Travel Souths Best The South's Best Festivals 2018 By Valerie Fraser Luesse Valerie Fraser Luesse Senior Travel Editor Valerie Fraser Luesse has been associated with Southern Living and its affiliates since 1988 or, as she puts it, "I predate voicemail." After a decade in corporate communications, she moved to Southern Living Editorial as creative development director in 2001 and was later a senior writer in the travel department. Valerie left the magazine to freelance for a while (Valerie hated freelancing) and returned in 2016. Since then, she has had many adventures in storytelling, online and on the road.The Alabama native lives in Birmingham and writes novels on the side, including Under the Bayou Moon, The Key to Everything, Almost Home, and Missing Isaac. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 14, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Courtesy of Memphis in May Southerners are a celebratory lot. Give us an opportunity to gather for good food and drink, with live music or (dare we dream it) fireworks on the side, and we're all in. We'll salute anything from shellfish to Chardonnay, with room for ribs in between. That's why some of the biggest and best festivals in the country—let's throw down the gauntlet and say in the world—are right here in the South. Need proof? You can take home every barbecue prize from Lexington to Kansas City, but until you've won the World Championship during Memphis in May . . . well, as we say during football season, "You ain't played nobody." And music? Where else could the best jazz festival be if not in New Orleans? Shrimp festival? Gulf Coast, of course! Don't miss out. Spritz on some SPF 50 and put on your cool shades. We're heading to the South's best festivals. 01 of 06 See The Winners 02 of 06 1. Spoleto Festival USA Courtesy of Spoleto Festival USA Charleston, South Carolina Spoleto attracts acclaimed musicians and artists for 17 days of performances. spoletousa.org 03 of 06 2. Charleston Wine + Food Courtesy of Charleston Wine + Food Charleston, South Carolina The country's best chefs collaborate on dinners hosted throughout the city's restaurant scene; also enjoy barbecue banquets as well as inventive workshops. charlestonwineandfood.com 04 of 06 3. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Facebook/New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; Photo: Josh Brasted New Orleans, Louisiana The lineup is a gumbo of national headliners, local treasures, and one-time-only performances by bands like The Meters. And the food is as much a reason to go as the music. nojazzfest.com 05 of 06 4. Memphis in May International Festival Courtesy of Memphis in May Memphis, Tennessee Besides the grand-daddy of barbecue cook-offs, the festival also includes the Beale Street Music Festival and 901Fest, featuring local music, food, and drinks. memphisinmay.org 06 of 06 5. Annual National Shrimp Festival Courtesy of Annual National Shrimp Festival Gulf Shores, Alabama Every October, Gulf Shores becomes a shrine to the South's favorite crustacean. Enjoy a boardwalk lined with food vendors, local music, and special events. myshrimpfest.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit