Lucky you. You just found COLAtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events taking place throughout Columbia each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into October. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Great American Whiskey Fair | Friday, Oct. 3 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | 701 Whaley, 701 Whaley Street | $95+ | Sip and savor rare bourbons, ryes, and international pours.
Famously Hot SC Pride Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 12-9 p.m. | Main Street District | Free | A parade, live music, and celebrations make this one of the city’s biggest annual parties.
Tacos & Margarita Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 12-5 p.m. | Segra Park | $10 | Hit the ballpark for an afternoon of tacos, margaritas, live music, and even pro wrestling fills the ballpark, with VIP options for foodies who want the full experience.
JerryFest 2025 | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 12-8 p.m. | Five Points District | Free | Fans gather to celebrate the music of Jerry Garcia with tribute bands.
Southern Gothic Festival | Friday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 11 | Times vary | Rutledge Street, Camden | Free | Stories of the dark South fill local businesses with music, art, and storytelling.
Titus Andronicus | Friday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 4 | 8-10 p.m. | Amphitheater Earlewood Park | Free | Shakespeare’s tragedy unfolds on an outdoor stage.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors | Thursday, Oct. 9-Sunday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | Chapin Branch Library, Chapin | $20+ | The classic horror gets a hilarious twist in this fast-paced parody.
Dracula: Ballet with a Bite | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $42+ | This ballet blends graceful choreography with gothic drama.
Live Outside: J Roddy Walston & The Automatic Band | Friday, Oct. 3 | Koger Center Outdoor Stage | Free | Get ready for piano-pounding rock anthems
Maxwell: The Serenade 2025 | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 8 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | Smooth vocals and R&B classics set the stage.
Koger Center Presents Live Outside: The Ramblers | Friday, Oct. 10 | 5 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Kick back with Americana tunes from this local group.
Turnpike Troubadours: Wild America Tour | Friday, Oct. 10 | 7 p.m. | Township Auditorium | Oklahoma’s red dirt country stars roll into town.
EarleJam | 1 p.m. | Earlewood Park | Free | Local bands fill the park with a day of tunes, food trucks, and community fun.
Chamber Crawl | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | Hazelwood Brewing, Lexington | Free | Classical musicians take over the brewery for a relaxed night of music and craft beer.
Live Outside: Indianola | Friday, Oct. 17 | 7 p.m. | Koger Center | Free | Enjoy the Americana rock of Owen Beverly’s current project.
The Runarounds | Friday, Oct. 17 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, West Columbia | $49 | The band from Amazon’s new TV series steps off the screen and onto the stage for a night of pop-rock energy.
Kansas & Blue Oyster Cult | Friday, Oct. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Township Auditorium | $125 | Arena-rock legends team up for a powerhouse double bill of classic hits.
Tracy Lawrence & Josh Turner | Friday, Oct. 24 | 7 p.m. | Township Auditorium | $117 | Two country stars share the stage for an evening of hits old and new.
Penelope Road and Winyah | Friday, Oct. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Senate | Up-and-coming bands light up the stage with fresh takes on Southern rock and folk.
USC Symphony Orchestra: Wynton Marsalis’ Trumpet Concerto | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | University of South Carolina | $30 | Experience a masterwork of modern jazz and classical fusion performed live by USC’s orchestra.
Gamecocks Football vs. Alabama Crimson Tide | Saturday, Oct. 25 | TBD | Williams-Brice Stadium | $125+ | The Gamecocks look for one of their biggest wins of the season.
Ready for sweater weather, Columbia? From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to apple picking and German beer celebrations, fall is one of our favorite seasons in the Capital City.
Get ready to come alive — or play dead at a fall-tastic haunted house like Deceased Farm — with this guide featuring 40+ fall events happening now through November.
Hop with Pop | Tuesday, Oct. 28 + Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 6:15 p.m. | Columbia | Join this progressive dining experience that takes you on a culinary tour of downtown.
Fall Plant Sale | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | Free | Stock your garden with seasonal blooms, native plants, and expert advice from horticulturists.
SC State Fair | Thursday, Oct. 8-Sunday, Oct. 19 | $15 | Fill up on Fiske fries and a corn dog before you tour the exhibits, spin on the rides, and catch the circus.
Columbia Garden Club Fall Plant Exchange | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 9:15 a.m.-12 p.m. | Talbots Parking Lot | Free | Bring a plant, take a plant, and swap stories with fellow green thumbs.
PAW Patrol Live! “A Mighty Adventure” | Saturday, Oct. 11, Saturday, Oct. 11, Sunday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Colonial Life Arena | The pups hit the stage for an action-packed musical adventure the whole family can enjoy.
Dachshunds of Columbia Weenie Walks | 10 a.m. | USC Horseshoe | Free | Expect tail wags, belly rubs, and plenty of tiny legs trotting through Columbia during these monthly fall strolls.
The Cat Behind the Hat - The Art of Dr. Seuss | Friday, Oct. 24-Saturday, Oct. 25 | Times vary | Rob Shaw Gallery | Free | xplore the whimsical and rare artwork of Dr. Seuss beyond the beloved books.
Halloween at the Park: Trick-or-Treat Trail and Outdoor Carnival | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Crooked Creek Park, Chapin | Free | Families can enjoy costumes, candy stations, and carnival games in a festive outdoor setting.