What to Do in South Carolina on Memorial Day Weekend 2026

Kara Rutter
May 10
2 min read

Memorial Day Weekend ideas!

Memorial Day weekend in South Carolina usually means beaches, cookouts, and festivals. But in 2026, there's something else worth adding to your long weekend—something that gets you off the interstate and onto a veteran's farm.

Here are some of the best ways to spend May 22–25, 2026, in the Palmetto State, with a special spotlight on the event we think deserves the top of your list.

1. The Farms of the Brave Ag + Art Tour (Statewide)

Free. Self-guided. Four days. Veteran-owned farms and artisan vendors across South Carolina.

This is the big one. The Farms of the Brave Ag+Art Tour is a Memorial Day weekend tradition that brings communities face-to-face with the veterans growing their food and making things by hand. There's no ticket, no set route, and no required schedule—just an interactive map at FarmsOfTheBrave.org, a long weekend, and the freedom to explore.

Whether you're in the Upstate, the Midlands, the Lowcountry, or the Pee Dee, there are participating farms and vendors within driving distance. Many stops offer fresh produce, pasture-raised meats, handmade goods, and the chance to talk directly with the farmers and makers behind them.

It's a perfect family outing, a meaningful way to honor veterans, and an adventure every time.

2. Visit a South Carolina State Park

SC State Parks waive fees for veterans on Memorial Day, and the state's park system is genuinely world-class—from Table Rock in the Blue Ridge foothills to Hunting Island on the Atlantic coast. Pair a morning hike with an afternoon on the Ag+Art Tour for a full day.

3. Explore a Farmer's Market

Markets in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg are all in full swing by late May. Many vendors from the Ag+Art Tour network sell regularly at local markets—the tour is a great way to discover new favorites.

4. Attend a Local Memorial Day Ceremony

Nearly every county seat in South Carolina holds a public ceremony on Memorial Day Weekend. Check with your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or American Legion post for times and locations.

Make the Most of the Long Weekend

Memorial Day weekend 2026 falls May 22–25. That's four full days—more than enough to explore a few farms on the tour, hit a state park, and still make it to the cookout. Start planning your tour route now at FarmsOfTheBrave.org.