If you’re looking for how best to craft an unforgettable weekend in Camden, SC, grab a snack and your coffee, this is gonna be a long one! October 9 – 12 is shaping up to be packed for events that folks of all ages can enjoy! The big highlights are the Camden Jazz Festival, the Southern Gothic Festival and the Camden Horse & Hound Expo.

Here’s a quick look at how these three events overlap in Camden on the same weekend in October:

Camden Jazz Fesitval | October 9 – 11, 2025

Southern Gothic Festival | October 10 – 11, 2025

Camden Horse & Hound Expo | October 10 – 12, 2025

📆 Itinerary: How to experience them all in one weekend

If you’re interested in experiencing all three spectacular events, we’ve put together a suggested play-by-play to help make the most of your time.

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Thursday, October 9 – Arrive & Get Settled

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Late Afternoon / Early Evening

• Arrive in Camden, check into your hotel or short-term rental.
• Grab a relaxed dinner downtown — Camden has cozy Southern spots and local restaurants. Or, venture a little farther out to experience a unique and serene dining experience at Mill Pond Steakhouse, where the views rival the flavors.
• Jazz Festival Opening Night: The festival begins the evening of the 9th at Gallery 537, a vibrant arts hub in the heart of downtown Camden. Plan to arrive early enough to catch one of the opening sets.

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Friday, October 10 — Big Weekend Kickoff

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Daytime

• Start your morning with a caffeine boost at one of our three local coffee shops: American Patriot Coffee Company, Books on Broad & Coffee or Not A Corner Café.
• Explore any number of activities to be found in Camden and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re into nature, history or shopping and strolling your way through a destination, Camden has what you’re looking for.
  • Nature lovers can reconnect with the outdoors on blueways, greenways, parks and more. Check out Goodale State Park or any one of Camden’s three riverfront parks – Margaret H. Lloyd Preserve, Camden Riverfront Environmental Park and the Wateree River Veterans Park. Want to get out on big water? Head to Lake Wateree State Park to experience more than 13,000 acres of water and 242 miles of shoreline.
  • History buffs can deep dive into a mecca for Revolutionary War history, culture, artifacts and lore. Camden brings history to life in indoor and outdoor museums, archives, battlefields, exhibits and markers, tours and trails, interactive educational programs and workshops, and expert storytellers who you will meet along the way.
  • Looking for a little retail therapy? Check out Broad Street, better known to those in the know as “Antique Street,” with shops filled to the brim with treasures waiting to be discovered. Or, explore our cultural offerings in fine art galleries, artist studios and cooperatives, pottery studios and more.
• Grab lunch at one of our locally owned and operated restaurants. A few options to get you started: The Loopy Lemon Café, Every Day Gourmet, Blackmon’s Little Midget Family Drive-In, Haile Street Grill or check out the newly opened Greener Pastures Brewing Company, Camden’s first and only brewery!

Evening

• Jazz Festival Night 2: The festival continues at Gallery 537. Expect soulful sounds, cool vibes and unforgettable memories.
• Southern Gothic Night 1:
  • Folklore & Legends Lantern Tour: From 7 – 8 pm, step into the shadows of Camden’s storied past with this guided lantern tour through Historic Camden Foundation’s haunted grounds. You’ll hear chilling tales of ghosts and ghoulish stories passe down through generations of Southern folklore.
  • Spooky Street Concert: From 7:00 – 9:30 pm, there is a haunting street concert on Rutledge Street to open the festival proper. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy special menus and festival discounts at participating downtown businesses.
• Wind down with night cap at Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge or Broad & Vine or a quiet stroll through downtown Camden, perhaps with a ghost-lit walk or haunted-history reflection in mind (since you’ll be in Gothic mode anyway).

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Saturday, October 11 — The Big Overlap Day

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This is your “all-in” day — plan early, move efficiently, and pace yourself.

Morning

• Horse & Hound Expo opens at 9:00 AM at Springdale Racecourse, home of the legendary Carolina and Colonial Cup Steeplechase Races. Expect a full day of programming across the grounds, featuring live demos, family-friendly activities and expert presentations. Explore the lively vendor marketplace featuring tack, gun dog gear, handmade goods and apparel, and more.

Midday

• Around lunchtime (11 am – 5 pm), carve out a break to head back toward downtown Camden and stop by the Revolutionary War Visitor Center to catch a Southern Gothic panel, author talk, or book signing. The Saturday schedule includes panels, readings, and possibly ghost or folklore-themed sessions.
• The Jazz Festival’s The Finale on the Town Green kicks off at 3 pm. Kids are free, so bring the whole family if you’re looking to enjoy some smooth or upbeat jazz, depending on the artist.

Evening

• Southern Gothic evening events — the After Party will begin at 7 pm at Greener Pastures Brewing Company, featuring Backline performing a gothic-bluegrass set. Enjoy drink specials at the brewery and surrounding participating downtown businesses. Bring your Southern Gothic Festival Passport and you could receive a free festival tote bag. Prefer to keep the spookiness going? Head back down to Historic Camden Foundation for a Haunts & Spirits Tour from 7:00 – 8:30 pm to immerse yourself in Camden’s haunted past.
• The Jazz Festival’s The Finale on the Town Green: the Jazz Festival’s final day runs from 3 pm until 10 pm. Wind down a fun-filled Saturday with the rhythm and melody of The Delegation Quartet, RAPHA and The Dick Goodwin Band. Kids are free.

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Sunday, October 12 — Wind Down with Polo & Reflection or Seek Thrills

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• Start your morning with a leisurely brunch at B.Colson in Camden, reflect on the weekend’s highlights, or revisit a favorite spot downtown.
• From 11:30 am until 4 pm, head out to the Camden Charity Polo Cup, typically beginning at 1:00 PM. Enjoy the match, the halftime “divot stomp,” and the genteel atmosphere of polo at the Camden Polo Field. Proceeds go to benefit the mission of Hickory Top Farm.
• Have a need for speed? Head out to Carolina Motorsports Park, the road racing center of the Carolinas, and hop in a go-kart. Kart rentals are open to the public from 12 – 5 pm on Sunday, October 12.
• All the spookiness got you in the Halloween spirit a little early? Take the kids over to Trick or Treat in the haunted Colonial Village at Historic Camden Foundation. The event runs from 4 – 7 pm and will feature a nature trail scavenger hunt, games, stories and hay rides. There will be live music in McCaa’s Tavern by Jim Graddick & Michael “Covey” Covington and admission is free! Food & Drinks available for purchase.
• Depart Camden at your leisure, perhaps with a lingering stop at a local café or a final stroll through historic streets.

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🚗 Logistics & Tips for Making It Work

Here are tips to make this ambitious weekend smoother:

Tickets & Entry

• Southern Gothic: Most panels and talks are free and first-come, first-served. The Ghost Tours are ticketed and tend to sell out—reserve early.
• Horse & Hound:
  • Denim & Diamonds Gala (Friday evening, October 10): ~$150 per ticket.
  • Expo (Saturday, October 11): General admission ~$25, children 12 & under free.
  • Polo Match (Sunday, October 11): general admission ~$30, tailgate and hospitality packages also available.
• Jazz Festival: Thursday and Friday tickets are $25 per person and include heavy hors d’oeuvres by local favorite Every Day Gourmet. Seating inside Gallery 537 is limited, so purchase your tickets early. Saturday tickets at Town Green are $15 for adults and kids are free.

What to Pack / Wear

• Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be moving between venues, downtown streets, and Expo grounds).
• Layers — October can be warm by day, cool at night.
• A small backpack or tote for carrying water, snacks, and any books or festival swag.
• A lawn chair or blanket for attending outdoor events.
• A camera or smartphone for capturing moments.

✍ Final Thoughts & Recommendations

If your goal is to experience all three events in one weekend, here’s what I’d recommend as a mindset:

• Prioritize quality over quantity: It’s better to fully enjoy a few flagship panels or performances than to frantically race from one to the next.
• Be flexible: Allow room for spontaneity — maybe a book signing runs late, or you overhear a local musician downtown and stop in.
• Plan early: Reserve the Ghost Tours or ticketed performances in advance. Know your routes between venues.
• Recharge between events: A quiet pause over coffee or an early evening stroll can help you reset for the next session.
• Embrace the experience: One weekend like this is a sensory overload — the flicker of Gothic tales, the clip-clop of hoofbeats, the saxophone’s murmur. Let yourself slip into the rhythm.