18 local bands to play live at 15th annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival, Sat., March 1

The 15th annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival — happening Saturday, March 1, 2025, 12-7 p.m. at City Roots urban farm in the historic Rosewood neighborhood of Columbia, SC — has announced its live music schedule.

Eighteen bands from the Columbia, SC region will play across three stages throughout the festival:

Barn Stage presented by Sheppard’s Glass and CHW Cabinetry:

• 12:00 PM — Little Fires
• 1:00 PM — Capital City Playboys
• 2:00 PM — Gentle Jack
• 3:00 PM — Wombat Junction
• 4:00 PM — Les Merrry Chevaliers
• 5:00 PM — EZ Shakes

Tom Hall Stage presented by Backstreets Grill:

• 12:30 PM — Stillhouse
• 1:30 PM — Jelly Roll & Delicious Dish
• 2:30 PM — The Plowboys
• 3:30 PM — Buck Stinson
• 4:30 PM — Mustache Brothers
• 5:30 PM — 48 Fables

Ya Ya Stage presented by Whetzel’s Automotive:

• 12:00 PM — She Might Get Loud
• 1:00 PM — The Runout
• 2:00 PM — Whiskey Tango Revue
• 3:00 PM — Admiral Radio
• 4:00 PM — The Accused
• 5:00 PM — GFATS

Tickets ($10; free for kids 12 & under) are now available at MardiGrasColumbia.com.

The family-friendly festival also features beer & wine for purchase from BevSouth and Louisiana-based Abita Brewing Company, as well as food for purchase from local food trucks including Fleur de Licious Creole. Craft vendors will be on-site selling beads, jewelry, home goods and gifts, locally-rolled cigars, and more.

A free community Mardi Gras parade, led by the Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya float, kicks off festivities before the event. The public is invited to participate in walking (leashed dogs welcome!) or riding bikes or golf carts in the parade, with lineup beginning at 10 a.m. across from City Roots, along Jim Hamilton Blvd. The parade rolls promptly at 11 a.m., making its way through the Rosewood neighborhood, down Rosewood Drive, and back toward City Roots, ending at the festival gates at 12 p.m.

Non-permitted items at the festival include concealable weapons, outside food/drink, and coolers. Items permitted are small, personal bags/purses, foldable chairs, lawn blankets, strollers, and leashed, well-behaved dogs.

Hosted by the all-volunteer social group Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya, the festival is dedicated to the memory of the Krewe’s dear friend and late festival founder Tom Hall — a locally renowned attorney and arts advocate — and raises money for various local charities benefiting animals, children, and women.