Your Complete Guide to May Events in York County, SC
From the SC Strawberry Festival to Tega Cay's Best Dam Food Festival — everything worth doing this month across Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Lake Wylie, Clover, Tega Cay, and York.
If April is York County's warm-up, May is the main event. This is the month the SC Strawberry Festival takes over Fort Mill, the Italian Festival draws thousands to a church campus that transforms into something you have to see to believe, Tega Cay throws what may be the best food festival in the county, and farmers markets open across every community from Clover to Rock Hill. Whether you are new to the area or a longtime resident who wants to make sure you don't miss anything, this is your complete guide to May in York County.
Fort Mill — The Biggest Month of the Year
Fort Mill doesn't ease into May. It opens the month with the SC Strawberry Festival on day one and barely pauses through the Italian Festival, the Taste of Fort Mill, the opening of the farmers market, and a full slate of races. More happens in Fort Mill in May than most places see all season.
SC Strawberry Festival
Fort Mill's signature annual celebration returns to Walter Elisha Park (345 N. White Street) for two full days of music, food, rides, vendors, and community. With over 250 vendors, 38 food booths, two entertainment stages, a Kids Zone, a car show, and a fireworks finale Saturday night — this is the event that defines spring in York County.
Friday Night Stage: Hard 2 Handle (The Black Crowes Experience) · 7 Summers (The Ultimate Morgan Wallen Experience)
Saturday Stage: Fort Mill Elementary Schools · Blue Monday (80s & 90s) · Groove Machine (The 70s Experience) · Thomas Road Band (Country/Variety) · Rob Cole (The Voice Top Finalist–Country) · September (Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute) · Fireworks finale
Special Exhibits: Pretty Bird Paradise · K9s in Flight · Love the Butterfly · Strawberry Hot Wing Eating Contest · Strawberry Baby Contest · Meet & Greet with the Strawberry Queens & Berry B. Good
scstrawberryfestival.com — Full schedule & brochure fortmillsc.gov — SC Strawberry Festival EventsFort Mill Farmers & Artisans Market — Opening Day
The Fort Mill Farmers & Artisans Market returns for its full season on Saturday, May 9 at Veterans Park (106 N. White Street), running every Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM through October 31. Local farmers, artisans, and makers come together each week for fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, handcrafted items, gardening tips, and vendor demonstrations. A perfect Saturday morning habit that pairs naturally with coffee and a walk through downtown Fort Mill.
fortmillsc.gov — Fort Mill Farmers & Artisans MarketSpringfield Charity 5K
A Fort Mill tradition that does real good — the Springfield Charity 5K benefits Big Hearts Big Family and the Children's Attention Home, two organizations providing critical support to children and families in York County. A family-friendly race with strong community turnout and a cause worth lacing up for.
runningintheusa.com — York County RacesSt. Philip Neri Italian Festival
One of the most beloved community events in Fort Mill and a genuine cultural institution — the St. Philip Neri Italian Festival has welcomed over 10,000 visitors every year since 1998. Three full days of Italian food, live entertainment, wine and beer tastings, handmade artisan vendors, and the kind of atmosphere that 600+ parish volunteers pour their hearts into. This one is in a class by itself.
The food alone is worth planning your week around. More than 20 Italian specialties are prepared fresh on-site: handmade lasagna, baked ziti, eggplant parmesan, scratch-made Italian sausage, hand-rolled favorites, and much more.
Taste of Fort Mill — Anne Springs Close Greenway
The Taste of Fort Mill is York County's most elegant evening out — an outdoor culinary celebration on the picturesque Gateway Lawn of the Anne Springs Close Greenway, featuring tastings from more than 20 of the area's top restaurants and culinary artisans. The lineup changes every year, live music by The Kris Hitchcock Band sets the mood, and the setting — 2,100 acres of preserved natural land — makes it genuinely special. Proceeds directly support the Greenway's conservation mission.
This event sells out. Tickets available at the link below.
ascgreenway.org — Taste of Fort Mill tickets & infoCannoli Run 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
A food-themed 5K with local flavor and a festive atmosphere — the Cannoli Run is a Fort Mill crowd-pleaser. Approachable for all fitness levels and genuinely fun for families. Register in advance as this one fills quickly.
runningintheusa.com — Race details & registrationSundown Trail Races — Anne Springs Close Greenway
The Sundown Trail Race series kicks off in May at the Anne Springs Close Greenway — an after-work trail running experience across one of the most beautiful natural preserves in the region. The series continues through the summer months, making it a recurring highlight for trail runners of all levels.
runningintheusa.com — Sundown Trail Races🔁 Recurring in Fort Mill — All Month
Tega Cay — The Best Dam Food Festival Has Arrived
May is Tega Cay's signature month. The peninsula community on Lake Wylie has been building a reputation as a standout event city in York County, and the Best Dam Food Festival is the centerpiece of that identity.
Best Dam Food Festival — Catawba Park
Named "Best New Event" at the North Carolina Festival and Events Conference and rated an "Event to Watch in the Carolinas," Tega Cay's Best Dam Food Festival has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in York County. Set at Catawba Park on New Gray Rock Road — right on the edge of the Catawba Dam — this is a full evening of food, music, and community spirit.
Expect a full Munchie Mile of diverse food vendors (fish, tacos, pizza, burgers, fresh seafood, desserts), a beer garden, arts and craft vendors, nonprofit booths, and the crowd-favorite Best Dam Food Vendor and Best Dam Dessert voting competitions.
Entertainment Lineup:
- Brandon Sluka — Emcee & Opening Performer
- Jam Garden — Local rock powerhouse (rock & today's hits)
- Legends of New Country: Wallen & Wilson — Headline tribute featuring Wallen Nation (Morgan Wallen) & Lainey Nation (Lainey Wilson)
Tega Cay Memorial Day 5K
A community tradition for Tega Cay residents and runners across the county — a meaningful way to kick off the Memorial Day long weekend while honoring those who served. A manageable course and strong local showing make this a great race for all levels, including first-timers.
runningintheusa.com — Race detailsRock Hill — Old Town Is in Full Swing
After ten days of Come-See-Me in late April, Rock Hill settles into its rhythm for May — and that rhythm is genuinely good. The Old Town Farmers Market is in full stride, and the city's dining and arts scene continues to offer reasons to spend a Saturday in Old Town.
Old Town Farmers Market — Fountain Park
Now well into its season, the Old Town Farmers Market at Fountain Park (118 Caldwell St) is one of the best Saturday morning habits in York County. Fresh produce, local meats, artisan baked goods, handmade crafts, and a walkable Old Town setting. Runs 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Note: no market in July or on festival days — check before heading out.
visitrockhillsc.com — Old Town MarketOld Town Rock Hill — Dining, Arts & The Riverwalk
Rock Hill's Old Town earned South Carolina's first Cultural District designation for a reason. May is an excellent month to explore the galleries, artist studios, live performance venues, and restaurants that make this neighborhood one of the most distinctive in the region. Pair it with a walk along the Riverwalk Park and Trail on the Catawba River.
visitrockhillsc.comLake Wylie — Market Nights & Open Water
May is when Lake Wylie life fully opens up. The Naked Goat Market continues its Saturday evening run, the lake is busy with boats, and the outdoor dining patios along Charlotte Highway are drawing their first real weekend crowds of the season.
Naked Goat Market — Bethel-Lake Wylie Preservation Park
One of the more distinctive market experiences in the county — an evening format in a beautiful preserved greenspace setting with a mix of vendors that draws a loyal crowd each week. Perfect for a relaxed Saturday late afternoon as the weather stays warm into the evening. A genuine differentiator from every other market in York County.
yorkcountygov.com — Bethel-Lake Wylie Preservation ParkEbenezer Park on Lake Wylie
One of York County's most underrated outdoor destinations — a beach, three boat ramps, a fishing pier, kayak/canoe launch, playground, and 82 campsites right on Lake Wylie. May is the ideal time to spend a full day here before the summer crowds arrive. Pair it with outdoor dining at Papa Doc's Shore Club nearby.
visityorkcounty.comClover — Farmers Market Season Opens
May marks the official start of Clover's outdoor market season and brings renewed energy to the community's walkable downtown.
Clover Farmers Market — Season Opening Day
The Clover Farmers Market kicks off its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2 — the first Saturday of the month — and returns every first Saturday through October. Set on Main Street in downtown Clover, this monthly market features locally grown produce, handmade goods, and genuine small-town community energy. Hours: 9 AM to 1 PM. Free to attend, and worth making a monthly habit.
visityorkcounty.com — Farms & Farmers MarketsYork — Historic Downtown in Bloom
The Town of York rewards slowing down. May is one of the most beautiful times to visit — the historic downtown district has a pace and character that is genuinely its own.
Bush-N-Vine Farm Market
A York County institution — a family farm that has been operating for more than 150 years and one of the most beloved local market experiences in the county. Spring produce, farm goods, and a firsthand connection to York County's agricultural heritage. Located at 1650 Filbert Hwy, York. Worth a stop any Saturday this month.
visityorkcounty.com — Farms & Farmers MarketsHistoric Downtown York — Walk It
York's historic district is among the most intact in South Carolina — a walkable grid of 19th-century architecture, local businesses, and community spaces that rewards a Saturday morning without a specific agenda. A short drive from anywhere in York County, and consistently underappreciated by people who haven't made it out yet.
visityorkcounty.comMay at a Glance
Every confirmed event this month across York County, SC
There's a Lot to Love About May in York County
If you've been thinking about making this community home — or you're already here and want to understand your options — The Linda Hall Team at Century 21 First Choice would love to help.