SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Celebrate Summerville’s sweetest tradition with live music, local vendors, sweet tea tastings, family activities, downtown shopping, and a full weekend of community events in the birthplace of sweet tea.
What’s Up Summerville’s festival guide includes schedules, parking information, maps, local recommendations, and updates to help you make the most of Sweet Tea Festival weekend.
WHEN
September 19, 2026 • 10AM-4PM
WHERE
Hutchinson Square
ADMISSION
Free to Attend
PARKING
Find parking areas, road closures, downtown access points, and festival maps.
Live music, tea events, entertainment, family activities, and festival happenings throughout the weekend.
Explore local vendors, artisan booths, sweet treats, festival food, and downtown shopping.
Answers about parking, pets, accessibility, hours, safety, and festival policies.
Visit the official Sweet Tea Festival website from Summerville DREAM for announcements and updates.
FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES & MAKERS
Interested in Becoming a Vendor?
Vendor Applications Open Now
Applications close July 25 • Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
Summerville DREAM coordinates vendor participation for Sweet Tea Festival and other downtown events throughout the year.
SWEET TEA FESTIVAL EVENTS
Explore live music, downtown events, family activities, tea experiences, shopping, and community celebrations happening throughout Sweet Tea Festival week.
Dates, times, and activities are tentative and subject to change as official event information is announced.
SWEETEST WEEK EVER KICKOFF
Saturday • September 12, 2026 • 10AM–6PM
Downtown Summerville businesses kick off Sweet Tea Festival week with specials, shopping, treats, and community events.
DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY EVENT
Thursday • September 17, 2026 • 5:30PM–8:30PM
An evening celebration featuring live music, local vendors, shopping, food, and community activities throughout downtown Summerville.
FESTIVAL DAY
Saturday • September 19, 2026 • 10AM-4PM
Celebrate Summerville’s signature festival with live entertainment, tea experiences, local vendors, food, downtown shopping, and community activities.
Sweetest Farmers Market
8AM–1PM
Sweet Tea Contest
Time TBD
Hold My Tea Bar Crawl and the Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest have been part of previous Sweet Tea Festival celebrations and may return in 2026. Official announcements are still pending.
GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN
The information below references traffic patterns, parking guidance, and street closures from the 2025 Sweet Tea Festival while official 2026 details are still pending.
2026 parking maps, road closures, and traffic guidance have not yet been officially released. The information below is provided as a reference based on the 2025 festival layout and may change.
The 2025 Sweet Tea Festival included closures along Little Main Street, Doty Avenue, and portions of West Richardson Avenue near Hutchinson Square.
Parking near the festival footprint can become limited during peak hours. Visitors should expect to park several blocks from the main event area.
Previous festivals included ADA parking access and handicap assistance areas throughout downtown. Official 2026 accessibility information is still pending.
2025 Sweet Tea Festival traffic map shown for reference only. Official 2026 parking and closure details may change.
EAT, SHOP & EXPLORE
Additional vendor announcements, food details, and downtown features will continue to be added as 2026 festival information becomes available.
Explore restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and local favorites throughout downtown Summerville during Sweet Tea Festival weekend.
Sweet Tea Festival traditionally features artisan vendors, community booths, local makers, and shopping opportunities throughout downtown.
From sweet tea tastings to baked goods, desserts, and seasonal specialties, festival weekend brings plenty of Lowcountry flavor.
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Helpful information for planning your Sweet Tea Festival visit. Additional details may be updated as official announcements are released.
Yes. Sweet Tea Festival is traditionally free to attend and open to the public.
Sweet Tea Festival is traditionally held on the third Saturday in September in Historic Downtown Summerville. The 2026 festival is currently expected to take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Sweet Tea Festival takes place throughout Historic Downtown Summerville near Hutchinson Square, West Richardson Avenue, Little Main Street, and surrounding downtown areas.
Parking is available throughout downtown Summerville, including the downtown parking garage and nearby public areas. Visitors should expect heavier traffic and should be prepared to walk several blocks during peak festival hours.
Festival organizers strongly recommend leaving pets at home due to large crowds, traffic, heat, and overall safety concerns during the event.
Vendor applications are managed through Summerville DREAM. Applications are reviewed based on festival fit, uniqueness, vendor type, and available festival space.
No. Submitting an application to Summerville DREAM does not guarantee participation. Vendors are selected by the Sweet Tea Festival Committee based on festival needs, uniqueness, previous experience, and overall event fit.
Vendor application deadlines are typically announced by Summerville DREAM during the summer leading up to Sweet Tea Festival. Deadline dates and vendor requirements may change each year.
In some situations, vendors may be added from a waitlist if space becomes available. Summerville DREAM may provide alternate vendor opportunities depending on festival availability and cancellations.
LOCAL VENDORS & MAKERS
Explore local farmers, bakers, makers, artisans, food vendors, and small businesses regularly featured at the Summerville Farmers Market.
