What’s Happening for Free: Family Events in the Midlands
Looking for fun and free events happening in and around Columbia? You’re in the right place! This list is updated almost daily with local events where your family can play, explore, and make memories — without opening your wallet. From outdoor concerts and storytimes to seasonal festivals and community celebrations, these events are easy to enjoy and perfect for all ages.
Bookmark this list and check back often — we’re always adding new ways to have fun for free!
Free Events
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | July 19, 2026
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
W. Gordon Belser Arboretum Monthly Open House - USC
at W. Gordon Belser Arboretum, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 22, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am |
Wildlife Geeks
at Richland Library Lower Richland, Hopkins SC |
| 🆓 | July 22, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Wildlife Geeks
at Richland Library Wheatly, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 23, 2026
10:00 am - 10:30 am |
Reading with a Ranger
at Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 24, 2026
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm |
Hoops After Dark: Teen Night at the View
at Greenview Park, Colombia SC |
| 🆓 | July 25, 2026
9:00 am - 2:00 pm |
Park Palooza
at Finlay Park, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 25, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 27, 2026
6:00 pm - 6:30 pm |
Hola, Hi! Bilingual Storytime
at Lexington County Library – Batesburg-Leesville Branch, Batesburg SC |
| 🆓 | July 30, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm |
Unearthing a Story
at Lexington County Library – Gilbert-Summit Branch, Gilbert SC |
| 🆓 | July 30, 2026
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
Play Freely: End of Summer Jamboree
at Richland Library Southeast, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 1, 2026
9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Home Depot In-Store Kids Workshops
|
| 🆓 | August 1, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 1, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Summer Reading: Dino Dance Party
at Pelion Branch Library, Pelion SC |
| 🆓 | August 1, 2026
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Build Up SC Back to School Bash
at Build Up SC, West Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 2, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Library Antiques Roadshow
at Cayce-West Columbia Branch, West Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 3, 2026
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
Summer Reading: Summer Send-Off
at Gaston Branch Library, Gaston SC |
| 🆓 | August 3, 2026
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm |
Back to School Bash
at Saluda River Academy for the Arts, West Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 5, 2026
10:30 am - 11:15 am |
STEAM Studio: Science Magic
at Richland Library Eastover, Eastover SC |
| 🆓 | August 6, 2026
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm |
Dino Talk with The South Carolina State Museum
at Richland Library Ballentine, Irmo SC |
| 🆓 | August 6, 2026
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm |
STEAM Studio: Pottery Re-Fit
at Richland Library Sandhills, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 8, 2026
9:00 am - 11:00 am |
Accessibility Mornings- SC State Museum
at South Carolina State Museum, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 8, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 8, 2026
11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
Family Day at Top Dawg Tavern
at Top Dawg Tavern, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 8, 2026
11:00 am - 12:00 pm |
JCPenney Kids Zone Free Craft Events
|
| 🆓 | August 8, 2026
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Learn Freely Fest 2026
at Richland Library Main, Columbia SC |
Did you love this list? There’s a lot more to explore.
- Free Things to Do in Columbia: a list of great things to do that are free or very cheap
- Find more family-friendly events on our Kidding Around Columbia Calendar