Columbia SC Races in April and May 2015

Have you signed up for these upcoming races in Columbia, South Carolina? 

From 5k races to cycling events to obstacles races, we are gearing up for two months of athletic events in Columbia, SC! Race with your friends, raise money for charity and stay fit this April and May 2015. We look forward to seeing you at these exciting Columbia events!

Visiting from out of town to participate in a race? Contact our local partners and make your hotel reservations today. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and free WiFi!

April and May Races in Columbia SC: 

SuperHero 5K For Jillian's Cure
April 18th, 2015 at 7AM
Join us to find a cure, and don your super hero costumes as we save children with Optic Atrophy! The 5K run/walk will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 7 AM in Lexington, SC. A family fun event to follow. This event benefits Jillian's Cure, and funds are designated to a local child (Jillian Nava) with ADOA. For additional updates and information be sure to like the event Facebook Page: Superhero 5K For Jillian's Cure.

Quarry Crusher Run
April 18, 2015 
The Quarry Crusher Run is the only race of its kind in the southeast. This once-in-a-lifetime look inside a magnificent landscape that is prohibited to the general public will leave a lasting memory in addition to the aching of your muscles and bones. The approximately 3.72-mile route starts and finishes near the Olympia-Granby Mills in the Olympia Village, but it grows each year as the quarry gets deeper. Once in the quarry, the route winds down a 10% grade through granite cliffs to the quarry floor. The approximately 400-foot ascent from the quarry floor to the finish marks the grueling event as Columbia’s most challenging foot race. Click here for additional information.

BattleFrog Carolinas Obstacle Race
April 25-26, 2015
Be a human dirt bike when the BattleFrog returns to Carolina Adventure World on April 25 and 26, 2015, the largest ATV course in the Southeast. We will take you through the best of over 100 miles of trails, mud bogs, rock crawls, and some of the highest elevations in the state. Some of the best racers on the course at the June, 2014 event clocked in under an hour for the 15k. Sign up and see if you can beat that! Click here to register.

South Carolina VisionWalk
May 2, 2015 at 10AM
Since 2006, VisionWalk has raised over $30 million to support the mission of the Foundation. Over 50 walks are planned for 2015, including the 2nd Annual South Carolina VisionWalk at Riverfront Park. The VisionWalk is a fun, family-friendly 5K (3.1 mile) walk complete with music, food, kids activities, bounce houses and more! Join people like you who are committed to changing the future for their friends and family members affected with retinal degenerative diseases. Click here for more details and to officially register for this event.

Lake Murray Triathlon
May 24, 2015 at 8AM
The Lake Murray Triathlon has become a favorite chance for all South Carolina Triathletes to showcase their talents against the best in the state. Nestled in the center of South Carolina athletes from the Upstate, Midlands and Coastal regions converge into Columbia each year for this sprint distance event. The swim is one counter-clockwise 750 meter loop. The bike course is long for a sprint distance event - one 16 mile loop. The 5k run course is very unique in that runners get several opportunities to see where they are in relation to the competition.

2015 SC Tour de Cure
May 30, 2015
Tour de Cure is more than just a cycling event. A day full of fun and excitement where riders of all levels join forces in the fight to Stop Diabetes and raise critical funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy in support of the American Diabetes Association. So take the Ride of Your Life and sign up today. Whether you are an occasional rider or an experienced cyclist, there is a route just for you!

Danielle Snyder
Columbia SC Events

Valentine's Day in Columbia SC

Celebrate Valentine's Day in Columbia, South Carolina this February 2015. 

Kick off Valentine's Day with a trail race, spend time with the entire family at Columbia Museum of Art and plan a night out on the town while your kids enjoy a fun evening at Riverbanks Zoo. Columbia has a special treat for every couple!

Check out our list of Valentine's Day Weekend events and make your holiday plans today! Visiting Columbia from out of town? The Staybridge Suites, Wingate Harbison, Holiday Inn Express Harbison and Hampton Inn Lexington offer comfortable accommodations, complimentary breakfast and free parking. We look forward to celebrating Valentine's Day with you in Columbia, South Carolina.

Valentine's Day Events in Columbia SC:

Half-Moon Outfitters Make My Day 5K/12K
February 14, 2015 at 9AM
The 6th Annual Make My Day trail race will take place on February 14th, 2015 in Columbia, SC at Harbison State Forest. This trail race encompasses three of the major trails in the forest (Firebreak, Stewardship, Midlands Mountain), giving each runner the chance to really experience the beauty of a local trail running venue. Runners of all skill are invited to attend - from advanced to novice - this race has something for everyone. So lace up those running shoes, grab some friends and come dominate some trails! Run local, support local! Click here for additional information.

Parents' Night Out: Be Our Valentine at Riverbanks Zoo
February 14, 2015 from 6-9:30PM
Plan a night out on the town while your kids enjoy a fun-filled and educational evening full of adventure at Riverbanks Zoo under the care of Zoo staff and ZooTeen volunteers. Supervised activities will include games, crafts, animal encounters, a kid friendly movie with popcorn and a pizza dinner.

Studio Cellar: Picasso Lovers
February 14, 2015 at 6:30PM
Paint your date in Picasso inspired techniques this Valentine's Day 2015. Painting is on 2 canvasses so you can put them together when they're complete. We will walk you through this 2 hour painting step by step, no skills needed. Wine, beer, and light appetizers from Blue Marlin sold on premise. Continue Mixin' and Mingling at the Paint Bar afterwords!

Family Fun Day: Sweet on CMA
February 14, 2015 from Noon - 3PM
Families are invited to Feel the Love (of ART) at ?Family Fun Day: Sweet on CMA.? Get creative at art stations and make a valentine for someone special. Take a ?Love-Struck? Tour, participate in the ?I Heart Art? Gallery Hunt, and strike a pose in the ?Be Mine? Selfie Booth. See the Columbia Marionette Theater perform ?Hansel and Gretel? at 1:00 p.m. Don?t forget to purchase some sweet treats! Sponsored by Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center. Click here for additional information.

Cupid's Chase 5K
February 14, 2015 
Community Options, Inc. will hold its Annual Cupid’s Chase 5k Run that will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2015, in twenty-seven race locations. Community Options, Inc. is a national non-profit organization incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Princeton, NJ. Our mission is to provide housing and employment support to people with disabilities. Click here for additional information.

Valentine’s Day Cinema: The African Queen
February 14, 2015 at 7PM
Channel your inner Humphrey Bogart – or Katharine Hepburn – during our third annual Valentine’s Day Cinema event.  Join us in the lobby for champagne and sweets and expect a delightful evening filled with 1950’s romance, World War I action and – the real reason we’ll all be there – the incredible chemistry between Bogey and Kate, sparring in all of their cinematic glory.

Columbia Baroque presents Portraits of Love
February 13, 2015 at 7:30PM
Love and music have been intertwined throughout history. Our concert paints several of love’s faces: charm, flirtatiousness, grace, sweetness, moving from romantic ill-starred lovers to one of love lost. A perfect concert to attend with your favorite Valentine!

Danielle Snyder
Columbia SC Events

Columbia SC New Year's Eve 2014

Columbia SC New Year's Eve events feature fireworks, concerts, family activities, ball drops and more!

Ring in the New Year at popular Columbia, South Carolina festivals and events! The Columbia SC Famously Hot New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Columbia features live music and entertainment, a countdown and ball drop, festive fireworks and access to large screen monitors to watch the college football bowl games. EdVenture Children's Museum invites families to attend Columbia's only ball drop for kids and Main Street Crit invites you to kick off your celebrations with a 5K race. Columbia SC celebrations feature activities and events for people of all ages and interests. Share memories of 2014 and create your very first memories of 2015 right here in Columbia, South Carolina with family and friends!

Visiting Columbia for New Year's Eve? Our local hotel partners offer comfortable accommodations, complimentary breakfast and easy access to all of Columbia's New Year's Celebrations. Call them today and ask for their New Year's Eve Packages.

Columbia SC New Year's Eve Events:

Famously Hot New Year Celebration
December 31, 2014
Famously Hot New Year is THE place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Capital City. The Famously Hot New Year's Celebration started four years ago as a New Year’s Eve street concert with a fireworks show. It has grown to a state-wide celebration that is the catalyst for other happenings around the area. Corporate citizens, businesses, non-profits, and public entities have joined in the fun to host their own events during the Famously Hot New Year celebration. The celebration offers attendees a unique way to ring in the New Year. Set at the footsteps of the picturesque South Carolina State Capitol, attendees will ring in the New Year with Southern hospitality. The celebration extends down Main Street and beyond, encompassing the huge, free #FHNY concert featuring The O'Jays with opening acts MisterWives and Lefty at the Washout and a midnight fireworks show, all hosted by WLTX's Darci Strickland and WCOS's Kelly Nash.

New Year’s Eve at Noon
December 31, 2014 - Doors Open at 9AM
Get ready for Columbia’s only BALL DROP for kids! Doors open at EdVenture Children's Museum at 9am with activities celebrating New Year’s Eve around the world. As the countdown to noon begins, a giant illuminated ball descends and lands at the foot of EDDIE, kicking off the biggest mid-day celebration in town! Free with museum admission. Call 803-779-3100 for more information.

Main Street Crit
December 31, 2014
Kick start 2015 by running Main Street Crit on New Year's Eve. Let your kids come and experience the fun of running and fitness! Main Street Crit features a Kids Fun Run, 5K Open Race and 8K race for elite runners. The races will be on December 31st. The start times are: Kids Fun Run - 3PM, Open 5K - 3:30PM, and Elite 8K - 4:45PM. All of the races are spectator-friendly on a "criterium style," two-block loop in downtown Columbia, SC. Elite runners will compete for over $8,000 in prize money! Click here for additional information.

New Year's Eve Celebration at Newberry Opera House
December 31, 2014
An Opera House tradition! Mark your calendars for the annual New Year's Eve Celebration at the Newberry Opera House. Join in as a host of guest performers welcomes the New Year with music and dancing, scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and desserts, wine and champagne. For ticket information contact the Newberry Opera House at 803.276.6264 or visit www.newberryoperahouse.com. If you can't make the show, the grand finale will feature fireworks over Downtown at midnight and the dropping of "the ball" from the Opera House clocktower! Come experience Newberry's version of New Year's Eve celebration.

New Year's Eve at Music Farm
December 31, 2014
Solid Entertainment and Music Farm Productions present the 2014 New Year's Eve Party! Ring in the New Year with Weaving The Fate, Ben G and Death of Paris. Opening set by DM Radio.  The celebration begins at 8PM. Tickets are $12 in davance, $15 day of show. This event is for all ages, under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. Click here for additional information.

New Year's Eve Carnival in Columbia SC
December 31, 2014 from 6PM - 11PM
A family-friendly New Year's Eve Carnival designed with the "family" in mind. Our hours are early so that parents can spend quality time with their children on New Year's Eve. There's a lot for you to do too—amusement rides, carnival games, karaoke, food & drink vendors and more! New Year's Eve Carnival will be held from 6PM - 11PM on December 31, 2014, on Main Street. Call 803-545-3117 for more information.

Happy New Year! 

Danielle Snyder
Columbia SC Events

Columbia SC 2014 Holiday Events

Celebrate the holiday season in Columbia, South Carolina at incredible annual events including Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo, Saluda Shoals Holiday Lights, WinterFest at the SC State Museum and more.

From twinkling Christmas lights to holiday tunes to your favorite holiday shows, Columbia SC is ready to celebrate the 2014 holiday season. Mark you calendar today so that you and your family can enjoy these festive holiday events!

Visiting from out of town? Contact our local hotel partners for excellent holiday rates!

2014 Holiday Events in Columbia SC: 

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Now - December 30, 2014
Closed Nov 27, Dec 24 & 25
Experience Columbia's longest running holiday tradition! Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for more than 25 years. Enjoy nearly one million twinkling lights, counless animated images and dazzling Music in Motion Lights. There will be nightly visits with Santa, and warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children. Call 803-779-8717 for more information.

Holiday House Tours
Now - January 6, 2014
The Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion and Mann-Simons Site are all decorated for the season! Guides will provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th and early 20th centuries. View a variety of holiday decorations and traditions in each house. Shown as part of the regularly-scheduled tours of the Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion and Mann-Simons Site from November 21 - January 6.

Snowville!
Now - February 22, 2015
Every day is a SNOW DAY at EdVenture Children's Museum from November 22nd through February 22nd! Strap on some ice skates and pack your mittens for a frosty, fun-filled trip to Snowville. Our most popular seasonal exhibit is cooler than ever! Crawl through an ice tunnel, climb a snow-capped mountain, sled down a snowy hill, or visit the Penguin Observation Station. It’s all in Snowville! Click here for additional information.

Saluda Shoals Holiday Lights
November 26 - December 31, 2014
From November 26th through December 31st, Saluda Shoals Park will come alive in a blaze of more than a million sparkling lights. Holiday Lights on the River features over 400 themed, animated light displays on a two-mile loop of the Park! Enjoy the Dazzling Dancing Forest with its dancing, lighted trees synchronized to classical and whimsical holiday music. Take a stroll along the boardwalk through the Wetland Wonderland Walking Trail and watch nature come to life in sparkling lights. Take a hayride to the boardwalk for $1 per person or walk along the new trail to the Wetland and enjoy a laser light show and the Deck the Doors Holiday door display along the way. Click here for more information.

The Nutcracker Ballet
November 26 - 30, 2014
Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker Ballet at the Township Auditorium November 26 - 30, 2014. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. Show times: Wednesday, November 26th at 10AM. Friday, November 28th at 7:30PM. Sunday November 30th at 3PM. Call the Township Auditorium at 803-576-2350 for more information.

Columbia Children's Theatre presents Jack Frost
December 5 - 14, 2014
Something’s up with the weather.  The leaves are turning non-existent colors, unexpected snows are blanketing the orange groves and farmers are getting frost bite in the summer.  What is going on?  Is it global warming?  No, it’s Jack Frost being “creative” again. When Jack’s rebellion and yearning for self-expression start landing him in hot water, his parents The Snow Queen and The Frost King, decide that a little time spent with the industrious and practical Kringle family would teach the head-strong lad a lesson. Click here for additional information.

Santa's Gingerbread Jamboree at EdVenture
December 6 - 20, 2014
Santa is coming! EdVenture invites all families to enjoy this holiday event for children featuring photos with Santa, gingerbread cookie decorating, story time with Frosty the Snowman, festive face painting and holiday arts and crafts. Spend a full day of winter fun together as you visit Santa Claus, his elves and Frosty before heading upstairs to the North and South Pole to play in our seasonal exhibit, Snowville. Click here for additional information.

Nutcracker at Koger Center for the Arts
December 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2014
Nutcracker, Columbia’s holiday family tradition, has the distinction of being the Koger Center’s first Nutcracker production and longest consecutively running annual arts event. With seven snow-filled performances, including four matinees, Nutcracker is designed to accommodate the entire family’s holiday schedule. Performances will run December 13th at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM to 14th at 3:00 PM and December 20th and 21st at both 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Click here to purchase tickets.

WinterFest at SC State Museum
December 20, 2014 - January 3, 2015
Take a break from the holiday frenzy with family activities celebrating the winter season! A State Museum holiday tradition kicks off in December with a two-week long celebration of the winter season. Call 803-898-4952 for more information.

Danielle Snyder
Columbia SC Events

2014 Halloween Events in Columbia SC

Celebrate Halloween in Columbia, South Carolina this October 2014. 

Boo at the Zoo, Deceased Farm and all of Columbia’s favorite Halloween attractions are back and they are bigger and better than ever before! From trick-or-treating to corn mazes to haunted house adventures, Columbia SC has Halloween festivities that will entertain audiences of all ages. How many haunted attractions and Halloween activities can you fit in this October 2014?

Visiting Columbia for a Halloween Getaway? Contact our local hotel partners and make your Columbia hotel reservations today!

2014 Columbia SC Halloween Events and Attractions:

Clinton Sease Farm Corn Maze: Down On The Farm
September 19 - November 16, 2014
Fridays 6PM - 11PM, Saturdays 10AM - 11PM, Sunday 2PM - 7PM
As you navigate our 8 acre corn maze you will find clues, pictures, and games. Maize-o-Vision secret decoders help you navigate the multi-acre puzzle. Can you find your way out? Maize Quest is a great way for families, scouts, schools, youth groups, and corporate parties to enjoy victory together. Bring your family for a weekend to remember. After 'Getting Lost' in the Corn Maze, visit the Kiddie Corn Maze, Tire Maze, Tricyle Raceway, Cornsnake, Rubber Duck Races, Sand Pile, "Spookley & His Friends Storybook Maze", South Carolina's Original Marshmallow Maze, John Deere combine slide, pumpkin bowling, giant forty foot slide, wooden playground area and much, much more. Click here for more information.

Deceased Farm
September 26 - 28, 2014
October 3-5, 10-12, 16-19, 23-26, 29-31, 2014
November 1, 2014
Featuring two complete haunted houses, Deceased Farm is fast becoming the Midland’s premiere haunted attraction. Conveniently located in Lexington, South Carolina next to the corn maze at Clinton Sease Farm, you can spend the day wandering the corn maze and when darkness falls come over to test your bravery in one or both attractions. The main haunt encompasses three buildings that are crammed full of state of the art props and sets inhabited by over 30 live characters surrounded by a 2 acre haunted corn maze. Deceased Farm is a very intense attraction and is NOT recomended for small children. Recommended for children 12 years of age and up, but younger children are allowed if accompanied by an adult. Click here for additional information.

Scarecrows in the Garden
October 1, 2014 - November 2, 2014
Scarecrows have taken over the Robert Mills House gardens! Presented by Palmetto Parent, the free Scarecrows in the Garden exhibit features handcrafted scarecrows made by local families, businesses, organizations and classrooms. On a stroll through the gardens this fall, you’ll see dozens of ghoulish, historic and colorful scarecrows. Keep an eye out for “Sneaky Steve,” a mischievous scarecrow hiding somewhere on the grounds in a new location each week. Call 803-252-7742 for more information.

Pumpkin Patch at Robert Mills House
October 2014
The scarecrows are on the loose and watching over the pumpkins. Children will pick out and decorate a pumpkin to take home, play games and enjoy a harvest snack. Afterwards they can participate in the Scarecrows in the Garden Scavenger Hunt. Tickets are $7 per child, $6 per child for groups of 20 or more. Call 803-252-1770 x 33 to make arrangements for your group.

Witch's Night Out at Deceased Farm
October 16, 2014 from 6PM - 7:30PM
Leave the ghouls and little goblins at home, this event is just for the witches. Featuring devilishly delicious food from The Farmer's Shed, custom brew from Krafty Draft and live entertainment by DJ, Ronny Lane. Tickets include hors d'oeuvres, beverages, early and unlimited entry into both haunted attractions. Click here for additional information.

Boo at the Zoo
October 17 - 30, 2014 from 6PM - 9PM
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden presents Boo at the Zoo - a 2014 Halloween Spooktacular event! Featured attractions include the trick-or-treat trail, Moonlight Magic with Ray, a nightly costume parade, marshmallow roasts, Frankenstein's Foam Zone, the Spooky Safari, Haunted Carousel, Spooky Hay Maze and more. Tickets are only $9 for the general public and children younger than 2 are free! Make plans now to attend this family friendly Halloween event in Columbia, SC.

Spooktacular Night at the CMA
October 19, 2014
As darkness falls, the Museum transforms into a Spooktacular place filled with ghosts, art, music and goodies. Explore the galleries by taking a 'spooky'-themed tour and participating in a haunted gallery hunt, as well as creating Halloween art. Buy a burger for dinner from the Pawley?s food truck on the plaza. At the stroke of 7PM, enjoy a performance by Lunch Money followed by a trip to the Garden of Curiosities. Click here for additional information.

Halloween at the Park
October 24, 2014
Trick-or-treat on the outdoor trick-or-treat trail from 6:30–7:30PM at Crooked Creek Park.Then enjoy carnival games and prizes, a costume contest, SCREAM contest, concessions, and all the fun you can imagine! This is a great event for the whole family. A wristband can be purchased for $5 per child. Concessions will available for purchase from the American Legion. Call 803-345-6181 for more information.

Halloween Zumbathon
October 25, 2014 at 10AM
Join some of Columbia's hottest Zumba instructors to dance for a good cause during the Halloween Zumbathon at Seven Oaks Park. This event will benefit ICRC Meals on Wheels. There will be a prize for the best costume! Call 803-772-3336 for more information.

Will O'The Wisp
October 25, 2014 at 6PM
Children can stroll along the boardwalk gathering candy and visiting with Nature Interpreters to learn about nocturnal animals. Other activities include games, cookie decorating, making s’mores, and hot cocoa! Lighted Jack-o-lanterns will sing songs and tell stories!  Come in costume and bring a flashlight or lantern. Click here for more information.

Trunk or Treat at the Robert Mills House
Put your costume and join Historic Columbia as we bring the fun of Halloween to the Robert Mills House with our first Trunk or Treat. Children will enjoy trick-or-treating with a twist in a safe and fun environment. Community members and organizations will display decorated trunks filled with candy in the parking lot of the Robert Mills House, and prizes will be awarded for the best decorated trunk. Don’t forget to explore the Scarecrows in the Gardens exhibit and visit the Gift Shop at Robert Mills during this free event! Call 803-252-7742 for more information.

Halloween Hustle at Saluda Shoals Park
October 30, 2014
Dress in your Halloween best for this run held on a fast, fun course that runs through Saluda Shoals Park.  The festivities continue after the hustle with a laser light show, DJ, and fun activities.  Costumes are encouraged.  Prizes will be awarded to Best Youth, Best Adult, Best Group, and Best Overall Costumes. T-Shirts available for purchase. Click here for additional information.

Dracula: Ballet with a Bite
October 30, 2014 - November 1, 2014 at 7:30PM
Blood, Fangs, and Death are just a few of the things you will find in this favorite Halloween cult classic. Based on the novel by Bram Stoker, we see Count Dracula continue his seductive reign of terror with his Brides of Darkness in Transylvania. Performance dates for this Halloween “must see” dance favorite are at 7:30 PM from October 30th – November 1st with our annual costume contest during the Saturday performance. Click here for additional information.

Danielle Snyder
Columbia SC Events