Columbia South Carolina Entertainment & Events
Special Events
Koger Center of the Arts
1051 Greene Street • Columbia, SC 28201
Located at the University of South Carolina
803-777-7500
Owned and operated by the University of South Carolina, the Koger Center of the Arts hosts a wide variety of orchestra, philharmonic, and symphony concerts each year. Music, opera, dance, theater, and other performing arts are also held at the state-of-the-art facility. more...Colonial Center, The
801 Lincoln Street • Columbia, SC 29208
Located on the University of South Carolina Campus
803-576-9200
The largest arena in the state of South Carolina and the tenth largest on-campus basketball facility in the nation, the 18,000-seat Colonial Center is a state-of-the-art facility with 41 suites, four entertainment suites, the Frank McGuire Club, a full-service hospitality room, technologically advanced sound system, four-sided video scoreboard, and unique concession foods. more...Irish Heritage Ceili
301 Gervais Street • Columbia, SC 29209
State Museum, Beside Gervais St. Bridge
803-776-6666
Beginning at 6 p.m., this event will feature dancing, music, live concerts of traditional and Irish American music, and a storyteller. Several choirs and the Irish Step Dancers will also perform. Tickets are sold at the door. more...
Sponsored By: St. Columbia Ancient Order of HiberniansCarolina Classic Motor Club Car Truck & Bike Show
Main Street between Lady and Hampton Streets
803-786-0671
Enjoy a fun filled day for all ages at the annual car, truck, and bike show. The event runs from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The deadline for food, drink and auto-related vendors is Thursday, August 25.Lake Carolina Holiday Market On The Green
103 Beacon Lane • Columbia, SC 29229
Village Green
803-419-5892
Outside shopping event featuring arts, crafts, gift ware, clothing, jewelry, lotions, handbags, home decorations, and more. Shuttle rides are available and if there is rain the event will be held at Lake Carolina Elementary School.Sabbath Conference
8301 Parklane Road • Columbia, SC 29223
SC Archives & History Auditorium
803-779-4005
Sabbath Conference is a lecture regarding the change of the Sabbath featuring a panel and audience discussion, on Saturday, August 16 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. It is hosted by Sensible Living. more...St. Pat's in Five Points
"There will be partying, parading, dancing and serenading" at the annual St. Pat's in Five Points. Scheduled events include the Get to the Green Race, First Citizens Parade, Wachovia Children's Carnival at Martin Luther King Park, Shaggin' on Santee and live entertainment from 29 bands on five stages. more...Urban Tour
Main Street - Downtown
803-767-0307
Urban Tour is an event for the whole family, showcasing all that Columbia’s downtown has to offer. The self-guided walking tour includes special offers and giveaways from retailers, live entertainment, a glimpse into downtown living and the stories behind some of the historic buildings as well as plenty of food and drinks including beer with valid ID. Businesses along the tour will keep their doors open late for the event. Shuttle and horse carriage rides are available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to assist pedestrians. more...Main Street Marketplace
Boyd Plaza in Front of the Columbia Museum of Art
803-779-4005
The Main Street Marketplace is an open-air market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, specialty gifts, art, photography, handmade crafts, and much more every Friday beginning September 3 through October 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The market will be held on Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art at the corner of Main and Hampton Streets in downtown Columbia. Free admission. Complimentary shuttle service courtesy of City Center Partnership is available in the 36 block area downtown bounded by Gervais to Elmwood and Assembly to Marion Streets to pick up and drop off attendees. more...Mingle & Jingle on Main
1500 Block of Main Street
803-779-4005
Mingle and Jingle is the retail kickoff for the holiday season in downtown Columbia. It takes place on December 2nd (the First Thursday of the month) and is designed to highlight the businesses in the downtown corridor. This year, they will have live music, dancing, spoken word, and some surprises in store on the outdoor stages. And, art will be the name of the game as there will be at least six different art shows going on inside locations up and down the street. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and will run until 9 p.m. more...Spring Main Street Marketplace
Corner of Main & Hampton in Downtown
803-779-4005 Ext. 2042
More than 40 vendors offer a mix of fresh produce, fine art, photography, handmade & unique jewelry and crafts, specialty gifts, fabulous food, and much more. Live entertainment is scheduled every week. The Spring Main Street Marketplace is held every Friday in May and June from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Main and Hampton Streets in downtown Columbia. The Main Street Marketplace is a free event to the public, as well as vendors. more...South Carolina's Miss Heart of the USA
347 Zimalcrest Drive • Columbia, SC 29210
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Northwest
334-403-8252
This will be the very 1st annual South Carolina's Miss Heart of the USA Pageant. They have an age division for everyone. Register today to represent your county and receive a rhinestone crown, monogrammed Miss Heart of the USA Sash, rhinestone sash pin and referral cards. more...
Cinema
Nickelodeon Theatre
937 Main Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Directly Across from the State House
803-254-3433
A wide variety of cultural and artistic films and videos are shown at this theatre including classic films, foreign films, and new independent films and documentaries. Show times are 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. more...Carmike 14
122 Afton Court • Columbia, SC 29212
803-781-3048
more...Wynnsong 10
5320 Forest Drive • Columbia, SC 29206
803-782-7744
more...Family Films at Finlay on Fridays
Finlay Park
803-665-8169
Grab your camping chair or blanket and head down to Finlay Park on Fridays starting June 18. Wellspring Church, in conjunction with Columbia City Parks and Recreation Department, will be showing family friendly films at 7 p.m. Sure, you have seen Finding Nemo a hundred times, but have you watched it outdoors in the setting sun while sipping soda and eating popcorn? Admission and concessions are free, bring a friend.
Night Life
Cracker Jack's
1325 Longcreek Drive • Columbia, SC 29210
803-731-5692
There's something happening every Monday through Saturday night at this local club that offers live entertainment, live music, karaoke, shag dancing, and a full bar menu.
Concerts & Performances
Columbia City Ballet
Koger Center for the Arts
803-799-7605
South Carolina’s premiere professional ballet company, this ballet company is led by award-winning Executive Artistic Director William Starrett and performs four productions each year at the Koger Center. more...Columbia City Jazz Dance Company
550 Rivermont Drive • Columbia, SC 29210
803-252-0252
A group of kids between the ages of seven and 18 years old make up this pre-professional dance group that has won numerous national awards for their quality in technique. more...Newberry Opera House
1201 McKibben Street • Columbia, SC 29108
Located in Newberry
803-276-6264
The Newberry Opera House is a historic opera house, circa 1881, that has been renovated into a full-service performing arts center that has featured a wide variety of professional acts such as the Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood, and The Beach Boys. Tours of the building are available daily. more...Sandlapper Singers
Shandon Presbyterian Church
803-255-0208
Enjoy uniquely entertaining American choral music by this professional chamber company that presents a wide variety of musical styles including jazz, spiritual, classical, folk, pop, and gospel. They perform four concerts during the year. more...South Carolina Philharmonic
1237 Gadsden Street, Suite 102 • Columbia, SC 29072
Downtown Business District
803-254-7445
Enjoy a wide range of music from this professional philharmonic company that features distinguished internally renowned and locally based soloists. more...Palm Sunday Concert at St. Paul's Lutheran
1715 Bull Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-779-0030
St. Paul's Chorale & Orchestra will present Gabriel Fauré's Requiem Op. 48, Sunday, April 9th at 10:30am. Based on the traditional Latin Mass of the Dead, Fauré added two movements and slightly expanded the orchestration in this version. This 1893 version is a revelation, offering a wonderfully sumptuous yet detailed performance benefiting tremendously from the newly realized clarity of inner lines and from the richly colored orchestral textures. more...
Plays & Productions
Columbia Marionette Theatre
401 Laurel Street • Columbia, SC 29202
803-252-7366
One of South Carolina's premiere children's theatre, this fun and entertaining puppet theater features puppets ranging from 12 inches to five feet appearing on the 30 foot stage. Performances are every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and the third Monday of every month at 10:00 a.m. more...Town Theatre
1012 Sumter Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-799-2510
The oldest continuously operating community theatre in the nation, this live community theatre was established in 1924 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A variety of high quality Broadway style shows are performed throughout the year including musicals, comedies, family entertainment shows, and youth productions. more...Trustus Theatre
520 Lady Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-254-9732
"The Midlands professional theater", this nonprofit theater features an eclectic array of award-winning contemporary classic plays and musicals throughout the year in an intimate, comfortable atmosphere. more...Workshop Theatre of South Carolina
1136 Bull Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Downtown Business District
803-799-6551
Six or seven high quality community theatrical productions, including musicals and nonmusicals, are performed at this theatre throughout the year with programming that people of all age groups will enjoy. more...Longstreet Theatre
Intersection of Greene and Sumter Streets • Columbia, SC 29201
University of South Carolina Campus
803-777-2551
Many University-sponsored performances are featured at this Greek Revival historic landmark theatre that was built in 1855 and features a unique "theater-in-the-round" style with auditorium seating on all four sides. more...Patchwork Players, The
1508 Columbia College Drive • Columbia, SC 29203
803-333-0372
South Carolina's longest running professional touring childrens' theater, The Patchwork Players is a nationally known children's theater company founded by Genie Eaker in 1980. Offering classic children's literature brought to the stage by Catherine Eaker, these productions feature live adult professional actors and child-sized puppets to delight your young audiences. Available to tour schools, pre-schools and kindergartens, arts centers, churches and libraries - no stage needed. more...
Arts & Crafts Shows
Craftmen's Classic Arts & Crafts Festival, The
1200 Rosewood Avenue • Columbia, SC 29202
South Carolina State Fairgrounds
336-274-5550
Three day, annual, arts and crafts festival that features handmade work from over 300 talented juried artists and craftspeople in a variety of styles from the most contemporary to the most traditional. Demonstrations and refreshments are also available.
Flea Markets
Summer Main Street Marketplace
Corner of Main and Hampton Streets
803-779-4005
City Center Partnership's spring/summer 2006 Main Street Marketplace will be held every Friday from 11 am until 3 pm during the months of May through July. The Main Street Marketplace is an open-air market featuring fresh produce, flowers, specialty gifts, art, handmade crafts and much more. Musical performances every Friday along with children's activities in June and July are featured. more...
Sponsored By: City Center Partnership's Spring
Festivals & Fairs
Midlands Intertribal Pow Wow
South Carolina State Fairgrounds
803-772-9132
Celebrate the Native American culture and heritage during this festival that includes authentic Native American arts and crafts, delicious foods, and drumming and dancing in a traditional regalia.South Carolina State Fair
1200 Rosewood Drive • Columbia, SC 29201
803-799-3387
Enjoy two weeks of rides, food, and games at this State Fair that features a large rocket--one of its most popular landmarks--at the front entrance, as well as an array of exhibition booths, including arts and crafts, flowers and livestock. The South Carolina State Fair will take place October 14-25, 2009. more...3 Rivers Music Festival
Historic Congaree Vista
803-401-8990
Over 100 national and local musicians perform on six stages during this three day music festival where you can enjoy the sounds of jazz, country, reggae, folk, zydeco, rhythm and blues, and alternative music. more...Columbia International Festival
South Carolina State Fairgrounds
803-799-3452
Highlighting the music, culture, food, and performing arts of the various cultures and nationalities in South Carolina, this two day international festival features souvenirs, costumes, and artifacts from over 60 countries, an International Food Court, and a Cultural Entertainment and Fashion Show. more...Columbia Wine Festival for the Arts
1101 Lincoln Street • Columbia, SC 29201
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
803-343-1026
Browse artwork for sale on display by over 10 local South Carolina artists and enjoy over 60 wines from around the world and exquisite hors d'oeuvres. Don't miss the hand rolled cigar lounge with scotch and cognac tasting. Other attractions include live jazz by the Vista Classic Jazz Band, and an exclusive excerpt performance by the Columbia City Ballet of the world renowned "Off the Wall & onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green." A portion of all ticket proceeds will be donated to Columbia City Ballet. more...South Carolina Peanut Party
Located in Pelion
The South Carolina Peanut Party a three-day, annual event with carnival rides, food vendors, a craft show, parade, craft show, pageant, live entertainment, contests, and much more. more...Irmo Okra Strut Festival
1 Groves Wood Place • Columbia, SC 29212
Located in Downtown Irmo
803-781-6122
The two-day Okra Strut Festival in Irmo is "the nation's original celebration of okra." This annual event includes a parade, street dance, rides, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, amusements, and delicious food. more...St. Pat’s in Five Points
803-748-7373
More than 40,000 people converge in the Five Points business district every year to hear tunes from local, regional and national musicians on more than 25 bands playing on five stages. Scheduled events include tasty treats, a petting zoo, magic shows, face painting, cartoon drawing, as well as an array of activities and games for children, Shaggin’ on Santee, the Get to the Green 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk, and the St. Pat’s First Citizens Parade. more...World Beer Festival
1233 Washington Street, Suite 101 • Columbia, SC 29201
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
803-779-4005
A portion of the proceeds from the festival will go to Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) and The River Alliance. A celebration of the world beer culture, The World Beer Festival provides attendees a broad sampling of hundreds of beers from over 100 breweries, food from a variety of local restaurants, educational sessions by industry experts, and entertainment by local musicians. All About Beer Magazine has presented The World Beer Festival for over a decade. USA Today ranked the festival as one of the nation's top 10 festivals, with Forbes.com and Wired all calling attention to it. The World Beer Festival is also held each year in Raleigh and Durham, NC, where each has sold out all tickets for several years running. The festival offers two four-hour sessions, noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Standard admission includes beer samples, music by local bands, educational sessions by industry experts, and a festival tasting glass. VIP admission adds entry to the VIP hospitality suite, including beer-themed food, select beers not available in the general tasting area, a commemorative glass, and separate entertainment. more...
Sponsored By: All About Beer & Green's Discount BeveragesItalian Festival & Bocce Tournament
Downtown Columbia • Columbia, SC 29202
Sons of Italy Lodge 2808
803-772-0164
This family-friendly event will feature an Italian café, fresh market, tarantella folk dance, stage productions - Pinocchio, Palametto Opera Singers, Puppeteers, Italian autos & motorbikes, a bocce tournament, Italian games for children & adults, fencing, photos in a gondola, and Italian merchandise from vendors. Enjoy the evening street dance with live band. more...Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Arts & Crafts Fest
1200 Rosewood Drive • Columbia, SC 29201
SC State Fairgrounds - Ellison & Cantey Buildings
336-282-5550
Features original designs and work from more than 330 talented artists and craftspeople from across America. See the creative process in action as many exhibitors demonstrate throughout the weekend. There is something for every style, taste and budget with items from the most traditional to the most contemporary. more...Craftsmen's Spring Classic Arts & Crafts Festival
1200 Rosewood Drive • Columbia, SC 27410
SC State Fairgrounds - Ellison & Cantey Buildings
336-282-5550
Features original designs and work from more than 300 talented artists and craftspeople from across America. See the creative process in action as many exhibitors demonstrate throughout the weekend. There is something for every style, taste and budget with items from the most traditional to the most contemporary. more...
Sporting Events
Columbia Blowfish
500 South Assembly Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-254-FISH
A member of the Coastal Plain Baseball League, the Columbia Blowfish consists of college baseball players. Their summer season is played at the Capital City Stadium. more...Columbia Inferno
701 Assembly Street • Columbia, SC 29201
803-256-7825 or Box Office: 803-251-2222
Enjoy hard-hitting, fast-paced hockey games at the Carolina Coliseum by this professional ice hockey team from October to March. Part of the East Coast Hockey League, the Inferno is a Vancouver Canucks affiliate. more...Williams-Brice Stadium
Bluff Street & Assembly Street • Columbia, SC 29201
University of South Carolina
803-777-8506
Home of the Carolina Gamecocks, this football stadium is one of the top ten largest stadiums in the country and has a seating capacity of 82,500. Along with a variety of sporting events, this stadium is also used for large concerts and the filming of major motion pictures. more...
Parades
Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
Corner of Bull and Gervais Street
803-781-6122
Join Columbia's annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade. See Floats, marching bands, classic and vintage vehicles, popular performing groups and of course, Santa. The parade will begin at the corner of Bull and Gervais St. more...
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