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?
2026 Vendor Applications Closed
Applications closed July 25.
Summerville DREAM manages vendor participation. Contact DREAM about any waitlist or openings; participation is not guaranteed.
SWEET TEA FESTIVAL EVENTS
Explore live music, downtown events, family activities, tea experiences, shopping, and community celebrations happening throughout Sweet Tea Festival week.
Updated September 6, 2026. Confirmed event details are listed below; check back for additional announcements and schedule changes.
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 • Until 8:30PM
Visit Summerville advertises a 5:30PM start; the Town calendar lists 5PM. Confirm the start with DREAM before heading out.
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 with live entertainment, tea experiences, local vendors, food and downtown shopping.
10AM–4PM • Hutchinson Square • Free
Make time for inflatables, games and family fun.
10AM–4PM • Doty Avenue
Take a break with yard games, prizes, a large shady porch and sweet tea.
Sweetest Farmers Market
10AM–4PM
Special festival market • Visit Summerville
Sweet Tea Contest
Sample and vote for Tea of the Year during the festival.
September 14–20, 2026 • Twelve Summerville bars and restaurants are serving original sweet tea cocktails during the confirmed Hold My Tea Bar Crawl & Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest.
Get a Bingo card at participating locations, the Visitor Center or Visit Summerville online. Complete seven spots in a row and redeem it at the Visitor Center or the festival’s Visit Summerville/Cotton-Tea booth for a free crawl shirt while supplies last. Scan the card’s QR code for People’s Choice voting; judges select Critic’s Choice based on taste, presentation and originality.
GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN
Plan ahead for Saturday, September 19, 2026. Downtown streets close before the 10AM festival opening, and parking near Hutchinson Square fills quickly.
2026 closures confirmed: The times below follow the Town’s September 19 event notice. Check back before traveling for updates.
The downtown parking garage is available on festival day. Allow extra time for traffic and be prepared to walk several blocks from parking to the festival.
Contact Summerville DREAM before your visit for current accessible parking, restroom and drop-off guidance.
Use the Town’s official 2026 closure notice when planning your route. Follow posted signs and event staff directions on festival day.
Check Summerville DREAM for the latest festival map and access updates →
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. The September 19, 2026 Sweet Tea Festival is free to attend and open to the public. Food, drinks and shopping purchases are separate.
Sweet Tea Festival 2026 takes place Saturday, September 19, from 10AM–4PM in Historic Downtown Summerville around Hutchinson Square.
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.
Applications for the 2026 festival closed July 25. Summerville DREAM manages vendor selection and can advise on any waitlist or available openings.
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.
The 2026 Sweet Tea Festival vendor application deadline was July 25. Applications are now closed.
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.
