📍 What's Happening Columbia

Things to do in Columbia

Everything we can verify across Columbia's public calendars for the next 30 days, updated twice a day.

Wednesday, October 14

Sound Bath & Guided Relaxation

Wed, Oct 14 · Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street Main at Hampton Street, Columbia, SC

Enjoy an hour of tranquility with Juliet Hewitt, E-RYT 500 and certified integral sound practitioner.

Price: see link

Thursday, October 15

Monumental Undertakings

Thu, Oct 15–17 · Tour begins at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC

This October, join Historic Columbia’s Director of Preservation John Sherrer as he explores downtown graveyards to uncover the roles cabinetmakers, blacksmiths, and stonemasons played in 19th-century burial traditions.

Price: see link

Friday, October 16

Movie on the Horseshoe

Fri, Oct 16 · University of South Carolina Horseshoe, Four city blocks between Bull and Sumter streets, Columbia, SC

Special outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus on the historic USC Horseshoe!

Price: see link

Famously Hot SC Pride Festival

Fri, Oct 16–17 · 1010 Lincoln Street Columbia, SC 29201

Get ready to turn it up!!!

Price: see link

Saturday, October 17

Annual Carlisle Street Holiday Art Stroll

Sat, Oct 17–18 · 3140 Carlisle Street, Columbia, SC 29205

TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN 2026! This year’s 2-day format adapts to Columbia residents and day-trippers alike by offering alternative shopping days and hours to fit into busy holiday and work schedules.

Price: see link

Barktoberfest at Leisurehound Athletic Club

Sat, Oct 17 · 2801 Drayton St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Barktoberfest and Grand Opening of Leisurehound Athletic Club, an off-leash dog park and biergarten.

Price: see link

A Vibe Called Yoga Festival

Sat, Oct 17 · GatherCOLA, 2191 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC

A Vibe Called Yoga Festival is a full day celebration of movement, music, and mindfulness.

Price: see link

Benedict Football vs Edward Waters University

Sat, Oct 17 · Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, Benedict College 2000 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC

Homecoming game for the Benedict Tigers football vs Edward Waters University at 2PM

Price: see link

Italian Festival

Sat, Oct 17 · Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC

POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 17, 2026 The Italian Festival is coming to Columbia on October 10th at Finlay Park!

Price: see link

2026 Walk for Life & Famously Hot Pink 10K & 5K

Sat, Oct 17 · Segra Park, 1640 Freed Dr., Columbia, SC

For more than three decades, Prisma Health Midlands Foundation’s Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink 10k + 5K has raised more than $13.1 million to fund the latest innovative technologies, treatments and support for…

Price: see link

Sunday, October 18

Free Sunday at Robert Mills House

Sun, Oct 18 · Robert Mills House & Gardens, 1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC

The third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE!

Price: see link

Carolina 'Bye Week' Blitz Presented by Pickleball Charleston On Tour

Sun, Oct 18 · Cayce Pickleball Complex, 1500 Dunbar, Cayce, SC

Men's & Women's Doubles - Saturday Mixed Doubles - Sunday Combined DUPR 50+ & All Age Brackets Available If You Do Not Have A Rating: Please register here for your dupr member ID - https://www.dupr.com/ Register for…

Price: see link

Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Walk

Sun, Oct 18 · City of Columbia Parks and Recreation, 321 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention/South Carolina Chapter (AFSP) is hosting the annual Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Walk for everyone in the Midlands area who have been affected by suicide.

Price: see link

Thursday, October 22

South Carolina Philharmonic: Sounds of Italy

Thu, Oct 22 · City Grit, 707 Gervais St., Columbia, SC

An Italian Journey, Right Here in Columbia The South Carolina Philharmonic and CITY GRIT invite you to la dolce vita.

Price: see link

Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Seaboard Vista

Thu, Oct 22 · Seaboard Vista, 919 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC

Join Historic Columbia and Avant Holdings for a behind-the-scenes look at Seaboard Vista, a collection of historic properties that will be activated for dining, culture, creativity, and residential life in the coming…

Price: see link

Friday, October 23

Blythewood Rodeo

Fri, Oct 23–24 · Prisma Health Arena, 10433 Wilson Blvd, Blythewood, SC

The 7th Annual Blythewood Fall Championship Rodeo comes to Prisma Health Arena on October 23 & 24, 2026.

Price: see link

Dracula: Ballet with a Bite

Fri, Oct 23–24 · Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene Street, Columbia, SC

Since its thrilling premiere in 1991, Dracula: Ballet with a Bite has captivated audiences across the Southeast and remains one of South Carolina Ballet’s most popular theatrical ballet productions.

Price: see link

Ooky Spooky Tour

Fri, Oct 23 · South Carolina Military Museum, 1 National Guard Road, Columbia, SC

On October 23rd, the South Carolina Military Museum will be hosting the “Ooky Spooky Tour evening program.

Price: see link

Arts & Draughts

Fri, Oct 23 · Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street Main at Hampton Street, Columbia, SC

Your favorite museum party is back! Celebrate fall and Body Matters with an evening full of art, music, and hands-on creativity.

Price: see link

Blythewood Fall Championship Rodeo

Fri, Oct 23–24 · Prisma Health Arena, 10433 Wilson Blvd, Blythewood, SC

The 7th Annual Blythewood Fall Championship Rodeo comes to Prisma Health Arena on October 23 & 24, 2026.

Price: see link

Saturday, October 24

Nightmare In Elmwood 5k & Kids Fun Run

Sat, Oct 24 · Elmwood Park Neighborhood, 2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC

Get ready for a hauntingly good time as Elmwood Park Neighborhood presents the Nightmare In Elmwood 5K & Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 24th.

Price: see link

USC Football vs Tennessee

Sat, Oct 24 · 1010 Lincoln Street Columbia, SC 29201

USC Football vs Tennessee - start time TBA

Price: see link

Sunday, October 25

Three Rivers Bridge Dinner

Sun, Oct 25 · Gervais Street Bridge, 1010 Lincoln Street Columbia, SC 29201

Formerly known as the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner, the Prisma Health Three Rivers Bridge Dinner reflects a renewed and intentional commitment to the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree rivers—the waterways that shape the…

Price: see link

SPANISH FIRE AND SOUL!

Sun, Oct 25 · Columbia International University, 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC

Palmetto Chamber Orchestra opens 2026-27 season with eth program SPANISH FIRE AND SOUL!

Price: see link

Howl-O-Ween A Dog Owner Event

Sun, Oct 25 · Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC

Attention dog owners! Bring your fur baby out Sunday, October 25th and join us for games, giveaways, pet costume contest and photoshoots.

Price: see link

TalkDeath’s Cemetery Scavenger Hunt at Elmwood Cemetery

Sun, Oct 25 · Elmwood Cemetery & Gardens, 501 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, SC

TalkDeath’s Cemetery Scavenger Hunt encourages people to appreciate and learn about local cemeteries and their histories through a guided search of the grounds.

Price: see link

Monday, October 26

Halloween Trivia Night

Mon, Oct 26 · Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St., West Columbia, SC

Join us on Sunday, October 27th, at 6:30 PM for a spooky night of trivia at Savage Craft!

Price: see link

Trunk or Treat

Mon, Oct 26 · Robert Mills House and Gardens, 1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC

Historic Columbia’s Trunk or Treat, presented by Legacy Traditional Schools, returns Monday, October 26, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Price: see link

Tuesday, October 27

Concert in the Gardens

Tue, Oct 27 · Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC

Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia for an enchanting outdoor concert in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Price: see link

USC Visitor Center's Annual Ghost Tours

Tue, Oct 27 · McKissick Museum, 816 Bull St, Columbia, SC

When the lights dim and the doors close, the stories begin… Join the Visitor Center’s Annual Ghost Tours on October 27th from 6:30–8:00 PM at the McKissick Museum.

Price: see link

Wednesday, October 28

A Witchy Wednesday: A Halloween Bash

Wed, Oct 28 · Richland Library Wheatley, 1010 Lincoln Street Columbia, SC 29201

Get ready for a spooktacular afternoon of Halloween fun at Richland Library Wheatley!

Free

Hocus Pocus in the Beer Garden

Wed, Oct 28 · Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St., West Columbia, SC

Enjoy a viewing of Hocus Pocus in the Beer Garden at Savage Craft Ale Works

Price: see link

Thursday, October 29

Revolutionary Ghosts with Author and Storyteller Tally Johnson

Thu, Oct 29 · South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC

Join the South Carolina State Library for our Speaker at the Center event with award-winning storyteller, author, and folklorist Tally Johnson, who will tell ghost stories from the Revolutionary War period, covering…

Price: see link

Halloween Celebration

Thu, Oct 29 · Richland Library Cooper, 1010 Lincoln Street Columbia, SC 29201

Bring the whole family for a monster boogie dance party, crafts, face painting, trick-or-treating through Cooper and more!

Price: see link

Halloween Carnival

Thu, Oct 29 · University of South Carolina, 1525 Senate St, Columbia, SC

Children's Halloween Carnival for the community. Free for all attendees.

Free

THE R&B TOUR - Starring Usher and Chris Brown

Thu, Oct 29 · Williams-Brice Stadium, University of SC, Columbia, SC

GRAMMY Award-winning icons USHER and Chris Brown today announced eight new stadium dates for The R&B Tour, extending the co-headlining run to 59 total dates following incredible fan demand and a successful first…

Price: see link

10 Minute Play Festival

Thu, Oct 29 – Sun, Nov 1 · Benson Theatre, 226 Bull St., Columbia, SC

10 Minute Play Festival Written and Directed by USC Theatre Students Benson Theatre 226 Bull St.

Price: see link

Friday, October 30

Candlelight: Halloween Classics

Fri, Oct 30 · South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Columbia.

Price: see link

EdVenture's Halloween Hoopla

Fri, Oct 30 · EdVenture, 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC

EdVenture’s Halloween Hoopla. Dress up. Dream big. Discover more!

Price: see link

57th Annual SC Championship Horse Show

Fri, Oct 30–31 · South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC

The SC Championships is a Two- Day State Championship Horse Show located at the SC Fairgrounds in Columbia.

Price: see link

Saturday, October 31

The Halloween Bar Crawl - Columbia

Sat, Oct 31 · Republic Biergarten, 931 Senate St, Columbia, SC

Haunt the bars in Columbia with us at our Halloween Bar Crawl on Oct.

Price: see link

Village Idiot Five Points Halloween Party

Sat, Oct 31 · Village Idiot Pizza, 2009 Devine Street, Columbia, SC

Celebrate Halloween at Village Idiot Pizza in Five Points! Come dressed in your Halloween best and enjoy a DJ, Halloween cocktails, and festive decorations.

Price: see link

Halloween at Historical Skyline Club

Sat, Oct 31 · Skyline Club, 100 Lee Street, West Columbia, SC

Halloween at the Historic Skyline Club! Boots, Booze & Boos are taking over the Skyline this Halloween.

Price: see link

Thursday, November 5

Betsy Blackmon Dance Company Fall Concert

Thu, Nov 5–6 · Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene Street, Columbia, SC

Betsy Blackmon Dance Company Fall Concert November 5-6, 2026 6:30pm nightly Koger Center for the Arts Join us as we kick off the 50th Season of Dance at USC with a special performance of the classic ballet Pas de…

Price: see link

Friday, November 6

Homecoming on the Horseshoe

Fri, Nov 6 · University of South Carolina Alumni Association, 902 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC

Kick off University of South Carolina Homecoming Weekend with an unforgettable night in the heart of campus for!

Price: see link

Rod Wave Don't Look Down Tour

Fri, Nov 6 · Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC

This year, trend-setting and chart-topping multiplatinum artist, rapper, singer, storyteller, visionary, and entrepreneur Rod Wave will embark on his biggest headline jaunt yet, the Don’t Look Down Tour, canvasing…

Price: see link

West Columbia's 10th Annual Fall Back Fest

Fri, Nov 6 · 100-300 blocks of State Street, West Columbia, SC

The City of West Columbia invites the community and visitors to celebrate the season at the 10th Annual Fall Back Fest on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Free

Saturday, November 7

USC Football vs Texas A&M

Sat, Nov 7 · Williams-Brice Stadium, 1125 George Rogers Blvd. University of SC, Columbia, SC

USC Football vs Texas A&M - start time TBA

Price: see link

2026 Midlands Christmas Arts & Crafts Market

Sat, Nov 7–8 · South Carolina State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia, SC

On November 7, 2026, AND November 8, 2026, The South Carolina State Farmers Market in conjunction with The Midlands Crafters Association will host a FREE family event for the community.

Free

Sunday, November 8

Sesqui Artisan's Market

Sun, Nov 8 · Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC

Spend the day surrounded by art, nature, and family fun at the annual Sesqui Artisan's Market at Sesquicentennial State Park!

Price: see link

Ongoing exhibits & runs

Community Artisans & Farmers Market

Tue, Jun 9 – Tue, Oct 27 · Richland County Recreation Commission, 1320 Clemson Road, Columbia, SC

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Fresh Baked Breads, Dog Treats, Handmade baked goods, Lemonade & Dirty Drinks.

Price: see link

Community Artisan & Farmers Market

Tue, Aug 4 – Tue, Oct 27 · North Springs Park, SC

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Tuesdays April 21, 2026 - October 27, 2026 North Springs Park & Rec Center 1320 Clemson Rd, Columbia, SC 29229 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursdays Richland County Wellness Center 306 Flora Dr.

Price: see link

Birdwatching in the Gardens

Thu, Sep 10 – Thu, Nov 12 · Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC

Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.

Price: see link

Memory is a Verb: Exploring Time and Transience

Thu, Sep 17 – Sat, Oct 17 · 918 Lady Street, 1010 Lincoln Street Columbia, SC 29201

PhotoSC will present Memory is a Verb: Exploring Time and Transience, an exhibition featuring the work of ten women artists from diverse geographies, experiences, and backgrounds.

Price: see link

Cabaret at Trustus Theatre

Fri, Sep 25 – Sun, Oct 25 · Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady Street, Columbia, SC

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret.

Price: see link

Artist Pop-Up at the Columbia Visitors Center

Sat, Oct 10 – Sat, Dec 19 · Columbia SC Visitor Center, 1120 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC

The Columbia Visitors Center is excited to partner with OneColumbia again this year for the Artist Pop-Up each Saturday from 10am - 4pm outside the Visitors Center.

Price: see link

South Carolina State Fair

Thu, Oct 15–25 · South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC

The South Carolina State Fair has always been more than 11 days of rides, food and entertainment.

Price: see link

Boo at the Zoo

Sat, Oct 17–29 · Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC

Gather your little ghosts and goblins and head to Boo at the Zoo, Riverbanks’ annual family-friendly spook-tacular!

Price: see link