COLUMBIA, S.C. — Get out and take advantage of the annual State Fair-faux Fall weather -- if you've been in the area for a while, you know what we mean. The two weeks around the South Carolina State Fair (which began on Wednesday) are when temperatures drop at least 10 degrees, only to rise again after the fair closes.
There's a lot of things to do, with Oktoberfest lingering and Halloween just around the corner. Check it out:
THROUGH NOVEMBER 2
Deceased Farm Haunted Attraction, various times, 382 Olde Farm Rd., Lexington. A self-guided haunt through 6 buildings, 3 outdoor areas and creepy corn field mazes. Tickets $30, $45 fast pass, $70 VIP (includes skipping the line to enter, free souvenir lanyard, one midway game ticket, one escape room ticket, and $5 off any regular priced t-shirt or hoodie in the gift shop
THROUGH JANUARY 5
French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850-1950, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. A showcase of works from the era’s leading artists, including Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Camille Corot, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, and more.
WEDNESDAY, October 9
South Carolina State Fair, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia. Opening day is today, hours noon-9 p.m.; then Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m. This year’s theme is celebrating the 46 counties in South Carolina. Entertainment includes daily CIRCUS performances and the following free concerts (showtimes at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
- The Tams, Oct. 9
- Best of Everything, Tribute to Tom Petty, Oct. 10
- South Carolina Ballet’s “Dracula,” Oct. 11
- Colverdayle, Oct. 12
- Columbia’s Praise SC State Fair Unity Fest, Oct. 13, 4 p.m.
- Armed Services Veteran’s Band, Oct. 14, 12:30 p.m.
- Britishmania, Beatles Tribute Band, Oct. 14
- Jason Sikes, Tribute to Elvis, Oct. 15
- Abbamania, Abba Tribute, Oct. 16
- Tokyo Joe, Oct. 17
- Eloveation, Oct. 18
- Marcel Portilla Band, Oct. 19
- Melvin Crispell, III, Oct. 20, 4 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the fair online, at the gate or at participating Circle K stores. Be aware there is a clear bag policy in place.
Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday 2 World Tour, 9 p.m. Colonial Life Arena. Doors open at 8 p.m. with opening acts Tyga, Bia and Skillibeng taking the stage before headliner Nicki Minaj. Clear bag policy is in effect.
WEDNESDAY through SATURDAY, October 9-12
Antigone, 7:30 p.m. Longstreet Theatre, 1300 Greene St. The classic Greek tragedy by Sophocles tells the tale of Antigone, who defies the kingdom by honoring her sense of morality and sets off a chain of events that threaten even more loss.
THURSDAY, October 10
Accessibility Morning with Penelope the Dinosaur, 9-11 a.m. South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Free access for families of children, teenagers, young adults and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly and disability-adapted experience at the museum. ASL interpreter available.
Sweet Night, 6-8 p.m. Cayce Historical Museum, 1800 12th Street, Cayce. In addition to some sweet treats from local bakeries, enjoy an evening of guest speakers, live music, and a silent auction. All proceeds will go to the Cayce Historic Foundation to support the operation of the Cayce Historic Museum.
THURSDAY through SATURDAY, October 10-12
People, Places & Things, 8 p.m. Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. A new play about surviving in the modern world, focusing on Emma, a thirty-something actress who thinks she is having the time of her life, until she finds herself in rehab.
THURSDAY through SUNDAY, October 10-13
The 39 Steps, various times, Chapin Theatre, 830 Columbia Ave., Chapin. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you get this outrageously funny murder mystery.
MAD 2024: Music Art Drama Dance Festival various times and locations, Camden and Kershaw County.
- Thursday: Chris Daniels & The Kings, 6-8 p.m. Town Green. Enjoy the music of Chris Daniels & The Kings and participate in dance with the Power Company Collaborative (aka PoCoCo)
- Friday: MAD Music Trail (6 p.m.-until) & Gallery Crawl (3-7 p.m.). Explore local art galleries and studios, listen to local musicians and participate in interactive workshops and activities
- Friday: The Millhands Bluegrass Band, 6-7 p.m. Bethune Memorial Park, 109 College St. Bethune
- Saturday: MAD Extravaganza, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Arts Center of Kershaw County, Shull Pavilion, 810 Lyttleton St. Camden features a day of music, food trucks, artists and crafters. Tickets to this event available online
- Sunday: Jazz Brunch with Mark Rapp, noon, Grace Episcopal Church, 1315 Lyttleton St., Camden
FRIDAY, October 11
Nate Jackson: Super Funny World Tour, 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Comedian, actor, writer, and digital creator Nate Jackson brings his show to Columbia.
Rhythm on the River Concert: One Irish Rover, 6-9 p.m. West Columbia Riverwalk Park & Amphitheater, 121 Alexander St., West Columbia. Settle in for a performance by this Van Morrison tribute band. Haute Dog Lady food truck
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, October 11 & 12
Historic Columbia’s Fall Plant Sale, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding St. Learn about and purchase a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all of Historic Columbia’s properties. Plant sale list available online.
FRIDAY through SUNDAY, October 11-13
Oktoberfest Columbia, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Incarnation Lutheran Church, 3005 Devine St. Tented biergartens, German foods, live entertainment, Kinderzone, face painting and more
SATURDAY, October 12
Walk for Life & Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon + 5K, Segra Park, 1640 Freed Dr. Take part in Prisma Health Midlands Foundation’s annual fundraising event. Start times: 7:15 am. Half marathon; 7:30 a.m. Kids Fun Run; 7:55 a.m. 5K, and 8 a.m. walkers y
Fall into Seven Oaks Craft Fair, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Lane, Irmo. Art, candles, food, jewelry, décor and more.
Fall Festival @ Corely Mill House & Gardens, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Corley Mill House & Garden, 221 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington. Family-friendly event with arts and crafts, activities for the family, live entertainment and more.
Crafted in South Carolina: A celebration of South Carolina’s brewers and artisans, 3-7 p.m. Segra Park, 1640 Freed Dr., Columbia. Over 150 styles of SC craft beer from over 60 breweries across the state. Live music and food available. VIP tickets get early access to event (at 2 p.m.), Market-only access and children’s tickets also available.
BENISE: Fiesta!, 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Enjoy an evening of Spanish guitar and dance with Emmy Award winning Benise.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, October 12 &13
PAW Patrol Live: Heroes Unite, various times, Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups as they face their greatest challenge yet.
SUNDAY, October 13
Public Tour: French Moderns, 1-2 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Enjoy a guided tour of the French Moderns exhibition that explores various avant-garde movements and the artists who were instrumental to them. Free with membership or admission
SC Pride Tea Dance, 3-6 p.m. The Woody, 1649 Main St. A kick-off event for SC Pride Week in Columbia, enjoy an afternoon celebrating the tea dance culture from the past with music from the 1970s-1990s while raising money for Famously Hot SC Pride’s initiatives and events.
