The Events at the 30th Gullah Celebration

Full Schedule of Events

January 2026

• Jan 10 – Feb 28 | 30 Years Framed: Posters of Our Past
  Exhibition at Coastal Discovery Museum celebrating 30 years of festival posters.
• Jan 29 – Feb 28 | Arts Ob We People: A Gullah Geechee Art Exhibition
  Showcasing the work of Gullah Geechee artists at J Costello Gallery inside Red Fish.
• Jan 29 | Arts Ob We People Opening Reception — Gallery opening & artist meet-and-greet.
• February 2026

Educational & Cultural Talks

• Feb 3 | Cultural Stewardship: Djuanna Brockington & The Gullah Geechee Corridor — talk on preservation of culture.
• Feb 10 | Mitchelville & The Gullah Museum: Foundations of Freedom and Memory — stories of Mitchelville and local heritage.
• Feb 17 | Emory Campbell & Tom Barnwell, Jr.: Bridges Between Generations — generational storytelling.

Exhibits & Receptions

• Feb 5 | 30 Years Framed Opening Reception — kickoff for poster retrospective.

Tradition, Music & Community

• Feb 6 | Friends & Family at The First African Baptist Church — music, prayer, history at one of the island’s oldest churches.
• Feb 7 | WE STILL RISE: Ol’ Fashioned Gullah Breakfast — historic breakfast at Mitchelville Freedom Park with authentic cuisine.
• Feb 13 | Gullah Twilight Music With Deas-Guyz — live music, food, and artisan market at Shelter Cove Community Park.
• Feb 20 | Gospel Concert Featuring Voices of El Shaddai — gospel series event at Central Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Community & Fun

• Feb 21 | Native Island Golf Classic — charity golf fundraiser.
• Feb 21 | Sea, Soul & Sunshine Brunch — coastal brunch with soulful music at 1 S Forest Beach Drive.
• Feb 21 | Roots & Recipes Reunion: A Gullah Cook-Off Celebration — cook-off featuring traditional dishes (okra, rice, collards).

Cultural Showcase

• Feb 28 | 30th Anniversary Gullah Celebration Village
  A signature immersive cultural village within the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival (1 PM – 5 PM). This includes historical reenactments, artisan craft demonstrations, storytellers, and cooking showcases featuring Chef BJ Dennis and Chef Kardea Brown. Admission to the village is included with the Seafood Festival ticket.

What to Expect

Throughout the celebration, you’ll find:

• Art exhibitions celebrating Gullah history and contemporary expression.
• Music events blending Gullah musical traditions — from jazz to gospel.
• Culinary experiences and cook-offs highlighting authentic Gullah cuisine.
• Talks and storytelling about Gullah history, language, civil-rights heritage, and community resilience.
• Family-friendly community celebrations and cultural activations.

Where Events Happen

Events are spread across venues on Hilton Head Island, including:

• Coastal Discovery Museum
• Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
• Shelter Cove Community Park
• J Costello Gallery (inside Red Fish)
• Central Oak Grove Baptist Church
• Beach House Tiki Hut
• And others throughout the island.

Tips for Attending

• Some events require tickets or RSVP while many are free or donation-based — check the official site when planning.
• Plan your trip for February if you want to catch the bulk of performances and cultural experiences.
• Make reservations for brunch and dinner-linked events early — they fill up fast during Celebration month.