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 is here! Find out all the fun summer happenings in the midlands and beyond!
4th of July Near Columbia, SC
If you’re looking for the best fireworks displays and celebratory events for America’s 250th, here is our 4th of July events list!
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, including themed nights with the Fireflies at Segra Park, a butterfly release at Crooked Creek, and some fun Summer Reading kickoff parties toward the end of the month.
Events July 3rd – 5th, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | June 1, 2026 - July 12, 2026
All Day |
South Carolina Festival of Flowers- Signature Topiary Displays + More!
at Uptown Greenwood, 120 Main Street, Greenwood SC |
| 🆓 | July 3, 2026
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
America's 250th Bash & Splash! at Gather COLA
at Gather COLA, Columbia SC |
July 3, 2026
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
250th Independence Day Celebration
at Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington SC |
|
July 3, 2026
6:05 pm - 10:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies 4th of July Celebration- July 3
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
July 3, 2026
7:05 pm - 10:00 pm |
Lexington Blowfish Baseball and Fireworks July 3
at Lexington County Baseball Stadium, Lexington SC |
|
July 4, 2026
7:04 am - 10:00 am |
Born in the USA 4 Mile Run
at Forest Lake, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 4, 2026
8:00 am - 9:30 pm |
Lexington County Peach Festival and Fireworks
at Gilbert Community Park, Gilbert SC |
| 🆓 | July 4, 2026
9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Home Depot In-Store Kids Workshops
|
| 🆓 | July 4, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
July 4, 2026
10:00 am - 3:00 pm |
Cereal Box Collage Workshop with Michael Albert
at EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia SC |
|
July 4, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm |
Independence Day Guided Paddle Tour
at Saluda Shoals Park (ICRC), Columbia SC |
|
July 4, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 4, 2026
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
Fourth of July Celebration at Finlay Park- Pre Party
at Finlay Park, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 4, 2026
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
America's 250th Bash & Splash! at Gather COLA
at Gather COLA, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 4, 2026
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
Fireworks Show and More at Fort Jackson
at Hilton Field, Columbia SC |
July 4, 2026
6:05 pm - 10:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies 4th of July Celebration
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
July 4, 2026
7:05 pm - 10:00 pm |
Lexington Blowfish Baseball and Fireworks
at Lexington County Baseball Stadium, Lexington SC |
|
July 4, 2026
9:15 pm - 11:00 pm |
Lake Murray Fireworks
at Lake Murray, Colombia SC |
|
July 4, 2026
9:30 pm - 10:30 pm |
Fireworks Show at Lake Wateree State Park
at Lake Wateree State Park, Winnsboro SC |
|
July 5, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm |
First Sunday at the South Carolina State Museum
at South Carolina State Museum, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 5, 2026
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
America's 250th Bash & Splash! at Gather COLA
at Gather COLA, Columbia SC |
July 5, 2026
6:05 pm - 9:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies 4th of July Weekend- July 5
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
Events July 10th – 12th, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | June 1, 2026 - July 12, 2026
All Day |
South Carolina Festival of Flowers- Signature Topiary Displays + More!
at Uptown Greenwood, 120 Main Street, Greenwood SC |
July 10, 2026
7:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 11, 2026
9:00 am - 11:00 am |
Accessibility Mornings- SC State Museum
at South Carolina State Museum, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 11, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 11, 2026
9:00 am - 2:00 pm |
Touch-A-Truck at Shiloh at Abbott Ranch
at Shiloah at Abbott Ranch, Swansea SC |
July 11, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Backyard Saturday
at Saluda Shoals Park (ICRC), Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 11, 2026
10:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshop FREE In-Store Event
|
| 💙 | July 11, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
The Battle of Huck’s Defeat- Historic Brattonsville
at Historic Brattonsville, McConnells SC |
July 11, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 11, 2026
11:00 am - 12:00 pm |
JCPenney Kids Zone Free Craft Events
|
July 11, 2026
6:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
| 💙 | July 12, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
The Battle of Huck’s Defeat- Historic Brattonsville
at Historic Brattonsville, McConnells SC |
Events July 17th – 19th, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
July 17, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 18, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
July 18, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am |
Stroller Tour of the Collection
at Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia SC |
|
July 18, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
July 18, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
| 🆓 | 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 19, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
Events July 24th – 26th, 2026
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
July 24, 2026
7:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
July 24, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 25, 2026
9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Kids Markets at Fairfield Farmers Market
|
|
| 🆓 | July 25, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
July 25, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
July 25, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 25, 2026
6:00 pm |
Columbia Fireflies Home Game
at Segra Park, Columbia SC |
|
July 26, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 26, 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!
- Places to swim, splash, and get wet in Columbia, SC
- Take on the SC7 Expedition!
- Spend the day at the Lake Murray Public Park.
- Search for owls at Congaree.
- Explore Crooked Creek Park this summer!
- Aiken State Park– go explore!
- Enjoy one of these local 19 playgrounds and parks.
- Take the little ones up to Playland of Aiken for indoor fun.
- Check out all the FREE programming at Richland County Library.
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|
July 16, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 17, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 18, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
July 18, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 19, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 20, 2026
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Marionette Monday: Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
July 23, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 24, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 25, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
July 25, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
July 26, 2026
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
Mary Poppins
at Harbison Theatre, Irmo SC |
|
August 1, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
August 8, 2026
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
|
August 17, 2026
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Marionette Monday: Jack and the Giants
at Columbia Marionette Theatre, Columbia SC |
Free Things Happening This Month
- Soda City Farmers Market, Weekly
- Home Depot FREE Kids Workshop
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | July 13, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am |
Science Heroes
at Richland Library Southeast, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 13, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Science Heroes
at Richland Library Northeast, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 15, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am |
Science Heroes
at Richland Library Eastover, Eastover SC |
| 🆓 | July 15, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Science Heroes
at Richland Library North Main, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 15, 2026
3:30 pm - 4:15 pm |
Splash Pad Storytime
at Edisto Discovery Park Splash Pad (Richland Library), Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 16, 2026
10:00 am - 10:45 am |
Family Storytime
at Richland Library Cooper, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 16, 2026
10:00 am - 10:30 am |
Hello, Baby!
at Richland Library Main, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 16, 2026
10:00 am - 10:30 am |
Reading with a Ranger
at Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | July 18, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Soda City Market
at Soda City Market, Columbia SC |
| 🆓 | 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 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 |
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!
- Columbia Fireflies 4th of July Celebration – July 3 & 4, Segra Park. Ballpark fireworks two nights in a row.
- Soda City Market – July 4, 9:00 am–1:00 pm, downtown Columbia. Free Saturday market, easy way to start the holiday.
- Lake Murray Fireworks – July 4, 9:15–11:00 pm, Lake Murray. A beautiful spot to watch the show over the water.
- The Battle of Huck’s Defeat – July 11 & 12, Historic Brattonsville. A hands-on Revolutionary War reenactment for history-loving kids.
- Bat Twilight Takeoff – July 15, 22, and 30, 8:15–9:15 pm, Sesquicentennial State Park. Watch bats emerge at dusk, a fun evening nature outing.
- W. Gordon Belser Arboretum Open House – July 19, 1:00–4:00 pm, USC. Free, low-key nature walk for the family.
- Mary Poppins at Harbison Theatre – multiple shows July 19–26. A practically perfect outing for theater-loving families.
Catch a FREE event at the Richland Libraries. We love their free movies!
Travel Highlight
If you’re looking for a fun day trip, Hopelands Gardens in Aiken, SC is in full bloom right now. It is stunning! Find out everything you’ll see and experience during the summer months.
Don’t Miss These Things to Do This Month, Updated With Your Family In Mind!