Inside: What festivals are happening this summer in Columbia, SC.
Are you looking for summer festivals near Columbia, SC? Now, the weather has warmed, school is almost over, and already it’s festival season! If you’re planning to get out in Columbia and build memories and experiences this summer, festivals can be a great way to dip your toes in something new. Columbia has festivals year-round, but here are some family-friendly festivals coming up to take in this famously hot season.
Quick Summary: Summer festival season is HERE, Columbia! ☀️🎶
Ready to eat, dance, and celebrate all summer long? 🎉 Here are a few family-friendly faves:
🦞 Rosewood Crawfish Festival (May 2)
🎶 SC Caribbean Carnival (June 11-14)
🖤 Juneteenth Festival (June 20)
🍤 Shrimp & Grits Festival (June 20)
🦀 Southeast Crab Festival (July 11)
First off, get ready to kick things off with some Southern eats!
Irmo International Festival 2026
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Head to Irmo and check out this local festival at Moore Park. There will be artists, dancers, musicians, food trucks, art, kids’ area and more. More information at the Irmo International Festival website.
Moore Park, 7507 Eastview Drive, Irmo, SC
11 am – 7 pm
Rosewood Crawfish Festival
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Of course, in typical Rosewood neighborhood fashion, this event promises to be full of live music and local artisans. It’s family-friendly, with things for kids including rides, face painting, and crawdad races. Also, kids 12 and under get in free! This is the Rosewood Crawfish Festival website.
State Fair Grounds at 1200 Rosewood Drive Columbia, SC 29201.
11 am – 7 pm
Tickets are $12 presale and $15 day of
Pickin’ and Piggin’ at the Park (SCBA)
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Or, if you’re feeling a little more down to earth, enjoy more than 20 BBQ cooks best at this cook-off in the park. Beer will also be available for purchase. The event is all-you-can-eat at Columbia’s most accessible park with music by the Run Out. See the Pickin’ and Piggin’ website for more.
Saluda Shoal’s Park, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 United States
11 am – 1:30 pm
Adults (13+) $18
Children (12 and Under) $5
South Carolina Caribbean Carnival
June 11th – June 14th, 2026
Next up, another family-friendly, cultural festival. So, trek right down to the South Carolina State Fairgrounds to experience this big Caribbean Block Party. Find out more about the Caribbean Carnival on their website South Carolina Carnival.
Thursday, June 11th – Carribean Night
Friday, June 12th – Lime (Poolside Rhythms)
Friday, June 12th – Paint Water Powder Festival
Saturday, June 13th – Road Parade
Saturday, June 13th – Block Party
Saturday, June 13th – White N Anything
Sunday, June 14th – Punch’d
Juneteenth Festival
June 20th, 2026
It’s time to celebrate freedom, black heritage, and more at this family-friendly event. It offers many activities including food, games, live music, artistic performances, and local vendors. For more, see the Juneteenth Festival website.
421 Bush River Road, Columbia SC 29210
Ticket Price: FREE
Columbia’s 11th Annual Shrimp and Grits Festival
June 20th, 2026
According to the Shrimp and Grits Festival official website, there will be unlimited Shrimp & Grits, live music, and prizes! Restaurants around the Midlands will be offering their version of Shrimp & Grits, and it’s your turn to find out who has the best! Also, there will be a winner in the “People’s Choice” division, and “tickets include unlimited shrimp and grits samples from participating restaurants and live music.”
Seawell’s Catering, 1125 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201
6 pm- 9 pm
Tickets $50
Looking for 4th of July Festivals and Events? We have a whole article about that!
Southeast Crab Festival
July 11, 2026
Obviously, this festival will include crabs, but that’s not all. It actually has all-you-can-eat blue crabs! There will also be fish and chips as well as drinks for sale. You can bring in your own toppings, but please no coolers. This event boasts being both a long-standing state tradition of outdoor seafood cooking and a family-friendly event. Tickets will be limited to reduce crowds. Get tickets online at the Southeast Crab Feast website and collect them at Will Call with ID.
Still Hungry for More?
Bonus: Sumter Iris Festival
May 15th – 17th, 2026
Don’t forget the Sumter County Iris Festival is about an hour’s drive. It offers lots of FREE fun for the family, so this is one you don’t want to miss!
And, Soda City Comic Con is in August.
There are also car shows, 5ks, and more in Columbia this summer. The Kidding Around Columbia Event Page is where you can find more events.
Let us know about your favorite festivals and summer activities below!
