Events
March
Palmetto Sportsmen's
Classic
State Fairgrounds in
Columbia
803-734-4008
Call for dates and times.
Admission Charged
South Carolina’s largest
and wildest hunting, fishing and outdoors show ever! Reach out and touch live
critters, from snakes and amphibians to marine life, in several hands-on
exhibits. Attend special seminars to learn about wildlife and natural resources,
hunting, fishing and related outdoor equipment.
Children’s amusements
abound. Let the kids try catch-and-release fishing in a free fishing pond or try
their hand at shooting at the virtual ranges on the "Take One Make One" trailer.
April
Blues and Barbecue
Fundraiser at the Big Apple
The Big Apple, 1000 Hampton
Street, Columbia (behind the Richland County Library).
803-253-5221
Call for date and time.
Admission Charged
The South Carolina
Traditional Arts Network invites lovers of good music and good food to the Big
Apple. The organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and
celebration of South Carolina’s folklore, folk life, and traditional arts.
Midland's Plant &
Flower Festival
Columbia State Farmers Market
1001 Bluff Road, Columbia,
SC 29201
803- 737-4664
Call for dates and time of
festival.
3 Rivers Music Festival
Call for dates and location
803-401-8990
Admission Charged
The 3 Rivers Music Festival
is an outdoor, three-day musical escapade. From jazz to hip-hop, rock to
inspirational, the festival has a wealth of music genres.
Columbia International
Festival
South Carolina State
Fairgrounds
Call for dates and hours of
operation.
Admission Charged
See the artifacts, curios,
costumes and souvenirs of more than 60 countries at the National Exhibits and
International Bazaar. Taste the culinary richness of dozens of nations -- from
baklava to egg rolls, and from curry to hot dogs at the International Food
Court.
South Carolina
Oyster Festival
Finlay Park, Columbia, SC
803-781-0243 or 803-788-6221
Call for date and time.
Admission Charged
Live entertainment all day long and oysters,
food, and beverages are available.
May
Sizzlin' Summer Concerts
Series
Finlay Park, Columbia
Saturday nights Memorial
Day-Labor Day
7-10pm
Admission Free
A variety of music
entertains thousands and includes a selection of beach music, big band, Latin,
jazz, blues, rock and roll, reggae, R&B, funk, pop, swing and more! Food and
beverages are available for sale by local vendors. A spectacular fireworks show
is the grand finale of five of the concerts throughout the series. Picnics are
welcomed; however, glass containers, pets, grills and radios are not permitted
in the park during the concerts.
Providence Heart & Sole
Women’s Five Miler
Finlay Park
803-929-1996
Call for exact date and
time.
South Carolina’s only
all-female road race. This unique event is designed by women and for
women and celebrates the power of a healthy lifestyle. Women can participate in
a five-mile run, a 3- or 5-mile walk or a five-mile wheelchair race. The course
begins at Finlay Park and ends at Memorial Park.
Midlands intertribal
Empowerment Group PowWow
SC State Fairgrounds,
Columbia
803-255-4310.
Call for dates and hours of
operation.
Admission Charged
Come join hundreds of
Native Americans representing countless tribes across America. Soon you'll find
yourself tapping your feet as you close your eyes, immersed by the mesmerizing
drums beating their sacred songs. Stare in amazement at the rich and colorful
regalia dancers don as they dance in the sacred circle of life. Smell the fry
bread, Indian tacos, and buffalo burgers.
Raft-A-Rama
114 Riverchase Court,
Lexington, SC
803-791-1727
Admission Charged
Call for date and time.
This fund raising event
benefiting Canoeing For Kids is held on the Saluda River in Columbia, S.C. The
seven mile paddle from CFK headquarters to the State Capitol is suitable for
absolute novice paddlers. Rafts, gear and most importantly, a guide in each
raft, are supplied. Trips will begin at 10am 1:00pm and 4:00pm
June/July
Carolina Celebration of
Liberty
803-343-8558
Call for exact date and
time. (Usually late June)
Call for Admission.
A salute to all branches of
the military and veterans, including parades, color guards, patriotic music
performed by the First Baptist Church Choir and Orchestra, thousand of American
flags and bands.
August
“A(ugusta) Baker’s
Dozen-A Celebration of Stories”
Richland County Public
Library
1431 Assembly Street,
Columbia, SC 29201
803-799-9084
Call for exact dates and
admission
RCPL’s annual storytelling
festival, cosponsored by the University of South Carolina School of Library and
Information Science, brings to life the world of storytelling and children’s
literature.
September
SC Celebration of Blues
& Jazz
South Carolina State Museum
803-898-4935
Admission Charged
Call for date and time of
event
Enjoy a night of swingin’
jazz and soulful blues!
October
Dark Knight’s Terror
Trail
520 Huger Street, on the
Corner of Huger and Blossom in Columbia, SC
Admission Charged
Convention and Visitor’s
Bureau: 803-545-0000 or 800-264-4884
Call for exact dates, hours
of operation and location.
This is a very scary
outdoor walking trail! In the past four years, one person fainted, many
who refused to go past the first scene, one husband who picked his wife up under
his arm and ran out the exit, one who became sick from fright and refused to go
further, three college coeds who literally ran through the fence on the way out,
and two adults frightened into wetting themselves. There are some who don't
scare easily, and if you're one of those, we at least hope to entertain you. We
do not recommend this trail for those with heart conditions or medical problems,
reactions to strobe lights, allergies to glycerin fog, or physical
disabilities. Special tours are provided for those who are too frightened to
proceed, or for children. Young people under 12 must be accompanied by a
responsible adult.
South Carolina State
Fair
1200 Rosewood Drive Columbia, SC 29201
803-799-3387
Call for
dates and hours of operation
Admission
Charged
Huge state
fair with exhibits ranging from livestock to art to gardening!
November
Governor’s Cup Road Race
Downtown Columbia
Call for race date and time
803-929-1996
Admission Charged
The Governor's Cup has an
event for every level of fitness and every age!
Typically, the events include a Half Marathon road race, an 8K road race,
an 8K wheelchair race, an 8K charity fitness walk and youth fun runs. The scenic
course begins in downtown Columbia and ends on the historic Horseshoe at the
University of South Carolina. The course is best described as "rolling terrain"
with gradual elevation changes spread throughout the course. Motivating
entertainment is provided along the course.
A Christmas Carol
Koger Center for the Arts.
1051 Greene
St Columbia, SC 29201
803-799-7605
Call for schedule
Admission Charged.
The Theater in the Park's
musical version of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic.
Lights Before Christmas
Riverbanks Zoo
500 Wildlife Parkway
803-779-8717
Usually runs from end of
November-December.
Call for dates and hours of
operation.
Admission Charged
More than a million
twinkling lights and unique displays make “Lights Before Christmas” at the
Riverbanks Zoo a must-see for all ages. New sights every year make this holiday
show one you will want to visit again and again. Animated designs include
scenes such as flowers that grow, monkeys that swing from the trees, elephants
splashing showers of lights, and ice-skating penguins. Be sure to bring your
camera and holiday wish list because Santa is on hand each night to hear every
child's wishes
December
Carolina Carillon
Holiday Parade
Convention and Visitors
Bureau
900 Assembly Street
803-545-0000
800-264-4884
Call for exact date and
location
The Parade began before
1953 when Santa would visit Columbia before December. Local business owners in
the downtown area of Columbia, South Carolina thought his visit deserved more
attention and decided to create a formal parade to welcome him to our area.
People from across the state of South Carolina come to Columbia to either be in
or watch the parade. Marching bands from high schools, colleges, universities,
and the military are very popular and continue to be a very important part of
the parade.
Sports
Capital City Bombers,
professional baseball team
301 Assembly St., Columbia
803-256-4110
Spring and summer games.
9:00am-5:00pm (non-game
days); 9:00am-10:00pm (on game days)
Admission Charged
The Capital City Bombers is a professional baseball
team in Columbia, South Carolina that provides family fun and entertainment.
From the excitement of Minor League Baseball to the fun of fireworks,
giveaways, and special promotions, Bomberball is a hit for fans of all ages!
Columbia Inferno,
Professional ECHC Hockey Team
701 Assembly St. Columbia, SC 29201
803-256-7825
Admission Charged
Call for dates and times.
Carolina Coliseum
Downtown Business District
701 Assembly
St Columbia, SC 29201
803-777-5113
Business Hours: Mon-Fri:
8:30am-5pm
Admission Charged
Home to the Inferno,
Columbia’s hockey team, and a variety of other events. For a list of upcoming
events contact the automated information line at 803-251-6333.
Arts
Columbia City Ballet
Downtown Business District
Koger Center for the Arts
1051 Greene
St Columbia, SC 29201
803-799-7605
Admission Charged
Call for schedule
The Columbia City Ballet
provides four productions each year. The Koger Center for the Arts is USC’s and
Columbia’s performing arts center.
Sandlapper Singers
Downtown Business District
803-255-0208
Admission Charged
Call for schedule
The Sandlapper Singers is a
chamber chorus. They present 4 concerts annually at Shandon Presbyterian Church
in Columbia and Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church in Lexington. The Sandlapper
Singers sing American music in a uniquely entertaining and engaging style.
South Carolina
Philharmonic
Downtown Business District
1237 Gadsden St. Suite
102 Columbia, SC 29072
803-254-7445
Box office hours M-F 9-5,
Concert Saturdays 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Call for schedule
Admission Charged
The South Carolina
Philharmonic (SCP) offers a wide range of music, including classical
masterpieces and collaborations with ballets and operas.
University of South
Carolina - School of Music
Downtown Business District
813 Assembly
Street Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-4280
Most events are open to the
public and are free of charge.
Call for calendar of
events.
The School of Music
presents over 200 performances annually by more than 500 students, facility, and
guest artists.
Trustus Theatre
Downtown Business District
520 Lady
Street Columbia, SC 29201
803-254-9732
Performances are Wed & Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri & Sat, 8pm; some Sun matinees at 3pm.
Featuring late-night performances, Fridays at 11:15pm. Doors open at 10:45
Admission Charged
Call for schedule.
Trustus is the Midlands
award-winning professional theatre, located in the historic Vista, and brings
the newest, most thought provoking plays directly from Broadway & off-Broadway.
Trustus’ intimate theatre, complete with swivel rocking chairs, complimentary
popcorn and bar, makes for a comfortable audience environment. Trustus offers a
year round season of Mainstage & Late Night offerings.
Workshop Theatre of
South Carolina
Downtown Business District
1136 Bull St Columbia, SC 20201
803-799-6551
Box office is open 12:00
Noon to 5:00 starting four days before show opening and throughout run of show.
Admission Charged
Call for schedule.
Workshop Theatre produces
6-7 shows per year. Workshop Theatre's programming crosses all age groups and
populations.
Antiques and Shopping Malls
City Market Antiques
Mall
Downtown Business District
705-709 Gervais St Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1589
Mon-Sat: 10:00am-5:30pm;
Sun: 1:30pm-5:30pm
Located in the Congaree
Vista, City Market Antiques Mall features 75 dealers. Off-street parking
available, porcelains, silver, crystal, European and American furniture, and
other antiques and collectibles.
Old Mill Antique Mall
Cayce-West Columbia -
Airport
310 State St West
Columbia, SC 29169
Mon-Sat: 10:00am-5:30pm;
Sun: 1:30pm-5:30pm
Old Mill Antique Mall is
located in historic West Vista, just across the river from downtown Columbia. 75
dealers offer a wide variety of antiques, collectibles, and furniture.
Columbia Place
Columbia Northeast - Ft.
Jackson
7201 Two Notch Rd Columbia, SC 29223
803-788-4676
Mon-Sat: 10:00am-9:00pm;
Sun: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Columbia’s largest mall
featuring more than 100 stores, a food court and a Cinema 8.
Columbiana Centre
Lexington - St. Andrews -
Irmo
100 Columbiana
Circle Columbia, SC 29212
803-732-6255
Mon-Sat: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sun: 1:30pm-6:00pm; Extended hours for Christmas
Holidays
Columbiana features stores
such as Sears, Dillards, Belk, and Parisians. It also offers a wide variety of
specialty stores, two restaurants, specialty foods, a food court, and a full
size carousel.
Dutch Square Center
Lexington - St. Andrews -
Irmo
421 Bush River
Rd Columbia, SC 29210
803-772-3864
Mon-Sat: 10:00am-9:00pm;
Sun: 12:30pm-6:00pm
Dutch Square Center is the
first enclosed mall built in the state of South Carolina and is centrally
located at I-26, I-20, and I-126. Dutch Square was ranked to have the best
theater according to readers of “The State” newspaper. Dutch Square currently
has 51stores and continues to add more.
Richland Mall
Columbia Northeast - Ft.
Jackson
3400 Forest Drive Suite 2048 Columbia, SC 29204
803-782-7575
Mon-Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun:
12:30pm - 6:00pm
Galleries of all types
await you in the historic Vista and West Vista districts. Located primarily
along Gervais Street, both in downtown Columbia and just across the Congaree
River in Cayce and West Columbia, this area has developed into an antiques,
decorative arts, dining, and entertainment region. It has attracted some of the
best area restaurants, an antiques community, retail shops, and galleries with
local artists at work in their studios.
