Free events in Beaufort, SC

Enjoy music bingo that is free to play and suitable for the whole family. A happy hour is available.

The plaza at The Shops at Sea Pines Center transforms into a lively open air marketplace that celebrates Hilton Head Island’s Lowcountry flavors and creative spirit. Browse seasonal produce like berries, heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, and peaches, along with local seafood, fresh breads, and artisan cheeses. Local artisans present handmade work in leather, fiber arts, ceramics, painting, jewelry, and home decor, so there is always something new to discover. It is a welcoming spot where residents reconnect and visitors get a taste of what is fresh and local. Stroll the plaza, meet the makers, stock up on favorites, and grab lunch while enjoying this weekly tradition.

Celebrate the publication of Lynn Seldon’s Pat Conroy’s Lowcountry with a Lowcountry-focused gathering at the Pat Conroy Literary Center. This free event highlights a new book that invites readers to explore the places and people that shaped Pat Conroy’s storytelling, moving from Charleston’s tidal landscapes and historic streets to the quiet charms of Beaufort. The journey includes beloved destinations such as Fripp Island, St. Helena Island, and Daufuskie Island, and reflects on formative periods in Conroy’s life, including his years at The Citadel and his experiences teaching in Beaufort County and on remote coastal islands. Blending literary history, sense-of-place narratives, and travel insights, the book shines a light on notable landmarks, Gullah Geechee traditions, scenic waterways, coastal cuisine, and authentic local experiences that define the region. Refreshments prepared from recipes in the Pat Conroy Cookbook will be served. Space is limited, and reservations by phone are requested at 843-379-7025. Lynn Seldon is a veteran travel journalist whose work has appeared in Southern Living, Garden & Gun, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including 100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die, 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die, and 100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die with Cele Seldon, as well as Our Vanishing Americana: A South Carolina Portrait with Cele Seldon and Mike Lassiter. He also wrote the novels Virginia’s Ring and Carolina’s Ring, the first two entries in his Ring Trilogy, which have been praised by Pat Conroy and Cassandra King. Seldon and his wife, fellow travel journalist Cele Seldon, live in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Downtown Beaufort comes alive each month with First Friday, a welcoming community outing where visitors can browse shops and galleries, enjoy local restaurants, and take in live performances and demonstrations. Attendance is free for all. Cook on Bay adds extra fun with a signature cocktail and in-store promotions that can include gift basket giveaways, special sales, and games, so there is always something new to discover.