Looking for a fun, family-friendly adventure? Look no further than Sumter's Iris Festival, one of South Carolina's longest-running festivals and one of the Southeast's top-rated events! This 3-day celebration is packed with excitement for all ages-live concerts, arts and crafts, vibrant plants and flowers, a showcase of antique and classic cars, exciting contests, and plenty of activities just for kids.

The festivities kick off the night before with the charming "Crowning of the King and Queen" ceremony, followed by the delicious "Taste at the Gardens," featuring live music and mouthwatering dishes from the area's finest restaurants, chefs, and caterers.

With its growing popularity, the Iris Festival has become a must-visit destination, drawing bus tours from across the U.S. and Canada. It’s earned praise from top publications like Southern Living and Southern Travel and Lifestyle and enjoys widespread coverage on TV, radio, social media, and travel websites.

Set in the stunning Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, South Carolina-a TripAdvisor® Top Performing Attraction-the festival offers an unforgettable experience amid breathtaking natural beauty. Recognized as a Top Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society and the U.S. by the American Bus Association, this cherished tradition is ready to delight your whole family. Don’t miss it!

Schedule of events

May 15, 2025

6:00 PM
- Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting - Garden Street Stage
- Crowning the King and Queen of the Iris Festival - Garden Street Stage
- Butterfly Release - Garden Street Stage

6:15 - 9:00 PM
- The Taste at the Gardens Starts - Garden Street Stage
- Entertainment by DJ Howie D - Garden Street Stage
- Boat Rides - Garden Street Dock

May 16, 2025

9:00 - 11:00 AM- Tandem Health Screenings - Visitors Center

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM- Children's Art in the Park - Behind Main Stage

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM- All Vendors Open

Education Day
- Pollination Investigation: Check in at the Visitors Center
- Boat Rides - Garden Street Dock

Internal Festival Trolley Cart Available, Stops are:

Visitors Center

Behind Main Stage

Garden Street Boat Dock

RTA Shuttle Buses from Parking Lots Available, Stops are:

Visitors Center

Garden St Gate

Heath Pavilion

Sumter County Civic Center

- Children's Carnival - Playground and Garden Street Areas
- Unleash Your Wild Side - Garden Street Area
- DNR Archery - Garden Street Area
- RFK Racing Show Car and Driving Simulator - Garden Street Area
- DJ Party with Parks - Garden Street Stage

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM- Line Dancing - Main Stage

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

12:00 - 1:00 PM- Violinist Martina Williams - Dock Stage

1:00 - 2:00 PM- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

1:00 - 3:00 PM- Kevin Jarvis - Dock Stage

3:00 - 6:00 PM- Kids In America Concert - Main Stage

4:00 - 5:00 PM- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

May 17, 2025

9:00 - 10:00 AM- Parade Line Up - USC Sumter, University Drive

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM- 12th Annual Spring Blast Classic Rides Show by the Head Turnerz Car Club
Registration 9 AM - 12 PM - Heath Pavilion Parking Lot
Viewing and Judging 12:00 - 3:00 PM - Heath Pavilion Parking Lot

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM- Iris Festival Parade, Presented by Prisma Health, Hosted by the Evening Optimist Club - USC Sumter to Sumter Civic Center

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM- Lucky Paws Pet Adoption - Iris Market

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

- Children's Art in the Park Behind Main Stage
- Safe Kids - Children's Playground Area

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM- All Vendors Open

- Pollination Investigation: Check in at the Visitors Center
- Boat Rides - Garden Street Dock
- Children's Carnival - Playground and Garden Street Areas
- Unleash Your Wild Side - Garden Street Area
- DNR Archery - Garden Street Area
- RFK Racing Show Car and Driving Simulator - Garden Street Lawn
- DJ Party with Parks - Garden Street Stage

 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Internal Festival Trolley Cart Available, Stops are:

Visitors Center

Behind Main Stage

Garden Street Boat Dock

RTA Shuttle Buses from Parking Lots Available, Stops are:

Visitors Center

Garden St Gate

Heath Pavilion

Sumter County Civic Center

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM- Over The Moon Stilt Walkers - Roaming Entertainment

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM- The Hartsville Bubble Guy - Roaming Entertainment

12:00 - 1:00 PM
- Introduction of the Iris Festival Queens and King - Main Stage
- Violinist Martina Williams - Dock Stage

1:00 - 2:00 PM
- 803 Fresh, Boots on the Ground - Main Stage
- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

1:00 - 3:00 PM- Kevin Jarvis - Dock Stage

2:00 - 3:00 PM- Special Guest Appearances with Moonless International Film Festival - Main Stage

3:00 - 5:00 PM- 803 Fresh, Boots on the Ground - Garden Street Stage

3:00 - 6:00 PM- Frank Fickling - Dock Stage

4:00 - 5:00 PM -- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

4:00 - 6:00 PM- Last Chance Classic Rock Band - Main Stage

May 18, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 AM- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM- Lucky Paws Pet Adoption - Iris Market

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- All Vendors Open
- Pollination Investigation: Check in at the Visitors Center
- Boat Rides - Garden Street Dock

Internal Festival Trolley Cart Available, Stops are:

Visitors Center

Behind Main Stage

Garden Street Boat Dock

RTA Shuttle Buses from Parking Lots Available, Stops are:

Visitors Center

Garden St Gate

Heath Pavilion

Sumter County Civic Center

- Children's Carnival - Playground and Garden Street Areas
- Unleash Your Wild Side - Garden Street Area
- DNR Archery - Garden Street Lawn
- RFK Racing Show Car and Driving Simulator - Garden Street Lawn
- DJ Party with Parks - Garden Street Stage

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

- The Sunday Car Show hosted by the Blinking Buzzards Car Club. Registration is open until 1:30 PM. Golf cart class and a race car class - Heath Pavilion Parking Lot

12:00 - 1:00 PM

- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

- Mark Lippard - Juggler and Unicyclist Show - Roaming Entertainment

1:00 - 2:00 PM- Mark Lippard - Juggler and Unicyclist Show - Main Stage

1:00 - 3:00 PM- The Hartsville Bubble Guy - Roaming Entertainment

2:00 - 3:00 PM- Mark Lippard - Juggler and Unicyclist Show - Roaming Entertainment

2:00 - 5:00 PM- Frank Fickling - Dock Stage

3:00 - 4:00 PM- The Spoon Man - Roaming Entertainment

3:00 - 5:00 PM- Green Swamp Collective - Main Stage

3:30 - 4:00 PM- Diaper Derby - Field Beside Visitors Center

Date : May 15-18,2025

Location :Various Venue, Sumter, SC

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