Save the Date: Holiday Nights and Lights
Dec
6
to Dec 8

Save the Date: Holiday Nights and Lights

Experience the magic of the season at the 5th Annual Holiday Nights & Lights at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park! From December 6–8, cruise through a twinkling winter wonderland filled with festive light displays, holiday music on your car radio, and surprises for all ages. This free, family-friendly drive-thru event offers a safe and joyful way to celebrate the holidays from the comfort of your vehicle. Donations are welcome to support the Park’s mission.

View Event →
Experience Gullah Christmas
Dec
12
6:00 PM18:00

Experience Gullah Christmas

  • Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation for an evening of celebration at the 2025 Holiday Reception. Hosted at the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, this gathering honors our shared heritage, community spirit, and the year’s accomplishments across Hilton Head Island’s historic neighborhoods. Guests will enjoy a warm, festive atmosphere, light holiday refreshments, and meaningful connections with residents, partners, and supporters who continue to advance preservation and community development efforts.

RSVP REQUIRED BY NOV. 24

View Event →
GGHNCDC Public Meeting
Dec
17
10:00 AM10:00

GGHNCDC Public Meeting

  • Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.

View Event →
Celebrating Juneteenth on Hilton Head Island
Jun
12
to Jun 20

Celebrating Juneteenth on Hilton Head Island

  • Google Calendar ICS

Hilton Head Island offers a vibrant tapestry of food, music, and culture year-round—but during the holidays, the Lowcountry truly comes alive. As Juneteenth approaches on June 19th, there’s no better place to commemorate this historic day than Hilton Head Island. Beyond its scenic outdoor spaces, diverse culinary experiences, and family-friendly activities, the island is deeply rooted in African-American history and heritage. It is home to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park—the first self-governed town for formerly enslaved people in the United States. Today, descendants of Mitchelville’s founders preserve and celebrate their legacy, keeping alive the language, art, and traditions that have shaped generations and continue to inspire the pursuit of freedom and cultural pride.

View Event →
Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force Meeting
Sep
7
1:00 PM13:00

Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force Meeting

  • Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Operating under the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission and with considerable public input, the Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force identifies and assists in the preservation of The Gullah-Geechee culture for the purpose of detecting and resolving issues specific to its community, including, without limitation, heirs property, taxes and land use, economic and sustainability issues for an improved quality of life, and education of the community.

View Event →
Homebuying Workshop
Dec
4
6:00 PM18:00

Homebuying Workshop

Join us for a free Homebuying Workshop in Bluffton, covering credit, down payment assistance, and the mortgage process for aspiring homeowners. Industry experts will provide actionable guidance and answer your questions to help you take the next step toward homeownership.

View Event →
GGHNCDC Public Meeting
Nov
19
10:00 AM10:00

GGHNCDC Public Meeting

  • Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.

View Event →
Mini Business Expo
Nov
18
3:00 PM15:00

Mini Business Expo

Local entrepreneurs are invited to a mini business expo and seminar hosted by the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC and the Town of Hilton Head Island. Meet one on one with Town staff to discuss licensing, permitting, facilities, procurement, public projects, and Fire Rescue. The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs will provide guidance on small and diverse business certifications.

View Event →
Annual Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration
Nov
6
to Nov 8

Annual Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration

A vibrant three-day festival usually held in November at Penn Center (formerly Penn School) on St. Helena Island, SC, Heritage Days is a time-honored tradition celebrating the deep roots and resilient culture of the Gullah‑Geechee community in America’s Lowcountry.

First established in 1981 as a successor to the original “Harvest Days,” this beloved festival honors both Penn Center’s legacy and the enduring heritage of the Sea Islands. Attendance typically ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 visitors each year, who gather to experience rich folklore, art, and cultural expression.

View Event →
Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force Meeting
Nov
3
1:00 PM13:00

Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force Meeting

  • Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Operating under the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission and with considerable public input, the Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force identifies and assists in the preservation of The Gullah-Geechee culture for the purpose of detecting and resolving issues specific to its community, including, without limitation, heirs property, taxes and land use, economic and sustainability issues for an improved quality of life, and education of the community.

View Event →
Oct
28
5:30 PM17:30

Gullah Me, Gullah You

A richly immersive performance series centered around Gullah‑Geechee culture, blending live music, storytelling, historical insights, and local cuisine into each experience. Often structured like an intimate talk‑show set in musical form, the event highlights notable Gullah individuals, their stories, artistry, and contributions to the Lowcountry community.

View Event →
Save the Date: Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Film Series
Oct
22
to Oct 23

Save the Date: Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Film Series

  • University of South Carolina Beaufort-Hilton Head (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park proudly presents the 2025 Historic Mitchelville Film Series, an annual showcase of compelling films that explore African American history, culture, and the enduring legacy of resilience. This year’s event will feature a selection of thought-provoking films followed by engaging discussions with distinguished speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on history, celebrate culture, and engage in meaningful conversations that connect the past with the present.

View Event →
Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force Meeting
Oct
20
2:30 PM14:30

Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force Meeting

  • Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Operating under the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission and with considerable public input, the Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force identifies and assists in the preservation of The Gullah-Geechee culture for the purpose of detecting and resolving issues specific to its community, including, without limitation, heirs property, taxes and land use, economic and sustainability issues for an improved quality of life, and education of the community.

View Event →
9th Annual Gullah Food Festival
Oct
18
11:00 AM11:00

9th Annual Gullah Food Festival

Presented by the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, this annual festival fosters appreciation of the rich Gullah–Geechee traditions that have shaped the Lowcountry landscape. From culinary arts to language and history, the experience offers immersive insights into this unique cultural heritage.

View Event →
GGHNCDC Public Meeting
Sep
17
10:00 AM10:00

GGHNCDC Public Meeting

  • Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.

View Event →
Roots & Rivers Festival
Sep
6
2:00 PM14:00

Roots & Rivers Festival

  • Lowcountry Celebration Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Empowered by BlacQuity, the Roots & Rivers Festival is a dynamic celebration of Black culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship, held annually in Bluffton, South Carolina. This vibrant community event brings together local families, businesses, artists, and changemakers for a day of music, food, fellowship, and empowerment.

PURCHASE TICKETS

View Event →