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
Richland Library Wheatley’s fourth annual Halloween celebration is packed with costumes, candy, Halloween games, and DIY crafts. It starts at 4 pm with a family-friendly, not-too-scary storytime and wraps up with a costume trick-or-treat parade — arrive on time!
Fellowship Baptist Church Lexington is hosting a FREE Community Trunk or Treat on October 28 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Come out for lots of candy and games — all are welcome!
🎟️ Cost: Free.
📍 Location: Fellowship Baptist Church, 4238 Augusta Rd, Lexington, SC 29073
👉 Read more
Airport High School Student Council hosts a free community Trick or Treat Lane with trick-or-treating, games, and family fun!
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Airport High School, 1315 Boston Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29170
👉 Read more
Celebrate spooky season in your kookiest or creepiest costume with treats, games and Halloween fun. (families with children).
📍 Location: Gaston Branch Library, 214 S Main St, Gaston, SC 29053
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Families with children
Their annual Halloween celebration is sure to bring out all the ghouls and boys. Wear your costume, trick-or-treat and explore their spooky stacks. (families with children).
📍 Location: Cayce-West Columbia Branch, 1500 Augusta Road, Cayce, SC 29169
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Families with children
Bring the whole family in costume for a not-so-scary carnival of fun: games galore, video games, snow cones, Fall BINGO, design-your-own boo cookies, trinket trading, and more. A limited number of headphones are available to check out.
Categories include: Funniest, Scariest, Cutest, Hero, Princess, Original, Villain, Homemade, Movie/Book Character. Contest open to ages 10 and under.
Join Lexington Baptist Church for their beloved fall favorite! Enjoy trunk-or-treat, a live DJ, inflatables, rides, food trucks, and more. Bring the whole family and dress the kids in their favorite costumes. Admission and attractions are free; food available for purchase.
🎟️ Cost: Free admission (food available for purchase)
📍 Location: Lexington Baptist Church (LBC), 308 East Main Street, Lexington, SC
👉 Read more
The Town of Irmo invites families to BOOGRASS in the Park — a Halloween Eve bluegrass concert at Prisma Health Amphitheater in Moore Park. Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for a night of live music under the stars with Willie Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass with Mitchell Lee. A trunk-or-treat starts at 6 p.m., and music kicks off at 7 p.m., with food and beverage vendors on site. Admission is free and open to the public. Costumes are welcome!
🎟️ Cost: Free.
📍 Location: Prisma Health Amphitheater in Moore Park, 7473 Church St., Irmo, SC 29063
👉 Read more
Burn Boot Camp Lexington’s annual Trunk or Treat is open to the community! Family fun, candy, and costumes, plus a trunk contest (Kid’s Choice, Most Spooktacular, and Most Creative).
📍 Location: Burn Boot Camp Lexington, 217 Saluda Springs Rd, Suite C, Lexington, SC
👉 Read more
Come enjoy Soda City, a weekly farmers market that is open rain or shine! The Soda City Market features over 150 vendors each week, with items including produce, maker’s goods, food, and so much more!
Open every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm
*Note: some holidays may interfere with market hours. Check the Soda City Farmers Market Facebook for updates.
Check out our extensive list of Farmer’s Markets Near Columbia, SC for more weekend shopping throughout the year!
Gather round the “campfire” to enjoy s’mores, songs and your favorite scary or not-so-scary stories. (families with children)
On Halloween evening, guests are promised an unforgettable evening filled with costumes, candy, mystery, and books. Solve the case using evidence at the crime scene, alongside guests and staff dressed as witches, ghosts, and superheroes.
📍 Location: Richland Library Eastover, 608 Main Street, Eastover, SC 29044
👉 Read more
Get your craft on! Let your imagination run wild making fall wreaths with a variety of provided materials — paint, color, collage, or all of the above.
📍 Location: Richland Library North Main, 5306 North Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: School-age children (6–12)
Create a colorful turkey with a big feathered tail using a fun tape-resist painting technique — paint the open spaces, then peel the tape to reveal the design.
A story, gallery time and a hands-on studio activity themed around artful eats, designed for young children and their caregivers.
🎟️ Cost: Free (registration required)
📍 Location: Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Ages 2–5 with a caregiver
Join Moe of Let’s Get Roll’n SC, LLC on the First Friday of the month at Finlay Park for a FREE Rollerskating Lesson geared towards Moms/Dads/Caregivers and their child(ren) ages 0-4. Rollerskating is a great cardio workout, enhances social skills, builds confidence and is fun. Create a lifelong bonding experience by learning to skate together. If your child is too young to participate, no worries!!! Bring their stroller and your willingness to learn (stroller can be used as a balance aid).
#letsgetrollnskateclasses #thingstodoincolumbiasc #outdoorskatinginsc #mommynmerollnclass #beginnerskaters #meetnewpeople #getactive #buildselfconfidence
🎄 The Holiday Market is back! 🎄
Hosted by Lexington One SEPAC, this special market proudly features vendors with disabilities, giving them an opportunity to showcase and sell their products, talents, and creations to the community.
📅 Friday, November 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📅 Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍 Rosenwald Community Learning Center
420 Hendrix Street, Lexington, SC 29072
🎅🏻 Santa will be visiting!! Get your camera ready and stop by his workshop for your holiday photo ops. We are thrilled to be partnering with Santa’s Heroes again this year to bring you a sensory friendly holiday experience.
Bring your friends and family, shop local, and help us celebrate the incredible talents of our vendors! ❤️🎁
On November 7, 2026, AND November 8, 2026, The South Carolina State Farmers Market in conjunction with The Midlands Crafters Association will host a FREE family event for the community. This event will host over 150 vendors, crafters, and local businesses from all over the Midlands. This event is always FREE Admission, FREE Parking and Pet Friendly; everyone is welcome.
Event Hours:
Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 9AM until 4PM
Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 12PM until 4PM
FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING! PET FRIENDLY!
Where: South Carolina State Farmers Market – 3483 Charleston Highway (South Farmers Shed)
Head to ANY Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month for a free, in-person kids workshop. All supplies are provided, but may run out.
Registration not required, but highly encouraged!
🔗Click HERE for more detailed information about Home Depot Kids Workshops, plus which themed kit you’ll build each month!
Come enjoy Soda City, a weekly farmers market that is open rain or shine! The Soda City Market features over 150 vendors each week, with items including produce, maker’s goods, food, and so much more!
Open every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm
*Note: some holidays may interfere with market hours. Check the Soda City Farmers Market Facebook for updates.
Check out our extensive list of Farmer’s Markets Near Columbia, SC for more weekend shopping throughout the year!
Celebrate Día de los Muertos on Boyd Plaza with a community altar, arts and crafts, live music, folkloric dance and a live painting session honoring Latino artists and traditions.
🎟️ Cost: Free.
📍 Location: Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages
Can you swim like a fish? Slither like a snake? Swing like a siamang? Explore animal movement as you hop, crawl and wiggle through a story, song and activities with Riverbanks Zoo.
📍 Location: Richland Library Eastover, 608 Main Street, Eastover, SC 29044
👉 Read more
FREE
Lords and ladies, travel back in time for crafts, games and medieval fun at the library’s tiny but mighty Ren Faire.
📍 Location: Lexington Main Library, 5440 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29072
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Grades K–5
FREE
The South Carolina State Museum invites individuals, families, and groups to Accessibility Mornings (the second Saturday of each month)—a free, sensory-friendly museum experience designed for guests who are neurodiverse or have other disabilities. The morning offers a calmer environment with optional activities, open gallery exploration, accessibility supports including ASL interpretation, sensory-friendly shows, and a dedicated sensory room. Activities are free, with limited space for shows, and guests are welcome to explore at their own pace.
👉Click here to learn more information and register
2026 Characters
- January 10, 2026: The Pigeon from The Pigeon Books
- February 14, 2026: The Red Crayon from The Crayon Books
- March 14, 2026: Disability Celebration Day!
- April 11, 2026: Cookie Mouse from “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”
- May 9, 2026: Pete the Cat
- June 13, 2026: Rainbow Fish
- July 11, 2026: Penelope the Dinosaur
- August 8, 2026: Elephant and Piggy
- September 12, 2026: Taco Dragon from “Dragons Love Tacos”
- October 10, 2026: Jasper Rabbit
- November 14, 2026: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- December 12, 2026: Clifford the Big Red Dog
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