Your Guide to the 44th Annual St. Pat's in Five Points Festival

From the parade and races to live music and food, here's what to expect at Columbia's biggest St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The 44th annual St. Pat's in Five Points festival returns to Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The day-long celebration features a parade, 10K and 5K races, a food hall, family activities, and over 25 live music acts performing across six stages in the Five Points neighborhood.

Why it matters

St. Pat's in Five Points has grown from a small neighborhood celebration into one of the largest St. Patrick's Day festivals in the state, drawing thousands of revelers to the Five Points district each year. The festival highlights the community spirit and local culture of Columbia while also providing economic benefits to the area through increased tourism and consumer spending.

The details

The festival kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with the Get to the Green road races, including a 10K, 5K, and 1-Mile Family Fun Run. The St. Pat's Parade begins at 10 a.m., led by this year's Grand Marshal, Elizabeth as Taylor, a Taylor Swift tribute performer. Other parade highlights include the Ancient Order of Hibernians bagpipe and drum corps. The festival grounds open at 10 a.m. and feature a new centralized food hall called The Lucky Fork, the family-friendly Pot O' Gold Playland, and the alcohol-free Saint Mocktail Lounge. Over 25 musical acts will perform across six stages, including headliners Grace Potter, Switchfoot, and local favorites The Creekers and Congress the Band.

  • The Get to the Green road races start at 7:30 a.m. on March 14, 2026.
  • The St. Pat's Parade begins at 10 a.m. on March 14, 2026.
  • The festival grounds open at 10 a.m. on March 14, 2026.

The players

Elizabeth as Taylor

The Grand Marshal of the 2026 St. Pat's in Five Points Parade, known for her energetic Taylor Swift tribute performances.

Ancient Order of Hibernians

A group of 12 bagpipers and 5 drummers who will make a 30-second stop for a concert during the parade.

The Creekers

A Kentucky bluegrass-country band that reached #5 on Spotify's Viral 50 USA chart in 2025 with their song "Tennessee".

Congress the Band

A rising South Carolina group returning to St. Pat's ahead of 2026 appearances at Bonnaroo and Shaky Knees music festivals.

Grace Bowers

A teenage blues guitar phenom arriving in Columbia hot off her appearance at Paris Fashion Week.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

St. Pat's in Five Points has evolved from a small neighborhood celebration into one of South Carolina's largest and most anticipated annual festivals, showcasing the community spirit, local culture, and economic vitality of Columbia's Five Points district.