Lucky you. You just found COLAtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events taking place throughout Columbia each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into September. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Festivals
Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | The annual celebration features live music and entertainment, artist demonstrations, and marketplace vendors selling a variety of wares, products, and art.
Palmetto Peanut Boil | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 12-6 p.m. | Columbia | Free | Come celebrate the state snack and try all varieties of peanuts.
Columbia’s 38th Annual Greek Festival | Thursday, Sept. 18-Friday, Sept. 19 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Free | Celebrate Greek culture with authentic food, live music, traditional dancing, vendors, and cathedral tours at Columbia’s biggest cultural festival.
Theater
Robert P. George and Cornel West in Conversation on Higher Education & Civil Discourse | Friday, Sept. 12 | 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. | Johnson Performance Hall at USC | Free | This conversation demonstrates how courageous, civil discourse can lead to solutions to America’s most divisive problems.
Mothers Sketch Show | Friday, Sept. 12 + Saturday, Sept. 13 | Times vary | Trustus Theatre | TBD | Columbia’s favorite comedy group presents an hour of original, laugh-out-loud sketch comedy! 2 nights only at Trustus Theatre in the Vista.
South Carolina Ballet’s Motown Ballet | Friday, Sept. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $93 | See this dynamic blend of ballet, jazz, hip hop, and live Motown hits performed by Rod Foster and Company.
Choir Boy at Trustus Theatre | Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Trustus Theatre | $40 | The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys is dedicated to the creation of strong, ethical black men.
Titus Andronicus | Thursday, Sept. 25-Friday, Sept. 26 | 8-10 p.m. | Amphitheater Earlewood Park | Free | Experience Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy under the stars as the South Carolina Shakespeare Company stages Titus Andronicus in the park.
Concerts
Nashville Songwriters in the Round | Columbia | Friday, Sept. 5 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Robert Mills House and Gardens | $100+ | This special fundraiser supports students with healthcare needs in poverty across our community.
Live Outside | Fridays in September| 5-7 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Hear performances from Longtooth, She Returns from War, and John Hollier.
The Music of the Rat Pack | Friday, Sept. 5 | 7-10 p.m. | Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center, West Columbia | $20+ | Hear swingin’ tunes from America’s greatest crooners.
Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend | Wednesday, Sept. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $52+ | Laugh along with the legendary actor, comedian, and musician.
Dylan Gossett - The Westward Tour | Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Township Auditorium | $124.45 | The Texas-based country artist is touring on his new album “Westward.”
Rock 4 Recovery 2025 with Yachtely Crew - America’s #1 Yacht Rock Band | Friday, Sept. 19 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington | $30 | Come sail away with these ’70s and ’80s soft rock hits.
Soul Asylum | Friday, Sept. 19 | 7 p.m. | Newberry Opera House, Newberry | $289.61 | Hear “Runaway Train” and more hits at this concert.
Concert in the Gardens | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 5-7 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens | $20+ | Bring your own blanket or chairs, and pack a picnic if you’d like.
Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Harbison Theatre, Irmo | $50 | Hear the popular country artist perform hits like “Where I Come From” and “Something to be Proud of.”
Pregame Celebration - G-Eazy, 2 Chainz, Flo Rida | Friday, Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $156+ | Be ready to get low at this football kickoff concert.
St. Paul and the Broken Bones - The Oasis Pizza Tour | 7 p.m. | The Senate | $107+ | The eight-piece soul band from Alabama is on tour supporting their latest release.
North Mississippi Allstars | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Newberry Opera House, Newberry | $305.23 | The American blues and southern rock band is still shakin’ after 25 years.
Raphael Saadiq: No Bandwidth! | 8 p.m. | Township Auditorium | $117+ | The show features Saadiq telling his life and career story, playing instruments, singing his own music and covers, and creating a magical, Broadway-style experience.
Sports
Gamecocks Football vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium | $61.57 | Tailgate all afternoon and watch USC kick off their home schedule.
Gamecocks Football vs. Vanderbilt Commodores | Time TBD | Saturday, Sept. 13 | Williams-Brice Stadium | $187+ | This home game is Family Weekend.
Gamecocks Football vs. Kentucky Wildcats | Time TBD | Williams-Brice Stadium | $81+ | This game is Spirit Day and Teacher Appreciation Day.
Seasonal
Midlands Fall Arts & Crafts Market at the SC State Farmer’s Market | Saturday, Sept. 13-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary. | SC State Farmers Market, West Columbia | Free | This event will host over 150 vendors, crafters, and local businesses from all over the Midlands.
11th Therapalooza The Greatest Show benefitting The Therapy Place | Friday, Sept. 19 | 7:15-10:30 p.m. | Goodman Building - SC State Fairgrounds | $120+ | This annual fundraiser transforms the building into a circus-inspired celebration complete with live performers, high-energy music, and a gourmet menu to suit every palate.
Eat
End of Summer Hog Roast | Friday, Sept. 5 | Times vary | Smoked | $50 | Celebrate the end of the season with pork on the patio.
Brunch Around the World in Uptown | Sunday, Sept. 12 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Uptown Columbia Businesses | Free | Local restaurants feature global dishes.
The Palmetto Party | Thursday, Sept. 25 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $85 | This event features some of the best chefs from across the state.
For the fam
First Thursday on Main Street in Downtown Columbia | Thursday, Sept. 4 | 6 p.m. | Main Street Columbia | Free | Stop by the Artist Market in the Arcade Mall and celebrate poetry month in Boyd Plaza.
Fall for Hops & Shops | Sunday, Sept. 7 | 12-5 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company | Kick off spooky season with a queer-inclusive market of oddities, handmade art, vintage finds, live music, and cold beer—come for the hops, stay for the shops.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Thursday, Sept. 11 | 8-9 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | Free | With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year, participants will learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, and behavior.
Pups & Pints Adoption Event and Donation Drive | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 12-3 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Adoption fees are waived for all animals at the event, and animals come.
SC HORROR CONVENTION 3D | Saturday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | $15+ | See celebrity guests, artists, vendors, panels, live haunt experience, Children of the Con kid’s convention, and cosplay.
Keith Haring and Worldwide Day of Play at the CMA | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Celebrate the opening of “Keith Haring: Radiant Vision” with a day full of playful art activities, interactive performances, and family fun.