The Sea Island Christmas Rice Cooking Contest is a vibrant event that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of the Gullah people, who brought rice to the United States and transformed South Carolina into a wealthy colony before the Revolutionary War. This high-energy competition is a highlight of the annual Sea Island Christmas Celebration, offering free rice samples from competitors and featuring celebrity chefs.Event Details
Sea Island Christmas Rice Cooking Contest: A Celebration of Gullah Culinary Heritage
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Location: Chambers Waterfront Park in Historic Beaufort, SC
- Featured Guest: Lowcountry Celebrity Chef BJ Dennis will be a featured guest.
- Prizes: In 2025, the contest will offer over $7,500 in total prizes and awards, with a $3,000 grand prize for adults and a $500 top prize for participants aged 17 and under in the “Da’ Chillin’ Rice Cookoff”.
Part of a Larger Celebration
The Rice Cooking Contest is a key part of the broader Sea Island Christmas Celebration Weekend, which takes place from December 4-7, 2025, in Historic Beaufort, SC. Other festivities during this weekend include:
- Christmas Wish…Freedom! Musical: An interactive full-stage musical depicting the last Christmas before the Civil War in 1860, focusing on Gullah customs through music, reenactments, and narration. It will be performed on Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the USCB Center for the Performing Arts.
- Christmas Marketplace: Offering unique holiday gifts, authentic Lowcountry flavors, and live music. It opens Friday, December 5, at USCB Center for the Performing Arts (5:30–9:30 PM) and continues Saturday, December 6, at Chambers Waterfront Park (10:00 AM–6:00 PM).
- Lowcountry Energy & Environment Symposium: A free event on December 5, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the USCB Center for the Arts, focusing on green and renewable energy opportunities.
- A Gullah Christmas Sunday: Worship & Explore: On Sunday, December 7, 2025, visitors can experience worship and fellowship at historic Gullah congregations.
- Other Activities: The weekend also includes a cultural symposium, line dancing, and a festive boat parade.
For more information on event details, schedules, and ticket options, visit the Gullah Kinfolk Traveling Theater website.
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