SC has spring festivals for every interest. Here are 29 to consider in 2026
If you’re looking for a spring festival, South Carolina communities have quite a lineup from all-things Irish to sweet potatoes to grits, even waffles.
Plus, the longest continuous festival in the state, the May 15-17 Iris Festival, continues in Sumter.
Here are some of what communities near you have planned, as listed on sciway.net.
March 7 Irish Fest Camden
Celtic music, Irish dancing, bagpipes and drums, kids zone, vendors, food trucks. And it wouldn’t be a festival without Irish whiskey tasting.
March 14 St. Pat’s in Five Points
Get to the Green Race, parade, live music, children’s carnival. It is the Midlands’ largest annual street festival and the Southeast’s biggest one-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Founded in 1983 by Five Points merchants—Duncan MacRae (Yesterday’s Restaurant & Tavern), Steve Gibson (Peddler Steak House), Chuck Pettit (Columbia Jaycees), and Tony Latella (PYA Monarch). It has donated more than $1.3 million to local charities.
March 14 Greenville St. Patrick’s Day
A parade followed by the festival with live music, vendors, booths, food, and beer - raising funds for St. Baldrick’s Foundation for children’s cancer.
March 21 SC Waffle Fest
Waffle eating and tossing contests, plus live music, kids’ zone, vendors - hosted by the City of Liberty.
March 21 Sumter Springfest
Live music, local food - benefits United Way Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties.
March 21 Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival
Picnicking, blossom-viewing, plein air art, handcrafted artwork, food vendors, and more - hosted by the Town of Irmo.
March 22 The Big Nosh
Jewish food festival features favorite noshes, take-out available, bake sale and tours about Jewish traditions and practices, 6719 N Trenholm Rd, Columbia.
March 26-29 Tartan Day South Celtic Festival
Music, dance, athletic competitions, pipe bands and demonstrations - benefiting the River Alliance, Cayce.
April 10-12 World Grits Festival
Parade, carnival, grits grinding, 5K run, grit eating contest, “Rolling in Grits” contest, St. George.
April 11 Mac Arnold Cornbread & Collard Greens Blues Festival
Blues and R&B artist Mac Arnold hosts his annual festival, plus Jeep Jam, Spring Market, food, and family fun, Fountain Inn.
April 16-25 Come-See-Me Festival
10-day festival includes parades, frog jump, fireworks, food, road race, bbq cook-off, live music, and many kids’ activities, Rock Hill.
April 16-19 euphoria’s Spring Fest
4-day food, wine, and music festival at various venues - benefits local charitable organizations, Greenville.
April 17-18 Pork in the Park
Barbecue competition, kids’ inflatables and activities, live music, Newberry.
April 17-18 Meeting Street Music Fest
Bands, local food and drinks, West Columbia.
April 18-19 Columbia International Festival
Performances, demonstrations, food, exhibits, artifacts from various cultures and countries.
April 24-25 Colleton County Rice Festival
Music, bicycle race, parade, crafts, cooking contest, fireworks, dog show, kids’ carnival, Walterboro.
April 25 Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival
Parade, live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, health fair, kids fun zone, Hopkins.
April 26 Sharpvue Irmo International Festival
Features cultures from around the world with music, performances, food trucks, kids zone, car show, vendors.
May 1-2 SC Strawberry Festival
Entertainment, rides, car show, tractor show, eating contests, food trucks, fireworks, Fort Mill.
May 1-2 BirdFest
Music festival, plus outdoor activities at the Wildlife Education Center - partnering with the SC Waterfowl Association, Pinewood.
May 2 Rosewood Crawfish Festival
Fresh crawfish and other Cajun cuisine, live music, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities, food trucks, Columbia.
May 7-10 South Carolina Poultry Festival
Parade, contests, car show, live music, 5K, carnival rides, fireworks, best chicken cooking contest, Batesburg-Leesville.
May 15-17 Iris Festival
SC’s oldest continuous festival consistently ranks as a top Southeastern festival includes concerts, arts and crafts, plants, classic car shows, contests, lots of children’s activities, Sumter.
May 15-17 Greek Festival
Music, folk dancing, children’s rides, arts and crafts, and lots of food - admission tickets benefit Trailhead Community Farm School, Greenville.
May 16-17 Festival at the Friars’ Gate
Renaissance fair with period entertainment and interactive experiences, themed foods, vendors - costumes encouraged but not required, Irmo.
May 16 Mountain Roots Herb Festival
Workshops, live music, local artisan vendors and more at Hagood Mill - bring your lawn chairs, Pickens.
May 21-24 Black Cowboy Festival
Workshops, demonstrations, trail ride, dancing, live music, rodeo, Rembert.
May 22-23 Gallabrae, Greenville Scottish Games
Great Scot Parade downtown Greenville on Friday - Saturday is heavy athletics, car show, bagpipes, border collie trials, highland dancing, Furman University, Greenville.
May 22-24 Original Gullah Festival
Entertainment, food, local tours, workshops, vendors, Beaufort.