St. Pat’s in Five Points official kickoff event set for Thursday, Feb. 27
February 26, 2025
Dyeing the Five Points Fountain green, children’s activities, Irish music and dance performances
The St. Pat’s in Five Points Official Kickoff event is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Five Points Fountain main plaza, 747 Saluda Ave., in Columbia, South Carolina. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
This year’s event is presented by the Fountain Division of W.P. Law, Inc.
“The Official Kickoff event is a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate the camaraderie that makes Columbia’s St. Pat’s season so special,” says Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “Plus, there’s just something magical about watching the fountain turn green—it’s the sign that St. Pat’s is just around the corner.”
Official Kickoff Event Details
This family-friendly event is a preview for the fun to come at St. Pat’s in Five Points and will feature:
- Dyeing the Five Points Fountain green at 5:45 p.m.
- Performances by:
- Palmetto Pipes and Drums (traditional Irish bagpipe music).
- Connick School of Irish Dance.
- DJ Voodoo Child.
- Children’s activities: Ladybug’s Face Painting, crafts and more.
- Free event T-shirts provided by event sponsor, The Fountain Division of W.P. Law, Inc.
For additional information about the Official Kickoff, visit https://stpatscolumbia.com/
St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival Details
The 2025 St. Pat’s in Five Points festival, scheduled for Saturday, March 15, will feature a variety of local, regional and national acts across multiple stages, including headlining performances from Lettuce, Shane Smith and The Saints, The Stews and Badfish. Columbia-based recording artist, producer, entrepreneur and hip-hop activist Master Splnta will return as this year’s host.
For a complete list of bands, visit https://stpatscolumbia.com/
In addition to live music, the festival features a variety of vendors, food trucks, artisans and family-friendly attractions, including:
- Get to the Green 5K/10K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Devine Street near the festival entrance. Registration includes a “Get to the Green” race shirt and medal along with festival entry.
- St. Pat’s Parade begins at 10 a.m. and covers a one-mile route that starts at Devine Street and Sims Avenue and ends on College Street.
- Pot O’Gold Playland, a children’s area offering balloon artistry, face painting, rides and more, will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Andy’s Deli parking lot at 2005 Greene St.
- The Saint mocktail lounge returns this year near the Greene Street entrance.
- Logan’s Inflatable Irish Pub will join the festival’s Irish Alley on Devine Street.
Tickets to the festival can be purchased online at StPatsColumbia.com.
- General admission
- Advance tickets: $30 until midnight on March 14.
- Gate price: $35 on March 15.
- Hornitos Lucky Leprechaun VIP Lounge
- Location: Corner of Harden Street and Saluda Avenue, in front of the Postcard Mural.
- Price: $125 per ticket (limited quantities).
- Saluda’s and Tito’s Ultra Premium VIP Experience
- Location: Saluda’s Restaurant, 751 Saluda Ave.
- Price: $200 per ticket (very limited quantities).
The 2024 St. Pat’s in Five Points festival welcomed more than 32,000 attendees of all ages from across the Midlands region and beyond. Additionally, 2,237 participants from 14 states, ranging in ages from under 18 to over 65 years old, took part in last year’s Get to the Green race.
The festival brings in approximately $12.7 million to the City of Columbia and Richland County, allowing the Five Points Association the opportunity to give back to the community that has been its biggest supporter. Throughout the event’s 42-year history, the Five Points Association has donated more than $1.3 million to local charities.
For more information, visit StPatsColumbia.com or follow the festival on Facebook @StPatsinFivePoints and Instagram @stpatsinfivepoints. To learn more about sponsorships, vendor or parade applications and/or volunteering, please email [email protected].
About St. Pat’s in Five Points
Set in the vibrant Five Points district of Columbia S.C., St. Pat’s in Five Points is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in the Southeast, drawing 32,000+ attendees of all ages from across the region and beyond. The annual event showcases a diverse lineup of musical acts across multiple stages and also features a variety of vendors, food trucks, artisans and family-friendly attractions, including the Pot O’ Gold Playland, the Get to the Green race and the St. Pat’s Parade. Originally conceived by Duncan MacRae of Yesterday’s Restaurant & Tavern, Steve Gibson of Peddler Steak House, Chuck Pettit of the Columbia Jaycees and Tony Latella of PYA Monarch, St. Pat’s in Five Points is a Columbia tradition known for its fun atmosphere and focus on giving back to the Midlands community. To date, the Five Points Association has donated more than $1.3 million to local charities.
About the Five Points Association
Founded in 1983, the Five Points Association is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the growth and evolution of Five Points, a one-of-a-kind commercial and residential district that is home to more than 100 businesses. Led by an executive director and governed by a board of directors, the Five Points Association oversees the efforts to promote, grow and support the Five Points district. The Five Points Association oversees the district’s events, development, clean and safe team and beautification projects. Visit https://fivepointscolumbia.com to learn more.
