30th Anniversary Gullah Celebration Village

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:00-5:00pm
Coastal Discovery Museum

In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Gullah Celebration, we are proud to partner with the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival to debut a landmark, fully immersive Gullah Celebration Village—a living, breathing tribute to the traditions, stories, and artistry of the Gullah Geechee people. This extraordinary activation will be featured inside the festival grounds as a signature cultural experience.

Designed by a professional stage production team, the Village transports guests into a historic Gullah coastal community with full-scale recreations of a schoolhouse, praise house, family home, and shrimp boat dock. Throughout the afternoon, costumed interpreters, artisans, and local storytellers will bring these spaces to life—sharing demonstrations, daily-life portrayals, and the heritage that has shaped the Sea Islands for generations.

At the heart of the Village, two of the nation’s most respected voices in Gullah cuisine will take the stage: Chef BJ Dennis, cultural preservationist and nationally recognized Gullah culinary ambassador, and Chef Kardea Brown, Food Network star, New York Times best-selling author of The Way Home, and recent Daytime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Culinary Host and Instructional Series.

Together, Chef Dennis and Chef Brown will lead a powerful live cooking showcase that celebrates authentic Gullah foodways—connecting history, storytelling, and flavor in a one-of-a-kind culinary moment.

Guests can also explore works from Gullah artisans and retailers, including traditional crafts, artwork, and handmade goods that honor Gullah Geechee heritage.

This partnership between two beloved Native Island institutions—the Gullah Celebration and the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival—creates a meaningful platform to elevate cultural awareness, honor a 30-year legacy, and welcome the community into a deeper understanding of Gullah Geechee life.

Admission: Access to the Gullah Celebration Village is included with a Saturday Seafood Festival general admission ticket–purchase online here.