There’s something to do in every corner of Soda City. | Photo via @afersner
Every month, we put together a list of some of the biggest events taking place throughout Columbia. And it’s finally July.
Festivals
Lexington County Peach Festival | Friday, July 4 | 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Gilbert Community Park, Gilbert | Free | Indulge in homemade peach treats, live music, local vendors, a car show, and a day-long celebration of the queen of all fruits, the peach.
Concerts
Drake Bell | Saturday, July 26 | 7 p.m. | Tin Roof | $15 | The former teen star brings his nostalgic pop sound.
Seasonal
SC Beekeepers Association Conference | Friday, July 18-Saturday, July 19 | Columbia Convention Center | $60+, registration required | Celebrate 50 years of beekeeping with speakers and sessions focused on the past, present, and future of the craft.
Midlands Women’s Day | Saturday, July 26 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Free | This one-day indoor event brings together pampering, shopping, wellness activities, and local vendors for women of all ages.
Artist Talk with Jakeem Da Dream | 6-7 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Tour the gallery with this local muralist and illustrator.
Wednesday, July 2
“Mid-Week Masters” Musical Theatre Workshop | 12 p.m. | Broadway Bound Musical Theatre Company | $20-$45 | From Broadway babies to musical masters — performers ages 3 to 20 are welcome to hone their dancing, singing, and acting skills.
Fort Jackson 4th of July Celebration | Friday, July 4 | 4-9 p.m. | Fort Jackson - Hilton Field | Free | Enjoy live entertainment and patriotic festivities capped off with a fireworks display
Saturday, July 5
Super Nash Bros | 9:45 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | If you’re looking for nonstop dancing and high-energy tunes, you’ve come to the right place.
Gather Columbia keeps getting better. Cocobowlz is coming to the BullStreet District. Can’t wait for acai bowls and smoothies? Check out its Five Points location at 2015 Devine St.
Restaurant Roundup
Speaking of new restaurants… Cocobowlz isn’t the only spot headed for Gather. See our roundup of all new and coming soon restaurants — and be sure to bookmark it to stay in the know.
Seasonal
First Thursday on Main is taking a pause for July. Don’t worry — the celebration of local art will return on Thursday, Aug. 7. If you can’t wait, check out this list of curated events from the First Thursday Board.
Traffic
If you’re planning to take Harden Street tonight, here’s a heads up. Closures are expected between Devine Street and Blossom Street from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. tonight and tomorrow night. (Cola Daily)
Community
In other traffic news, do you have thoughts about the Kelly Mill Road project near Blythewood? In case you missed it, the project aims to improve traffic and safety, while also creating facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Get your questions answered during the community meeting today from 6 to 7 p.m. at 100 Crickentree Dr. in Blythewood. (WLTX)
Columbian
The winner of Miss South Carolina 2025 is from Columbia. Congrats to Sarah Kay Wrenn, a Clemson grad + the Director of School Engagement for the American Heart Association. (Cola Daily)
Outdoors
A rare woodpecker was spotted at the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve for the first time since the 1970s. The red-cockaded woodpecker is an endangered species and one of eight woodpeckers native to SC. Learn more about how to help the woodpeckers. (Post and Courier)
Sports
How did LaNorris Sellers perform at the Manning Passing Academy? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Plan Ahead
Hosting an event? Spread the word with COLAtoday. Explore our self-service ad portal to find the perfect fit for your budget — from standout banner ads to scroll-stopping social content. Promoting your event has never been easier.
Stat
100%. That’s Homebuddy’s no-clog guarantee on their premium, top-rated gutter guards. Get a free quote and join 410,000+ other homeowners who trust the maintenance-free gutter solution.*
Correction
Hold onto your books just a little longer. Yesterday, we told you about an opportunity to donate your old books and DVDs at Richland Library — but we got the date wrong. Looks like the next Book and Material Donation Day will take place on Wednesday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Post of the Day
Good news for Gamecock fans, Dawn Staley said she wouldn’t consider coaching a Philly WNBA team, but she did say she’d rather be an owner.
Staley recently expressed interest in owning a Philadelphia WNBA team on Kylie Kelce’s podcast, “Not Gonna Lie” — and it looks like that Philly expansion is becoming a reality.
“When I’m an owner, I can probably touch more people,” Staley said on the podcast. Kelce responded, “Let’s do it, I’ll invest.”
Let’s see if they follow through — and with that historic ~$25.25 million contract Staley just signed, she’s already got a solid start on a down payment.
A ZlumberLock secure sheet holder. Say goodbye to tangled + bunched up sheets with this easy-to-install, patented product. It fits all sheet types and boasts a sleek, discreet design.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Long time no chat. In case you forgot my face — or just don’t recognize me with short hair — I’m Jess, and I pop in from time to time to give our editors a break.
Soda City and I go way back. My family lived here in the 1970s. When I asked them for story ideas, they suggested I look into what happened to the Joyful Alternative. Give it a read if you’re feeling nostalgic.
}})
