The Southern Gothic Festival gathers a wide range of voices—writers, journalists, folklorists, historians, cultural critics, musicians, and curious minds—for two immersive days of programming in Camden.

The weekend begins with a Friday night concert in downtown Camden, setting the stage for what follows. On Saturday, the Historic Camden / Revolutionary War Park grounds host a full day of author talks, literary readings, investigative panels on true crime and Southern culture, folklore and history programs, and book signings. Alongside these conversations and concerts, festival-goers will find books to buy, artisans and craft vendors, food trucks, and exclusive Southern Gothic merchandise. The day concludes downtown with a Saturday evening bluegrass concert, bringing the community together through music and story.

While the Festival will be fun, it’s rooted in storytelling and history. It’s a space for conversation, curiosity, and narratives that blur the line between history and folklore, journalism and myth. The atmosphere comes from the place itself and the ideas it invites