The island desk
What matters around here.
Local updates, community dates and useful island explainers. Follow each story to its original source.
Latest local updates
Four islanders receive Mayor’s Honored Islander Award
The Town of Hilton Head Island on Oct. 13, 2026, recognized Dave Peck, Kevin Naughten, Joe Rowey and Dr. Roselle L. Wilson for unpaid volunteer work with local groups and events.
Mac & Cheese Festival set for Oct. 24 at Lincoln and South Brewery
The Island Recreation Association lists a Mac & Cheese Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lincoln and South Brewery, 138 Island Drive. The listing does not include ticket prices or a program.
Town Council urges year-round drop-off of unused medicine
Hilton Head Island Town Council on Oct. 13 proclaimed October as National Medicine Abuse Month and encouraged residents to dispose of unused or expired medications year-round at the Sheriff's Rx drop-off box and local Rx drop-off sites.
Free Pumpkin Patch set Oct. 23 at Shelter Cove Park
Island Rec will hold a free Pumpkin Patch from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at Shelter Cove Park, with a 5:45 p.m. costume contest.
Earlier updates
These notices have ended. We keep them here as a dated record.
Crescendo kick-off 5-7 p.m. today at Shelter Cove Community Park
The Town's Office of Cultural Affairs lists the Crescendo kick-off from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Shelter Cove Community Park, with live music including Mark Rapp and the Soda City Band.
Tanglewood Drive closed daily for construction
Tanglewood Drive and the adjacent pathway at South Forest Beach Drive remain closed daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for construction at 2 Tanglewood Drive, expected about four weeks, with detours posted.
Town installing sand fencing after beach renourishment
The Town of Hilton Head Island is installing sand fencing on designated Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound beaches after July renourishment. Work began Oct. 5, 2026, and is due by the end of October. Access remains open; follow work-area signs.
Jeep Island canceled Saturday, moved to Friday evening
Island Recreation Association canceled Jeep Island on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Lowcountry Celebration Park, citing thunderstorms and high winds. It said the event moves to Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lincoln & South Brewing Company, with no spectator admission fee. Last verified Oct. 8, 2026.
Jeep Island fundraiser moves to Friday night at brewery
Island Rec canceled Saturday’s Jeep Island at Lowcountry Celebration Park and relocated the fundraiser to Lincoln & South Brewing Company on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., with no spectator fee.
Shorebird walk set Oct. 7 at Fish Haul Beach Park
A public shorebird walk with Manomet biologist Allie Hayser is scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Fish Haul Beach Park. Registration is requested; the outing covers up to 1.5 miles on sand.
Fort Mitchel tour listed for 10 a.m. Thursday
A guided Fort Mitchel tour is listed for 10-11 a.m. Oct. 1 at Heritage Library Foundation Inc. on Hilton Head Island. Registration is required for the costumed program.
Town collecting Folly Field crosswalk traffic data
The Town of Hilton Head Island is measuring vehicle and pedestrian activity at five Folly Field Road crosswalks to study possible rectangular rapid flashing beacons. Monitoring at Starfish Drive was scheduled to begin Sept. 28, 2026.
Island Rec Beer Mile at Lowcountry Celebration Park
Island Rec Center’s Beer Mile is Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue. Participants must be over 21 and have a designated driver.
F18 championship at Coligny Beach North through Friday
The F18 Americas Championship is listed at Coligny Beach North from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24-25, 2026, with the final on Friday after the event began Sept. 22, according to the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.
Fort Mitchel tours listed Thursdays through Nov. 12
Historic Fort Mitchel tours are listed weekly on Thursdays from Sept. 24 through Nov. 12, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. Registration is required, according to a Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce events listing.
Farmers and makers market at Sea Pines Center
A farmers and makers market is listed Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road. The chamber page also lists later Tuesdays through Nov. 24.
Costumed Zion Cemetery tour listed 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday
A costumed Zion Cemetery and Baynard Mausoleum tour is listed from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, on Hilton Head Island. The chamber event page says registration is required.
Hilton Head Island Jam listed for Sept. 19-20 at various island venues
The Hilton Head Island Jam songwriter festival is listed daily Sept. 19-20, 2026, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. at various Hilton Head Island locations. The chamber listing says the Town of Hilton Head Island presents it.
Hilton Head Island Jam continues through Sept. 20
The free multi-venue Hilton Head Island Jam songwriter festival runs daily through Sunday, Sept. 20, at various island locations. It is presented by the Town of Hilton Head Island.
Sea Pines Beach Sweep set for this afternoon
Volunteers can join a beach cleanup Friday, Sept. 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. Meet at the beach entrance just before the boardwalk in front of the Sea Pines Beach Club. Visitors who are not registered resort guests or Sea Pines property owners must pay the $10 gate fee.
Fort Mitchel tours listed weekly Thursdays through Nov. 12
Historic Fort Mitchel tours are listed weekly on Thursdays from Sept. 17 through Nov. 12, 10 to 11 a.m. Registration is required for the Hilton Head Island Civil War site visits.
Hilton Head Island Jam runs Sept. 17-20 at multiple island venues
The Hilton Head Island Jam is listed as a free multi-venue songwriter festival daily from Sept. 17 through Sept. 20. The chamber calendar places it at various Hilton Head Island locations.
Free Rosenwald Schools talk Sept. 17 at Honey Horn
A free talk and reception with photographer Andrew Feiler is set for Sept. 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island.
Children's Center golf tournament at Long Cove Club is sold out
The 6th Annual Swing for the Future Golf Tournament is listed Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Long Cove Club, 399 Long Cove Drive. Registration opens at 11 a.m. and a Step Aside Scramble begins at 1 p.m. The chamber listing runs through 7 p.m. The tournament is sold out.
Ward 4 community meeting set for tonight at island library
Council Member Tamara Becker will meet residents Thursday evening at the Hilton Head Island public library for general updates. No registration is required, and the town says no votes will be taken.
Artisan Alley listed tonight at The Shops at Sea Pines Center
The chamber lists First Thursday Artisan Alley on Sept. 10, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Shops at Sea Pines Center. The monthly walk features local artists, live music, and charity partners.
Farmers and makers market listed Tuesday at Sea Pines Center
A Farmers & Makers Market is listed Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road. Produce, artisan goods and live music are described.
Farmers and makers market runs Tuesday at Sea Pines Center
A farmers and makers market is listed Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road, with produce, artisans and live music.
Town offices closed Monday for Labor Day
Hilton Head Island administrative offices close Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, for Labor Day and reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Beaufort County Convenience Center at 26 Summit Drive is also closed Labor Day and resumes its normal schedule Tuesday. Emergency services remain available.
Understand the island
How tides shape a Hilton Head day
Water levels, winds and timing around Broad Creek and the beach.
Routine local briefs use AI-assisted research and a separate factual review. How the desk works →