The day is filled with live music. | Photo by COLAtoday
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into February.
Festivals
Mardi Gras Columbia Festival | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 12-7 p.m. | City Roots Farm | $10 | “Laissez les bons temps rouler” this Valentine’s Day and enjoy a free parade through Rosewood.
Theater and Talks
“Orpheus” | Thursday, Feb. 12-Saturday, Feb. 14 | Times vary | Drayton Hall Theatre | $15+ | Directed and co-choreographed by USC Associate Professor of Dance André Megerdichian.
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | 70+ | Classic rock energy, big hooks, and everyone singing along to “Love Is a Battlefield.”
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | Friday, February 13 | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $72+ | High-energy Grateful Dead interpretations with extended jams and improvisation front and center.
Cue the cocoa and get out the sleds — Winter Storm Watch begins tonight, Jan. 30, with 2-6 inches of dry, powdery snow possible through early Sunday, Feb. 1. A Weather Impact Alert is active Saturday-Monday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, with strong winds and wind chills near zero. (WLTX)
Development
Five Points could reach new heights as developers seek approval for a 105-ft, five-story hotel + parking garage on Saluda Avenue, double the area’s current height limit. Columbia’s Board of Zoning Appeals will review the request on Thursday, Feb. 5. (The State)
Talk
USC’s College of Information and Communications has rescheduled “The Power of the Pivot” to Wednesday, Feb. 11, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Joseph F. Rice Law School. National media leaders will discuss women, media + the business of sports.
Sports
There are no athletes representing Columbia in Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics. In fact, there are none from South Carolina heading to Northern Italy to compete. You could buck that trend in four years’ time with a few lessons at Flight Adventure Park.(NBC)
Outdoors
Saluda Shoals Park has begun phase one of a renovation to its Environmental Education Center. Updates include an expanded outdoor deck and new ADA-accessible restrooms, part of a multi-phase effort led by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission + Saluda Shoals Foundation. (Cola Daily)
State
South Carolina is the nation’s fastest-growing state for the second year in a row. New Census Bureau data shows the Palmetto State had a 1.5% population increase in 2025, slightly down from our 1.8% growth the previous year. No surprises here in Columbia — just look at our food scene.
Finance
You’re smart — but your spending can still be dumb. From overpaying when online shopping to sticking with a car insurance plan instead of shopping for a lower rate, here are 11 of the dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Editor’s Pick
Local musicians came together to perform before the demolition of Hunter Gatherer. | Photo by COLAtoday
This one’s personal. I caught up with Free Times last week to chat about a new video series I helped create: the “I Love My Friends Sessions.” The new series features more than 20 live performances from local artists filmed in the weeks leading up to the demolition of the former Hunter Gatherer building on Main Street.
The series pays homage to the building’s local relevance as a cultural hub, filmed in front of the mural honoring the late musician Aaron Graves. The first video in the series is out now with Charleston artist Mechanical River.
The Buy
The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. Discover our favorite gifts for loved ones, perfect for any kind of Valentine:
🧳 Gift them this premium leather toiletry bag that’s top rated for style and function.
👣 You can never go wrong with a heated foot massager that was designed with insights from real massage therapists.
🌹 Instead of a bouquet that only lasts a week, opt for these forever roses that will stay beautiful for years to come.
🧥 Keep them warm with this 4.6-star rated sherpa-lined flannel that’s both dapper + durable.
⛳ The golf lover in your life will appreciate this accessory case for storing their gloves, balls, tees, and markers.
Cannoli lovers are in luck today. Enzo’s is giving away a free cannoli with the purchase of any sandwich on the menu. My go-to order is the “Pushing Pesto.”
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