COLAtoday’s Best | Your votes are in. We’re excited to announce our roundup of local winners who truly shine and make Columbia a better place to live. From high-level dining experiences and accommodations to places to hang with your friends — here are your top choices in each of our categories.
Feed Columbia birds | Did you know — late winter to early spring is a crucial time for putting out birdfeeders? We’ll get you started in the wide world of birdfeeding.
Jam Room Music Festival | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 12-10 p.m. | Corner of Main and Hampton Streets | Free | The annual music festival returns to Columbia’s Main Street with headliners Real Estate, of Montreal, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, GRAMMY Award winners for Best Children’s Album.
SC Korean Festival | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Korean Community Presbyterian Church | Free | The Festival features dance and musical performances from centuries past to modern day, including a K-Pop dance contest.
Brew Adoption Day | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 10 a.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Meet some amazing dogs + puppies available for foster and adoption during The Steel Hands Annual Halloween Party.
Dracula: Ballet With A Bite | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $35+ | This Halloween weekend, immerse yourself in gothic romance with South Carolina Ballet’s “Dracula: Ballet with a Bite.”
Midlands Fall Native Plant Market | Sunday, Oct. 27 | 1-5 p.m. | Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at the Hanger | Price of purchase | Fall is the best time to plant, and the best plants for South Carolina wildlife are native.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons | Sunday, Oct. 27 | 3 p.m. | Newberry Opera House, Newberry | $35 | This work is amongst Vivaldi’s most-notable compositions and one of the earliest examples of program music.
Plan Ahead
Gamecock Football vs. Texas A&M Aggies | Saturday, Nov. 2 | Williams-Brice Stadium | $85+ | 7:30 or 7:45 p.m. | The Gamecocks look for a follow-up to their big win at Oklahoma.
ReptiCon | Saturday, Nov. 2 | Jamil Temple | $10+ | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | See live animals from around the world, and purchase pets and pet products directly from the experts.
Missed the 2024 season? You can still show your support at the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. | Photo by Taylor Banner + Charlotte Football Club
After a thrilling season, Charlotte FC is ready to keep the party going. The Crown has earned their spot in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, and tickets for match two in the best-of-three series are now on sale.
Hit the road to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC (~1.5 hours from downtown) to watch the team take on Orlando City on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Fun fact: This marks The Crown’s second postseason appearance since joining MLS three years ago.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is looking to expand its Bridge to the Wild project into Phase Two and recently provided updates to The Post and Courier. Phase One of the $80 million project is complete and Phase Two will include an airlifted cable car experience for guests + a new restaurant overlooking the Saluda River.
Weather
Columbia may make local history. Since record-keeping began in 1887, Columbia has never seen an entire month without a drop of rain, until now. If our city doesn’t see rain for the next few days, a new dry spell record will be set. (Wach Fox 57)
Sports
The SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament will continue to be in Greenville for 2025 through 2028. President + CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC Heath Dillard said, “Enhancing our sports events pipeline remains a priority, delivering substantial economic benefits to our community and exceptional entertainment for residents and visitors alike.” (Fox Carolina)
Seasonal
The 39th annual Vista Lights returns on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6-10 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature live music, performances, an artisan market, and a toy drive for Hurricane Helene relief.
Number
$2.86. That’s how much a gallon of gas costs in SC right now. Read more about the cost of living in Columbia, including the median household income, and average cost of healthcare and groceries.
Travel
Want to make sure your next vacation takes off without a hitch? Check out our guide to The Columbia Metropolitan Airport(CAE) for a full food rundown and to know just how early you should arrive to get through security. Bon voyage.
Plan Ahead
It’s finally fall, meaning our calendars are packed with activities like corn mazes + pumpkin patches. Find more fun near you this season with our ultimate guide to Cola’s top happenings. We’ll see you there.
Sports
Here’s why it’s time for the Carolina Panthers to be sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
City Guide
City Guide
🥤 Soda Citizen 101
We don’t know about you, but we love the Columbia skyline. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Picture this: You just moved to Cola and you need some help with the practicalities of life (we can’t just walk the riverwalk all day). That’s where we come in. Keep reading for Soda Citizen 101, our guide to all things Columbia residency.
The essentials
Voter registration
Make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote, find your polling location, and preview upcoming elections and sample ballots here.
Educational needs
School registration
Prepare your student for the school year by registering them with Richland or Lexington County Public Schools. Here, you’ll find your school zone (based on your home address), a list of registration and immunization requirements, and the student entry form. With your required documents in hand, you’ll then make an appointment at your student’s zoned school to complete the registration process.
For information on Cola’s private schools, check out our Columbia area schools list.
Tru Rescue electrolyte drinks — each can features sparkling water, blackberry juice, electrolytes, lemon balm, and prickly pear extract to help keep you hydrated.
Happy Saturday, Cola. David here. We’re set for another sunny October day. In fact, it hasn’t rained a drop in October. With the nice weather, enjoy a day of free events in the Main Street District: start at Soda City Market, then head to the SC Korean Festival, and finish at the Jam Room Music Festival from 12-10 p.m.
