📍 What's Happening Columbia

Columbia with kids

Family-friendly events, storytimes, and things to do with kids.

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

Saturday, October 17

Stroller Tour of Body Matters

Sat, Oct 17 · Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street Main at Hampton Street, Columbia, SC

Take a tour of featured exhibition Body Matters with infants in tow!

Price: see link

Sunday, October 18

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

Wednesday, October 21

Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Head to Toe

Wed, Oct 21 · Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street Main at Hampton Street, Columbia, SC

We all have bodies — join us as we move them and discuss arms and legs, features and faces.

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

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

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

Sunday, October 25

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

Monday, October 26

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

Friday, October 30

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, November 14

CLUB SLAYYY: SLAYYYTER + HYPERPOP NIGHT

Sat, Nov 14 · The Senate, 1022 Senate Street, Columbia, SC

WHAT THE DANCE PRESENTS CLUB SLAYYY: SLAYYYTER + HYPERPOP NIGHT WOR$T PARTY IN COLUMBIA: DJ @MORGANMCLEOD99 WILL BE SPINNING THE HOTTEST FROM SLAYYYTER, CHARLI XCX, KIM PETRAS, SOPHIE, ASHNIKKO, COBRAH, KESHA, FKA…

Price: see link

Friday, November 20

NEON Joy in Five Points

Fri, Nov 20 · Five Points, 532 Congaree Avenue, Columbia, SC

The Five Points Association invites you to our holiday seasonal celebration…NEON Joy in Five Points!

Price: see link

Sunday, December 6

Ongoing exhibits & runs

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

Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo

Sat, Nov 21 – Sun, Jan 10 · Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC

Come experience the magic of Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden!

Price: see link

SC Gingerbread House Competition

Thu, Dec 3–12 · SC Center for Architecture, 1530 Main Street, Columbia, SC

Celebrate the holiday season in downtown Columbia at the 4th Annual South Carolina Gingerbread House Competition!

Price: see link