A coastal favorite, the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, artists market, live music, food, and more. The island comes alive during this fun-filled festival, so mark your calendars for this award-winning event held in the Historic District of Jekyll Island, Georgia.
The Shrimp & Grits Festival is rooted in this southern staple. You’ll enjoy a plethora of shrimp & grits dishes and food trucks to tempt you with their unique and tasty treats.
Live music is the perfect accompaniment to shrimp & grits, art & crafts, and friends & family. With stages throughout the Festival, you’ll find a tune for tapping your toes or cutting a rug.
A carefully curated roster of art and craft vendors from the southeast bring their hand-crafted goods for every interest: art, pottery, glass, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, and more.
Experience a mesmerizing fireworks spectacle that will illuminate the night sky on Friday around 7:15 p.m., adding a dazzling touch to the Southern culinary delight that awaits you.
The Shrimp & Grits Festival is made possible by the support of generous sponsors. Are you interested in becoming a sponsor?
Jekyll Island plays host to a multitude of events each year, and community support is key to each of them. Sponsors, volunteers, and entertainment are core to the success of these events. Join our mailing list to be contacted when opportunities open up for the next Jekyll Island event.
Check back later for applications for Georgia Grown.
The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival takes place on Jekyll Island, Georgia in the National Historic Landmark District.
If you’re staying on-island, many of the hotels offer shuttles directly to the festival entrance. If you’re staying off-island please read our parking information.
Yes! There are three airports near Jekyll Island.
There are multiple hotels on the island, as well as private home rentals. We recommend you plan ahead because hotels & rental properties fill up fast. There are also multiple hotels located off-island that are just a short 15 to 20-minute drive to the festival.
Admission for the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival is free. However, the Jekyll Island parking fee will be increased during this event. The fee is an additional $5 per daily/weekly pass; annual passes are not impacted. For additional information on the fee increase, please visit Park Entry & Parking Passes. Additionally, some special events and experiences within the festival may come with a cost.
No! Shrimp & Grits is very family-friendly. There’s something for everyone at the festival, from ages 6 to 96.
Dedicated accessible parking is located at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Guests must show the attendant a government-issued parking placard or license plate for entry. The shuttle bus fleet includes accessible buses & attendants. All restrooms at the Festival include accessible locations.
With 45,000+ attendees, walking is the best way to navigate within the Festival. Keep in mind the festival grounds cover 32 acres, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Shuttles from the Airport drop off at the Mosaic Museum, across the street from the Artists Market area.
ATMs will be conveniently located throughout the festival.
A First Aid station and Jekyll Island EMTs will be on-site all weekend.
Any lost visitor seeking to find your party can meet at the First Aid Station.
Please check with the Information Tent to see if your lost item was turned in.
We encourage you to leave your pets at home. Pathways can be crowded with 45,000+ attendees and not everyone is comfortable around dogs or other pets.
Applications are currently closed. Sign-up to be contacted when applications open »
Restrooms are located throughout the festival. Specifically, outside the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, outside The Wharf restrooms, behind Doc’s Snack Shop, Morgan Center lot, behind Cotton & Copper on Pier Rd., and at both Mosaic & the Jekyll Island Airport for shuttle bus pick-up & drop-off.
We expect beautiful weather; however, the festival is a rain or shine event.
A variety of food of all sorts, including shrimp & grits, and drinks will be available on-site.
Here’s what we recommend: hats, sunglasses, comfortable walking/dancing shoes, a good attitude, sunblock, and bug repellent. Prohibited items:
No. Unfortunately, as much as we love drones, we cannot allow them to buzz around at the festival. When you combine large groups of people and flying robots with rapidly spinning blades, the likelihood of something ugly happening increases exponentially.
State law prohibits Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) from allowing a candidate to use JIA property or participate in JIA-sanctioned events for the purpose of campaigning for office.
While the festival will have several areas dedicated for seating, you are welcome to bring your own folding chairs. Small, soft coolers that fit on a shoulder are also ok to bring but please know that any large coolers, wagons, chairs or other items that cannot easily be carried on to the bus and held in your seat with you, will not be permitted and will need to be taken back to your vehicle
Additional information can be found in one of the Information Tents at the festival.
This one-of-a-kind event has twice been honored as “Best Festival” by the Southeast Festival and Events Association. Festival-goers flock to this popular barrier island to take in all the festival food, entertainment, arts and experiences, which together fill more than 30 acres in the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District.
2019 SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards
2018 SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards
Southeast Tourism Society
Explore opportunities with Summer Waves Water Park, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, landscaping, retail, golf, and more.