COLUMBIA, S.C. — We have arrived at faux fall, where the weather is nice and cool, the sun is shining, and the events calendar is full -- even with the Gamecocks playing an away game!
This is the last week of the South Carolina State Fair, but SC Pride is gearing up, and Halloween is just around the corner. Choose your costumes wisely, and get out there and have some fun. Here are just a few suggestions:
THROUGH OCT. 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 OCT. 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. $13 adults, $10 children (ages 3-12), $11senior (ages 62+)
THROUGH NOV. 2
Deceased Farm Haunted Attraction, various times, 382 Olde Farm Rd., Lexington. A self-guided haunt through six buildings, three outdoor areas and creepy cornfield 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 JAN. 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, OCT. 16
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):
- 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.
You can purchase tickets for the fair online, at the gate or at participating Circle K stores. Be aware that there is a clear bag policy in place.
Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo, 6 p.m., Nickelodeon Theatre, 1607 Main St. Part of the SC Pride celebration, this documentary follows a year in the lives of LGBTQ+ cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in the International Gay Rodeo Association.
The Rocky Horror Drag Show, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St., Five Points. A drag tribute to everyone’s favorite cult classic. Ages 18 and over.
THURSDAY, OCT. 17
Pride Art Exhibit, 5:30-7 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Check out Koger Center’s The Nook for an exhibition of works by local queer artists, including Jahnna Blyden, Kimber Carpenter, Mahkia Greene and Quincy Pugh.
The Art of Self-Expression: Free Mom Hugs, 7-8:30 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Sarah Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, and Julie Turner, SC Free Mom Hugs chapter founder, share experiences and the essential role of allies speaking up for LGBTQIA+ rights with a panel including writer Evelyn Berry, drag icon Patti O’Furniture, Baker Rodgers of Queer Haven Books, and president and CEO of SC Black Pride Darius Jones
PT’s Kickoff Party, 9:30 p.m. PT’s, 1101 Assembly St. The kickoff party for SC Pride is hosted by Anaya DeVore and the PT’s 1106 OG Dorae Saunders, along with Moly Sapphire and Lola Sincere Lain. Doors open at 5 p.m., ages 21+ only with valid ID.
Five After Five: Sell Out, 6-9 p.m. Five Points Fountain. Dueling guitars and bass-heavy percussion originals plus covers of classics from Marshall Tucker Band, Pink Floyd, Garth Brooks and Foo Fighters
Rhythm on the River: Cash Money Experience, 6-9 p.m. West Columbia Riverwalk Park & Amphitheater, 121 Alexander St., West Columbia; Music by Cash Money Experience, food by Cox’s Family BBQ
Barenaked Ladies with Toad the Wet Sprocket, 7:30 p.m. Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St.
Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence Tour, 7 p.m. Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his comedy show to Columbia.
THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, OCT. 17-19
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.
“Where Do We Go From Here?”: Interpreting and Preserving the African Civil Rights Movement. A three-day conference delving into the meaning and memory of the African American Civil Rights Movement in historical studies, popular media and interpretation. The keynote speaker is Dr. Peniel Joseph of the Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs and the History Dept. in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin.
THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 17-20
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 hilarious murder mystery.
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Rhythm on the River: Curve, 6-9 p.m., West Columbia Riverwalk Park & Amphitheater, 121 Alexander St., West Columbia; Music by Curve, food by the Carolina Cookin’ food truck, intermission performance by Goins Dancing
SC Philharmonic: Juliet & Her Romeo, 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. The Phil’s 60th season opens with the world premiere of Shaosheng Li’s Wind Across a Cloudless Firmament before segueing into Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet selections from Suites 1 and 2
Get Lit! Night Parade & Concert, 6 p.m.-until, Main Street. Parade starts at 7 p.m., hosted by Tony Snell and Patti O’Furniture, RuPaul’s Drag Race Hour features host Phoenix and Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Angeria VanMichaels. Musical performance by The Voice season 25 winner Asher Havon
Famously Hot SC Pride Parade Afterparty, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St. Dance the night away as Folk Tech DJs bring the beats. Ages 18+ only
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, OCT. 18-19
Terror Trail at 2nd Mill Pond, 7:30-11 p.m. 2nd Mill Pond, 1104 Old W Liberty St., Sumter. Haunted trail with proceeds benefiting local Boy Scouts and Elks Lodge charities in Sumter.
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 18-20
WECO Oktoberfest 4-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, WECO Bottle & Biergarten, 626 Meeting St., West Columbia. Celebration of food and beer in the shaded outdoor seating area. Wurst Wagon brings authentic German fare all weekend and is joined by Brown Bag Deli on Saturday and Sunday, Los Chicanos on Friday and Sunday, and Mary’s Arepas on Saturday.
Southern Gothic Festival, various times and locations in Camden, Kershaw County. Celebrate everything about the Southern Gothic genre – ghosts and hauntings, murder, and outright craziness. Check out some of these events:
- Friday: at Art Center of Kershaw County outdoor stage, 810 Lyttleton St., Camden. Carolina Ghost Lore with Tally Johnson, 7 p.m.; Valentine Wolfe: Dark Melodies live music performance, 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Art Center of Kershaw County Wood Auditorium, 810 Lyttleton St., Camden. Murdaugh Trial panel, 2 p.m.; author Bryce Gibson, 3 p.m.; author Donald Ray Pollock, 4 p.m.; Southern Gothic is coming for you with author Grady Hendrix, 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday: Kershaw County Library, 1304 Broad St., Camden. Murder & Mayhem with author Miles Gardner, 1 p.m.; John Williams on Southern Folklore, 3 p.m.; Folklore and Legends Lantern Tour, 4:30 and 6 p.m.
South Carolina Jazz Festival, various times and locations in Cheraw. Celebrate jazz and resident Dizzy Gillespie’s 107th birthday with performances, food and activities for the entire family. Friday focuses on the sounds of New Orleans, Saturday is Gillespie and the Great American Songbook, and Sunday is Ballads & Blues.
SATURDAY, OCT. 19
Halloween at Saluda Shoals Park, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Old Bush River Rd. The Trick-or-Treat Trail begins at Leo’s Landing Playground. It is for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
Newberry Oktoberfest, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., downtown Newberry. Enjoy beer and wine and authentic German foods, live music, Kindertown with swings, trampoline, rock wall and more – and sign up for the best traditional German dress contest with categories for women, men and kids
Southeast Crab Feast: Fall edition, 2 p.m. Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Old Bush River Rd. All-you-can-eat blue crabs, live music and a family-friendly environment. Bring your own dipping sauces, seasonings and crab mallet. Soda and bottled water will be on sale.
SC Pride Festival, noon-9 p.m. Main Street. Multiple stages of live music and drag entertainment, Family Pride, artists and vendors, Health & Wellness Hub, and even a bull ride. Celebrities include Big Freedia from RuPaul’s Drag Race: Phoenix, Bosco, Roxxxy Andrews and Shannel, Mr. Outfest Jersey Omari Lavish, Ms. Outfest Colbi Jai, Mx Outfest Hellen Heels, and special guests Adam Mac and Asher Havon.
The Price is Right Live! 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Buy your ticket and have a chance to hear your name called to “Come on down” to play for prizes – maybe even a new car! The classic games are here – from Plinko to Cliffhangers – plus the Big Wheel and Showcase Showdown.
SC Pride: Aftermath, 9 p.m., The Senate, 1022 Senate St. The party moves from Main Street to Senate Street. Doors open at 9, and the party starts at 9:30 p.m. Reminder: The Senate is a cashless venue, and a clear bag policy will be in place.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, OCT. 19-20
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, OCT. 20
The Revue: Drag Brunch Edition, noon-3:30 p.m. The Venue, 1626 Main St. Survive SC Pride parties? Recover while sipping mimosas and enjoying your brunch with host Paris Lefairs.
UPCOMING HALLOWEEN EVENTS
OCT. 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 in your favorite Halloween costume and join 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.
OCT. 24
A Fall Celebration, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Richland Library Southeast, 7421 Garners Ferry Rd. Bring the entire family in costumes to play, have fun, and eat "pumpkin poo," "witches' warts," "ghost droppings," and more.
OCT. 29
A Quiet Fall Celebration, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Richland Library Southeast, 7421 Garners Ferry Rd. Family-friendly featuring the tunnel of fun, cookie decoration, multisensory room and more
OCT. 30
Halloween Kick-Off Celebration, 4-5 p.m. Richland Library Wheatley, 931 Woodrow St. Crafts, treats, story time and a Halloween costume parade
OCT. 31
A Little Bit Scary Halloween Celebration, 3-5:30 p.m. Richland Library Eastover, 608 Main St., Eastover. Family-friendly trick-or-treat in the library -- wear your costume!