Events in Columbia today

Restore and move with a full-body Pilates class set among inspiring works of art in the galleries at the Columbia Museum of Art. Instructor Michaela Leung, who has practiced since 2018 and began comprehensive certification in 2023, blends classical Pilates principles with contemporary movement for a well-rounded, intentional practice. Sessions focus on core strength, flexibility, and posture, with modifications available for all experience levels. An upbeat soundtrack, ranging from hip-hop to indie, keeps the atmosphere motivating and inclusive. No prior experience is required. Mats are provided, and participants are welcome to bring their own mats and yoga props. Open to ages 13 and older. Minors must be accompanied. The fee is $20, or $16 for members, and members receive priority registration. This program receives partial support from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. For accessibility accommodations, contact 803-799-2810 or info@columbiamuseum.org.

Explore expressive handwriting in a two-session calligraphy workshop at the Columbia Museum of Art. Participants develop a personal lettering style while learning to shape every character in a classic hand with care, then try contemporary techniques and unexpected tools to spark creativity. It is designed for both newcomers and enthusiasts and is open to ages 15 and up. All supplies and equipment are included. Instruction is led by designer and educator Stephanie Nace, a professor of graphic design and illustration at the University of South Carolina for more than two decades. She holds a BFA in graphic design from Penn State and an MFA in visual communication design from Kent State, is an award-winning practitioner and teacher, and focuses her research on conceptual development, experimental typography, letterpress, and three-dimensional design forms. She also guides The Design Studio as faculty coordinator and creative director, a faculty-led, student-run agency. Tuition is $120, with a $96 rate for members. For accessibility accommodations, contact 803-799-2810 or info@columbiamuseum.org.

Play Magic: The Gathering in Pauper, a format built around cards that have been printed at common rarity. A card is legal if it has ever appeared as a common in a paper release or on Magic Online, and you may use any version of that card. Common promo cards are allowed only when the card has had a common printing. Lands printed with a common set symbol and the L rarity code are treated as common for this format. Decks must include a main deck of at least 60 cards, with no upper limit on size. The focus on commons helps keep the format accessible.

Enjoy a weekly trivia session led by Dr. Factenstein at BOHO Pizza & Brew in Lexington, South Carolina. It runs about 90 minutes, there is no cost to participate, and everyone is welcome. Questions cover a wide mix of topics and are designed to be family friendly and enjoyable across generations. Top teams earn prizes provided by BOHO.

This music bingo event at Carolina Wings - Cayce features listening, playing, and the chance to win.

Explore the Hampton-Preston gardens with Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda during a free guided walk focused on birding and the many resident and migratory species found in Columbia. Learn techniques for recognizing birds by sight, sound, and behavior, with time to practice along the garden paths. Registration is required and attendance is limited to 20 people. Binoculars are encouraged but not required. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and consider bug spray in warmer months. Meet at the front gate of the gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion. This program will be canceled if it is raining or if winds exceed 25 mph, so check the forecast before arriving.

Enjoy a free outdoor concert on the Koger Center Plaza Stage, presented by the Koger Center as part of the Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series, featuring Molly Martin with an opening set from Homemade Haircuts. Molly Martin brings indie rock with a sly edge, drawing on early Smashing Pumpkins, Land of Talk, and the grit of the Pretenders. Her debut album, Mary, arrived in January 2023 and shines a light on life before and after quitting drinking, an eight track exploration of self discovery that moves between a buttoned up Mary and a buttoned down Molly. Homemade Haircuts, a four piece indie rock band from Columbia, South Carolina, began as a bedroom recording project and shaped an effervescent live sound through years of touring the Southeast. The group’s brash new chapter includes the single "Clown," which pivots from their usual melancholy to blend societal observations with flatulence jokes and circus themes. The music embraces bolder tones and crisper production influenced by producer Tommy Trautwein, turning "Clown" into both a reply to naysayers and a statement of the unorthodox confidence needed to chase one's dreams.

Readers meet at Piecewise Coffee for a welcoming book club conversation focused on James by Percival Everett. Participants can receive 10% off book club selections at All Good Books, and they connect on the Fable book club app to track progress and meet fellow members ahead of the next gathering. The club is free and open to the public, with no registration required. Future selections include The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

Sole Purpose Band brings a high-energy show to Icehouse Amphitheater as part of the Icehouse Live Fall Concert Series presented by Lexington Health. Enjoy a versatile mix of funk, soul, R&B, country, and rock, with opportunities to dance, sing along, or simply take in the music under the stars. Admission is free. Sponsors include Lexington Health, Security Federal Bank, and Groundworks.

This relaxed, judgment free karaoke night lets you sing nearly any song available on YouTube without a long wait for your turn. If your favorite track does not have a karaoke version, request it in advance through @beveradb. The setting is easygoing, and you can enjoy a beer with friends while taking the mic. Admission is free.

Bring your favorite deck or board game for a relaxed tabletop meetup featuring Magic and more. Drop in to play at no cost, enjoy complimentary coffee, and settle in at available tables, which are offered on a first come first served basis. Participants under 18 need to attend with a parent or guardian.

The Night Shift at Re•Find is held on the final Friday of each month as an after-hours outing with shopping, food trucks from the area, and beer and wine served by Craft & Draft. Attendees can hunt for one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, wander through vendor stalls, and enjoy a relaxed community vibe. It is an easygoing night where friends can share a drink and make an evening of it.

Meet the authors of Loving Me to Pieces in person at VIBEZ.Coffee. Talk about the book, ask questions, and pick up a signed copy in a relaxed, casual setting alongside other readers. Admission is $20, sent via Cash App to $Piecesnonprofit. After payment, register on Eventbrite.

Shot Thru the Heart returns to the Icehouse with a powerhouse tribute to Bon Jovi, presented by TJP and O'Hara's Public House. Expect an arena-sized surge of rock energy as the band channels the sound, style, and showmanship that made the group a global phenomenon. The set features crowd favorites including "Livin' on a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Bad Medicine," and "It's My Life." An experienced lineup delivers performances that feel true to the originals, creating the atmosphere of a classic Bon Jovi concert for longtime followers and newer listeners alike. Event guidelines: no freestanding chairs and no outside food or drinks. The performance will proceed in all weather conditions.

WWE's NXT comes back to Columbia for a live show at The Township Auditorium. The lineup highlights NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo, NXT Women's Champion Lola Vice, NXT North American Champion Myles Borne, North American Women's Champion Zaria, along with Keanu Carver, Kendal Grey, Shiloh Hill, Jaida Parker, Naraku, and others.

Rock out on the patio at LJ’s Par & Grill in an open air setting made for music.

Twilight screens as part of the Late Night Staff Pick Series, a program where Nick staff members choose films they believe the audience will enjoy, spanning genres from classic horror to screwball comedies and more, with each title presented as a single-night screening. The story follows seventeen-year-old Bella Swan after she moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father. She is drawn to the enigmatic Edward Cullen and soon learns he is a vampire, setting the stage for a relationship tested as Edward and his family work to protect her from a dangerous coven targeting her. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke and adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling novel, the film became a major commercial success, earning over $407 million worldwide on a modest budget and setting a then-record opening weekend for a film directed by a woman, surpassing Deep Impact.

The inaugural Irmo Okra Strut 5K Run/Walk welcomes participants of all abilities to a level, speedy route through the community that concludes at the Okra Strut parade. Presented by Palmetto Citizens with support from Elite Personal Training, 33/18 Chiropractic & Wellness, and The Templeton Group of Cornerstone Financial Management, the event offers chip timed results for every entrant, a premium race shirt for registered runners and walkers, and a custom medal at the finish. After crossing the line, participants can enjoy refreshments and continue the celebration with parade and festival activities.

Now in its 14th year, the Columbia WALK to End Hydrocephalus brings people together to honor warriors and raise awareness about hydrocephalus. This community walk focuses on solidarity and support, offering a meaningful way to recognize strength and spotlight the cause.

Created by the Future Leaders in Medicine Group, this annual 5K fun run at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC brings medical students from across the country together to support Curing Kids Cancer and advance critical pediatric research. The event welcomes all ages and running abilities, whether aiming for a fast finish or enjoying a relaxed run for a meaningful cause. Teams of four or more get a $5 per person discount on individual registration, and the top three teams receive a special award on race day.

A gala is on the calendar, and the official start time will be shared on the event website. Please check the site for the latest schedule information and any updates before you make plans.

Now in its fourth year, the Caregiver’s Gala centers on the theme Bridges, emphasizing stronger connections between kinship caregivers and the essential supports that help the children they nurture. Across communities, grandparents, relatives, and close family friends often step into crucial caregiving roles with little preparation and steady dedication, holding families together while carrying significant responsibility. This event both celebrates their resilience and encourages wider support. The awareness it builds, along with funds raised, fuels the growth of programs that link families with support services, advocacy, training opportunities, and wellness resources.

Cola Cafe Fest 2026 debuts as a celebration of coffee, tea, pastries, desserts, and cafe culture at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Local and regional cafes, coffee roasters, tea brands, bakeries, dessert makers, specialty drink vendors, and artisan food businesses come together for a marketplace of unique sips and treats. Explore new favorite cafes, shop from artisan vendors, watch live demonstrations, and enjoy a Latte Art Throwdown Competition. Expect boba and creative beverages, matcha and tea offerings, photogenic drinks, and chances to meet the people behind popular local brands. This first-ever festival spotlights the growing cafe scene in Columbia and across the Southeast.

Historic Columbia leads a guided walking tour of Main Street, highlighting the architecture and history of buildings along the 1300 through 1700 blocks. The route begins and concludes at Boyd Plaza and lasts about 75 minutes. Only 20 advance tickets are available, and no walk-up sales will be offered. Tickets are $5 for HC members and $10 for non-members, with free admission for youth 17 and under.

Free roller skating lessons at Finlay Park are tailored for true beginners and those returning to the activity, and they welcome participants of all ages. Instruction focuses on essential skills that are revisited during monthly sessions to build confidence and consistency. For a more progressive option, a separate 6-week Beginners Group course is available. For information on upcoming classes, pricing, and locations, email info@letsgetrollnsc.com or check the Events section of the organizer’s Facebook page. Expect a friendly, supportive environment that encourages getting active outdoors with guidance provided throughout.