A masked luchador hypes up the crowd at Segra Park’s Taco & Margarita Festival. | Photo via Columbia Fireflies
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 February. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
SC Arts Day | Wednesday, Feb. 12-Thursday, Feb. 13 | Times vary | Various locations | Free | This two-day event celebrating the arts in SC features networking, guest speakers, advocacy training, and performances.
Opening Weekend for South Carolina Gamecocks Baseball | Friday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 16 | Times vary | Founders Park | Ticketed event | The Gamecocks kick off their 2025 season with a three-game home series against Sacred Heart University.
Americana: Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts| Experience the essence of American ingenuity as this Grammy-winning duo takes center stage with the SC Phil.
Get To Know the South Carolina State Library | Tuesday, Jan. 28 | Times vary | South Carolina State Library | Free | Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or general public, this session will highlight the wide range of tools, support, and materials that the library offers.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
SC Green Industry Association Annual Conference and Trade Show | Wednesday, Jan. 29-Thursday, Jan. 30 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | $15 | This event brings together over 115 exhibitors and 16 industry speakers to cover an extensive range of landscape topics during its annual two-day conference.
2025 SC Farmer Resource Rodeo | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | The Senate | $25 | Enjoy this in-person networking gathering of over 35 farm resource providers — open to all aspiring, beginning, and small-scale farmers.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Savage Craft Anniversary | 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, West Columbia | Free | Join Savage Craft to celebrate their 4th anniversary with an unforgettable day of games, live music, Club Savage featuring DJ StingRay 803, a mechanical bull, and more.*
Ready to turn an idea into reality? Join Startup Sprint on Thursday, Feb. 6, a 24-hour event for pitching ideas, forming teams, and building prototypes. This is open to aspiring entrepreneurs, developers, and business professionals of all skill levels to gain insights from industry experts and founders.
Active
Gamecock Athletics announced two events for Saturday, April 26. The Cocky Trot 5K & Fun Run/Walk kicks off at 9 a.m. with a route through Gamecock Park, ending at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jr. Gamecock Club Movie Night follows at 5:30 p.m., offering members a movie experience on the stadium field. (Gamecocks Online)
Ranked
World Atlas named Cayce one of SC’s 9 best “Off-the-Beaten-Path” towns. Highlights include the Cayce Historical Museum, Columbia Historic Speedway, the 12-mile Cayce Riverwalk, and the award-winning Soiree on State festival. Speaking of — save the date for the Soiree, happening on Saturday, March 22.
Traffic
Relief is on the way for commuters on U.S. 378 over the Wateree River. SCDOT announced the westbound bridge is nearing completion, with a reopening expected in March. Final work, including guardrails and pavement markings, will continue through summer. (WLTX)
Job
Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina, the new restaurant replacing Liberty Taproom in the Vista, is hiring. Open positions include General Manager, Bar Manager, Bartender, Grill Cook, and more. Apply online today.
Sports
Should the Hornets trade for Zion Williamson? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Edu
Looking to take your fitness journey to the next level?Rise Fitness + Wellness is offering a nationally-accepted comprehensive Pilates Instructor with weekend sessions to fit your schedule. Learn more.*
Category
Watch
Bust out the tux
These businesses that have stood the test of time and stolen the hearts (and loyalty) of locals and visitors alike. | Photo provided by Experience Columbia SC
Celebrate the 97th Academy Awards in style at The Nick’s Red Carpet Rendezvous on Sunday, March 2, at The Venue (1626 Main St). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with festivities beginning at 7 p.m., as Columbia’s movie lovers gather for a glamorous Oscars viewing party.
Hosted by local favorite Patti O’Furniture, the evening features a four-course meal, expertly paired with beer and wine, live entertainment, and prizes for Best Dressed and Oscar predictions. Snap photos on the red carpet to share on your Instagram and enjoy Conan O’Brien’s debut as host of the Oscars.
Tickets start at $140 for members and $150 for non-members. Tables for groups include champagne and wine.
The Buy
The Buy
A trendy tie-front blouse that’s perfect for your next date night. Psst — we’re loving the pink stripe for Valentine’s Day.
Knowledge Perk Coffee is opening a second location in Columbia on the ground floor of the new 950-bed Gateway 737 student apartments near Colonial Life Arena. An exact date hasn’t been announced yet, but the shop is hoping to open in July.
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