The cooler days and the mix of away games and a bye weekend for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team this month give way to an especially busy October. With the return of signature annual events and Halloween festivities also comes craft beer, a full concert lineup and so much more to get you in the fall feels.
Restaurant Week at varying locations | Oct. 3 - 13
Alright everyone, here’s a math problem for you all. If there are more than 25 participating Restaurant Week establishments and ten days to take advantage of their special deals and multi-course menus, how many restaurants do you need to visit each day to hit them all? Sorry, there’s really no time to waste answering silly math problems when all this delicious food awaits us.
The Great American Whiskey Fair at 701 Whaley | Oct. 4
The largest whiskey tasting event in the Southeast is a marathon, not a sprint, so please pace yourselves as you sample selections from the top whiskey distilleries from not only the U.S., but across the globe. See who’ll take home the glory during the 12th Annual Cocktail Competition, enjoy bites to accompany the sips (seriously, make sure you eat something) and pop out to the Cigar Veranda to make the most of this world-class experience.
Cayce Fall Fest at Granby Gardens Park | Oct. 5
Autumn has arrived and that’s as good a reason as any to congregate in Cayce for an afternoon of wholesome fun in the fresh fall air. Enjoy community camaraderie, live music, a petting zoo, hayrides, activities for the kids and other seasonal delights all afternoon (or at least until the South Carolina Gamecocks kick off against Ole Miss).
French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850 – 1950 at Columbia Museum of Art | Oct. 5
The latest collection to grace the walls of the Columbia Museum of Art debuts this month and is nothing short of monumental, featuring more than 50 works by some of the most famous French artists to include Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin and more.
JerryFest at Five Points Fountain | Oct. 6
Calling all Deadheads! Named for the legendary lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, this year marks one decade of JerryFest having a “jam-good time” in Five Points. Enjoy cover and jam bands galore to honor the life and legacy of the magnetic musical icon.
An Evening with Craig Melvin at CITY GRIT | Oct. 8
The rest of the country may know him from the TODAY Show, but folks around here know Craig Melvin as the hometown hero who got his start at WIS back in the day. Let’s give him a warm welcome back to Columbia as he hosts a four-course dinner alongside the team at CITY GRIT to benefit Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.
South Carolina State Fair at South Carolina State Fairgrounds | Oct. 9 – 20
Touting “46 Reasons to Celebrate SC,” this year’s theme highlights all 46 counties that make up the Palmetto State. Get your fill of all the rides, shows, entertainment, attractions, exhibits and, most importantly, the food(!) as the fairgrounds become aglow once more.
Crafted in Carolina: A Celebration of South Carolina’s Brewers & Artisans at Segra Park | Oct. 12
Fill your tasting cup with the flavors of South Carolina as more than 60 breweries from across the state showcase their range and pour over 150 different craft beers for you to sample. Go beyond the glass and learn from the pros with two educational experiences available throughout the day or shop handmade products from a number of South Carolina makers who will be onsite at the Artisan Market.
Walk for Life & Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon + 5K at Segra Park | Oct. 12
When Columbia turns into a sea of pink, you know it’s a celebration of victory and support. For 34 years, thousands of people have walked or ran in solidarity with breast cancer survivors, those currently battling the disease and caretakers with the joint mission to raise funds for the latest innovative technologies, treatments and care. Keep the pink train rolling all weekend long by wearing your race t-shirt to the South Carolina State Fair on Sunday, Oct. 13, for free admission!
Famously Hot South Carolina Pride Festival at Main Street | Oct. 19 – 21
The scope of Columbia’s pride festival is unrivaled throughout the rest of the state. Be a part of the warm, welcoming atmosphere in celebration of our LGBTQ+ community with events and conversations happening throughout the community during the week, the Get Lit! Night Parade & Concert on Friday and the main festival experience on Saturday featuring vendors, free mom hugs, special guests and headliner Big Freedia.
Jam Room Music Festival at Main Street | Oct. 26
Ten hours of live music in the heart of the Main Street District with absolutely no cost for admission? I would say it doesn’t get better than that, but it actually does because the festival organizers work very hard to enhance the attendee experience year after year. Get out there early, settle in for the long haul and don’t miss a minute of this year’s incredible lineup.
2024 SC Korean Festival at 1412 Richland Street | Oct. 26
Tap into Columbia’s Korean community and learn about the many facets of Korean history and culture in an enriching festival atmosphere. Dance performances and contests, music, taekwondo demonstrations and interactive experiences are accompanied by Korean culinary delights like kimchi, kimbap, Korean corndogs, bulgogi and more.
Concerts
In addition to the live music incorporated into many of the above events, you can also catch several national touring acts and community concert series this month. Snag your ticket to see Nicki Minaj Presents: Pink Friday 2 World Tour at Colonial Life Arena or Method Man and Redman and Barenaked Ladies: In Flight Tour at Township Auditorium. For a more lowkey experience, check out Five After Five: Sell Out in Five Points or the Rhythm on the River 2024 Fall Concerts happening across three Fridays this month.
Oktoberfests
Keep your stein-wielding arm strong this month as the Oktoberfest celebrations continue at Steel Hands, Bierkeller, WECO Bottle & Biergarten and Incarnation Lutheran Church. Find additional information on each here.
Ranging from family-friendly to full on frightening, the Halloween programming in Columbia runs the gamut like children running door to door or chills running down your spine. Get in on the sweets and the scares:
Keep your kids costumed and candy-crazed at Boo at the Zoo, Trunk or Treat, Five Points Trick-or-Treat and Nightmare in Elmwood 5K & Kids Fun Run. Enjoy a bewitching performance of Dracula: Ballet with a Bite or an enchanting afternoon spent at SC Philharmonic’s Halloween at Hogwarts concert. Fuel your fear at Lexington’s haunted attraction Deceased Farm or getting swept up in progressively scary tales at So the Story Goes at Virginia Hylton Park. Finally, let your four-legged friends in on the fun too with Howl-O-Ween at Sesquicentennial State Park.
