Camden, SC

Local Events

Reenactments, heritage festivals, and living history programs — experience the Revolution where it happened.

Upcoming This Year

Aug

ReenactmentFeatured

Battle of Camden Anniversary Reenactment

Camden Battlefield, Camden, SC

Annual living history reenactment commemorating the August 16, 1780 Battle of Camden, one of the most significant British victories of the Revolutionary War. The event features tactical battle demonstrations, period military encampments, artillery firings, and interpretive programs highlighting the roles of General Horatio Gates, Lord Cornwallis, and Baron de Kalb, who was mortally wounded in the battle.

Varies; check with venueTypically held on a weekend near the August 16 anniversary; contact the Camden Battlefield site or Kershaw County Historical Society to confirm exact dates each year.

Aug

Ceremony

Baron de Kalb Commemoration Ceremony

Baron de Kalb Monument, DeKalb Street, Camden, SC

An annual wreath-laying and memorial ceremony honoring Major General Johann de Kalb, the Bavarian-born officer who fought valiantly and received mortal wounds at the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780. The ceremony typically takes place at the Baron de Kalb Monument in downtown Camden and includes remarks by local officials, historical society representatives, and occasionally representatives of the Society of the Cincinnati or Sons of the American Revolution.

FreeHeld on or near August 16; contact Kershaw County Historical Society or Historic Camden to confirm.

Oct

Guided Tour

Historic Camden Candlelight Tours

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 222 Broad Street, Camden, SC

Seasonal candlelight walking tours through the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, offering an atmospheric evening experience of the colonial-era fortified town. Costumed interpreters portray figures from Camden's British occupation, including soldiers, Loyalists, and patriot prisoners. Guests learn about daily life under British martial law and the events leading to the 1781 British abandonment of the post.

Small fee; reservations recommendedTypically offered in October or during the holiday season; contact Historic Camden to confirm scheduling each year.More info →

Nov

Festival

Revolutionary War Field Days at Historic Camden

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 222 Broad Street, Camden, SC

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site hosts field days featuring living history demonstrations, colonial craft activities, musket and artillery demonstrations, and guided tours of the fortified town site where British forces established their primary inland garrison in 1780–1781. Interpreters portray both Continental and British soldiers as well as civilian life on the Southern frontier.

Nominal fee; children often freeTypically held in early November as part of Historic Camden's public programming; check historiccamden.org for confirmed dates.More info →

Nov

Festival

Colonial Cup & Heritage Weekend

Springdale Race Course & Historic Camden, Camden, SC

While the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup steeplechase races are Camden's most famous annual events, the Colonial Cup weekend in autumn has historically included heritage-themed programming that highlights Camden's colonial and Revolutionary War history. Visitors can combine a day at the races with tours of Historic Camden and other Revolutionary War landmarks in the area.

Varies; race admission separate from historical site feesColonial Cup typically held in mid-November; heritage programming varies. Contact Historic Camden or the Springdale Race Course for details.More info →