November is the month the southern end of the Lowcountry gets its second wind. The heat finally breaks, the oysters come back, and the marsh turns that gold color you only get this time of year.
It’s also a busy month. Old Town Bluffton has two oyster roasts on the same Saturday, St. Helena Island hosts one of the longest running heritage festivals in the Southeast, and the first tree lighting of the season happens before Veterans Day.
Here’s what’s happening in Bluffton, Beaufort and Port Royal this November, so you can plan your weekends now instead of scrambling on a Saturday morning.
November at a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 6 | First Friday | Downtown Beaufort |
| Nov 7 | Swing Bridge Run | Downtown Beaufort |
| Nov 7 | Family Oyster Roast | Port Royal |
| Nov 8 | Deck the Palms tree lighting | Tanger Outlets 1, Bluffton |
| Nov 11 | Veterans Day Parade | Downtown Beaufort |
| Nov 12 | Magical Night on the May | Old Town Bluffton |
| Nov 12 to 14 | Penn Center Heritage Days | St. Helena Island |
| Nov 14 | Under the Ancient Oaks oyster roast | Old Town Bluffton |
| Nov 20 to 22 | Homes for the Holidays | Islands of Beaufort |
| Nov 26 | Turkey Chase and Turkey Trot | Bluffton and Beaufort |
Heather’s pick: Under the Ancient Oaks on Nov 14. Oysters, reenactors and the Heyward House lit up under the live oaks. It’s the most Bluffton night of the year.
Bluffton in November
Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off (Nov 7). A neighborhood-style fall festival at May River Montessori with a chili contest. An easy Saturday with kids.
Tunnel to Towers 5K (Nov 8). A run and walk honoring first responders and service members. Walkers are welcome, so you don’t need to be a runner to join in.
Magical Night on the May (Nov 12). An evening oyster roast at Oyster Factory Park, right on the May River. It’s a fundraiser for Hilton Head Christian Academy, so buy tickets ahead.
Autumn Tea at the Mansion (Nov 13). An afternoon tea at Kirk’s Mansion. A nice one to plan with a friend or your mom.
Under the Ancient Oaks (Nov 14). The Historic Bluffton Foundation’s living history oyster roast on the Heyward House grounds, with reenactors and oysters under the live oaks. If you only do one Bluffton event this month, make it this one.
Oyster roast at Nectar Farm Kitchen (Nov 14). Part of Nectar’s fall and winter oyster roast series in Old Town, so you can make a full Saturday of it.
Dinner with Chef Chelsea Sanchez (Nov 18). A chef’s dinner at Kirk’s Mansion. Seats are limited.
Historic Bluffton Turkey Chase 5K (Nov 26). Thanksgiving morning starts at Oyster Factory Park. Register ahead, because there’s no race-day registration.
Beaufort and Port Royal in November
First Friday (Nov 6). Downtown Beaufort shops and galleries stay open late, from 5 to 8 pm, with music along Bay Street.
Swing Bridge Run (Nov 7). A 5K and an all-ages bridge walk over the Woods Memorial Bridge, starting at 8 am from Freedom Park. The view of the Beaufort River from the top of the bridge is worth the early alarm.
Family Oyster Roast (Nov 7). The Rotary Club’s oyster roast at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal, 3 to 7 pm, with chili, live music and auctions.
Veterans Day Parade (Nov 11). Beaufort’s parade steps off at 10 am from Beaufort National Cemetery and runs along Boundary, Carteret and Bay streets. The Parris Island Marine Band performs. In a town this tied to the Marine Corps, it’s a big morning.
Penn Center Heritage Days (Nov 12 to 14). The 42nd annual celebration of Gullah Geechee history, food, music and crafts on the Penn Center campus on St. Helena Island. Saturday is the big day, with the parade and a full program on the main stage.
Homes for the Holidays (Nov 20 to 22). The 25th annual tour of homes, this year at Islands of Beaufort, with homes decorated by local designers. There’s a candlelight tour Friday evening and day tours Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Tickets are $65 in advance.
Turkey Trot 5K (Nov 26). Habitat for Humanity’s Thanksgiving morning run through downtown Beaufort. It’s the last race of the Beaufort Triple Crown.
Holiday lights and what’s every week
Deck the Palms (Nov 8). Tanger Outlets 1 unveils its 40-foot tree with a countdown tree lighting from 5 to 8 pm. It’s the first tree lighting of the season in our area.
Cadd Family Light Display (late November). The walk-through light show on Lady’s Island, synchronized to Christmas music, usually opens around Thanksgiving weekend. It’s free, and the family asks guests to bring canned food for HELP of Beaufort.
Every week:
- Wednesdays: Bluffton Farm & Flea, 11 am to 4 pm
- Thursdays: Farmers Market of Bluffton at Martin Family Park
- Saturdays: Port Royal Farmers Market
Save the date for December: Bluffton’s tree lighting at Martin Family Park and the Bluffton Christmas Parade are always the first Friday and Saturday of December, which this year falls on Dec 4 and 5. Beaufort’s Night on the Town and the downtown tree lighting kick off the holidays in early December too.
Live near it
Half the fun of living down here is being close enough to walk or bike to nights like these. Here’s where to look if you want to be near the action.
- Old Town Bluffton. Walk to Oyster Factory Park, the Heyward House and the Thursday farmers market. Homes here are a mix of historic cottages and newer builds.
- Berkeley Hall. A gated golf community with two Tom Fazio courses, a short drive from Old Town for dinner and oyster roasts. See Berkeley Hall homes
- Downtown Beaufort and The Point. Walk to First Friday, the Veterans Day Parade and the waterfront park.
- Lady’s Island. Just over the bridge from downtown Beaufort, with more space and more marsh views for the money.
- Port Royal. A small, walkable town with Live Oaks Park and the Saturday farmers market close by.
Search Bluffton and Hilton Head homes · Search Beaufort homes
Keep reading
- 5 Reasons Buying in Berkeley Hall Could Be the Smartest Investment You’ll Make
- Things to Do in Charleston This November
Thinking about a move to Bluffton or Beaufort?
These two towns are 30 minutes apart, but they feel very different. Bluffton is newer and growing fast, with Old Town at its heart. Beaufort is historic and slower, with deep Marine Corps roots and water in every direction. A weekend at one of these events is a great way to feel the difference for yourself.
If you’re weighing a move to either one, I’d love to help you figure out which fits. I know these neighborhoods well, including Berkeley Hall, and I’m happy to share the latest numbers for any community you’re curious about.
You can see this month’s carousel on Instagram at @heathergregory_realtor. Dates and times can change, so check with each event before you go.
Heather Gregory · 760-220-2446 · heather.gregory@seaglass.com