Looking for fun things to do in Columbia, SC this weekend or month? Whether you’re planning a family outing or just need ideas to keep the kids entertained, Columbia is full of exciting, family-friendly events! From special children’s programs and festivals to live theatre and sports, we’ve rounded up the best local events happening this month, so you don’t miss a thing.
⭐Bookmark this page so you have a handy guide to the best things to do this month in the Columbia area!
Things to Do This Month: Columbia, SC
We are highlighting Cola’s best events throughout the month, so you can have the most fun each week. Be sure to check out our full event calendar for more fun around the Midlands!
Thank you to our sponsors. Sponsored events are marked as “featured.”
Summer break is almost over! Make the most of summer in the Midlands and beyond!
Events This Weekend: Columbia, SC
Is the weekend here, and you are not quite sure what to do? Check out these excellent family-friendly events near Columbia, SC! This month features some interesting things, so get out and explore while you settle in for back to school!
Events August 1 – 2, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | August 2, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Back to School Bash
at Fade & Beatuy Factory, Columbia SC |
August 2, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm |
First Sunday at the South Carolina State Museum
at South Carolina State Museum, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | August 2, 2026
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
Back to School Blast
at KJwitdaFADE Grooming LLC, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | August 2, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Library Antiques Roadshow
at Cayce-West Columbia Branch, West Columbia SC |
Events August 7 – 9, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
August 7, 2026
7:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, 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 |
Back to School
at Hyatt Park, 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 - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, 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 |
August 8, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Back to School Bash
at Occasions at Parklane, Columbia SC |
|
| 💙 | August 8, 2026
6:05 pm - 10:00 pm |
Bluey Night with the Columbia Fireflies!
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
August 9, 2026
5:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
Events August 14 – 16, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
August 15, 2026
7:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Fall Children & Teen Consignment Sale
|
|
August 15, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Kids Markets at Cola City Consignment Sale
|
|
| 🆓 | August 15, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
August 15, 2026
9:00 am - 2:00 pm |
Teddy Bear Clinic at EdVenture
at EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | August 16, 2026
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
W. Gordon Belser Arboretum Monthly Open House - USC
at W. Gordon Belser Arboretum, Columbia SC |
Events August 21 – 23, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | August 21, 2026
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
Sensory Night at EdVenture
at EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia SC |
August 21, 2026
7:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
August 21, 2026
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
Fun Friday at Crooked Creek Park
at Crooked Creek Park, Chapin SC |
|
August 21, 2026
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
Fun Friday: Soccer Tournament at Crooked Creek Park
at Crooked Creek Park, Chapin SC |
|
| 🆓 | August 22, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
August 22, 2026
6:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
August 23, 2026
5:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
Events August 28 – 30, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
August 28, 2026
7:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | August 29, 2026
7:00 am - 11:00 am |
Yard Sale at Crooked Creek Park
at Crooked Creek Park, Chapin SC |
| 🆓 | August 29, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
August 29, 2026
11:00 am - 3:00 pm |
Kids Markets at Eudora Wildlife Safari
|
|
August 29, 2026
6:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
August 30, 2026
5:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
Plan Your Day!
Check out our Guide to Things to Do Near Columbia, SC
Fill up Your Weekend With These Things to Do Near Columbia, SC
- When it’s super hot outside, check out these Indoor Things to Do!
- Stock up on school supplies at these school supply events.
- Take a day trip to Toccoa Falls in Georgia!
- Places to swim, splash, and get wet in Columbia, SC
- Visit Seven Oaks Park.
- Spend the day at the Lake Murray Public Park.
- Explore Crooked Creek Park this summer!
- Enjoy one of these local 19 playgrounds and parks.
- Visit Swan Lake in Sumter, SC.
- Take the little ones up to Playland of Aiken for indoor fun.
- Check out all the FREE programming at Richland County Library.
- Bring the kids for a stroller stroll at these local parks.
- Dine out at Columbia’s best restaurants!
- Plan a Sunday brunch!
- Here are 50+ FREE things to do around the area.
Theatre, Shows, and Sporting Events
Enjoy some live performances, from marionette shows to concerts, right here in Columbia, SC!
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
August 8, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
August 9, 2026
5:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
August 17, 2026
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Marionette Monday: Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
August 23, 2026
5:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
Free Things Happening This Month
- Soda City Farmers Market, Weekly
- Home Depot FREE Kids Workshop
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | August 2, 2026
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
Back to School Blast
at KJwitdaFADE Grooming LLC, 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
|
Cheap Fun is the BEST Fun!
There are lots of Free Things to Do Near Columbia, SC
Our Top Picks: Don’t Miss These Events This Month Near Columbia, SC
Our list is growing and full of options. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try one of these top picks. These are the events chosen by the Kidding Around® team!
- Dino Talk with The South Carolina State Museum, August 6th, 2026
- Bluey Night, Columbia Fireflies, August 8th, 2026
- Teddy Bear Clinic at EdVenture, August 15th, 2026
- Synchronized Hippos Night, Columbia Fireflies, August 20th, 2026
- Yard Sale at Crooked Creek Park, August 29th, 2026
Catch a FREE event at the Richland Libraries. We love their free movies!
Travel Highlight
Nothing says summer quite like a day trip to somewhere new: new food, new history, new adventures! We have a Day Trip Guide from Columbia, SC that offers over 50 ideas of places to explore, all within a couple of hours drive, so you can avoid the hotel stay if you want.
Don’t Miss These Things to Do This Month, Updated With Your Family In Mind!