The festival will be held on Friday, May 23 - Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Plantation / Island Tour

This 2-hour tour features one of the historic plantation homes on St. Helena Island and various sites around the island to include the historic Penn Center, The Chapel of Ease, A Praise House, and much more!

The cost is $49.00 per person

Take time to learn about Gullah Culture in Beaufort, Port Royal & the Sea Islands

Read more here: Gullah History | Beaufort Historic Culture | Gullah Culture

Take a moment to Taste the Culture of the Corridor by visiting Gullah Geechee owned restaurants and others showcasing traditional, coastal foodways, the cultural fabric of the Gullah Geechee community.

The mission of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Corridor is to preserve, promote, and protect the unique cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee people. We are dedicated to fostering understanding, appreciation, and respect for the traditions, language, arts, and history of this vibrant community.

Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we strive to raise awareness about the significant contributions of the Gullah Geechee people to American culture and history. We are committed to empowering Gullah Geechee individuals and communities by providing opportunities for economic development, cultural expression, and environmental stewardship.

Central to our mission is the celebration of diversity and the promotion of inclusivity. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people of all backgrounds can come together to learn, share, and celebrate the rich heritage of the Gullah Geechee culture.

As stewards of this invaluable cultural legacy, we work tirelessly to ensure that future generations inherit a deep appreciation for the Gullah Geechee heritage. We believe that by honoring the past and embracing the future, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society where the contributions of all cultures are valued and celebrated.

Jamilla Hawkins proudly serves as the Secretary of the Commission representing the State of North Carolina. Read more here: The Commissioners – Discovering Legacy Of African Cultures

Located on beautiful St. Helena Island, at the very heart of Gullah culture, surrounded by glimmering marshes, and nestled beneath the silvery moss-draped limbs of massive live oaks… is Penn Center.

The campus of the former Penn School, one of the nation’s first schools for formerly enslaved people, is one of the most significant African American institutions in existence today. This historic and cultural institution is a National Historic Landmark District and comprises two of the four sites in Reconstruction Era National Park.

In your spare time, take an opportunity to explore Hunting Island State Park

Top 5 Things To Do

1. Visit the historic Hunting Island lighthouse. (closed)

2. Enjoy a sunrise, walk along the beach and look for sharks’ teeth and other shells that have washed ashore.

3. Visit the nature center at Hunting Island State Park and see the alligators!

4. Visit the Marsh Boardwalk, the best place in the Lowcountry to watch the sunset.

5. Take a ferry from Hunting Island for a naturalist-led tour of St. Phillips Island where you can explore trails, enjoy the beach and see wildlife of this pristine barrier island. .