Columbia Events – Fun Things to Do in Columbia, South Carolina

Okra Strut Festival
2-day event includes live bands, lots of food, amusement rides, bounce houses, an okra eating contest

DokoFest
Live Bluegrass music, free eye exams for those in need, vendor and food booths - bring your lawn chairs - hosted by the Blythewood Lion's Club

Palmetto Peanut Boil
20 teams battle for the championship trophy plus live music, other food, kids entertainment - benefits the Animal Mission

Rosewood Art & Music Festival
Enjoy multiple stages of live entertainment, visual artists, fine crafters, performing arts, authors, poets and more

Jam Room Music Festival
Come down to Main Street and enjoy two stages of live music, kid's zone, and cycling events

Archaeological Society of SC Fall Field Day
Gathering of archaeologists, prehistoric and historic skills demonstrators, story tellers, and others present

Congaree Swampfest
2-day event includes concerts, oyster roast, children's carnival with rides, live entertainment, vendors, camping available

Tapp's Spy Ball
Celebrating 007 with hors d'oeuvres, dj, martini bar, laser tag - benefits Tapp's Arts Center

Rock Around the Clock Festival
2-day festival features a car show, food trucks, children's amusements, and main events all day!

JerryFest
Celebrate the life and art of Jerry Garcia with live music, arts & crafts vendors, food vendors and family friendly activities for the kids

Peace in the Park
10 religions will each have activity area plus common area with entertainment, nature walks - hosted by Interfaith Partners of SC and USC Interfaith Initiatives

South Carolina State Fair
Midway rides and games, exhibits, live entertainment, food, livestock, exhibits

Gilbert House of Terror
Traditional outdoor haunt with 13 terror filled scenes - proceeds benefit four local charities

Arkhaios Film Festival
3-day event showcasing the discovery of past cultures gained from archaeological research and illustrated by documentary films

Fallen Firemen 5K
Run or walk - benefits the Jeff Chavis House at the Southeastern Burn Center

Love Your Birth - Birth and Baby Expo
Local baby and birth centered products and services - profits benefit ICAN of the Midlands to create a doula scholarship

Walk For Life + Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon
Take a 3.1-mile walk through historic Columbia, or run in the Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K - benefits the Palmetto Health Breast Center

Song Bird Café
Reception with food and drinks followed by an evening of live music from three award winning artists - benefits Sistercare

Conference of the Urban History Association
The conference theme is "Cities at the Crossroads" and offers networking, panels and roundtable discussions

SC Pride Festival and Parade
Friday night parade on Main Street and Saturday festival - supporting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community

Gilbert House of Terror
Traditional outdoor haunt with 13 terror filled scenes - proceeds benefit four local charities

Ray Tanner Home Run
12K run, 5K run/walk 1-mile run, and kids' fun run plus post race party - benefits the Ray Tanner Foundation

Fur Ball Moonlight Gala
Event features a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, dinner, raffles - benefits Pawmetto Lifeline

Bar Stool Classic
8 hole putt-putt bar crawl through Five Points bars and restaurants - benefits The Babcock Center Foundation

Columbia Buddy Walk
1.5 mile walk plus bounce houses, food, games, music - celebrating the Down syndrome community

City of Stars Charity Fashion Show
Cocktails, food, and 100+ models showcasing SC based designers - benefits ColaJazz's music education programs for children

Farm to Table Fundraising Dinner
Cocktail hour followed by 3-course farm to table meal with wine pairing - benefits the SC Bar Foundation

Gilbert House of Terror
Traditional outdoor haunt with 13 terror filled scenes - proceeds benefit four local charities

Pumpkin Run
5K run/walk on USATF certified course, kids fun run - benefits the YMCA

Gilbert House of Terror
Traditional outdoor haunt with 13 terror filled scenes - proceeds benefit four local charities

Fundable
Heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, silent auction, live music, and empowering entertainment - benefits Able South Carolina

Korean Festival
Celebrate the Korean community's rich heritage, culture and traditions with food, music and special attractions - benefits several local charities

Chili Cook-Off
Over 30 different chilis to sample, local brews and beverages, live music, children's area, food truck rodeo

SC Run for the Fallen 5K
This 5K run is the culmination a 117 mile run, by a volunteer team, to honor every South Carolina service member who has died since September 11, 2001

Vista Lights
Family celebration of food and arts, tree lighting, stage performances

Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show
More than 20 dealers and displays

Festival of Trees
Decorated trees and other holiday items are up for bid during a weekend-long silent auction plus other activities - benefits Palmetto Health Foundation

Lights Before Christmas
Riverbanks Zoo - visit with Santa, warm up by the Jingle Bell Bonfire, see nearly one million twinkling lights!

The Nutcracker
The holiday classic performed by Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet and the Columbia Festival Orchestra

Holiday Lights on the River
More than a million sparkling lights with music, wetland wonderland walking trail, laser light show, plus other activities at Saluda Shoals Park

Lights Before Christmas
Riverbanks Zoo - visit with Santa, warm up by the Jingle Bell Bonfire, see nearly one million twinkling lights!

The Nutcracker
The holiday classic performed by Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet and the Columbia Festival Orchestra

Holiday Market
Shopping event at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds - Junior League event to raise funds for local projects

Holiday Market
Shopping event at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds - Junior League event to raise funds for local projects

Lights Before Christmas
Riverbanks Zoo - visit with Santa, warm up by the Jingle Bell Bonfire, see nearly one million twinkling lights!

Holiday Lights on the River
More than a million sparkling lights with music, wetland wonderland walking trail, laser light show, plus other activities at Saluda Shoals Park

Secretary of the Interior's Standards
Explore the standards in detail for the preservation of historic fabric, sustainable strategies, energy conservation, accessibility considerations, codes, security

Basketball Bash
Elite high school basketball showcase featuring 13 teams - benefits Home Works of America

The Nutcracker
Columbia City Ballet's holiday family tradition

Holiday Parade of Lights
12th Street in Cayce and West Columbia - all entries will be lit

PAALS Team Graduation
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services ceremony for teams which have been matched during the previous year

The Nutcracker
Columbia City Ballet's holiday family tradition

Harbor Side Lights 5K
Run or walk USATF certified course, kids fun run - benefits the YMCA

Lights Before Christmas
Riverbanks Zoo - visit with Santa, warm up by the Jingle Bell Bonfire, see nearly one million twinkling lights!

Great Amazing Race
1.5-mile adventure run/walk for adults and kids - benefits pediatric cancer foundations

Sleeping Beauty
A Columbia City Ballet and South Carolina Philharmonic collaboration of the classic fairy tale

Run Hard Marathon
Marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K, kids marathon - benefit

South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo
Exhibits, workshops, speakers - open to the public

Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic
Hunting, fishing, and outdoors show, over 300 exhibitors - benefits the Harry R.E. Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund

Sleeping Beauty
A Columbia City Ballet and South Carolina Philharmonic collaboration of the classic fairy tale

Tartan Day South
4-day event includes music, dance, athletic competitions, pipe bands and demonstrations - benefiting the River Alliance

Heart & Sole Women's Five Miler
Run or walk 5 miles or walk 3 miles to raise heart disease awareness plus post-race events - charity event

Governor's Cup Road Race
2-days of racing with the Main Street Mile on Friday evening with kid's open and elite divisions then on Saturday is the half marathon and 5K events

4 Legged 4K
4K walk/run for owners and their pets plus special pet vendors, prizes, pet adoptions and more - benefits Homeward Bound Pet Rescue

4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray
Boat parade then evening fireworks launched from Spence Island and Dreher Island State Park to choreographed music airing on local radio

A Grand Affair
Enjoy an evening of fun at warehouse-style speakeasy for a roaring good time - benefits Harvest Hope Food Bank

A Taste of Lake Murray
Enjoy local cuisines and live music by two bands - benefit for the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration

Adult New Year's Eve Event at Dave & Buster's
Eat, Drink, Play, Party and Ring in the New Year! All packages include a dinner buffet, soft drinks and play in the Million Dollar Midway

Bark to the Park Walk for the Animals
Walk followed by After Paw-ty - benefits Pawmetto Lifeline

Big Nosh
Sample popular Jewish foods and experience cultural events and activities

Blues, Berries & BBQ Festival
Lots of live music and food, activities for children, contests including pie eating, bbq sauce and "Smokin on The River BBQ"

Blythewood DOKO Rodeo
An IPRA championship rodeo, live music, rides for kids, food vendors - benefits local organizations

Breakfast with Santa
Have breakfast with Santa at Dave and Buster's! Snap a picture with Santa and play unlimited video games with this exclusive package deal

Bunny Hop 5K Run/Walk
USATF certified course - benefits the YMCA

Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
Starts at Bull and Gervais - floats, bands, performances

Cayce Festival of the Arts
Featuring artists, crafters and authors from around the region - net proceeds to benefit a local charity selected by the Cayce Avenues Neighborhood Association

Champagne, Chocolate and Fun
Bring your sweetheart to Dave and Buster's for a fun night of chocolate, champagne and games! Cost is $70/couple and includes food and games

Children's Chance Lake Murray Poker Run
2-day event begins with a pre-run raft up with dinner then the lake poker run with lunch and dinner on Saturday - benefits Children's Chance

Civil War Symposium
Speakers on Civil War history, plus tours of Robert Mills House, Trinity Episcopal Church and Elmwood cemeteries

Columbia Fashion Week
4-days of runway shows, a vendor village, mixers, networking, and after-parties

Columbia International Festival
2-day event includes performances, demonstrations, food, exhibits, artifacts from various cultures and countries

Columbia Open Studios
Self-guided tour of artists' studios in the Greater Columbia area

Columbia Wave Fest
Live music, food, vendors, kids zone - a Federation of Families of SC event in recognition of national Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

Drift Jam
Boats tie up near Spence Island for a day of live music on Lake Murray - benefits Hidden Wounds

Family New Year's Eve Event at Dave & Buster's
An exciting and fun way for you and your family to ring in the New Year with our package which combines food and fun. Designed for families, event from 5-8 PM

Famously Hot New Year
Live concerts, countdown to midnight, fireworks

Festival of Gardens
Visit ten private gardens in the Forest Hills neighborhood - a Columbia Green event

Fire Truck Pull for Curing Kids Cancer
Gather 10 of your friends to play tug of war with a 35,000 lb. fire truck - benefits the Cancer & Blood Disorders Clinic at Palmetto Richland Children's Hospital

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt & Carnival
Easter egg hunts for ages 0-10 with over 100,000 plastic candy-filled eggs, carnival rides, inflatables, games

Girls on the Run Columbia 5K
Non-timed 5K with post-5K celebration

Government Finance Officers Association of SC Spring Conference
Seminars, networking

Harbison Trail Run
Choose half-marathon or 5K through Harbison State Forest

Home for the Holidays Tour of Homes
Tour holiday decorated homes in the Shandon and Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhoods - benefits the neighborhoods' four schools

Indie Grits
The Nickelodeon presents films from new media makers and pros plus workshops and education opportunities

Jailbreak 5K
All ages can run or walk the certified course - benefits the Lexington County Sheriff's Foundation

Jailbreak Escape Urban Challenge Run
3.1 mile run with obstacles and crossfit-style exercises - benefits the Lexington County Sheriff's Foundation

Junior League of Columbia's Clean Sweep
Rummage sale benefiting community projects - cash only

Kemopalooza
Enjoy food, musical entertainment and a silent auction - 21+ event - raising funds for CAMP KEMO Programs of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital

Kick-Off to St Pats in Five Points
Irish-themed entertainment plus children can help dye the fountain green and go on a scavenger hunt through Five Points

Kid's Day of Lexington
Learn about health, safety and environmental awareness through booths, activities, live performances

Kinetic Derby Day
Parade of kinetic sculptures (human-powered, handmade floats), adult and child soapbox derby racing, food trucks - hosted by City of West Columbia

Lexington County Peach Festival
Parade, food, entertainment, 'peachy' recipe contest, antique car show, fireworks

Lexington Wine Walk
Wine tastings, complimentary wine glass, hors d'oeuvres, live music - benefits the Lexington Beautification Foundation

Low Country Craft Beer Jamboree
Live bands, wide range of craft beers, local cuisine, children's rides and a giant low country boil - raising money for community improvements

Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival
Parade, live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, health fair and more

MGC Long Run 15K | 5K
Plus kids' fun run, road races are followed by a family-friendly party - benefits USO South Carolina

Miss South Carolina Pageant
Preliminaries held Tuesday through Thursday with finals on Friday and Saturday night - Miss South Carolina Teen and Miss South Carolina will be crowned

National Baptist Deacons Convention of America, Inc.
6-day convention at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1028 Eastman St, Columbia, SC. Contact Deacon Theodore Jackson at jtheodjac@aol.com or 803-549-1906

Palate Party
Food and wine pairings, open bar, live music, dance floor, dress is upscale casual - benefits Epworth Children's Home

Palladium Society's Chili Cook-Off
Variety of chili recipes, judging by local celebrities, live music - includes all you can eat and drink chili, wine and beer - benefits the Historic Columbia Foundation

Palmetto Half Marathon
Events include half marathon, 5K run/walk, youth half marathon, kids' fun run - benefit

Palmetto Health Foundation Golf Classic
Golf tournament at Fort Jackson Golf Club - benefits the Palmetto Health Foundation

Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival
Food, drinks, live music, contests (including tomato bobbing), craft beer garden, activities for kids

Party with PAALS - an UN-Gala
Food, entertainment, silent and live auctions, games, adult beverages, casual dress - 21+ only - benefits Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services

Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale
Stretching 44 miles along SC 23 from Batesburg-Leesville to Modoc

Power of the Purse
Live and silent auctions of designer purses, spa packages and more - Women in Philanthropy event to raise money for women and children in need

Quarry Crusher Run
Run approximately 3.72 miles at 475' below sea level at the Columbia Quarry - benefits Olympia Education Community Foundation

Read-In
Schools across the state celebrate reading and libraries at the SC State House

Red Shoe Run
10K run or 5K walk/run - benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia, SC

River Rocks Festival
Live music, food, beverages, kids activities and environmental education - benefits Congaree Riverkeeper

Rosewood Crawfish Festival
Lots of fresh crawfish and other tasty treats, live music, arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, 5K crawdaddy dash run, and more

SC First Responders Appreciation Day
Show your thanks at this family event with rides for the kids, live bands, vendors, games - collecting canned goods for Harvest Hope - hosted by Project Unity USA

SC Guard Air & Ground Expo
2-day event featuring more than 100 ground displays of military equipment from past and present, plus aerial and ground demonstrations

SC Rivalry Run
5K race, pick either garnet or orange when you register - benefits the Frye Foundation's fight against diabetes

SC Tour de Cure
Bicycling event with choice of 5 distances - benefits the American Diabetes Association

South Carolina Fire-Rescue Conference
Training, education, exhibit hall, competitions

South Carolina Poultry Festival
3-day event includes parade, contests, car show, live music, 5K, carnival rides, street dances, fireworks, best chicken cooking contest

South Carolina Square & Round Dancers Convention
For all levels of dancers - several dances plus clinics, workshops and more

Southeastern Piano Festival
Nightly concerts, international piano competition, pre-college pianists training

Southern Guitar Festival & Competition
3-day event includes concerts, classes, lectures, solo and ensemble competitions for professionals plus elementary/middle/high school, college levels

Sparkleberry Country Fair
3-day event includes petting zoo, rides, food, crafts, tractors, 5K run/walk - proceeds benefit local schools

St. Nicholas Festival
Visit with St. Nicholas, Russian food, crafts, choral performances

St. Pat's in Five Points
Get to the Green Race, parade, live music, shag area, children's carnival - a portion of money made during the festival goes to local organizations

Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
Workshops and lectures on a variety of historic preservation issues and research

StoryBook Ball
Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an evening with storytelling, themed entertainment, dinner - costumes encouraged - benefits EdVenture

StoryfestSC
Children's literary event includes presentations and book signings by authors, storytelling, crafts, visit from Cocky

Strides for Autism Festival Midlands
Activities include a fun walk, resource fair, entertainment, food, and family fun activities - benefits the SC Autism Society

Sweet & Savory Chef's Competition
A night of sweet treats, savory hors d'oeurves, live music and vote for your favorite dishes - benefits Palmetto Place Children's Shelter

The Cinderella Project
Gathers donations of gently worn formal gowns, shoes and accessories for disadvantaged high school students - click link for donation and boutique details

Ultimate Challenge Mud Run
6.2 mile course with 36 obstacles, 2 and 4 person teams, Devil Pup Challenge for children - benefits veteran and military organizations

Walk A Mile In Their Shoes
Men, women, children, and dogs stand up against sexual abuse and violence while wearing heels - hosted by Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands

Walk MS
Walk MS connects people living with MS and those who care about them

Wild Summer's Night Auction & Wild Game Feast
Event will include live and silent auctions, prize drawings and games, wild game feast, open bar - benefits the SC Wildlife Federation

Wine Down
All-you-can-eat hors d'oeuvres, variety of wine and beer, live jazz band, silent auction - benefits Beginnings of SC

Wine For Water
A diverse selection of domestic and imported wines, food from local restaurants, silent auction - benefits three local watershed alliances

Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden
Plus food from local chefs, micro-brew, live music - benefits Riverbanks conservation and education efforts