to worry about what to do next!
Your Guide to the Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival
About the Festival
At the heart of the Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival, the event is a celebration of Italian culture and heritage. This celebration welcomes festival-goers, young and old, with a variety of competitions and attractions. You can always look forward to Italian fare (like homemade sausage and cannoli), fun contests (like the pizza-eating contest!), games (like bocce ball), and an inflatable park for children.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Festival
What Activities Are Available?
In addition to the activities mentioned above, you won’t want to miss the festival’s most beloved contests, like the grape stomping competition! The restaurant challenge to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest meatball is also a festival highlight. And, the Brawl of the Balls is a fierce and delicious competition for the best homemade meatballs on Hilton Head. Live music, dancing, cooking demonstrations, raffles, and educational booths are a few more ways to celebrate the Old Country in the Lowcountry.
What’s on the Menu?
Of course, local Italian restaurants are always onsite at the festival. Years prior have featured everything from Italian sausage by Grandma Battaglia; cannoli, zeppole, and desserts by The Italian-American Club of Hilton Head; frozen treats by Pino Gelato, and pizza by New York City Pizza. Yum!
What Are the 2019 Dates and Location?
To accommodate the growing number of guests, The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn will host the 10th annual festival on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you are looking for a vacation property with proximity to the festival, we recommend choosing a home or villa in the Sea Pines Resort community.
How Much Is Admission?
Festival tickets are only $6 per person, and parking at The Coastal Discovery Museum is free.
The Best Vacation Homes on the Island
After a day filled with laughter and celebration at the Hilton Head Italian Heritage Festival, relax for the evening in a beautiful beach home in the heart of the Sea Pines community. These gorgeous vacation homes and villas feature closeness to many of the island’s top attractions, like the Sea Pines Beach, the famous candy-striped lighthouse at Harbourtown, and more. If you are ready to start planning your October getaway, check our current vacation specials, and remember your free Hilton Head Vacation Guide. We hope to celebrate with you soon!