June

• Columbia Fashion Week | Tuesday, June 20-Sunday, June 25 | Various locations | Free + paid events | This week-long fashion celebration features a lineup of exciting events and shows that highlight the industry’s finest, including emerging designers and established fashion icons.
• 7th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival | Saturday, June 17 | 1:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Segra Park 1640 Freed St., Columbia | Free | This afternoon celebration features live music, food vendors, games, and guest speakers.

July

• 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray | Saturday, July 1 | 12 p.m. | 1797 North Lake Dr., Lexington | Free | View a patriotic boat parade from the park sites at Lake Murray Dam and the state’s largest fireworks display beginning at 9:30 p.m. Pro tip: The fireworks show is synchronized to music when you turn your radio to B106.7.
• Fireworks with the Phil | Tuesday, July 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $10 | Sit back and enjoy a spectacular display of fireworks illuminating Columbia’s skyline while the SC Philharmonic performs in the stadium’s infield.

August

• Soda City Comic Convention 2023 | Saturday, Aug. 19-Sunday, Aug. 20 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia | The 8th annual Comic Con is back, showcasing the best in comics, toys, cosplay, gaming, and artists in the Midlands.
• For the Love of Hops Craft Beer Festival | Saturday, August 26 | 6 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W. Main St., Lexington | $30 | Price includes unlimited samplings of over 50 different craft beers from North and South Carolina, live music, and a souvenir sampling glass.

• Meeting Street Night Artisan Market | Thursday, June 8 | 4-8 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce.
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Thursday, June 8 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Budweiser Thirsty Thursday ($1 fountain sodas, $2 domestic draft beers & $3 craft draft beers and cocktails) // Pride Night // Live Music at the Budweiser Bowtie Bar*

• The NoMa Flea | Friday, June 9 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The market features several anchor vendors and at least 10 rotating, pop-up vendors each week.
• Sunset on the Shoals | Friday, June 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia | $47 | Enjoy a one-hour paddle on the Saluda River followed by a wine tasting at the overlook.
• Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, June 9 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Nashville Nights feature talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances on stage, and who are writing and touring with some of the biggest names in music.

• Colonial Forts Tour | Saturday, June 10 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cayce Tennis Center, 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce | Free | Walk to the site of Fort Congaree and hear its intriguing stories as you delve into the struggles of the Deerskin Economy, then travel forward in time to Fort Congaree and Fort Granby and hear about their own legacies.
• Daddy’s Beemer - Tangles Tour | Saturday, June 10 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10-$25 | Charleston indie rock band Daddy’s Beemer is returning to Columbia, joined by local favorites Dear Blanca.
• Opening Celebration | Saturday, June 10 | 12-4 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | Celebrate the opening of “Resurgence and Renaissance: Art of the Catawba Nation Since 1973" with a family-friendly afternoon of art, performances, food, and more.*
• Accessibility Morning – Dragons Love Tacos | Sat., Jun. 10 | 9-11 a.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St, Columbia | Free | This program is designed for guests who are neurodiverse and features sensory-friendly activities — plus, a character meet-and-greet with the beloved dragon from Dragon Loves Tacos.

• Peebles is expanding with three new Midlands locations. The Five Points spot at 819 Harden St., previously Southern Belly, will focus on barbecue and soul food. The new Irmo location will feature Cajun cuisine, and the Camden spot will highlight steak.

• The outdoor dining space and patio at A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen is now open and features a mural by local artist Cedric Umoja. The Main Street eatery makes it easy to order online so your food will be ready when you arrive.

• Columbia Water customers could face a 5% increase in monthly bills pending final approval. The rate hike aims to combat inflation and fund critical infrastructure projects. The average family using 6,000 gallons per month will see a $3.39 increase, with subsequent 5% annual increases until 2027. (WLTX)

• Taylor Dayne — a pop star with seven top-10 singles — is set to headline LRADAC Foundation’s annual Rock 4 Recovery concert on September 29 at the Icehouse Amphitheater in Lexington. The substance-free event aims to raise awareness and funds for recovery services and provide support to individuals and families. Tickets are $30 and on sale now. (WACH)

• Foodees Food and Culture Festival — a festival offering food and a marketplace showcasing artisans and crafters — is making its way to the Barnyard Flea Market in Lexington from June 23 to 25. The festival offers a space to bring people together with food through cultural exchange and understanding.

• World Ocean Day at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Engage in ocean-themed activities, discover coral conservation, and learn about protecting our waterways. Explore the newly renovated Boyd Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center and say hello to Destiny, a green sea turtle, before her release in October.

• Struggle to drink enough water? (Same.) Hint fruit-infused water can change that — and new customers save 45%.*

• Lexington Medical Heart and Vascular Center has once again received three-star ratings for heart surgery — read: the highest measure of quality awarded by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Here’s why this is heart-ly something to gloss over.*

• Ready to earn more on your savings? For a limited time, AllSouth is offering a 15 Month Certificate Special. Earn 4.37% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) on all balance tiers. Learn more.*

• Real flight deals Going members scored last month: A flight from Phoenix to Tokyo for $630 and a flight from NYC to Buenos Aires for $632. Sign up for free and see what crazy deals are offered on flights from your airport.*

Flowers

Food + drink

Festivities