A Travel Guide to Sumter, South Carolina's Best Concerts & Events

Experience the Iris Festival at Swan Lake

Every Memorial Day weekend, Sumter transforms into a floral wonderland during the Iris Festival, South Carolina's oldest continuous festival. Held at the breathtaking Swan Lake Iris Gardens (822 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150), this three-day event draws visitors from all over the Southeast to admire the millions of Japanese irises in bloom. The festival features concerts, arts and crafts, a car show, and plenty of food vendors. However, with tens of thousands of attendees, parking around the gardens can be incredibly difficult to find and often requires a long walk to the entrance.

Skip the parking struggle and book a private shuttle bus rental with Charter Bus Rental Company Sumter. We can drop your group off right near the festival gates, allowing you to dive straight into the festivities without circling for a spot. Whether you are a senior group looking to enjoy the gardens without the long trek from overflow parking, or a large family reunion gathering for the holiday weekend, a private charter bus ensures everyone stays together. Your driver will handle the traffic on West Liberty Street and return to pick you up whenever you are ready to head home or to a local restaurant for dinner.

Catch a Show at the Historic Sumter Opera House

For music lovers and history buffs, a visit to the Sumter Opera House (21 N Main St, Sumter, SC 29150) is an absolute must. Standing tall in downtown Sumter, this 19th-century landmark is the crown jewel of the city’s cultural scene, hosting a diverse lineup of national touring bands, comedy acts, and theatrical performances. The acoustics are phenomenal, and the intimate setting makes every seat a good one. However, downtown parking can be limited during sold-out shows, and coordinating a meetup spot for a large group can be chaotic.

Elevate your evening at the theatre by renting a stylish minibus or charter bus for your group. Start your night with a dinner reservation at a downtown eatery like Hamptons (33 N Main St, Sumter, SC 29150) or Sidebar (30 N Main St, Sumter, SC 29150), and let your driver drop you off right at the Opera House doors before the curtain rises. After the encore, there is no need to wait on the curb for multiple rideshares or walk blocks to a parking garage in the dark. Your bus will be waiting to transport you safely home or to your next destination. It’s the VIP treatment your group deserves.

Large-Scale Events at the Sumter County Civic Center

The Sumter County Civic Center (700 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150) is the hub for large-scale events in the region, hosting everything from high school graduations and trade shows to major concerts and sporting events. If you are organizing transportation for a large group—such as a school band, a corporate team attending a business expo, or a church group heading to a conference—a full-size charter bus rental is the most efficient way to travel. Trying to coordinate a caravan of personal cars into the Civic Center’s busy lots often results in separated groups and late arrivals.

With Charter Bus Rental Company Sumter, you can keep your entire roster, staff, or delegation together on one vehicle. Our 56-passenger motorcoaches offer ample undercarriage storage for equipment, booth materials, or luggage, while the cabin provides plenty of legroom and overhead storage for personal items. Utilizing a charter bus for events at the Civic Center ensures that everyone arrives at the same time, ready to participate. We can even organize a fleet of buses for massive events, managing the logistics so you can focus on the event itself.

Seasonal Magic at the Fantasy of Lights

When the holiday season rolls around, Sumter lights up with the Fantasy of Lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens (822 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150). This drive-through and walk-through light display is a beloved tradition for families and community groups. While driving your own car is an option, it splits up the group and limits the shared experience. Instead, rent a warm, climate-controlled charter bus or minibus to take your church group, extended family, or office team through the lights together.

Our buses feature large panoramic windows, offering excellent views of the twinkling displays for every passenger. You can play your favorite holiday music over the bus’s sound system and enjoy hot cocoa on board while your driver navigates the route. It transforms a standard viewing into a festive mobile holiday party. Afterward, your driver can take your group to a holiday dinner or back to a central drop-off location. It is the safest and most festive way to enjoy Sumter’s holiday spirit without the distraction of driving in stop-and-go traffic.

Corporate Outings and Team Building at eSTEAM Sumter

Sumter is growing as a hub for innovation and industry, highlighted by events like the eSTEAM Sumter Festival. This event, which takes place in downtown Sumter, celebrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. For schools and corporations, this is a prime opportunity for field trips and team-building exercises. Charter Bus Rental Company Sumter provides reliable transportation for schools across Sumter School District and local businesses looking to attend.

Forget the yellow school bus; upgrade your students or employees to a modern charter bus equipped with WiFi and power outlets. This allows students to complete worksheets digitally on the way to the festival or lets employees stay connected with the office during transit. We can arrange pickups from local schools or business parks and provide direct transportation to the festival grounds. Comfort is our top priority, and the drivers ensure a comfortable journey for passengers of all ages.

Cultural Arts at Patriot Hall

Located in the heart of the government complex, Patriot Hall (135 Haynsworth St, Sumter, SC 29150) is another premier venue for the performing arts in Sumter. It hosts everything from the Sumter Community Concert Band to dance recitals and lecture series. For senior living communities or social clubs planning an outing to a matinee or evening performance, a minibus rental offers the ultimate convenience. Accessibility is key, and we can provide ADA-compliant buses upon request to ensure every member of your group can travel comfortably.

Your driver will handle the drop-off right at the entrance, so guests do not have to worry about navigating stairs or long walkways from distant parking spots. After enjoying a dose of culture, your group can head to a local favorite like Simply Southern Bistro (65 W Wesmark Blvd, Sumter, SC 29150) for a post-show meal. With Charter Bus Rental Company Sumter, you build the itinerary, and we make it happen on your schedule.

Nightlife and Brewery Tours in Downtown Sumter

Sumter’s downtown revitalization has brought a new wave of energy to the city, including great spots for nightlife and social gatherings. If you are planning a bachelor party, a birthday celebration, or just a night out with friends, consider a private shuttle to spots like Sumter Original Brewery (2 S Main St, Sumter, SC 29150). This three-story brewery offers craft beers and rooftop views, making it a popular destination for groups. However, enjoying the local brews means you need a safe way to get home.

A bus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Sumter acts as your dedicated designated driver for the evening. We can shuttle your group from your homes or hotels to the brewery, then over to other local hangouts like J. O'Grady's (5 S Main St, Sumter, SC 29150). Everyone gets to participate in the fun without worrying about ride-share surge pricing or splitting the group into different cars. We will make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the night, making your celebration responsible and stress-free.

Book Your Sumter Event Transportation Today!

Charter Bus Rental Company Sumter has representatives available 24/7/365 to assist you with finding the best charter bus to meet your needs in Sumter, South Carolina. If you’d like a free personalized quote for your next concert trip, festival outing, or corporate event, we’re ready to help and we’d love to earn your business! You can reach us by calling 803-853-1360. You can also use our online quote tool for instant online charter bus pricing in under 30 seconds. With just a few pieces of information, you can instantly see images and prices of available vehicles in your area.

Our warm and welcoming reservation agents are here to answer your request, help you with any questions, offer you the best available deals/pricing and help you get exactly what you need. There’s no pressure to book at the time of your call, our job is to guide you throughout the process so you find what you need at a price that fits your budget. We know the Sumter area inside and out, from Shaw Air Force Base to the historic district, and we are ready to get you moving!