The Town of Yemassee is preparing for its 32nd annual Yemassee Shrimp Festival, a three-day event scheduled from Thursday, September 17, through Saturday, September 19, 2026. This festival, a regional draw for Aiken residents, will feature carnival rides, various vendors, parades, and live entertainment.
Festivities begin on Thursday at 3 p.m. with the opening of the carnival and vendor area. Wristbands for rides will be available for purchase, and live entertainment is planned from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Friday, carnival rides and vendors will open at 3 p.m. Ride wristbands can be purchased between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., after which individual tickets will be required. An opening ceremony is set for 7 p.m. on the festival’s ceremony stage, followed by a kiddie parade at 7:15 p.m. and a lighted parade at 7:30 p.m. Awards for the kiddie parade will be presented at 8 p.m., leading up to fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Following the fireworks display, Funk Factory 5 will perform until the festival closes at 11 p.m.
Saturday’s events commence at 9 a.m. with vendors opening. The main parade will travel from Church Street North and South through downtown to Wall Street, then return to its starting point. Carnival rides will open after the parade, requiring individual tickets. Michael Jackson tribute performances are scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon and again from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Other Saturday activities include a performance by the Gospel Proclaimers from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Carnival Connection activities such as face painting and fire juggling from noon to 6 p.m., and Jason Lee Cook performing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All stage performances will occur on the festival’s entertainment stage.
