Finlay Park Grand Re-Opening: Day 2 Festival
2025-11-16 12:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The City of Columbia is excited to announce the full artist line-up for the Day Two Festival, the grand finale of the Finlay Park grand re-opening weekend on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The Day Two Festival will fill the heart of downtown Columbia with the sounds of gospel, funk, brass, and folk as local and national artists take the stage in celebration of the park’s revitalization. Guests can enjoy a full day of live music, local food vendors, and brand-new amenities throughout the park. Both the Day Two Festival and Saturday’s events are free and open to the public.
Day Two Festival Line-Up

DJ Prince Ice – 12:00 p.m.
Welcoming – 1:00 p.m. (Event emcee, MASTER SPLNTA)
The C.B. Jackson Singers – 2:00 p.m.
The Mickens – 3:15 p.m.
Soda City Brass Band – 4:45 p.m.
Donovan Twins (Set Break) – 5:45 p.m.
Shovels & Rope – 6:30 p.m.

*DJ Prince Ice will be playing between set breaks, except before Shovels & Rope*
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time & Location(s): 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | The Stage at Finlay Park
For more information about Finlay Park and the grand re-opening weekend, please visit https://growth.columbiasc.gov/portfolio/revitalization-at-finlay-park.
Details about parking, shuttles, and park guidelines will be announced in the coming weeks.

New Vision Med Spa Grand Opening
2025-11-17 12:00 - 13:00 | New Vision Med Spa, 1901 Blanding St, Suite A, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States

Prisma Supportive Services
2025-11-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The ONSE team will attend this monthly event to assist with community outreach efforts.

Food Truck Friday
2025-11-21 11:00 - 15:00 | 2300 Bull Street (REI Co-op parking lot at BullStreet, corner of Bull and Colonial), 2300 Bull Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Food Truck Friday
November 7:

Kurt’s Kitchen
La Dolce Vita Pizza
Wise’s Fish & Fries
Right Way Wings & Things

November 14

Brown Bag Deli
Los Bellos Portales
The Glory Bus
Yummy Bowlz

November 21

Calabash Caribbean Grill
Lobster Dogs
Smok’in Pot
Tacos Oink Oink

"Friends Building" Fundraiser with BizArts
2025-11-23 04:00 - 19:00 | Ensor Keenan House, 801 Wildwood Avenue, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) is proud to partner with 7Sunday’s BizArts, led by Army veteran and entrepreneur Deon Generette, to host Friends Building, a Friendsgiving-inspired fundraiser and networking event aimed at addressing food disparities and uplifting local youth.
The event will be held Sunday, November 23, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at The Keenan House (801 Wildwood Ave, Columbia, SC). Community members are encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation to support families in need during the holiday season.
In addition to supporting food assistance efforts, Friends Building highlights OBO’s commitment to strengthening Columbia’s small business community. The event will provide a space for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and creatives to connect, collaborate, and participate in conversations centered on community-building and creative entrepreneurship. The evening will also include local business spotlights and opportunities to grow professional networks.
“Events like Friends Building showcase the power of partnership,” said Deon Generette. “By bringing our business community together with our shared commitment to service, we can create meaningful impact by supporting local families, addressing disparities, and empowering the next generation of leaders.”
Proceeds from the event will support Dapper & Distinguished Gentlemen (DDG), a Columbia-based nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young men in leadership, character development, and community engagement.
Tickets are available at 7Sunday.live or BizArtsFB.eventbrite.com.

November BizArts Event
2025-11-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Ensor Keenan House, 801 Wildwood Avenue, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

PAL Parent Enrichment Night #2
2025-12-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Lorick Park, 1735 Lorick Ave, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
Join Us! This event helps empower parents and guardians with tips, resources, and knowledge to enhance personal safety, household safety, and more.

Legal Foundations of a Small Business
2025-12-04 10:00 - 12:30 | Virginia Bedford Community Center, 1113 Recreation Dr, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

Game Night with Councilwoman Tina Herbert
2025-12-05 16:30 - 19:00 | Lorick Park, 1735 Lorick Ave, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is hosting an evening full of fun and games with Councilwoman Tina N. Herbert!
An evening of fun for all ages with board games, cards, and video games. Light snacks will be served for attendees.

Pups & Pints Adoption Event & Donation Drive
2025-12-06 12:00 - 15:00 | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman Street, Cayce
Last one of the year! Adoption fees waived. Those planning to adopt should come prepared with a collar and leash.

Greenview Community Holiday Bazaar
2025-12-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Greenview Park, 6700 David Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement team will attend this community event to engage residents, share safety as well as crime prevention holiday tips, and gain feedback form residents.

Light Up Cookie Crawl Festival
2025-12-13 08:00 - 17:00 | North Main Street
Who: City of Columbia, The NOMA Foundation, Chavis Painting, Palmetto Life Church, and participating NOMA businesses.
What/Where: Light Up NOMA Cookie Crawl — a celebration of shopping, entertainment, dining, and of course, cookies!

Cookie Crawl: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pick up cookie tins or bags at Carolina Kernels, 2028 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (kickoff location provided by organizers)

Neighborhood Tree Contest & Showcase: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203.

The Story of Christmas & Tree Lighting: 5:00 p.m.

Palmetto Life Church, 2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Attendees are invited to explore NOMA’s shops and eateries while collecting cookies and enjoying festive activities throughout the day. Free transportation will be available for attendees.
Reserve your spot and receive updates via Eventbrite: https://6thAnnualCookieCrawl.eventbrite.com
When: Saturday, December 13th, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:00 p.m.)
*Presented by the City of Columbia, The NOMA Association, Chavis Painting, and Palmetto Life Church

Jazz in the Park (Finlay Park)
2025-12-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
HOLIDAY JAZZ in the PARK with ColaJazz

Enjoy a fun afternoon of live jazz from 4–7 PM, perfect for catching the sunset and soaking in Finlay Park’s early-evening glow. Bring the family, spread out on the lawn, and kick off the first weekend of December with great music, vendors, fresh air, and family & friends.

*Family friendly, FREE, open to the public! Brought to you by the @City of Columbia and @ColaJazz

BizArts Presents “A Christmas Story”: A Holiday Celebration & Fundraiser Supporting the Children and Families of Richland County First Steps
2025-12-14 16:00 - 19:00 | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
7Sunday’s BizArts, in partnership with the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities, is excited to announce BizArts: A Christmas Story—an uplifting holiday community celebration, nonprofit and small business showcase, and fundraiser supporting the children and families of Richland County First Steps—taking place Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4-7 pm at the Columbia Museum of Art.
Designed to bring together families, children, educators, artists, and local entrepreneurs, this event celebrates the magic of the holiday season through the creativity of the arts. Guests can enjoy hands-on art-making, interactive learning activities, story time, and the Intersection on Main exhibit, all within the inspiring Columbia Museum of Art. Adding to the festive fun, Ritchie the Rhino and a special appearance by Santa Claus will delight attendees of all ages. The event will also feature remarks from Elizabeth Kabalka, the new Executive Director of Richland County First Steps, highlighting the impact of community and giving.
Children and families affiliated with RCFS will receive complimentary admission, ensuring equitable access to literacy-rich and creativity-building holiday experiences.Holiday Hope Donation Drive Guests are invited to bring items that will directly support families engaged with RCFS and others facing food insecurity in the greater Columbia area. Requested donations include baby formula, diapers, children’s winter clothing, new books, educational toys, and non-perishable food items. For more information, please visit 7Sunday.live or richlandirststeps.org.

ONSE Monthly Street Outreach
2025-12-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement team will attend this monthly event to assist with community outreach efforts.

Koinonia Community presents Blue Christmas
2025-12-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Lutheran Church of Ascension, 827 Wildwood Ave. #5815, Columbia, SC, United States
The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement team will attend this event to support the youth participants of the Koinonia program.

Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Parade
2025-12-21 17:00 - 19:30 | Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The City of Columbia will be holding the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Parade at Finlay Park!

The parade will begin around The Oval at 6:30 p.m. Throughout the night, this event will feature face painting and light-up balloons by Emerald’s Artistry and live music from the Runout.

Enjoy treats from Indah Coffee including their handcrafted s’mores kits. Guests should bring their handcrafted lanterns. Use battery operated lights or flashlights – no candles or flames!

Park rangers will have bamboo poles on site to help guests string their lanterns for the procession, and can help guests craft quick lanterns from flashlights.

Cops & Claus Christmas Giveaway
2025-12-22 16:00 - 19:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The Columbia Police Department Community Services Bureau presents… Cops & Claus Christmas Giveaway!
Please note:

Toys will be given away on a first come, first served basis
Toys will be given away as supplies last
This event serves youth ages 13 and younger
Children must be accompanied by parents (and vice versa)

3rd Annual Violent Crime Remembrance Vigil
2026-01-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The ONSE is hosting the Vigil as a heartfelt opportunity for our City to stand together in honor of the lives lost to violence and to support the families, friends, and neighbors who continue to carry their loved ones’ memories every day. The vigil is hosted to provide a safe and welcoming space where survivors and loved ones can find comfort, reflection, and solidarity. Together, we acknowledge the impact violence has had on our communities, share meaningful stories, and recognize the strength of fellow community members as they continue to heal. In addition to remembrance portion, the event will provide important updates on violence prevention efforts, highlight current data and trends affecting Columbia, and connect residents with supportive resources.

College Place Neighborhood Association monthly meeting
2026-01-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Columbia College Women’s Business Center, 1301 Columbia College Dr, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement staff will attend the monthly community meeting to gain feedback from residents as well as provide an update on violence prevention and neighborhood safety.
This event is hosted by Columbia College Neighborhood Association

College Place Neighborhood Association monthly meeting
2026-01-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Arden Elementary, 1300 Ashley St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The ONSE will attend the monthly community meeting to gain feedback from residents as well as provide an update.

Belmont Neighborhood Association monthly meeting
2026-01-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Gable Oaks Apartments, 901 Colleton Street, Columbia, SC, United States

Columbia Council of Neighborhoods Monthly Meeting
2026-01-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Avenue, Columbia, 29203

G.R.I.T. Mental Health Mixer
2026-01-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The ONSE is partnering with the G.R.I.T. Project to host a networking mixer, designed to bring together mental health professionals, educators, and coaches in a space that celebrates their invaluable contributions. By fostering connection and professional growth, we aim to build a stronger, more supportive community while showing appreciation for the work these individuals do to positively impact lives every day. The G.R.I.T. Project is committed to advancing mental health awareness, resilience-building, and career development for youth while the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is dedicated to strengthening communities through outreach and support. By working together, our missions align to expand mental health care and awareness, reinforcing the importance of accessible mental health resources in our community.

National Big Wig Day with Columbia Animal Services
2026-01-30 | Columbia Animal Services, 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC, 29209, United States
Big Wig Day is an annual, fun-focused, charity-based day where participants wear bold, colorful wigs to raise money for cancer research and support organizations. We have some fun content planned with the animals, and we will be encouraging folks to donate their $35 that they would have spent on their new best friend’s adoption fee, to a cancer research or support organization of their choice instead. Cancer has touched all of our lives in some way, and as an organization that receives so much help and support from the community, we want to take this small opportunity to give back as well.

Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Showcases
2026-02-03 15:30 - 18:00 | City Hall Lobby, 1737 Main St, Columbia, SC, 29212, United States
The City of Columbia Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund grant recipients will host two Climate Action Showcases displaying information on their Climate Action Projects. Each booth will showcase project information and feature volunteers to speak about the project and its outcome. The showcase is drop-in style.
The January 20, 2026 showcase will feature approximately half of the 17 grant recipients and will take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall lobby. The remaining recipients will be featured at a second showcase on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., also in the City Hall lobby.
Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded the City of Columbia $100,000 in 2025 to distribute to youth aged 14-25 to conduct a climate action project. Projects ranged from upcycling athletic uniforms to blankets to a river cleanup and anti-litter education campaign. Attendees will represent the University of South Carolina, the Darla Moore School of Business, Columbia College, the SC Wildlife Federation, Dreher High School and the NAACP Youth Council.
The public and media are invited to attend.

Before You Pitch: Protecting The Plan
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:30 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/before-you-pitch-protecting-the-plan-tickets-1981040933761?aff=oddtdtcreator
Are you a current or aspiring small business owner with big plans for the new year? Join us on February 4th for this informative event!

The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities and Project OneWay will be hosting the Before You Pitch: Protecting the Plan workshop on Wednesday, February 4th beginning at 12:00 P.M.
Before You Pitch is a dynamic virtual lunch & learn designed to help you move forward with confidence. Join us for a practical, empowering session led by Corporate Attorney Doug Lineberry, an experienced intellectual property attorney with more than two decades in the legal profession, as he breaks down how entrepreneurs can protect their ideas while still taking calculated, strategic risks. From trademarks and patents to copyrights and trade secrets, this session will give you the foundational knowledge you need to share your vision safely and smartly.
If you’re ready to protect your ideas, pitch with confidence, and unlock new possibilities for your business—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Register, bring your questions, and take the next step forward—on us.
This will be a virtual workshop and the Zoom information will be provided to those who register. For more information, contact the Office of Business Opportunities at (803)545-3950 or send us an email to OBO@columbiasc.gov.

Reserve a Spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/before-you-pitch-protecting-the-plan-tickets-1981040933761?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Scrub Shop Grand Opening
2026-02-04 15:30 - 16:30 | 2101 Main St, 2101 Main St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The City of Columbia is proud to announce the grand opening of The Scrub Shop at its newest location in downtown Columbia.
The Scrub Shop, South Carolina’s largest uniform retailer, has opened its newest location at 2101 Main Street in downtown Columbia, marking the company’s first step into the Midlands market and joining the ongoing downtown revitalization and current Bull Street projects.
Founded more than 15 years ago in the owner’s garage, The Scrub Shop has grown into the state’s leading uniform provider, serving healthcare systems and organizations across South Carolina.
“We are humbled and very thankful with the opportunity to begin our Midlands footprint,” said Billy Messer, CEO. “Being part of downtown’s revitalization while staying true to our core beliefs; “Providing a Professional Look at a Price You Deserve” makes this opening especially meaningful.”
The company is the exclusive uniform provider for Prisma Health, offering payroll deduction for more than 34,000 employees. Lexington Medical Center employees are also eligible for payroll deduction in-store, and the company works closely with MUSC facilities, providing uniforms and company logo wear.
The company’s mission remains unchanged:
“Clothing those who care for others!”

Just Ink About It 2 Grand Re-Opening
2026-02-04 16:00 - 17:00 | 2101 Main St, 2101 Main St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The City of Columbia is proud to celebrate the grand re-opening and 1-year anniversary of Just Ink About It 2. The businesses’ journey began in 2022 with the establishment of the original Just Ink About It location opening on Hardscrabble Road.
“To our clients – thank you for trusting us with your stories, your memories, and your self-expression,” said Shavonee Singletary, General Manager. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to create quality body art through tattoos and piercings. To the community – thank you for welcoming us and continuing to support local business. Your acceptance and encouragement mean so much to us.”
