How to Make the Most of the Summerville Flowertown Festival
A Q&A with the Summerville Family YMCA
The Summerville Family YMCA shares tips to help you enjoy their iconic Flowertown Festival like a seasoned local.
Visit the Official Festival Site
March 27th-29th, 2026
March 27: 9 am – 6 pm
March 28: 9 am – 6 pm
March 29: 9 am – 4 pm
Q: For someone visiting Summerville for Flowertown Festival for the first time, what’s your biggest “know before you go” tip?
A: The Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival is the largest annual fundraising event to support programs and financial assistance at our YMCA. The event began 53 years ago as an arts and crafts festival and is now one of the largest events in the Southeast welcoming more than 230,000 visitors over the three-day weekend. Because we have such a large attendance, we recommend visitors wear their walking shoes and utilize available public and paid parking options near the festival perimeter.
The YMCA offers a respite area near the corner of 5th and Main Street, but does not provide shuttle transportation to and from vehicles. To best support the health and safety of all guests, smoking and pets are not permitted within the festival. With more than 400 vendors in attendance, the Flowertown Festival truly has something for everyone. For a complete list of vendors, please visit the Festival site or follow us on Facebook for event information and updates. And the fun doesn’t end when you leave the Flowertown Festival. Just outside of the Festival footprint, there are local businesses to support such as Sweetwater 123, Nailed It DIY Studio and so many others!
A local’s tip: Make a full day of your trip to Summerville! Start off at 8am with breakfast at Biscuit Belly or coffee and a pastry at StayWild Coffee. Walk over to the Flowertown Festival when it opens at 9am and stroll through Azalea Park to view the arts and crafts vendors. Snap a few photos with the bronze statues in the park or next to the blooming azalea bushes. If you’re traveling with kiddos, be sure to visit the Youth Festival to ride on twirling swings or try your hand at a carnival game. The food options are endless, so you’ll want to breakup your meals throughout the day so that you can sample all of the delicious local food vendors. Stop by the entertainment stage to listen to artists displaying their skills. With more than 400 vendors, you really can spend an entire day shopping and experiencing all that the Festival has to offer from Otter interactions, flower crowns and everything in between! After your day at the Festival, head over to The Icehouse for dinner and dessert at a local favorite!
Q: Why do you think Flowertown Festival is such an important tradition for Summerville, both for longtime residents and first-time visitors?
A: Flowertown Festival is such an important tradition for Summerville because it’s more than just a weekend event. It’s our community’s way of officially kicking off the spring season while celebrating the history, charm, and hospitality that define our town. For longtime residents, it’s a cherished annual tradition that reconnects them with neighbors and local pride; for first-time visitors, it offers an authentic glimpse into the heart of Summerville. What makes it especially meaningful is its impact: all proceeds directly support YMCA programs and services that benefit our community, including youth programs, swim safety initiatives, health and wellness efforts, and financial assistance for families that need it most.
Q: What’s your advice for enjoying Flowertown at a slower, more local pace — especially for families or visitors who want to avoid feeling rushed?
A: For anyone who wants to enjoy Flowertown Festival at a slower, more local pace (especially families) start by embracing the setting itself. Much of the festival footprint is located within the Azalea Park, which naturally lends itself to a relaxed experience. Instead of trying to see everything at once, pick a small section to explore, then pause - there are plenty of benches and shaded spots where you can sit, take a break, and truly enjoy the blooming azaleas that give Flowertown its name. Grab a bite from one of the food vendors and settle in near the entertainment stage to enjoy local performers without rushing from booth to booth.
Q: Are there certain times of day that feel more relaxed or family-friendly during the festival?
A: Yes - if you’re looking for a more relaxed, family-friendly experience at Flowertown Festival, the best time to come is on Friday or Sunday morning when the gates open at 9:00 a.m. The morning hours tend to be noticeably calmer before the larger mid-day crowds arrive, which makes it easier to navigate strollers and browse vendor booths at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed. You’ll also have a much better chance at convenient parking, which reduces stress before you even step into the festival. By late morning into early afternoon, attendance typically peaks.
Q: How can someone find their way around once they are there?
A: Lifeguard stations with Festival volunteers are located at 2nd and 3rd Streets as well as an Information Booth at 5th Street. Our volunteers look forward to helping direct you to vendors, food and experiences that best suit what you’re looking for! You can also visit the official
Festival site with the full list of vendors and a map to help you find your way around. Police, fire and EMS personnel are also on-site for the duration of the event to assist with medical or safety concerns.
Q: When visitors leave Summerville after Flowertown Festival, what do you hope they understand about our community?
A: When visitors leave Summerville after experiencing Flowertown Festival, I hope they understand that our community is defined by more than its beautiful azaleas and historic charm. It’s defined by people who show up for one another. Flowertown isn’t just an event; it’s a reflection of how deeply this town values connection, service, and investing locally. I hope visitors see that the festival’s success not only strengthens the surrounding businesses in town, our community as a whole through the YMCA programs the festival supports. If they leave knowing that Summerville is a place where traditions and community connection have a strong purpose despite our rapid growth, then the festival has done exactly what it was meant to do.
While you’re in Summerville, explore all that the area has to offer!
Places to Stay
Places to Eat
Things to Do
Day Trips
