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Do the art crawl
Peruse over 200 artists during this year’s Cottontown Art Crawl. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Columbia’s spring festival season kicks off Saturday, March 7, as the 8th annual Cottontown Art Crawl returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., transforming the historic Cottontown/Bellevue neighborhood into a one-day, open-air gallery.
This year brings a record 215 local and regional artists setting up on front porches, sidewalks, and closed-off streets. Artists feature everything from paintings and photography to ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, and fiber art.
Save this map to your phone so you don’t miss any artists. | Map by Cottontown Art Crawl
Food and drink
This year features twice as many food trucks, with vendors lining Sumter Street, the 1700 block of Franklin Street, and the Indah Coffee parking lot.
The annual event is free, family- and pet-friendly. Last year, it brought in ~7,000 visitors, and artists reported ~$ 240,000+ in sales. Fingers crossed for no rain, but if it pours, the makeup date is Sunday, March 8 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Experience the world of birds like never before, through breathtaking images that capture their beauty and unique habitats. | Photos provided by South Carolina State Museum
Featuring 70 award-winning images from photographers around the globe, the exhibition captures breathtaking moments and habitats — from Canada to Mexico, and right here in SC.
Don’t miss this chance to see the beauty of birds up close.
Beer and events are returning to the former River Rat Brewery location on Shop Road as Bierkeller expands into the space, now renamed Ratskeller. Owner Scott Burgess plans to host pop-up-style events with beer, food, and live music, with hopes of launching regular service this spring. (Free Times)
Festival
The Lexington County Peach Festival is back on and scheduled for Saturday, July 4 after organizers previously announced a cancellation. Now in its 65th year, the Gilbert fest is known for its parade and peach-themed treats. (WLTX)
Number
5,000 — that’s how many new residents could move downtown by 2028 as eight apartment projects add thousands of new beds near Main Street. The developments include a mix of student housing and market-rate units aimed at young professionals. (The Post and Courier)
Sports
Spring football is almost back. South Carolina opens spring practice tomorrow, March 4 with 15 workouts scheduled through Saturday, April 11. Pro Timing Day is set for Tuesday, March 17, so former Gamecocks can showcase for NFL scouts.
Wellness
The City of Columbia will host its third annual “Jump Start Your Heart” Day Party on Saturday, March 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Finlay Park. The free event will feature health screenings, fitness activities, pickleball demos, giveaways, and educational exhibitors.
Active
The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina will host its Walk, Run & Roll for Brain Injury Awareness on Sunday, March 22. Proceeds support education, advocacy, and resources for individuals and families impacted by brain injury.
Shop designs from these artists in Alivia’s 2026 collections. | Photo via Camp Cole
Four Columbia artists living with disabilities will debut collections inspired by their original artwork at Design and Shine on Thursday, March 12, at Camp Cole in Eastover. The runway event is sold out, but the collaboration behind it continues.
The show brings together Camp Cole and Alivia, a New York-based womenswear brand that transforms artwork by creators with disabilities into bold, wearable designs. The evening will be emceed by Alivia co-founder Jovana Mullins alongside Greenville native Tanner Smith of Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum.”
“The mission of Camp Cole is about so much more than being a camp,” said co-founder Margaret Deans Grantz. “We connect people with disabilities, illnesses, and life challenges to experiences they might not otherwise encounter. Alivia does the same thing, which makes for a fantastic collaboration.”
New to Columbia or ready to grow your network? Registration is open for Crash Course Columbia on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3. The two-day course features tours and a chance to meet local leaders.
