JerryFest Returns to Five Points Sunday
Break out the tie-dye, Columbia! JerryFest is back, bringing the music and spirit of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead to Five Points this Sunday, November 8.
Originally scheduled for October 4, Mother Nature had other plans. But the wait is almost over, and JerryFest is ready to make up for lost time with eight hours of live music, local vendors, great food and plenty of good vibes.
Best of all? It’s absolutely FREE.
Presented by the Five Points Association and Loose Lucy’s, the festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. with five bands performing across two stages in the heart of Columbia’s historic Five Points district.
Five Bands. Two Stages. One Long, Strange Trip.
Whether you’ve been following the Dead for decades or just appreciate great musicians getting together and jamming, JerryFest has something for you.
Here’s who’s playing:
- 12–1:30 PM: Mother of Twins
- 2–3:30 PM: Stillhouse
- 4–5:30 PM: TenMileRide
- 6–8 PM: JGBCB (Headliner)
- Throughout the day: BOMA keeps the music flowing between sets on the Loose Lucy’s Local Stage.
Expect plenty of Grateful Dead favorites, jam-band grooves and good old-fashioned rock and roll.
Keeping Jerry Garcia’s Spirit Alive in Columbia
There’s a little local rock history behind this celebration.
The Grateful Dead last rolled through Columbia on Halloween night, 1985, performing at the Carolina Coliseum. More than four decades later, the band’s music and free-spirited culture continue to bring people together.
JerryFest began more than 25 years ago thanks to Loose Lucy’s, Five Points’ beloved independent hippie shop. What started as a grassroots tribute to Jerry Garcia eventually found a permanent home in Five Points in 2014.
Today, it’s one of the neighborhood’s favorite traditions, celebrating everything that made the Dead special: the music, the community and the freedom to just be yourself.
As Five Points Association executive director Heather McDonald puts it, JerryFest is “laid-back, a little funky, full of great music.”
And you certainly don’t have to be a Deadhead to enjoy it.
More Than Just the Music
Beyond the stages, JerryFest will feature local artisans selling handmade jewelry, tie-dye, bohemian merchandise, artwork and plenty of other unique finds.
You’ll also find food and beverage vendors, plus all the restaurants and businesses that make Five Points one of Columbia’s favorite hangouts.
Bringing the family? The Lil’ Hippie Corner offers crafts, face painting and activities for the youngest festivalgoers.
Everything You Need to Know
JerryFest 2026
- When: Sunday, November 8 | Noon–8 PM
- Where: Five Points Fountain area, Columbia, SC
- Admission: FREE!
- Music: Five bands across two stages
- Family-friendly: Yes, including the Lil’ Hippie Corner
- Pets: Please leave them at home. Service animals are permitted.
Whether you’re coming for the music, the shopping or just an excuse to spend a Sunday afternoon in Five Points, JerryFest is a great way to keep the spirit of Jerry Garcia alive.
The music never stopped. It just needed a rain check.
Get more details and festival updates at FivePointsColumbia.com/events/jerryfest.