📍 What's Happening Columbia

Columbia this weekend

Everything happening Fri Oct 16–Sun Oct 18.

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

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