This new custom build on Lake Murray was our recent Mansion Monday listing. | Photo via Birch Homebuilders
No. 18. That’s where Columbia landed on Realtor’s 2026 Housing Forecast, sandwiched between Winston-Salem, NC (No. 17) and Columbus, OH (No. 19) on the list ranking the 100 largest US metros.
The report predicts Cola will have a 0.3% increase in home sales next year and a 7.2% rise in prices for a combined growth forecast of 7.5%.
Just about anywhere you drive in the metro area, you’ll see new apartments popping up or neighborhoods under construction. Speaking of that growth — a newly proposed development in Chapin would add 99 homes along Murray Lindler Road. Members of the Planning Commission are reviewing it for density and traffic considerations.
Meeting Street Artisan Markets - Holiday Edition | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, West Columbia | Free | Celebrate the season, find the perfect holiday gifts, and support local artisans at the Meeting Street Artisan Holiday Market, a can’t-miss event for the whole family.*
Scoop of Heaven, a homemade ice cream shop based in Elgin, is opening a second location in Lexington in summer 2026. The shop will occupy the former Sonic on Columbia Avenue.
Coming Soon
The Movement Lab at Noma, a new creative arts and wellness space offering dance, Pilates, yoga, and workshops, is opening next to The War Mouth off North Main Street. The studio is offering a pre‑opening special with 15% off packages for the first 50 sign‑ups using code HOLIDAYHOP.
Sports
South Carolina State won the Celebration Bowl in dramatic fashion last Saturday with a 40-38 victory over Prairie View A&M in four overtimes, securing the HBCU national championship. The Bulldogs overcame a 21-point deficit to claim their second title in the past five years.
Civic
The City of Columbia will begin structural repairs on the Lady Street Parking Deck in January as part of its Capital Improvement Plan. The deck will close for ~12 weeks during the updates. Future repairs are planned for decks on Taylor, Sumter, and Arsenal Hill.
Legacy
Former USC quarterback Steve Taneyhill died last week at age 52. He led the Gamecocks to their first bowl win in 1995 and still holds the program record for single-season touchdown passes. (The State)
Concert
Flatland Cavalry, a Texas‑based country and Americana band known for storytelling and roots‑influenced sound, will play Township Auditorium on Friday, April 24. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m.
Biz
Garvin Design Group is growing with the addition of three talented architectural designers: Shannon Maria, Wendy Favila, and Emma Grace Connelly. Now, with a team of 22, they continue to create inspiring spaces. Learn more.*
Read
Staying behind on tech trends can be a career killer. The Code is a twice weekly newsletter with curated tech news, practical resources, and insights decoded. Join 100,000+ engineers who read The Code to stay ahead of the curve.*
There’s a new podcast in town. Hosted by Kat Kezon, Carbonated Conversations is a storytelling series where each episode spotlights Columbians who bring a positive impact to our community. Kezon calls the show “a pop drinker’s love letters to the Soda City.”
The podcast blends narrative, interviews, and local history, and six episodes are already live on all major streaming platforms. Be sure to tune in and hear from the people behind community initiatives like Columbia Girls Who Walk + Columbia Community Fridges.
Add some fun and laughter to holiday gatherings with a few of our favorite card and board games. We love these five:
🎲 Put your drawing skills to the test in Telestrations — perfect for 4-8 players.
🎲 The award-winning game Flip 7 is self proclaimed “the greatest card game of all time.”
🎲 Shut the Box is an easy-to-play dice game for up to six players.
🎲 Perfect for parties, Ransom Notes will have your entire crew belly laughing.
🎲 Connect words with colors in an engaging game of Hues and Cues.
Last Friday, I stopped by the Experience Columbia gift shop at the corner of Gervais and Lincoln Streets to pick up the Columbia T-shirt that I included in our gift guide, and was pleasantly surprised when she asked if I had heard about it in COLAtoday. If you’re looking to show some Columbia love with a present this season, the gift shop has it all, from flags and magnets to a variety of shirts and postcards.
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