COLUMBIA, S.C. — Halloween is right around the corner and there are quite a few opportunities for your little goblins to dress up for trick-or-treating. Here is a list of known celebrations in the Midlands.
THURSDAY, October 28
Richland Library's Not-So-Spooky Halloween Stroll, 2-5 p.m., 1431 Assembly Street, outside at Hampton Street Plaza. Get the family dressed up in their costumes and head to the Library's Main location for an afternoon trick-or-treat stroll past Columbia's Main Street businesses. Columbia Police and City Center Partnership Yellow Shirts will be on hand to help families cross streets and stay safe on the stroll.
Ridge View High School Trunk or Treat, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the bus parking lot at 4801 Hard Scrabble Rd, Columbia. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and enjoy the family-friendly event while remaining in their cars.
Airport High School's drive-thru Trick or Treat Lane is set for 5:30-7 p.m. on the school campus, 1315 Boston Ave., West Columbia. The event is coordinated by Student Council, with clubs and community members handing out candy.
Brookland-Cayce High School's drive-thru Trunk or Treat is set for 6-7:30 p.m. on the school campus, 1300 State St., Cayce. The event is coordinated by the school's DECA organization, with help from other student clubs and groups in handing out candy.
Mason’s Monster Mash at Segra Park, 6-8 p.m., 1640 Freed St. Come out in costume and trick-or-treat around Segra Park with Columbia Fireflies’ mascot Mason. Tickets $5 per person, children age 2 and under get in free.
FRIDAY, October 29
Lourie Center’s Hooray for Hollywood Drive-Thru Fall Festival, 9 a.m. -noon, 1650 Park Circle. Seniors come dressed as your favorite actor, icon, or superhero from the movies. Activities include music and door prizes. The first 150 seniors to attend will receive a free swag bag.
SATURDAY, October 30
Soda City Comic Con, 10 a.m. at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. As if you need a reason to dress up, this two-day event features cosplay, gaming, comics and more. This year’s special guests include Christina Ricci (The Addams Family, Mermaids, Z: The Beginning of Everything), Emily Swallow (Supernatural, The Mandalorian), and voice actors Davis Matranga, Clifford Chapin, Kristen McGuire, Trina Nishimura and Chris Wehkamp. Tickets available at the door.
Scratch N' Spin's Marvel Halloween Free Comic Book Extravaganza noon-3 p.m. at 513 12th Street in West Columbia. Featuring Josh Rackus -- the actor that played Mike Myers in "Halloween" and Pennywise in "IT" -- and live music from the Monster U band. Artists Mike Hoffman and Unlovely Frankenstein will also be on hand.
South Carolina State Museum’s Spooky Saturday. Kids, age 3–12 years, in costume will receive free general admission. Guests can enjoy special planetarium and 4D theater Halloween shows, such as Dracula 4-D and Halloscream Laser Lights. Plus, older kids and adults are invited to take a 'Dark History Tour' through the museum galleries with guided and self-guided options available.
City of Columbia’s Spooktacular Halloween Party 3-7 p.m. at Dutch Square Mall. A free, drive-through event for children ages 6 and up. Activities include trunk-or-treating (children must provide their own bags), food trucks and more
Brookland Baptist Church Northeast Fall Festival, 4-8 p.m. in Birch Park, 210 Rolling Knoll Drive. Activities include food trucks, game trucks, laser tag, face painting, trunk or treat, and a live DJ. The first 200 youth and teens to arrive will enjoy free food. DHEC pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic will dispense Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines
Columbia Police Department’s Harbison Fall Festival, 5-8 p.m., Columbiana Mall, 100 Columbiana Circle (Dillard’s entry). Activities include trunk-or-treat, free food, costume contest (6:30-7 p.m.), games and door prizes.
Movie in the Park, 6 p.m., Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park, Abbeville Street, Columbia. Family friendly event will feature Pixar’s “Monster’s Inc.,” a pumpkin patch for children and Tin Can Kettle Corn food truck
SUNDAY, October 31
Goat Daddy’s Trick or Treat at the Farm, 2:30-5:30 p.m., 144 Tomahawk Trail, Elgin. Activities include a kids’ costume contest at 5 p.m., games, haunted walking trail, live music, food and beer available for sale.
Washington Street United Methodist Church Fall Festival, 3-5 p.m. in the parking lot and Threatt Hall at 1401 Washington St., Columbia. Activities include pumpkin carving and painting, cake walk, costume parade and contest, dunking booth, inflatable slide, trunk-or-treat, face painting, music, and indoor crafts. WSUMC Youth will also be collecting winter gear for those in need to be distributed on November 14th at their Sunday Dinner event where volunteers will prepare and serve meals to those in need. Winter clothing such as coats, scarves, gloves, hats, sweaters and other items will be collected during the Fall Festival, as well as the week prior. Donations may be dropped off at the church beginning October 25 from 9 am to 4 pm, and at any point during the Fall Festival.
