Mark your calendars for the 13th annual Tartan Day South Celtic Festival featuring four days of events from Thursday, April 3rd to Sunday, April 6th, 2025, at locations in Lexington, Cayce and West Columbia, South Carolina. “We’re proud to present events and activities for all ages which honors the traditions, culture and heritage of the United Kingdom – Ireland, Scotland and England,” said John Banks, event coordinator. “The rain or shine festival will offer great Celtic music, Highland Games showcasing athletic prowess, a classic British car show, sheep dog herding, birds of prey exhibits, Irish and Highland dancing, a pub tent, wee games for children, and much more.”
To capture the flavor of the Celtic lifestyle, vendors will highlight food and drink native to Ireland, Scotland and England, along with woolen clothing in tartan plaids, custom home decor, pendants and jewelry, accessories, leather goods, metalworks, blankets and throws, among other items. There is a large display of local history that will begin to celebrate our countries 250th birthday. A Welcome Ceremony will be held during the main event at 12:00 noon on Saturday with a bagpipe and drum corp parade.
More than 25 clans will be participating, along with a number of Scottish societies and organizations. While the main event, held on Saturday at the Historic Columbia Speedway, requires admission, other events are free including the Tartan Day South Kick Off Party at Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce on Thursday evening. Drumsmoke on Saturday evening at the speedway campground and the closing ceremony, and Kirkin’ of the Tartans, at the West Columbia Amphitheater on Sunday. The admission fee for Friday’s Celtic Concert at the Icehouse Amphitheater is nominal. Tickets for all events can be purchased online. Tickets for the main event can also be purchased onsite. Main event parking is plentiful at the speedway at $5.00 per car, cash only.
Tartan Day South’s title partner is Culpeper Wood Preservers. We proudly say that Tartan Day South is built by Culpeper Wood. The festival is blessed with event funding from the City of Cayce, City of West Columbia, the Town of Lexington and Lexington County Tartan Day South annually draws more than 10,000 people. In 2024, guests traveled from 28 states beyond South Carolina. Overall, the festival generated an economic impact of $1.25 million dollars to the local economy last year.
Tartan Day South is produced with and for The River Alliance (a 501c-3). The driving force that develops projects that continue to improve the access to the incredible 90 miles of rivers that are the greatest natural resource in the heart of the Midlands of South Carolina. The River Alliance is busy with great new projects that will totally change our access to the rivers and life along the waterfront. The Second Phase of the Saluda Riverwalk is progressing. It will connect the Columbia Canal to Riverfront Park. At that point you can walk or bike from the Zoo to the State Museum and Edventure at the Gervais Street Bridge.
For more details see: www.tartandaysouth.com