JerryFest returns to Five Points October 4 for a free day of music, community and good vibes

A free outdoor concert held annually in Five Points will feature regional music acts, two stages, artisan vendors, a Lil’ Hippie Corner and more.

JerryFest, a FREE outdoor concert annually held on the first Sunday in October, returns October 4, 2026, to celebrate twelve years calling Five Points home and will once again feature regional music acts on two stages. JerryFest runs from 12:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Five Points main fountain. Multiple bands will be performing Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead music, along with the addition of other jam-band favorites.

JerryFest originated to commemorate the life and art of Jerry Garcia. Rock guitarist and musical icon, Garcia was best known as the lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead that inspired legions of followers known as “Deadheads.” The last time the Grateful Dead performed in Columbia was on Halloween 1985 at the Carolina Coliseum. Every year, JerryFest aims to recreate that atmosphere in Five Points.

Housed in various bars and clubs, JerryFest, began over twenty years ago by Five Points’ local mom and pop hippie shop – Loose Lucy’s. In 2014, the owners of Loose Lucy’s – Don and Jenn McCallister – brought the festival to the Five Points Association because they had not found a venue that just felt “right” and decided that Five Points was the best place to call the festival’s permanent home. Amassing over 500 attendees in that first year, it has remained one of Five Points’ signature events for the past twelve years and has grown steadily.

The festival footprint expanded from the fountain plaza and Saluda Avenue in 2018 with the addition of the 2000 Block of Greene Street, to accommodate the 1,200+ attendees to the Five Points village. In 2022, the festival swelled with 2000+ festival goers. In 2023, the festival expanded once again to include a second stage, a “Lil’ Hippie Corner”, and more fun for the entire family to enjoy.

JerryFest in Five Points will feature five bands across two stages —

Greene Street Stage:

• TenMileRide pays tribute to the Grateful Dead’s improvisational legacy by performing set-length instrumental excursions, honoring the unexpected. George Fetner, known for leading his bandmates on adventurous Grateful Dead excursions over the past decade, recognized a new opportunity to delve deeper into the realms of American improvisational music. Rather than treading familiar ground with cover band renditions, Fetner and his collaborators opted for a bold departure towards pure improvisation, utilizing themes from the Dead's repertoire as guiding beacons amidst a sea of musical exploration. – Grateful Web. The response to TenMileRide has been resoundingly positive, with sold-out performances at the Nickelodeon Theater for “Meetup at the Movies” and appearances at Florence, SC's Grateful Dog Festival. Since 2023, TenMileRide has been the house band at Columbia's revamped Jerry Fest, performing between main stage acts throughout the day. The ensemble has quickly become a fixture in the local scene, sharing stages with other original acts and Grateful Dead tribute bands, earning acclaim for their boundary-pushing approach to The Dead’s legacy.
• WOLPH – Wolph is old meets new. Formed three years ago by recent high school grads Dylan Stickle and Joshua Wright, their covers and originals channel the improvisational spirit of the Grateful Dead and other classic jam bands blending them with other modern sounds. Their work has even gained the attention of various industry names including Widespread Panics’s Dave Schools who is producing their original music in the studio. Every Wolph show is unique- be sure to catch them at an upcoming show near you!
• Stillhouse- Formed in 2004, Stillhouse has grown into one of Columbia’s longest-established bands on the local music scene. Drawing from multiple influences, this six-piece ensemble is best known for its powerful harmonies, improvisational skills, and onstage chemistry. Their sets feature original material woven seamlessly in and out of often-unexpected cover tunes by a wide range of artists from the world of Americana, country, blues, rock, and even 70’s pop. Their passion for live performance is evident at every Stillhouse show: This band not only loves the music they play but they love making music with one another, a combination that has created joyful, dancing audiences for 21 years and counting…
• Frankly Scarlet- Frankly Scarlet is a band of seasoned musicians from Atlanta, GA that play the music of the Grateful Dead and they put their own “fingerprint” on it. “When we are playing together…We are really listening to each other and we are having meaningful, musical conversation to create our own interpretation of The Grateful Dead.” We are life-long Deadheads. For us it is more than just the music, it is a lifestyle, a way of conducting yourself. The Grateful Dead has touched and shaped our lives in beautiful ways and for that we are honored and humbled to play this incredible music for our fans. We love feeling the energy between us and the audience. There’s nothing better than being part of the magic that happens at shows. “We look forward to seeing YOU at our next one..HEY NOW!!”

CJ’s Stage Band (throughout the day):

• BOMA – Your uncle’s favorite jam band’s favorite jam band

“JerryFest is one of those events that just feels like Five Points,” said Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “It’s laid-back, a little funky, full of great music and brings people together from all over the Midlands and beyond. You don’t have to be a Deadhead to have a great time at JerryFest, you just need to come ready to enjoy the music, community, and the Five Points vibe.”

In addition to the two stages of music:

• Retro video games at The Game Room (738 Harden St) with Rock Band 2
• Lil’ Hippie Corner, a kids’ friendly zone featuring face painting, flower crowns, tie-dying, and friendship bracelet making stations, and more!
• Food trucks
• Artisan Craft Vendors

Festival Vendors:

• Barnbites
• Bright Star
• Drifter Merch
• Dust & Sunshine
• Grateful Fred
• Go-N-Nutz
• Hippy Do Da
• Honey Creek Pottery
• Homeys Head Vibes
• Les Bijoux
• Mahjal’s Filipino Food
• Nessy’s Naturals
• Pelican’s SnoBalls
• Reba’s Dancing Dyes
• Ruffled Rooster Co
• Something Special By Hope
• Sweet GG’s
• Teriyaki Madness
• Zinnialou
• Zosh LLC

Admission is FREE to the festival. JerryFest has a “No Pet Policy” (except for service animals).
Please leave your furry friends at home.

This year’s festival is presented by the Five Points Association and Loose Lucy’s. We are also grateful for our Community Partners:

• A Little Happy
• Breakpoint Cola
• Carolina Law Group
• Keisler Insurance Group
• The Mad Platter
• CJ’s
• CCNB
• Renewal by Andersen
• Saluda’s
• Southern Crown Partners
• Tutwieler Dawkins, LLC
• City of Columbia
• Experience Columbia

About Richland County

For more information on JerryFest, please follow the festival on Facebook @FivePointsJerryFest and Instagram @fivepointsjerryfest. To learn more about sponsorships and/or volunteering, please email [email protected]. Vendor applications are closed for this year’s festival.

About JerryFest in Five Points

Since 2014, the event has welcomed around 1,800 to the Five Points village for a family- and pet- friendly afternoon of fellowship and music along with artisan crafts, food, beverage, and bohemian merchandise vendors. JerryFest started to commemorate the life and art of Jerry Garcia. Rock guitarist and musical icon Garcia was best known as the lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead that inspired legions of followers known as “Deadheads.”

About Loose Lucy’s

Loose Lucy’s, located at 709 Saluda Avenue in Five Points, is Columbia’s original “mom-and-pop hippie shop.” They offer the best quality tie-dyes, rock tees, incense, tapestries, decals, posters, and funky, festive fashions, jewelry, and home décor at kind prices.

About the Five Points Association

As an advocate for the district’s businesses, the Five Points Association strives to guide development and improvements that will enhance the vitality of Five Points. The Five Points Association also works diligently to promote Five Points to Columbia and beyond while cultivating inclusivity internally as a neighborhood. Evident by over 100 years of history, viability and recognition as an iconic locale, the success of Five Points would not be possible without the reciprocating support between the neighboring businesses, support staff, partners and companionship of the City of Columbia andRichland County. Visit https://fivepointscolumbia.com to learn more.