Free events in Columbia, MO

Hop aboard the big bookmobile to browse books, music, DVDs, and more, with services available for all ages. You can also pick up items you have requested.

Back to School Through Time invites children to experience what school once looked like through hands-on exploration of historic classroom tools and practices. Participants can try quill-and-ink penmanship, write on chalk slates, use a cipher wheel to reveal hidden messages, practice cursive styles from different periods, and create coded notes that highlight how kids communicated before modern technology. Boone Youth Explorers offers this free monthly program to spark curiosity and connect young learners with local history through active discovery. Support is provided by The Bank of Missouri and the Missouri Arts Council, with additional financial assistance from the City of Columbia, Office of Cultural Affairs.

A storytime featuring rhymes and stories, with plenty of fun for families with children from birth to age 5 at Callaway County Public Library.

Columbia Public Library hosts a cheerful story time led by library staff, featuring rhymes, songs, and stories. It is designed for children ages 2½ to 5 who attend with an adult.

The Southside Farmer’s Market is held at Forum Christian Church.

Cafe Berlin hosts a weekly trivia night featuring two hours of questions across a wide range of categories. Participation is free, teams are limited to six players, and answers are submitted digitally, so plan to have a fully charged phone. Spectators are welcome to relax at the bar and watch the action.

Get your weekly trivia fix at Cafe Berlin every Wednesday night for two full hours of question fun. There will be lots of categories for all kinds of nerds and bookworms. The trivia is free to play, and teams can be up to 6 people. Bring a charged phone since answers are submitted digitally. You can also watch from the bar if you’d rather not play. Doors open at 6 PM, with trivia starting at 7 PM.

This event offers complimentary KidSight vision screenings for children six months and up. The screening is very quick, taking just seconds, and results are provided immediately.