COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ok you ghosties and ghoulies, you've waited all year for this... pre-Halloween events have filled out the calendar this weekend. We have a sampling of what's offered throughout the Midlands and will update the list as we get closer to October 31.
Meanwhile, if you want to partake in something other than costumes and candy, there is the Korean Festival, Jam Room Music Festival, and Trinity Bazaar events happening this weekend.
Enjoy -- don't eat too much candy, and don't forget to share the bounty!
THROUGH OCTOBER 26
Terror in the Park, 7:30-10:30 p.m. North Springs Park, 1320 Clemson Rd. Haunted house to frighten guests of all ages
THROUGH OCTOBER 30
Boo At The Zoo, 6-9 p.m., Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Trick-or-treat with your little animals at the zoo’s annual family-friendly affair. Tickets available online
THROUGH OCTOBER 31
HalloScream Laser Lights, 1:30 p.m. weekdays, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. A family-friendly planetarium experience with laser lights choreographed to Halloween classics such as “Thriller,” “Monster Mash,” “Ghostbusters” and more. Tickets: $13 adults, $10 children (ages 3-12), $11senior (ages 62+)
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 NOVEMBER 10
Something’s Afoot, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (no showing on Halloween), Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. Ten strangers are trapped in an English mansion during the storm begin to meet an untimely demise, one by one. Can you figure out who dun it?
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.
THURSDAY, October 24
Not-So-Spooky Halloween Stroll, 2-5 p.m. Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly plus Hampton Street Plaza and Main Street Business District. Get dressed up in your favorite Halloween costume and join in on the fun as you go trick-or-treating in downtown Columbia. Columbia Police and City Center Partnership Yellow Shirts help families cross streets and stay safe on the stroll. Richland Library will hand out candy and non-candy items. Participating businesses include:
- Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St.
- Columbia Marriott, 1200 Main St.
- Halls Chophouse, 1221 Main St.
- Columbia Arts Center, 1227 Main St.
- COMET Bus, corner of Lady & Main streets
- East Main Deli, 1426 Main St.
- Miss Cocky Boutique, 1450 Main St.
- MSD x Jam Room Music Festival, corner of Main & Hampton streets
- Sylvan’s Jewelers, 1500 Main St.
- Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St.
- Carolina Hair Studios, 1537 Main St., Suite A
- Doctors Care, 1538 Main St.
- Drake’s Duck-In. 1544 Main St.
- Something Special Florist & Gifts, 1546 Main St.
- Mast General Store, 1601 Main St.
- Nickelodeon Theatre, 1607 Main St.
- Shvaas Spa, 1716 Main St.
A Fall Celebration, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Richland Library Southeast, 7421 Garners Ferry Rd. Come in costume for this fun-filled family event. Play Bingo and other games, sample “treats” such as pumpkin poop, witches’ warts and ghost droppings, design your own “boo” cookie.
Deloris Jordan, 3-5 p.m. All Good Books, 734 Harden St. The sister of NBA Superstar Michael Jordan is touring the country speaking about Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. "You Are Stronger Than Your Situation, Please Don't Jump" is her latest book she wrote for people, like herself, that have and are facing difficult situations that seem larger than life. This book offers encouragement and helps readers discover their life's purpose.
Listen Freely: A Disco Halloween Paint & Sip, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Richland Library Northeast, 7490 Parklane Rd. Sit back and relax and paint a Halloween-themed canvas while listening to music from the Age of Disco. Light refreshments served, all painting supplies will be provided. Seating is limited, sign up online.
Witches’ Night Out, 6-9 p.m. Main Street Lexington. Adults, don your witch’s hat for special discounts at area shops and restaurants on Main Street in Lexington.
Nosferatu with Radiohead: A Silent Synched Film, 6:30 p.m., Nickelodeon Theatre, 1607 Main St. Watch the silent movie classic “Nosferatu,” the first-ever vampire flick from 1923, paired with a soundtrack featuring Radiohead’s “KID A (2000)/Amnesiac (2001).” Part of the Jazz Room Music Festival events
The Awakening Tour: Casting Crowns, featuring We The Kingdom, Mac Powell, Katy Nichole, Terrian & David Leonard. 7 p.m. Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a spiritual awakening, a gathering of souls united in the joy of music and the power of faith.
David Torn, 8 p.m., The Arcade Building, 1332 Main St. Listen to world renown guitarist David Torn as he blends genres of rock, jazz and electronic music. Torn has recorded with David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, John Legend, Tori Amos and others over the years. Part of the Jazz Room Music Festival events
FRIDAY, October 25
Frightmare on Main Street. 5-10 p.m. Curiosity Coffee Bar, 2327 Main St. Live music by Autocorrect and Tyler Wise, food and drinks, pumpkin carving and cosplay costume contests (prizes for best adults and children’s costumes)
Howl-O-Ween: Dogs Night Out at Mast General Store, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mast General, 1601 Main St. Columbia. Dress ‘em up and bring your furry beasty out for an evening of fun. Treats for humans and canines with door prizes, photo booth and more.
Halloween at the Center, 6-8 p.m. Gadsden Park Community Center, 1668 S. Goodwin Circle, Gadsden. Come dressed as your favorite superhero or princess, prizes for best costume, light refreshments served.
Superhero Fun Fest, 6-8 p.m. Meadowlake Park, 600 Beckman Rd. Show off your best costume and have some fun.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, October 25 & 26
Blythewood Fall Championship Rodeo, Gates open at 5:30 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m., Doko Meadows Park, 10433 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood. Professional rodeo with 8 competitions in areas such as bull riding, bronc and bareback riding, timed roping events and more. Food vendors, live music, bouncy houses for the kids, and a mechanical bull
South Carolina Ballet’s Dracula: Ballet with a Bite, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. It’s become a Columbia classic, based on the Bram Stoker classic novel with music by Thomas Semanski and choreography by Artistic Director William Starrett
SATURDAY, October 26
Trinity Bazaar, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St., Columbia. A pre-holiday tradition for over 75 years, you’ll find handmade treats, home décor, canned goods and more.
Nightmare in Elmwood, 10 a.m.-noon, 2202 Park St. Take part in the 5K or Kids Fun Run through the historic Elmwood Park neighborhood. Costumes encouraged!
Fall Field Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cayce Museum, 1800 12th St., Cayce. The Archeological Society of South Carolina hosts its 36th annual family-friendly day of activities and demonstrations. Free. BBQ lunch available for purchase at 12:30 p.m.
Jeepers Creepers, 3-6 p.m. Friarsgate Park, 1712 Chadford Rd., Irmo. Tunk-and-treat in style through a trail of spooky Jeeps filled with treats for all ages. Costumes encouraged, bring your own treat bags.
Richland Library Public Fall Book Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Richland Library Operations Center, 130 Lancewood Rd., Columbia. Select from more than 30,000 gently used items. Paperbacks start at $1, hardback books start at $2.
Master Gardeners: Holiday Plant Care, 11 a.m.-noon, Richland Library Sandhills, 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia. Seating limited, must register online. Learn how to keep holiday plants healthy from Richland County Master Gardeners.
Korean Festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 1412 Richland St. Celebrate Korean culture and enjoy Korean cuisine, music and dance, take part in the K-Pop dance contest. Profits benefit local charities
Jam Room Music Festival, noon-10 p.m. various locations along Main and Hampton streets, with an afterpart at Art Bar in the Vista. Free live music festival with headliners Real Estate and of Montreal
Five Points Trick or Treat, 4-6 p.m. Five Points District. A family-friendly event, trick-or-treat with local merchants, Pluck a Pumpkin at the Fountain for a prize, participate in the Lucky Lantern Scavenger Hunt, and more!
Columbia Boos & Booze Halloween Crawl, 5-11 p.m., various locations in the Vista. Tickets $25 includes 3 shots, discounted drink specials, party, Halloween Crawl map, after party and best dressed costume contest. Participating bars include: Craft Axe, Vista Union, Grill Marks, Twin Peaks, Boku, 929 Kitchen, Pearlz, The Capital Club, and Republic
Cayce Tales on the Trails, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Granby Gardens Park, 1800 12th St., Cayce. An evening of trunk-or-treat, stories by the campfire, and lots more family-friendly fun.
Gaston Boo Bash, 6-9 p.m. Gaston Town Hall, 131 N Carlisle St., Gaston. Hayrides, outdoor movies, vendors, food and more. Costumes encouraged.
Haunts & Sprits at Historic Camden, 6-8:30 p.m., 222 Broad St. Camden. Wander the grounds of historically haunted homes and hear tales of past lives. May not be suitable for children under 12 years old. This is a walking tour so dress appropriately. No pets.
SUNDAY, October 27
Howl-O-Ween at Sesqui, 2-4 p.m. Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Rd. Prizes for best person and dog costumes, overall best dog costume with grand prize of an 8x10 framed dog portrait! Games, treats, sketch artist, and more at the log cabin at Sesqui.
SC Philharmonic Halloween at Hogwarts, 2 p.m., Koger Center, 1051 Greene St. The Koger Center in Columbia is transformed into Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry with family-friendly Harry Potter-themed activities, tricks and treats. Costumes encouraged. Doors open at 2 p.m., orchestral performance at 3 p.m.
Truck or Treat, 3-6 p.m. Caughman Road Park, 2733 Trotter Rd., Hopkins. Enjoy the parade of decorated trucks full of treats. All ages, costumes encouraged, bring your own treat bags.
Nature with the Wind, 4-6 p.m., Johnson Concert Hall, 1014 Greene St. Palmetto Chamber Orchestra opens its 9th season with a new program featuring performances of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Dvorak’s Czech Suite, and Shor’s Flute Concerto
MONDAY, October 28
Halloween Hoopla, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. A day filled with fun filled activities and bioluminescent-themed programs. Must pre-register. Museum members should pre-register for the VIP Black Light Dance Party.
Trunk-or-Treat, 5:30-7 p.m. Robert Mills House & Gardens, 1616 Blanding St. Check out the family-friendly fun & games at the Robert Mills Carriage House and enter the best costume contest.
Watch Freely: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Richland Library Southeast, 7421 Garners Ferry Rd. Adults only. Get ready to “do the Time Warp, again!” In the spirit of true audience participation, come dressed as your favorite character from this campy horror musical.
TUESDAY, October 29
Polo’s Blackout Candy Pickup, 6-8 p.m. Polo Road Park, 730 Polo Road. Have a safe, family-friendly Halloween glow-up under some black lights. Indoor activities for children, light refreshments (while they last), and lots of candy.
WEDNESDAY, October 30
Halloween Kick-Off Celebration, 4-5 p.m. Richland Library Wheatley, 931 Woodrow St. For the whole family, delight in crafts, treats, story time and a Halloween costume parade. The Azalea Coffee truck will have free coffee and hot chocolate (while supplies last).
Characters at the Park, 6-8 p.m. Hopkins Park, 150 Hopkins Park Rd, Hopkins. Come on and have your photo taken with some popular superheroes. Bring your own treat bag and wear your favorite costume.
USC Ghost Tours, 7-9 p.m. McKissick Museum on the University of South Carolina Horseshoe, 816 Bull St. Take an evening stroll through the USC campus and discover eerie tales and haunted secrets that linger still. Free, but online registration required
