What the South Carolina Pecan Festival Is
The South Carolina Pecan Festival, billed as the SC Pecan Music and Food Festival, takes over downtown Florence for one Saturday every November. It is a free street festival built around live music, food, crafts, a classic car show and, of course, pecans. Organizers describe it as the world's largest pecan festival, and the Pee Dee region's largest event, drawing more than 50,000 people a year. The most recent edition was the 21st annual festival, held Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The date of the next edition has not been announced.
The festival is run by the Florence Downtown Development Corporation. It has won Best of the Pee Dee awards, was named a 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner by Main Street America, and has been featured in Travel + Leisure Magazine Online and AAA's Go Magazine.
What You Can Do There
- Live music: nine stages of live entertainment.
- Shopping and food: more than 250 vendors in art, craft, food and commercial categories. The 2026 festival reported about 280 vendors, including 70 food vendors.
- Classic car and truck show: more than 130 vehicles in 2026, judged in a parking lot with trophies for top entries.
- Kids Fun Zone: a free play area for children.
- Pecan Pub: a pecan-themed pub experience for adults.
- Arts demonstrations and a chalk art contest.
- Giant pecan float: part of the 2026 festival.
Run Like a Nut: The Festival Races
Race morning comes first. The Run Like a Nut races are run through RunSignUp and start at 120 E. Elm Street in Florence.
| Race | Start | Early fee (to Oct. 1) | Late fee (Oct. 1 to Nov. 1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half marathon (USATF certified) | 8:00 a.m. | $70 | $80 |
| 10K | 8:30 a.m. | $40 | $50 |
| 5K | 9:00 a.m. | $30 | $40 |
The half marathon has a four-hour cutoff. Packet pickup is on race day only, beginning at 7:00 a.m. at 120 E. Elm Street.
Race awards and refunds
Every half marathon finisher gets a medal. The half marathon pays cash to the top overall male and female finishers ($100 for first, $50 for second, $25 for third) and gives awards to the top masters (age 40 and over) and the top three in each age group. In the 5K and 10K, the overall male and female winners and the top masters are recognized, and the top three in each age group receive medals. Entries made within 30 days of the race are not refundable; earlier requests may receive 50 percent of the entry fee, not counting processing fees. Entries cannot be transferred or deferred.
Where and How to Get There
The festival fills the streets of downtown Florence, SC 29501, with street closures on festival day. Admission to the festival is free. The festival website has a parking and street closures page; check it before you drive in.
Questions
Does it cost anything to get in?
No. Festival admission is free. The Run Like a Nut races charge an entry fee.
Can I enter a vehicle in the car show?
The classic car and truck show is a judged part of the festival, with trophies awarded. Contact the organizers for entry details.
Can my business or craft group be a vendor?
The festival takes art, craft, food and commercial vendors. Contact the Florence Downtown Development Corporation for vendor details.
Who do I call?
The Florence Downtown Development Corporation, 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, at (843) 665-2047.
Official Links
- SC Pecan Music and Food Festival: Florence Downtown Development Corporation event page
- Eventeny festival page: attractions, vendors and tickets
- Run Like a Nut race information: distances, fees and awards
- 2026 South Carolina Pecan Festival: festival listing
- ABC News 4 coverage: 2026 crowds, vendors and car show
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Carolina 4-H Team Cooking Challenge
State finals of the 4-H Team Cooking Challenge, scheduled for Nov. 14, 2026 in Florence.
- South Carolina Farmer and Agribusiness Convention
Two-day statewide convention of the SC Farmer and Agribusiness Association, the adult education program tied to agricultural education, held at SIMT in Florence on Jan. 22-23, 2027.
- SC Farmer and Agribusiness Convention
Two-day state convention for South Carolina FFA farmer and agribusiness supporters, scheduled for January 22-23, 2027, at the SIMT facility in Florence.
- South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup Florence
One of three regional Pinckney Leadership Roundups for 4-H teens, held Feb. 6, 2027 in Florence; Charleston follows Feb. 20 and Columbia March 6.
Florence, SC | Organizer: Clemson Extension 4-H Official event details - Pee Dee Plant & Flower Festival
Fall plant and flower sale at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market in Florence, October 2-4, 2026. The state market holds a similar festival each spring and autumn.
2513 W. Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501 | Organizer: South Carolina Department of Agriculture Official event details
All South Carolina events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.