Carolyn Wonderland - Free Outdoor Concert at the Koger Center
2026-05-09 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Plaza Stage at Koger Center, 1051 Greene Sr, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The Koger Center for the Arts has set the headliners for the first Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series, a series of free outdoor concerts sponsored in part by the Levitt Foundation. The concerts will take place on the Plaza Stage on the Koger Center’s front lawn from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with the rain location being indoors in either the Black Box Theater or second floor lobby.
The Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series is dedicated to uplifting Columbia as a cultural hub and destination for accessible entertainment. The series is supported by a variety of community partners, including the Jasper Project, ONE Columbia, ColaJazz, South Carolina Philharmonic, University of South Carolina Student Life, Black Nerd Mafia, the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement, the Columbia Chamber, the Vista Guild and the City of Columbia.
Geared to towns and cities with populations under 250,000, Levitt AMP grantees reflect the three goals of the LevittAMP Music Series program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales, Levitt AMP is a catalytic opportunity for towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all. Columbia is the only Levitt AMP location in South Carolina.
Columbia residents are encouraged to follow along with the development of the series over the next three years by visiting www.KogerCenterForTheArts.com, and following @LevittAmpColumbia and @KogerCenterForTheArts on Instagram.

Black Dog Pizza Grand Opening
2026-05-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Black Dog Pizza, 1649 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Black Dog Pizza brings a fresh energy to downtown Columbia, blending Old World inspiration with a modern, laid back pizza bar experience.
Known for its crisp, Neo Neapolitan style pizza, Black Dog is designed to be the kind of place where you can grab a quick lunch, split a few pies with friends, or stay awhile and enjoy the atmosphere.
The menu features high heat pizzas with blistered crusts and airy interiors, along with classic favorites, rotating specialty pies, sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates. Guests can also enjoy a bar program built to pair perfectly with pizza nights, featuring negronis, spritzes, craft beer, wine, and more.
Built around its signature oven and guided by the philosophy of “Flour • Fire • Brick,” Black Dog focuses on house made dough, quality ingredients, and bold flavors in a welcoming downtown setting.

Sharing the Road Community Meeting Session 1
2026-05-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Virginia Bedford Community Center, 1113 Recreation Dr, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Sharing the Road project team has developed draft program, policy, and project recommendations aimed at making our roadways safer, and we want to share them with you at a second round of public open houses on Tuesday, May 12th!
These draft recommendations are built upon the input we received in October and November at meetings and via our online survey and interactive map, coupled with best practices and crash data-driven findings. In addition to sharing more systemic recommendations to address roadway safety, we will be sharing a High Injury Network map, as well as some conceptual ideas for potential safety-related improvements along roadway segments and intersections located within the High Injury Network.
Ways to Engage:

Attend a community meeting! Meetings will be a drop-in format, and provide an opportunity to engage directly with the project team and review the systemic and location-specific draft recommendations.

Tuesday, May 12th from 11AM – 1PM and 4PM – 6PM at Virginia Bedford Community Center, Earlewood Park, 1113 Recreation Drive, Columbia SC 29203

Learn more via the project website: https://planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov/safe-streets/
Sign up to receive email updates regarding multimodal transportation planning + events: https://forms.columbiasc.gov/243375701335858
Stay tuned for a project survey – to be released subsequent to the May 12th meetings through June 9th!

About the Selected Roadway Segments + Intersections
With the development of our High Injury Network map, we were grateful to note that a number of our partners are already working to address safety concerns for all users along a number of these key corridors. As the selection of locations for conceptual design is a part of the planning process, the project team worked to select locations which were not being otherwise addressed but posed a more pressing safety concern and complexity of design. These projects are conceptual and do not have funding allocated at this time. Your local knowledge can help inform this process, and the resulting project recommendations can help position the City and our partner agencies to make future funding requests. Locations we’ll be discussing are:
Intersections

Beltline Blvd at Two Notch Rd
Covenant Rd at N. Beltline Blvd + Pine Belt Rd
Elmwood Ave at Main St
Laurel St at Huger St
River Dr at Sunset Dr

Segments

Academy/W. Beltline (I-277 – Two Notch)
Elmwood Ave (I-126 – Bull)
Farrow Rd (Beltline Blvd to Chappelle)
Huger St / Whaley St (I-126 – Wayne)
Two Notch Rd (Taylor/Forest – Cushman/Pine Belt)

About the Planning Effort:
Sharing the Road will analyze the safety issues faced by all road users, from our more vulnerable users, like pedestrians and cyclists, to transit riders and personal and commercial vehicle operators. This planning process is partially funded by and aligns with the USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The process and resulting plan will:

Result in an official public commitment that establishes a target date to significantly reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
Identify the City’s High Injury Network through the analysis of crash data and public input.
Build on prior planning efforts like Walk Bike Columbia and Columbia Compass while focusing specifically on how to improve roadway safety for all users.
Identify systemic and specific safety needs + priority projects for the City and partner agencies to collaborate on moving forward.
Align with the USDOT Safe Streets and Roads For All program, which is partially funding this effort. The resulting plan document will also position the City for future potential grant funding.

Sharing the Road Community Meeting Session 2
2026-05-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Virginia Bedford Community Center, 1113 Recreation Dr, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

Ribbon Cutting & Celebration
2026-05-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Cola Town Bike Collective, 711 Elmwood Avenue
This ribbon cutting event recognizes recent improvements to the Cola Town Bike Collective space and updates to the public bike repair stand network across Columbia, completed in partnership with Leadership Columbia.

Planning Commission (PC) Meeting
2026-05-14 16:00 - 18:00 | City Hall, Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Regularly scheduled Design/Development Review Commission Meeting. Application deadline for this meeting is April 13, 2026. For more information, call 803-545-3333 or visit the PC page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.

Bike to Work Day
2026-05-15 08:30 - 09:30 | SC
Ride with a group or on your own to arrive at the State House (Gervais Street side) at 8:30 AM, take a group picture, and ride down Main Street to City Hall. Group rides start from:

Outspokin’ Bicycles, 3223 Devine Street @ 8:00AM. RSVP at RSVP@outspokinbicycles.com
Curiosity Coffee, 2327 Main Street @ 8:15AM
Cycle Center, 1001 Harden St. @ 8:00AM

Bike to the Ballgame
2026-05-15 17:45 - 19:00 | Outspokin’ Bicycles, 3223 Devine Street
Join Cola Town Bike Collective and Outspokin’ Bicycle in biking to the ball park to support the Fireflies! We’ll swing by Cola Town Bike Collective and head over to Segra Park! Click Here to Register

Touch-A-Truck
2026-05-16 09:00 - 13:00 | 1700 Block of Main Street, 1700 Block of Main Street
WHO: City of Columbia Public Works Department, Columbia Police Department, Columbia-Richland Fire Department, various other City of Columbia Departments
WHAT: Public Works in conjunction with Soda City will be inviting various departments to join them and place their vehicles on display for the public. These departments include the Columbia Police Department, Columbia-Richland Fire Department, Columbia Water, Parking Services and Parks and Recreation. Come get a look at some of the City’s largest trucks and heavy equipment as well as demonstrations on how they work. There will be lots of fun activities, games, and more! This is a free event and citizens are encouraged to attend and bring their children.

Columbia Black Expo: Taste of Black Columbia
2026-05-16 09:00 - 17:00 | SC State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC, United States
Overview

The Expo is also a forum to educate, enlighten and inspire the entire community and the African-American community in particular.

2026 Columbia Black Expo
Experience the vibrancy, creativity, and excellence of the Midlands at the 2026 Columbia Black Expo, hosted by Black Expo South on Saturday, May 16, 2026! This signature cultural celebration brings together community members from across the region for an inspiring day of empowerment, entertainment, and connection.
Guests will enjoy celebrity appearances, insightful educational seminars, and dynamic live performances showcasing local and national talent. The Expo also features an exciting marketplace highlighting Black-owned businesses, where attendees can shop unique products, discover new services, and support local entrepreneurs.
Join us for a day dedicated to uplifting the community, fostering economic growth, and celebrating Black culture in Columbia!

Get your tickets HERE

Watch this video to learn more about the event HERE

33rd Annual Festival of Gardens
2026-05-16 09:30 - 16:00 | Forest Hills Neighborhood, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States
Annual Fundraiser to Support Columbia Green’s Community Grants and Beat the Heat
Columbia Green, a local nonprofit dedicated to beautification, greenspaces, and urban reforestation since 1984, is proud to announce the 2026 Festival of Gardens. This year’s tour will take place in the historic Forest Hills neighborhood, located just off Gervais Street, offering a rare look into some of the area’s most beautiful private landscapes.
The 33rd annual Festival is Columbia Green’s signature fundraising event, each year raising money to fund its Community Grants program which provides money to not-for-profits across greater Columbia to create and improve neighborhood gardens and greenspaces. The 2025 event raised over $25,000 for grants, and this year’s Festival aims to increase that amount to continue to provide essential funding for school gardens, nature trails, pollinator gardens, edible landscapes, and groves of trees across greater Columbia.
Event Details:

Dates: Saturday, May 16 (9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) and Sunday, May 17 (12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
Location: Forest Hills Neighborhood, Columbia, SC
Check in: Registration will be at the corner of Canterbury and Westminster Roads. Attendees must check in to receive an official brochure-ticket with a map and descriptions of the gardens.
Weather: The event is held rain or shine! Dress for the weather.
Tour Guides: Each garden on the tour will be staffed by a Columbia Green Volunteer to greet visitors and provide instructions as well as a Master Gardener who will be available to answer questions about plants, design, and local horticulture.
Local artists will display artwork throughout the gardens curated for the event by Cecilia Lucas Stucker with the Five Points Association. Art will be on sale throughout the gardens.
Several of Columbia Green’s nursery partners will provide demonstrations about container gardening at the registration area.
Partner nonprofits will be on hand to provide information about gardening for wildlife, pollinator gardens, native plants and to provide tips about gardening.

“The Festival of Gardens is more than just a tour; it’s a celebration of the community members who work tirelessly to prepare their private spaces for the public,” said a representative from Columbia Green. “The funds raised allow us to invest directly back into the soil of our city, enhancing the quality of life for everyone through expanded green spaces and shade trees for people in areas of the city with low tree canopy cover. Our goal is to provide both inspiration and information about gardening for everyone.”
Ticket Information:

Advance tickets are sale now and are being offered at $25, which represents a $10 discount off same-day tickets purchased at the gate which will be $35. This price is significantly lower than in past years to encourage wider participation. When purchasing a ticket, you are encouraged to include an additional donation to support Columbia Green’s work in the community.
Tickets are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/festival-of-gardens–2026 and via this QR code:
Registration will be at the corner of Canterbury and Westminster Roads. All attendees must check in to receive an official brochure-ticket, which includes a map of the tour and detailed garden descriptions.

For more information about the Festival of Gardens, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn about Columbia Green’s work through its Community Grants program and Beat the Heat, please visit columbiagreen.org or contact hello@columbiagreen.org.
About Columbia Green
Columbia Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has spent over four decades promoting beautification and urban greenspaces through landscaping, gardening, and community education in the greater Columbia area. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for all in the greater Columbia area by protecting and restoring our urban tree canopy, promoting green infrastructure, and supporting neighborhood green spaces, gardens, and beautification. Their two programs operationalize that mission. Columbia Green Community Grants helps other nonprofits bring green projects to life, from urban parks to educational school gardens and trees for campuses. Their urban forestry programs have included the 10,000 Trees initiative and now the Green Square Mile initiative which serves as the umbrella for the Columbia Canopy Project, a partnership with Historic Columbia completed in 2024, and Beat the Heat—Plant a Tree, an ongoing partnership with the City of Columbia.

Annual Police, Parks, & Pedals Community Bicycle Event
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Columbia Police Foundation & Columbia Parks & Recreation Foundation to honor District 1 elementary school students during the event
The Columbia Police Foundation and the Columbia Parks & Recreation Foundation have partnered with Walmart to hold the fifth annual Police, Parks & Pedals Community Bicycle rally event at Hyatt Park on Saturday, May 16 beginning at 10:00 a.m. May is National Bicycle Safety Month.
The Foundations, through their partnership with Walmart, will provide new bicycles and helmets at the event to 24 selected students from Arden Elementary School and Hyatt Park Elementary School. The event will conclude with a bicycle rally on site, and then students will be treated to free ice cream from the Columbia Police Department’s ice cream truck.
Attending the event will be Columbia District 1 City Councilwoman Tina N. Herbert, Columbia Police Chief William Holbrook, Columbia Assistant City Manager Henry Simons, representatives of Arden Elementary School and Hyatt Park Elementary School, as well as representatives of Walmart.
WHO: Columbia Police Department Foundation, Columbia Parks & Recreation Foundation, Walmart, City of Columbia representatives, Richland County School District 1 representatives, honored students and families.
WHAT: 5th Police, Parks & Pedals Community Bicycle Initiative and Rally
WHERE: Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue, 29203
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Historic Wood Window Maintenance Workshop
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:30 | 1623 Richland Street
Learn the basics of historic window repair and paint removal techniques to better preserve your historic home

Join Staci Richey with The Committee for the Restoration & Beautification of Randolph Cemetery to learn the basics of historic wood window repair and paint removal techniques. The workshop will cover basic window repair and painting issues and will allow participants to practice using different tools and products for maintenance of historic wood.
The event is free but donations are accepted. Donations will go to The Committee for the Restoration & Beautification of Randolph Cemetery which maintains the historic African American sites of Randolph Cemetery and the Thompson Cottage. Donate HERE!
The Randolph Cemetery and the Thompson Cottage (1623 Richland Street) were both created in 1872. The Cottage is undergoing renovations with grant support from the Richland County Conservation Commission.

Registration Required: Historic Wood Window Maintenance Workshop 2026 Tickets, Saturday, May 16 • 10 AM – 12:30 PM | Eventbrite

Ride to Rita’s Family Ride
2026-05-17 11:30 - 13:00 | Cola Town Bike Collective, 711 Elmwood Avenue
Join Cola Town Bike Collective for a 4-mile social ride along S. Main Street with a stop at Rita’s, returning via the Vista Greenway. Easy pace, no-drop. Big kid friendly!

Columbia Parks & Recreation AARP Meeting
2026-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
Join us for fun, fellowship, and helpful information!
Enjoy games, connect with others, and learn about community and health resources with Columbia AARP Chapter 753.
Open to adults 50+
Free to attend!
For more information contact: 803-476-0933

Jackie Green: 803-429-0957

Urban Design Review Commission Meeting
2026-05-20 16:00 - 17:00 | City Hall Third Floor Chambers, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Regularly scheduled Urban Design Review Commission Meeting. Standard Application Deadline is 4:00 p.m. on April 20, 2026. Standard Application Deadline is 4:00 p.m. on May 18, 2026.

Masonry Repointing Workshop
2026-05-20 17:45 - 19:00 | Historic Melrose Heights, 1429 Hagood, Columbia, SC, United States
As part of Historic Preservation Month in Columbia, join us for the Masonry Repointing Workshop to learn the basics of masonry repointing and repair with an expert mason.
Registration REQUIRED: Brick Repointing Workshop 2026 Tickets, Wednesday, May 20 • 5:45 PM – 7:45 PM | Eventbrite

Harbison Mountain Bike Ride
2026-05-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Harbison State Forest
Join Cycle Center at Harbison State Forest for our trail ride. Bring your helmet and sense of adventure!

Historic Preservation/Development Review Commission (HP/DRC) Meeting
2026-05-21 16:00 - 18:00 | City Hall, Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Regularly scheduled Historic Preservation/Development Review Commission Meeting. Application deadline for this meeting is April 20, 2026. For more information, call 803-545-3222 or visit the HP/DRC page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.

​Handlebar Happy Hour Ride in May
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Palmetto Conservation Foundation, 722 King St., Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
Join Outspokin’ Bicycles and the Palmetto Trail for a ride along the Capital City Passage, followed by beer and pizza at the Palmetto Trail office afterwards. For event details and registration Click Here!

Cola Roll to Cola Rail (Presentation)
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Cola Town Bike Collective, 711 Elmwood Avenue
Bikes & Trains. Did you know you can bring your bicycle on Amtrak trains here in Columbia? Join CTBC for a presentation on Amtrak bicycle travel options, including trip ideas and basic logistics for traveling with a bike, all with no car required!

The Healing Circle
2026-05-23 00:00 | Gable Oaks Community Resource Center, 901 Colleton St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Healing Circle is designed to bring community members together to discuss the impacts of violence on our Neighborhoods and to discuss how we can all work together to heal our communities. This is a monthly ONSE initiative that seeks to open the hearts and minds of residents.

Coffee & Cola Connectivity Ride
2026-05-24 09:30 - 10:30 | Cola Town Bike Collective, 711 Elmwood Avenue
Join Cola Town Bike Collective for an 8-mile social ride with a coffee stop. We’ll stop along the way to look at key corridors, share a few recent wins, and talk through what’s coming next for safer streets and greenway connections across Columbia.

SBA Lender Matchmaker
2026-05-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States

Happy Hour: Renovation Roundtable
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 | All Good Books, 734 Harden St, Columbia, SC, 29212, United States
Enjoy happy hour with past Mabel Payne award winners as they discuss architecture and preservation in Columbia

Join City preservation staff, local preservationists, and historic home owners for a chat about preservation and architecture in Columbia. Past Mabel Payne Award winners will offer tips and tools for tackling local renovation and preservation projects. Join in the conversation with your own stories or come ready with questions about your project.
Given annually by the the City of Columbia Planning Division, the Mabel Payne Award is named for one of the City’s first planners whose dedication and advocacy for historic structures laid the groundwork for preservation in Columbia and made her a trail blazer in preservation. The award recognizes individuals, organizations, and neighborhoods for their outstanding efforts in education, leadership, conservation, or stewardship which supports our built environment and, ultimately, the entire City. Mabel Payne Award winners may work behind the scenes or they may be front and center, but their work has had a significant impact on Columbia and its historic built environment through their outstanding efforts in education, leadership, conservation, or stewardship of the City’s historic resources.
About Mabel Payne
Mabel Payne was a City of Columbia employee whose work in the 1950s documenting and preserving historic structures laid the foundation for preservation in the City. Her records of historic properties are often the only surviving information available on demolished buildings that were once a part of the City’s historic downtown.

Registration recommended: Preservation Happy Hour: Renovation Roundtable Tickets, Thursday, May 28 • 6 PM – 8 PM | Eventbrite

Inaugural Songbird Festival at Finlay Park
2026-05-30 11:00 - 2026-05-31 21:00 | Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
A new music festival is taking flight in the heart of downtown Columbia. The inaugural Songbird Festival 26 will debut Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, at Finlay Park, bringing a two-day lineup of nationally touring artists, regional favorites, and local acts across two stages. Songbird 26 is presented in part by the City of Columbia.
Headlined by Old Crow Medicine Show and Sam Bush, Songbird leans into a weekend rooted in songwriting, string bands, and the kind of live music that thrives outdoors. The lineup blends songs of the biggest names in bluegrass and Americana with acts including The Creekers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Shadowgrass, Futurebirds, Susto String Band, The Blue Dogs, Sam Burchfield, and more.
Programming begins each day at 11 a.m. across the park’s main stage and a Greenway stage, with continuous music throughout the day leading into nightly headlining performances. In total, 18 artists will perform across the two-day event.
The festival weekend will kick off Friday evening with a free concert as part of the Finlay Fridays series with The Water Kickers, offering an early start to the weekend and an open invitation for the community to experience the park ahead of the full festival.
Saturday’s lineup features performances from Ashley Wright & the Vance Gap Ramblers, The Runout, The Donovan Twins, Susto Stringband, Sam Burchfield, The Creekers, and more, leading into sets from The Infamous Stringdusters and headliners Old Crow Medicine Show.
Sunday continues with Podunk Ramblers, Tounds, Ben Chapman, Blue Dogs, the B. Wrights – featuring Mark Bryan & Jim “Soni” Sonefeld from Hootie and the Blowfish, Shadowgrass, and Futurebirds, before closing the weekend with a headlining performance from Sam Bush.
Tickets are on sale now, with one-day and two-day general admission and VIP options available.
Special ticket sales events will be held at Finlay Park for discounted tickets for Military, First Responders, college and university students, and kids aged 5-12. Sales event dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
VIP tickets include:

Access to an exclusive viewing area at each stage
Entry to the VIP Lounge at The Nest with shaded seating and space to relax
Food catered by Home Team BBQ
Exclusive drink options available for purchase
Exclusive festival memento

Songbird: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Finlay Park has become a regular destination for live music in Columbia, and Songbird 26 builds on that momentum, expanding the experience into a full weekend celebration in the heart of downtown.
For more information about Finlay Park, please visit finlaypark.columbiasc.gov/.
Additional details regarding parking and other Songbird 26 information will be announced in the coming weeks.

BAPS Charities Walk | Run - The Spirit of Service
2026-05-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia
BAPS Charities has has selected City of Columbia Homeless Services as the beneficiary of the “Walk | Run – Spirit of Service” fundraiser. The event is free the group just ask community to join then as they walk through the park for a purpose.
Register Online: https://walk2026.na.bapscharities.org/campaign/746123/donate

Book Club
2026-06-01 18:00 - 19:30 | Woodland Park, 6500 Olde Knight Parkway, Columbia, SC, 29209, United States

Bingo Night
2026-06-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
Senior Programming Presents: Bingo Night!
1st Wednesday of every month, join us for games, prizes, fellowship, and fun!

Board of Zoning Appeals (BoZA) Meeting
2026-06-04 16:00 - 18:00 | City Hall, Council Chambers, 1737 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Regularly scheduled Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting. Application deadline for this meeting is May 8, 2026. For more information, call 803-545-3333 or visit the BoZA page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.
