Summer is coming to a close, so make the most of these remaining weeks with some time well spent in Columbia SC. Read through our roundup below or take a look at our calendar of events for even more that’s happening in the real Southern hot spot.
Summer Send-Off
Soak up every last bit of the season with some summer fun around town.
Squeeze in family time before school starts back up with an outdoor movie night at Summer Movie Series: Captain Marvel or Twilight in the Garden: The Good Dinosaur, meet celebrities like Michael Rooker, Kathy Najimy and famous superhero voice actors at Soda City Comic Con 2019 or head to the Columbia Museum of Art for Family Fun Night and Play on the Plaza with Historic Columbia.
Raise your glass to summer. Hang with the animals after hours while sampling regional craft beer at Brew at the Zoo (update: this event is now sold out, so keep an eye out for next year's date!). Blend the best of food and drink at City Market Summer Jam, Cottontown Beer Dinner, Women in Whiskey Harvest Dinner, the 6th Annual Cupcakes and Cocktails Evening Social and the Eddie Russell Bourbon Dinner. Cool off with a beverage as you implement old war strategies at Historic Happy Hour: Water Balloon Battle. Party with pints in hand at Arts & Draughts or sip on samples and savor the views at Wine on the River 2019.
Join in the celebrations of the 14th Annual SC Black Pride Week. Or tap into your artsy side! Keep it classic with a screening of Casablanca at Icehouse Amphitheater or kick it up a notch at EcoFAB Trash Couture 2019 at Tapp’s Arts Center.
Recurring Events
Show you’re in the know and make an appearance at First Thursday on Main, Soda City Market, Market at Icehouse, Sandhill Farmers Market or a Columbia Fireflies Baseball Game.
Summer Playlist
See the stars take the stage at Township Auditorium this month as The Raconteurs, Common – Let Love Tour and Summer Groove Fest are all on the marquee.
Throw it back with Rocketman – A Tribute to Sir Elton John and 70’s and 80’s Rock Tribute at Icehouse Amphitheater, Stardust to Ashes – Tribute to David Bowie at The Senate or EMO NIGHT Columbia Presents: DUDE RANCH (A Blink-182 Tribute) at New Brookland Tavern.
Check out the local talent at the Freeway Music Festival or catch the last City of Columbia Summer Concert of the year with Tony Terry at Finlay Park.
Turn up the jazz with Mark Rapp Group at Pearlz Upstairz, the Dave Koz and Summer Friends Tour at Koger Center for the Arts and the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble in Concert at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College.
Kick up the country with Colt Ford at The Senate and Hudson Moore at Tin Roof.
Scene Stealers
Enjoy some local beer and some laughs at The Brewery Comedy Tour at Old Mill Brewpub.
Plan a date night out to see The Trustus Playwrights’ Festival Winner: Montgomery or make it a family affair with Shrek the Musical at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College.
Take a journey Around the World in 80 Minutes, featuring music and performances from various cultures.
And prepare to be inspired by Iyanla Vanzant: Acts of Faith Remix Tour at Township Auditorium.
Cultural Callouts
Columbia SC has exhibits for days. Might we suggest Latinidad: Latin American Art from the Collection, Wow Pop Bliss: Jimmy Keuhnle’s Inflatable Art and Mimi Kato: Ordinary Sagas at Columbia Museum of Art, Fly Me to the Moon 4D, Apollo 50: Journey to the Moon and Reflections on the River at the South Carolina State Museum, Abstract Art from the Permanent Collection, Piece by Piece: Quilts from the Permanent Collection and Thank You! Love, McKissick at the McKissick Museum, Dinosaurs Around the World at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 100th Anniversary of WWI Exhibit at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum and Mana Hewitt: Persistence at 701 Center for Contemporary Art.
Take the learning outdoors with a Moonlight Cemetery & Secrets from the Grave tour or History Walk: Civil War Battle of Congaree Creek at the 12,000 Year History Park.
