City of Columbia, Columbia SC

SBA Lender Matchmaker
2025-10-08 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Earlewood Community Center, 1111 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

Community Planning Month Proclamation
2025-10-07 16:00 | City Council Chambers
October is Community Planning Month- we will be doing a proclamation at City Council.

USC Community Health Fair
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00 | C.A. Johnson High School, 2219 Barhamville Rd, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States
Family-friendly community event celebrating health, wellness and the exciting future of health sciences at USC. See attached flyer.

20th Auntie Karen Young Entrepreneurs Conference
2025-10-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Brookland Baptist Banquet and Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia, SC, 29169, United States
Get ready for the Auntie Karen 20th Young Entrepreneurs Conference, where you’ll meet inspiring young minds and kickstart your business.

Theme: “Legacy Moves Forward: Don’t Get Replaced. Get AI-Ready”

Workshops for Youth 7 to 22
Personal Development & Finance

“Successville” Youth Business Showcase
(Free to The Public from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

REGISTER NOW!

Food Truck Friday!
2025-10-03 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
Vendors will be updated here: https://obo.columbiasc.gov/2023/10/food-truck-fridays/

Board of Zoning Appeals (BoZA) Meeting
2025-10-02 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 September 5, 2025. For more information, call 803-545-3333 or visit the BoZA page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.

Board of Zoning Appeals
2025-10-02 16:00 | City Council Chambers
Board of Zoning Appeals, in-person at City Council Chambers with access via City TV

Pick Your Pumpkin
2025-10-01 - 2025-10-31 | Columbia Animal Services, 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC, 29209, United States
$31 adoption fee. See attached flyer.

Did You Know? All About Patents & Copyrights Workshop
2025-09-30 10:00 - 12:30 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
Join the Office of Business Opportunities on September 30th for this informative workshop on patents and copyrights!

Led be Doug Lineberry, Intellectual Property Attorney.

During this workshop participants will:
– Explain the difference between patents and copyrights as intellectual property;
– Discuss how to best protect inventions with patent applications, both utility and design; and
– Provide the best ways to protect copyright “works of art” both at common law and the federal level.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Counts
2025-09-29 - 2025-10-04 | SC

Sickle Cell Walk
2025-09-27 08:00 - 10:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2300 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States

Food Truck Friday!
2025-09-26 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-19 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
September 12

Granny’s Caribbean Cuisine & Catering
Relaxin Heifer, LLC (Ice Cream)
Purposely Made Sweets
Manjal’s Filipino
Spicy Voodoo

September 19

Cindy’s Cake & Catering
Relaxin Heifer, LLC (Ice Cream)
Lobster Dogs
Lunch Box
Smoke IT UP

September 26

Brown Bag Deli
Duce’s BBQ & Thingz
King Kone Ice Cream
La Dolce Vita Pizza
The Haute’ Dog Lady

Mahjong in the Park
2025-09-25 18:15 - 20:00, 2025-09-18 18:15 - 20:00 | Emily Douglas Park, 2431 Terrance Way, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States

Historic Keenan House with Community Open House
2025-09-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Ensor Keenan House, 801 Wildwood Avenue, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
One Columbia proudly announces the grand opening of its new headquarters at 801 Wildwood Avenue, within the iconic Keenan House, and invites the entire community to a celebratory Open House on September 24, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. This milestone event marks the next chapter in One Columbia’s mission to foster creativity, preserve local heritage, and deepen community engagement from a space of both historic significance and future possibilities.
Relocating to the beautifully restored Keenan House is more than a change of address for One Columbia—it’s a strategic leap forward in cultivating arts, culture, and civic engagement across Columbia. Thanks to a dynamic partnership with the City of Columbia, this preservation project has transformed a treasured landmark into a vibrant and accessible home for artists, creatives, and community members alike. The headquarters serves as a central hub for innovative programming, public art projects, artist support, and cultural initiatives that bring people together.
During the open house, guests are invited to explore the elegant Keenan House through guided tours, appreciate a specially curated art exhibit featuring local and regional talent, and enjoy complimentary refreshments and beverages. The event will also highlight opportunities for sponsorship and fundraising, inviting supporters to play a meaningful role in shaping the ongoing impact of One Columbia’s diverse initiatives.
From its new headquarters, One Columbia is poised to amplify its signature programs, including the Artist Assistance Grant, Garage Studio residency, and citywide public art installations. The organization’s commitment to artist support, creative placemaking, and celebration of Columbia’s cultural heritage is now further rooted in a space designed for collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
The transformation of the Keenan House into One Columbia’s new home underscores the powerful results of public-private partnerships in preserving history and advancing community goals. The historic setting will serve as a launchpad for bold new projects—and as a welcoming space for residents and visitors to connect with the capital city’s creative spirit.
Everyone is welcome to attend this free event, join the celebration, and learn more about the vision and expanded work of One Columbia at its inspiring new headquarters.
About One Columbia
One Columbia’s mission is to strengthen and celebrate the vibrancy of Columbia’s arts, history, culture, and creative community. Operating from its new headquarters at the Keenan House, One Columbia leads city-wide initiatives supporting creative expression, public art, artist advocacy, heritage preservation, and innovative programming. Through dynamic partnerships and a commitment to inclusivity, One Columbia connects residents and visitors to the city’s rich cultural landscape, ensuring the arts are accessible, celebrated, and woven into every part of Columbia life.

Finlay Park Hiring Event
2025-09-24 10:00 - 13:00 | 1735 Busby St, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
With the upcoming grand re-opening of Finlay Park, the City’s Human Resources department and Parks and Recreation have partnered together to host a hiring event. The first portion of the event from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. will focus on Park Ranger and Maintenance Tech positions.
Columbia Police Department will also be participating in the second portion of the event from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with a focus on looking to hire Class 3 officers.
On the spot interviews will be held during Both time frames of the hiring fair and offers may be provided to candidates.
Register for the event here: https://forms.columbiasc.gov/252404515422851
Open Positions:

Park Ranger
Maintenance Assistant
Class 3 Police Officer

Yoga in The Park
2025-09-24 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Elmwood Roy Lynch Park, 2120 Lincoln Street, Columbia, 29201, United States
Yoga at the Park!

FREE
Taught by certified instructions from Charles R Drew Wellness Center
BRING YOUR OWN YOGA MATS
There will be no class during inclement weather

For more information (803) 545-3100

Yoga in the Park
2025-09-24 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-09-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Elmwood Roy Lynch Park, 2120 Lincoln Street, Columbia, 29201, United States

BizArts
2025-09-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
7Sunday, in partnership with the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities, is proud to launch BizArts, a bold new monthly series highlighting community, culture, and creativity.

A fireside chat and screening of the documentary Did You Know? Columbia’s Black Wall Street
A special exhibition from the USC Center for Civil Rights History & Research and Columbia SC 63
Live music, artistic expression, light hors d’oeuvres, and networking opportunities

One attending small business owner will also be awarded 10 free classes in the FastTrac Growth Venture program, a unique opportunity to accelerate business growth and success.

Salsa in the Park
2025-09-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Katheryn M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Art Center, 2611 Grant Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

North Columbia 411 Community Resource Fair
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Northminster Prespyterian Church, 6717 David Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement team will setup a table to provide resources on neighborhood safety, violence prevention, and other relevant topics. .

Zumba and Line Dance-A-Thon
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Greenview Park, 6700 David Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

Exploring Careers in Audio
2025-09-20 09:00 - 18:30 | Pacific Park, 200 Wayne Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Ribbon Cutting
2025-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Sweetwater Coffee & Tea, 1002 Park Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for the ribbon cutting for Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea!
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea isn’t just a coffeehouse—it’s a destination. Here, guests can enjoy the comfort of classic café favorites while exploring a world of globally inspired premium coffees and teas. Every visit is an invitation to savor bold flavors, connect with friends, and relax in an atmosphere that’s as timeless as it is welcoming. Open seven days a week, Sweetwaters also tempts guests with fresh-made sandwiches, irresistible pastries, and decadent desserts—making it the ultimate destination for any time of day. Catering is available for your meetings and special events.
As a proud minority and local owner, Edwin brings a vision deeply rooted in culture, connection, and giving back to the community. A longtime Columbia resident, seasoned restaurant veteran, and devoted husband and father of two young children, Edwin believes in the simple yet powerful ability of a great cup of coffee to unite people.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is thrilled to call the heart of Columbia’s Vista district home—just steps from the Koger Arts Center, Colonial Life Arena, and the South Carolina State House. More than just a café, Sweetwaters is a vibrant gathering place where students, professionals, families, and visitors can come together. With exciting plans to host social events, community gatherings, and cultural experiences, Sweetwaters is set to become a hub of connection and creativity for the University of South Carolina, local businesses, and residents across the Midlands and beyond.

10th Annual PARK(ing) Day
2025-09-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Main Street
PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform on-street parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat…at least until the meter runs out!
We are excited to announce that the City of Columbia, in partnership with the South Carolina Chapter of the American Society for Landscape Architects and One Columbia for Arts and Culture, is again helping to facilitate PARK(ing) Day, a national event that takes place on Friday, September 19, 2025. This event is about reclaiming on-street parking spaces as public space for people, for one day out of the year (10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.). Participants design and install temporary elements that can include seating, art, games, plants, etc. to encourage people to interact in the public right-of-way.
This is our tenth year temporarily transforming Downtown Columbia.
This year, the PARK(ing) Day theme builds on the recent Downtown Columbia Strategic Plan and Guidelines and we’re asking you to think more about how you’d like to plan your public realm to create more engaging and attractive public spaces in Columbia. You can use the plan’s big ideas for inspiration, or design your own perfect daydream for Columbia. The creativity is up to you!

What is the public realm? It’s that part of our urban fabric that is made up of publicly owned places and spaces that belong to and are accessible by everyone; our streets, plazas, sidewalks, trails, parks, open spaces, and more. The pedestrian realm, which encompasses the open space between a building’s face and the curb, is host to any number of streetscape elements that help contribute to a pleasant, walkable city. How would you populate the pedestrian realm? The possibilities are endless.
We want you to BRING it.
Can you believe it’s been a decade since our first PARK(ing) Day in Downtown Columbia? We are so excited to celebrate with you and to see how you build on the many creative parks we’ve seen these past nine inspiring years of tactical urbanism!
PARK(ing) Day is all about collaborative creativity.
PARK(ing) Day is about designing open space that not only attracts but also engages the community through the physical design of the space itself. Your park can be a nice place to sit and read. It can be a place for a sculpture. It can be an outdoor art gallery. It can be a botanical garden. It can foster community dialogue. It can be a picnic area. It just takes a bit of imagination and an application.
How to Par(k)ticipate:

Find out more, and get the application at columbiacompass.org/parklets
Plan your park and remember this year’s theme is a broad one. We’re asking you to think about how you’d Plan Your Public Realm as part of your design!
Get the necessary insurance, or if you are an artist or with an arts organization, contact One Columbia (info@onecolumbiasc.com or 803-254-5008) for support
Reserve your space(s) – parking space reservations are first come, first served! https://bit.ly/2025Meters

Submit the full application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025 (you’ll receive a link to submit the full application after you reserve your spaces)
There WILL be prizes.
This year, we’re holding our fifth annual PARK(ing) Day Design Contest, and up for grabs are a People’s Choice Award and a juried Best Design Award. Winners get bragging rights, as well as some fun, locally-sourced, prizes. It’s our tenth year of PARK(ing) Day and we know the competition will be steep, so we’re working to pull together some extra special prizes this year, too!
To learn more about PARK(ing) Day in Columbia, visit https://columbiacompass.org/parklets. If you have questions regarding PARK(ing) Day, contact Planning and Development Services Department at 803-545-3222 or via email at parkingday@columbiasc.gov. For information on the international PARK(ing) Day movement and to access resources, check out https://www.asla.org/parkingday2024.aspx .

Housing & Financial Symposium
2025-09-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for a FREE event designed to empower individuals & families with practical knowledge & resources to achieve financial stability and explore affordable pathways to homeownership.
Expert-Led Panel Discussions Offering Insights On:

Setting realistic homeownership goals (affordable housing)
How to find the right realtor & set expectations
How to prepare for conversations with your bank: understanding credit scores & repairs
Homeowners Associations (HOW): How to research and know your rights

Design/Development Review Commission (D/DRC) Meeting
2025-09-18 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 August 25, 2025. For more information, call 803-545-3222 or visit the D/DRC page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.
