Welcome to your best summer yet! It’s time to slow things down a bit and handpick a few Southern events to attend this June. Savor the season at these fabulous — and distinctly Southern — events!
There isn’t a more delicious way to enjoy June than at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival! Image: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
18 Southern Events and Happenings in June
Through June 3, 2018: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival — Atlanta, GA
The much-anticipated 8th Annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns to Midtown, Atlanta from May 31 through June 3 for a weekend filled with more than 150 of the South’s best chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and pit masters. The festival is centrally located at the Loews Atlanta Hotel with tasting tents at Piedmont Park and events around the city. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival provides guests with endless ways to know the South through immersive learning experiences, all-you-can-indulge tasting tents and unique dinners/parties. Whether you attend Atlanta Food & Wine Festival to learn or to indulge, there isn’t a more delicious way to experience the South! Tickets start at $85 and be sure to use #AFWF18 and #KnowTheSouth on Instagram. Visit atlfoodandwinefestival.com for more info.
June 2, 2018: National Trails Day — Nationwide
If you love being outdoors, then you will love National Trails Day! Outdoor enthusiasts come together for educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail projects for this holiday. Although this takes place across the country, you can celebrate locally at state parks as they will be offering a variety of ranger-led hikes. For specific events near you, visit their website at nationaltrailsday.org.
June 7-10, 2018: Festival of the Bluegrass – Lexington, KY
Can you believe the Festival of the Bluegrass is now in its 45th year? This year’s traditional Bluegrass Music Festival will take place in the heart of the bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Lexington, KY. The family run festival, established in 1974, has been described as a ‘family reunion on steroids.’ There is a little something for everyone – camping, food and craft vendors, climbing, clogging and of course, bluegrass music. This year’s lineup consists of The Cleverly’s, Larry Sparks, Seldom Scene and Hogslop String Band. Four-day tickets start at $100. For more information, visit festivalofthebluegrass.com.
June 7-10, 2018: CMA Music Festival — Nashville, TN
Brace yourself for four days of all things country! Thousands of country fans from around the world will flock to Nashville for the CMA Music Festival this June. With guests ranging from well-known country acts (including the likes of Blake Shelton, Chase Rice, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Bryan) to smaller names, it’s the biggest country music event of the season. You can purchase a four-day pass, Nash pass or a Fair Fan X pass. Prices start at $10 (for single-day tickets), and they go up from there. If you can’t score tickets to the big-name shows, check out free concerts and activities around town! Learn more at cmaworld.com.
June 8, 2018: Atlanta Moon Ride – Atlanta, GA
The city’s first night-cycling event will include a thrilling 6-mile bike ride through some of Atlanta’s coolest neighborhoods. The ride will start at 7 p.m. and all proceeds will support the work of the local charity Bert’s Big Adventure. Bert’s Big Adventure is a nonprofit organization that provides a magical, all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World® for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. General admission starts at $35 and also includes a t-shirt! For more information on the event, visit atlantamoonride.com.
June 8-10, 2018: Norfolk Harborfest – Norfolk, VA
Norfolk Harborfest® is America’s largest, longest-running, free maritime festival and is now in its 42nd year! This historic waterfront festival will offer a weekend packed with thrilling activities on both land and sea. Attendees will see tall ships, the Parade of Sail, artisan foods and beverages, workboat races, unique and unusual performances, one of the largest fireworks show on the East Coast, family games and regional entertainment. Learn more at festevents.org.
June 8-16, 2018: Riverbend Festival — Chattanooga, TN
Spend the week on the banks of the Tennessee River listening to nearly 100 different artists on five different stages. (Click here to see the full lineup.) General admission tickets start at $44, and if you want to bring the fam, kids ages 10 and younger get in free! Learn more at riverbendfestival.com.
June 9, 2018: Le Bon Appetit 2018 — Memphis, TN
Le Bon Appetit, hosted by Chef Kelly English and Le Bonheur Club, is a charity event benefiting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital which is the region’s first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated to kids. Enjoy the finest delicacies prepared by more than 45 chefs from across the country, complemented by specially crafted cocktails from well-known mixologists, as well as a full bar and select wines. The fabulous silent auction offers extraordinary wines, unique, one-of-a-kind experiences and many food and entertainment items. The 2018 event will be held in the beautiful and newly renovated Crosstown Concourse and casual cocktail attire is encouraged. The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and tickets start at $250. Find more information at lebonappetit.org.
June 9 & 10, 2018: French Market Creole Tomato Festival — New Orleans, LA
Get your summer tomato fix at the 32nd Annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival. This free, two-day event will take place at French Market, the nation’s oldest city marketplace. It will feature a cooking contest, live music, great food and drink booths and more! Learn more at frenchmarket.org.
June 10, 2018: Cochon555 – Miami, FL
Five chefs, five pigs and five winemakers make for an unimaginably tasty event. Cochon555 is an epic culinary experience centered on 1,500 pounds of heritage breed pork. Attendees will feast on dozens of chef-crafted tastings and sip on more than 40 types of boutique wines, craft cocktails and artisanal brews. Tickets start at $130, and a portion of all sales will benefit the Piggy Bank Charity! If you’re looking for more information, click here: cochon555.com.
June 15 & 16, 2018: Thunder on the Cumberland – Nashville, TN
Thunder on the Cumberland is a free, weekend-long festival hosted by Acme Radio and will feature the fastest boats in the world racing on the Cumberland River. On June 15 and 16, head down to Riverfront Park on Lower Broadway to enjoy boat racing, food trucks, family-friendly fun, cold beer and more! Visit visitmusiccity.com for more information.
June 15-24, 2018: Hampton County’s 76th Watermelon Festival – Hampton, SC
Hampton County’s place among the state’s top watermelon producers is what gave birth to this festival. From the beginning, this festival has been a celebration of, for and by the people of this friendly county and is timed to the melon harvest every summer. The festival has grown into a course of events including a beauty contest, Battle of the Towns, Mud Run, parade, arts and crafts and more! For more information about this event, visit hcmelonfest.org.
June 16, 2018: NISSAN Taste of Music City — Nashville, TN
Hold on to your cowboy boots! One of Nashville’s largest food & drink festivals is coming back for its 16th year. The NISSAN Taste of Music City is an all-inclusive food tasting event that will feature a tour of Nashville’s culinary neighborhoods, chef cooking demonstrations and live music. Come out and enjoy the food and beverage samples along with music from local artists to keep the fun going! This can’t-miss event will take place in Public Square Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $59 and children’s tickets are $15! For more info, visit tasteofmusiccity.com.
June 20-24, 2018: Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic – Sandestin, FL
The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin® takes place every June off the Florida panhandle and has set the precedent for world-class, million dollar sportfishing tournaments. The tournament is timed to coincide with the peak of the Gulf Coast’s blue marlin season. In addition to the main event, there are other events taking place during the tournament including a golf scramble and Taste of Wind Creek. For more information and ticket prices, visit fishecbc.com.
June 22-24, 2018: Bayou Boogaloo – Norfolk, VA
The Bayou Boogaloo Music & Cajun Food Festival is Norfolk’s annual love-fest with New Orleans’ vibrant spirit, and it captures the melting pot of Bayou culture. This widely popular three-day festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors of Town Point Park in true Cajun and Creole style. There will be two stages featuring national recording artists that will provide diverse cultural musical entertainment. The Arts Council of New Orleans and Norfolk Festevents handpick one-of-a-kind artists from Louisiana to share their crafts. This year, various mediums will be represented, including art, jewelry and sculpture. Festival-goers are in for a real treat as they will have the opportunity to feast on fresh crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, alligator and beignets. Daily admission starts at $15 and three-day passes start at $30. For more information, visit festevents.org.
June 22-24, 2018: 22nd Annual AthFest Music and Arts Festival — Athens, GA
Head to the birthplace of R.E.M. and enjoy a three-day weekend filled with fabulous music and visual art by some of the most talented local and regional musicians and artists! Events take place through downtown Athens and celebrate AthFest Educates which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing funding for music and arts education for youth. Venue events require tickets, but outdoor stages are free for all! Learn more at athfest.com.
June 23, 2018: Fun Stop 5K and Fest — Austin, TX
Formerly known as ‘Keep Austin Weird Fest and 5K,’ this festival and 5K embraces the weirdness that defines Austin. This event will feature live music, food, a costume contest, a 5K and more! Tickets for adults are $30. Learn more at funstop5k.com.
June 29 through July 1, 2018: Sandstock: A Tribute to Rock & Roll – Virginia Beach, VA
This tribute to rock and roll is a beach-inspired variation of “Woodstock.” National and regional tribute artists will cover songs from some of the greatest rockers in history. All performances, which are free to the public, are held on two “dueling stages.” For more information and full lineup, visit beachstreetusa.com.
We hope you enjoy this first month of summer!
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