FollyGras status: Not scheduled for 2027.
The Folly Association of Business ended FollyGras after the February 2019 festival, and it hasn’t returned since. If it ever comes back, we’ll update this page with the date and details.
For years, FollyGras was Folly Beach’s answer to Mardi Gras: a February street party with beads, masks, live music and a parade down Center Street. It isn’t happening right now, but there are still good ways to celebrate on and around Folly in February. Here’s what happened to FollyGras, what it was like, and what to do instead.
What Happened to FollyGras?
FollyGras was organized by the Folly Association of Business, the group behind many of the island’s festivals. It grew every year, and the last one, held February 23–24, 2019, drew more than 11,000 people. After that weekend, organizers decided the festival had simply outgrown the island and announced it would not return. The association still runs other big events, including the Sea & Sand Festival, which now fills the February slot on Center Street.
What FollyGras Was Like
Sure, Folly doesn’t have Bourbon Street, but for one weekend Center Street came close. Revelers wore brightly colored beads, masks and costumes, and the whole town turned out for the parade and nonstop street party. Restaurants and bars joined in with New Orleans-style food and drinks, and food booths served seasonal favorites like crawfish.
Local bands played all day. Past performers included Gaslight Street, Soul Fish, Shakin’ Martinis, Jordan Igoe, Ashes of Old Ways and the Nick Clyburn Band. The Folly Beach Arts and Crafts Guild held an Art in the Park fair alongside the festival, and kids had face painting and a pet parade. Admission was free, with a small wristband fee for anyone buying a drink.
Celebrating Mardi Gras Near Folly Beach in 2027
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) falls on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2027. There’s no FollyGras, but February is still a fun time to be on the island:
- Save the Light Half Marathon & 5K (Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027): run or walk a course with views of the Morris Island Lighthouse, starting near the Folly Beach Pier.
- Sea & Sand Festival (Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027): Folly’s big winter street festival on Center Street, with vendors, live music, kids’ activities and sandcastle contests.
- Dinner and drinks on the island: browse our Folly Beach restaurants for menus and hours, and ask about Fat Tuesday specials.
- Mardi Gras in the Charleston area: the Lowcountry Parrothead Club’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, a charity pub crawl with a school steel drum competition, marked its 21st year in 2026 in North Charleston’s Park Circle.
For everything else happening on the island this winter, see our Folly Beach events calendar.
Will FollyGras Ever Come Back?
Nothing has been announced. Since 2019, the island’s big festivals have included Mermaids & Mateys, Taste of Folly and Sea & Sand. If FollyGras returns in any form, we’ll post the date and details here and add it to our events calendar.
