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.
Festivals
Tartan Day South Festival | Thursday, April 3-Sunday, April 6 | Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center, Cayce | $10+ | From axe throwing to bagpipes, this festival brings Celtic traditions to life.
Artista Vista | Friday, April 11-Sunday, April 13 | Times vary | The Vista | Free | Celebrate creativity with art openings, live performances, and special events throughout the Vista.
Concerts
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit | Wednesday, April 16 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $49.50+ | The Grammy-winning songwriter delivers powerful, Southern-rooted rock with lyrical depth and a tight band behind him.
Computer Basics Learning Lab | 4-5 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Learn basic computer skills such as using a mouse, saving files to a computer, navigating the Internet, or setting up and using an email account.
Gamecocks Softball vs. Wofford Terriers | 6 p.m. | Carolina Softball Stadium At Beckham Field | $10 | The Gamecocks are currently ranked No. 4 in the country.
Thursday, April 3
Concert in the Gardens | 5-7 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | $20 | Hear the SC Philharmonic play a concert of light classics.
Congaree Land Trust’s annual Game and Garden Soiree | 6-9 p.m. | Junction 800 | $60 | This evening will feature handcrafted cocktails, small plates from local chefs, live music, and a silent auction to benefit land preservation.
Friday, April 4
Into The Woods Jr. | Friday, April 4-Saturday, April 5 | Times vary | Dutch Fork High School, Irmo | $10 | This play features Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and the Witch in this retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.
Saturday, April 5
Bark to the Park | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park, Columbia | Free | Bring your furry friends to Cola’s biggest dog-friendly celebration, featuring a trail walk, followed by an after-pawty with live music, vendors, pet contests, and more.*
South Carolina women’s basketball is Final Four-bound for the fifth straight year after a 54-50 win over Duke in the Elite Eight. Chloe Kitts earned Birmingham Regional MVP, with Sania Feagin and MiLaysia Fulwiley also named to the All-Regional Team. The Gamecocks play Friday, April 4 in Tampa. (Gamecocks Online)
Traffic
SCDOT plans to upgrade signals, sidewalks, and crosswalks along a two-mile stretch of Gervais Street, from Millwood Avenue to the Congaree River. The project aims to improve safety with construction expected to begin in 2026. (The Post and Courier)
Wellness
The Therapeutic Equine Activities Program in Cayce is using a therapy horse named Muffin to spark conversations around opioid addiction and recovery. Led by the Cayce Fire Department and Courage Center, the initiative could expand beyond Lexington County. (WLTX)
State
High Noon Sun Sips, made by Gallo in Fort Lawn, was named the Coolest Thing Made in SC for 2025. The ready-to-drink seltzer beat out finalists like Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner in the contest that drew over 220,000 votes. (MidlandsBiz)
Mansion Monday
This custom-built Woodcreek Farms home in Elgin sits on 1.5 acres with golf course views, a chef’s kitchen, dual primary suites, and a saltwater pool. Designed by architect Jeff Stroud in 2015, it offers high-end details around each corner.
Award
Mungo Homes has been named a 2025 top workplaces USA honoree, ranking in the Top 10 nationally for employers with 500–1,000 team members. The Columbia-based builder credits its culture-focused programs, like its Empower orientation and engagement tracking, for the recognition. (Cola Daily)
Listen
Could trading up for Abdul Carter be part of the Panthers plans?
Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Festival
Curious about the secret behind your neighbors’ gorgeous gardens? Columbia Green’s 32nd annual Festival of Gardens is back on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, featuring eight private gardens in King’s Grant, a nature trail, a gardening presentation, and more. Snag tickets.*
Giveaway
Hawthorne Pharmacy & Medical Equipment is giving away two early entry tickets to the Grand Tasting at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival. Enter for a chance to win — the winner will be announced on Monday, April 7. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy great food and wine before the crowds.*
Home
Tired of high electric bills? Switch to solar. Save even more when you use EnergySage’s Solar Marketplace to compare custom quotes with zero sales pressure. Start saving.*
Category
Legacy
A life well roared
Koshka, Riverbanks Zoo’s longtime Amur tiger and conservation ambassador. | Photo by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is honoring the life of Koshka, an Amur tiger who lived nearly 20 years, surpassing the species’ median life expectancy of 14–16 years in human care.
A key contributor to the Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan, Koshka gave birth to four cubs and helped raise awareness for this endangered species, which has fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild.
“Koshka was an integral part of the Riverbanks family and a true ambassador for her species,” said Tommy Stringfellow, President and CEO of Riverbanks. “Her presence touched the lives of countless visitors and staff members.”
Known for her intelligence and calm demeanor, Koshka voluntarily participated in treatments that helped her remain active into old age. Riverbanks says her memory will continue to inspire future generations and fuel conservation efforts for Amur tigers across the globe.
The Buy
The Buy
It’s the last day of Amazon’s spring sale deals. Shop some of the deepest discounts we’ve seen:
🌸 Get an indoor camera for security, baby, or pet monitoring — usually $79.99, it’s discounted to $29.99.
🌸 Finally try the viral COSRX Snail Mucin with 66% off this all-in-one cream.
🌸 Make your patio or bar pop with a smart flex lighting strip that’s marked down from $24.99 to $10.
🌸 Cuisinart’s 4.6-star rated salad spinner is 71% off.
🌸 Get two cotton waffle weave tea towels for $7.49 (usually $19.99).
Two local chefs are taking their talents to the world stage. Chris Williams of Roy’s Grille and Chris Kravitz of Halls Chophouse will rep Team Lake Murray Country at the 2025 World Food Championships after winning at Taste of Lake Murray.
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