Prepare your palate, journey the globe, unleash your inner child and so much more as April is off to the races with culinary and cultural festivals galore, springtime splendor, creative outlets and activities for all ages. Here’s a bit of what you can enjoy this month in the Heart of SC:
Concert in the Gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion | April 3
Sprawl out amidst the dreamy seasonal blooms and let the SC Philharmonic serenade you.
Tartan Day South at varying locations | April 3 – 6
Hang on to your kilts! Celtic culture and tradition are in the spotlight with four days of music, Highland games, whiskey tastings, dancing, demonstrations and more in store.
55th Annual Cottontail Festival at Meadowlake Park | April 5
Get in on the Easter fun early with an accessible egg hunt children of all ages and abilities can participate in, photo ops with Peter Cottontail himself, rides, games and food trucks. Don’t forget it’s BYOB – bring your own basket!
30th Annual Columbia International Festival at South Carolina State Fairgrounds | April 5 – 6
Explore the nearly 100 different worldwide cultures represented within our state through food, fashion, ceremonies, shopping, crafts, learning and performing arts at this two-day celebration of the human experience in its many different forms.
Columbia Fireflies Baseball at Segra Park | April 8 – 13, 22 – 27, 29 – May 4
Our beloved luminescent baseball team is back, rounding the bases once more and kicking off the season with three series at home this month.
33rd Annual Artista Vista at The Vista | April 11 – 13
Art is ingrained into the very fabric of the Vista district and for more than three decades, Artista Vista has granted unfettered access to the creatives who shape Columbia’s arts scene. Enjoy the Art Crawl, Art Day, Live Art Mart, Light and Lantern Parade and Live on Lincoln events and let inspiration flow.
Governor’s Cup Road Race at Downtown Columbia | April 11 – 12
Lace up your sneaks, do your stretches and spend the weekend hitting the pavement through Columbia’s downtown entertainment districts with the warm-up Main Street Mile Friday night and the main 5K and Half Marathon event on Saturday.
The Big Bounce America at Historic Columbia Speedway | April 18 – 20
Get ready for fun-filled weekend for kids and adults alike as this candy-colored inflatable playland takes over the Historic Columbia Speedway, featuring a 24,000 sq.ft. bounce house, an obstacle course and a foam zone.
Rosé Fest 2025 at The Gourmet Shop | April 19
Sample a peachy-pink spectrum of sips, then pick out your favorites to keep your glass full of something crisp and cool all spring and summer.
Columbia Food and Wine Festival at varying locations | April 22 – 27
Because the flavors just couldn’t be contained within the festival’s former five-day structure, this year’s culinary extravaganza satisfies our cravings for more by stretching (much like the pants we’re going to need when this is all over) into six days of kickoff events, satellite activations and the signature Grand Tasting finale.
36th Annual Harambee Festival at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium | April 25 – 27
One of the largest college-sponsored festivals in the country is truly in service to the community with free health screenings and learning villages, plus plenty of food, fun and live entertainment to keep the festivities going.
Hop to Trot Beer Fest at Columbia Craft | April 26
Dress up in your best derby duds and sip on suds from local and visiting breweries.
6th Annual Kinetic Derby Day at State and Meeting Streets | April 26
Once again, Kinetic Derby Day is here to remind us that whimsy is alive and well in West Columbia. Leaning even further into the limitless wonder and innovation of a child’s imagination, this year’s theme is Fantasy Worlds, allowing you to revisit favorite fictional places like those within the Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings universes, or create one that’s entirely your own.
Les Misérables at Koger Center for the Arts | April 29 – May 4
April’s curtain call is brought to you by a sweeping story of revenge, redemption and revolution as one of the most lauded musicals of all time graces the stage at the Koger Center.
