Arts

Pickleball Columbia.jpeg
City
12+ activities for older adults in Columbia
If you recently retired and are looking for things to do, this guide will help you make the most of retirement in Columbia.
April 09, 2026 01:17 PM
 · 
David Stringer
Columbia museum of art.jpg
Sponsored
Columbia-born artist brings first Southeastern solo exhibition to CMA
Sponsored by
Koger Center Live Outside Large.jpeg
Arts
Free concerts return to Koger Center lawn
Free concerts return to the Koger Center lawn this year with 10 Levitt AMP shows spanning spring Saturdays and fall Thursdays.
March 17, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
ensor_keenan_house.jpg
Arts
Knight Foundation awards $280K to Columbia arts and civic engagement projects
Six Columbia organizations receive $280,512 from the Knight Foundation to support arts programming, Finlay Park activation, and civic engagement initiatives.
March 16, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
William Starrett receiving the Order of the Palmetto.jpg
Arts
Ballet leader honored on stage
South Carolina Ballet’s William Starrett received the Order of the Palmetto during the company’s 65th anniversary performance.
March 11, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Larry Hembree.jpg
Arts
Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree to receive Visionary Award
Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree will receive One Columbia’s 2026 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, honoring decades of cultural leadership.
March 10, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
artists alivia.jpeg
Arts
Design & Shine fashion show heads to Camp Cole
Camp Cole collaboration brings inclusive fashion, local artists, and a sold-out runway show to Eastover.
March 2, 2026
Cottontown Art Crawl
Festivals
215 artists take over Cottontown’s front porches this Saturday
Cottontown’s front porches transform into an open-air gallery with art, live music, and food trucks on Saturday, March 7.
March 2, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
mississippi appendectomy_2020_0.jpg
Arts
Rodney McMillian returns for major CMA spring exhibition
Columbia-born artist Rodney McMillian debuts a wide-ranging solo exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art this spring.
February 26, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
A hand holds a vibrant cross-stitch depicting a witch and a haunted house against a blue, starry sky, bordered with green polka dots. Vinyl records form a colorful background.
Arts
Needlepoint is back: Here’s how to try it in Columbia
Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.
February 23, 2026
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
SC State Museum Big Percy Large.png
Events
Editor’s Pick: Big Percy on display at SC State Museum
A Mount Pleasant artisan’s massive sweetgrass basket is now on display at the South Carolina State Museum.
February 19, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Load More
Latest News
More from COLAtoday
Seaboard Mayor-7875.png
Business
Seaboard Vista project breaks ground
Developers break ground on a mixed-use Vista project, with Mashburn relocating its headquarters during its 50th year.
April 7, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
95994777_1102962630073818_4551445574727690712_n
Food
U-pick strawberries in the Midlands
Fresh fruits make the spring season even sweeter.
April 6, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
IMG_6322
Sports
Tee it up at these Columbia golf courses
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Scottie Scheffler, these 22 golf courses in Cola are sure to make for a good round.
April 2, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Soda City Market-4243.png
Small Business
Local love: COLAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
April 2, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Conagree National Park
Events
Catch Congaree’s fireflies glow
Enter the lottery for a chance to experience Congaree National Park’s synchronous firefly display.
April 1, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Godspeed GIF.gif
Food
Editor’s Pick: Godspeed opens in Five Points
April 1, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Cola Chefs.jpeg
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Columbia
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
March 30, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Congaree Riverfront Aerial-full.jpg
Riverfront vision takes shape
Columbia kicks off public input on a 100-acre Congaree Riverfront District with a meeting on Wednesday, April 1.
March 26, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Three people are working together in what appears to be a warehouse or workshop with doors and windows. Two individuals wear blue "volunteer" shirts, while one person in a hoodie uses tape and a marker. They seem to be organizing or preparing materials for a project.
Culture
Where to make spring cleaning donations in Columbia
Doing some spring cleaning and have items to donate? Check out these 14 spots in the Columbia area accepting clothing and supply donations.
March 25, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Read Freely Entrance.jpeg
Festivals
Columbia’s newest book festival is turning the page to year two
Columbia’s book festival returns Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29 with author talks, panels, and events across downtown venues.
March 23, 2026
 · 
David Stringer