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Dog-friendly businesses guide for Columbia
Explore these dog-friendly businesses in Columbia that span from places to eat, drink, shop, exercise, and stay the night.
September 10, 2025 03:30 PM
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Cottontown Art Crawl
Festivals
Explore a historic neighborhood through art with this year’s sixth annual Cottontown Art Crawl
The sixth annual Cottontown Art Crawl returns on Saturday, March 9 from 4 to 10 p.m., and is set to showcase 200 artists.
February 21, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
A group of children wearing purple t-shirts gather in a circle around a teacher who gestures to a fossil on the wall.
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Let your little unleash their inner explorer this Spring Break
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Della Wakins, Executive Director of the Columbia Museum of Art, wears a floral-patterned dress and talks with three museum guests next to a floral arrangement
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A Q+A bouquet with the CMA’s Della Watkins
We sat down with the Columbia Museum of Art’s executive director to learn everything we could about the 2024 installment of Art Blossoms, the limited-time exhibition fundraiser making the move to March in its fourth year.
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Culture
Our readers’ local love stories
Help us put our city on the map by submitting your love stories.
February 12, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
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Food
Where to order local game-day grub or catch the Super Bowl live around Columbia
With the Super Bowl kicking off on Sun., Feb. 11, we want to make sure your nails won’t be the only thing you’re biting as the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers duke it out on the field.
February 7, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Four people sit onstage in chairs, holding microphones in front of artful floral displays
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How Megan Pinckney Rutherford helped bring Sergio Hudson to the CMA
The exhibition “Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit” celebrates an SC-born fashion designer whose clientele now includes Keke Palmer, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Rihanna, Issa Rae, and more (like... Beyoncé).
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Planetarium exterior is lit up with purple lights and projected onto the side in white lettering is the phrase, "Amore under the stars."
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🌌 When the stars make you drool...
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Columbia's skyline at night_ Photography contest
Culture
See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
Winner: “Columbia’s Skyline at Night” by Timothy M.
January 30, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
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Arts
“The Gong,” an art sculpture, has been stolen from the Vista’s District
City authorities are investigating the theft of “The Gong,” an art sculpture celebrating late PR executive Marvin Chernoff, known for his contributions to The Vista District.
January 30, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Lula Drake
Food
2024 James Beard Award semifinalists from Columbia
The semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards were announced on Jan. 24. City Limits Barbeque, Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, and Lula Drake Wine Parlour from Columbia were named to the list.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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City
2024 Columbia Wrapped: Soda City’s top news of the year
Hi Soda Citizens. It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
December 6, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
Curiosity Coffee
Events
How you can participate in the Uptown Holiday Hop event happening this weekend
Neighbors and businesses throughout Elmwood, Earlewood, and Cottontown are gathering to host the first Uptown Holiday Hop featuring local art, holiday shopping, an oyster roast, live music, makers markets, and more to foster community on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m.
December 5, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Culture
Where to see holiday lights around Columbia, SC
Nominate your neighborhoods, share your holiday light-seeing traditions, or even brag about your own house if you decorate at level 10. We’re looking for reader recommendations on where the best holiday light displays are in the Midlands.
December 5, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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City
New parking fees and fines coming to Columbia in 2025
Columbia’s parking rates will double to $1.50/hour starting Saturday, March 1, with increased fines and a first-hour-free policy for parking decks. The increased revenue will fund system upgrades like kiosks and EV chargers.
December 4, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
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City
Build your lantern and join the parade
Welcome the coming light on this, the shortest, darkest day of the year.
December 4, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Holiday pop-up bars around Columbia
Get festive at these seasonal pop-up bars around town.
December 4, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
Mountain view
Culture
Hit the Road: an outdoor adventure to Asheville, NC
December 3, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Experience the seasonal magic of 1600 Main
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City
How walkable are Columbia’s neighborhoods?
This interactive map can help you determine how walkable certain blocks are to destinations like supermarkets, parks, restaurants, and schools.
December 2, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
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Development roundup: The BullStreet District
Breweries, office buildings, and workout studios — oh my! Read through several development projects that have been in the works in the BullStreet District since 2023.
December 1, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson