Columbia Talent Retention Fair
2025-02-17 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for an energetic hiring event designed for job seekers aged 18 and older—especially college students looking for entry-level positions, internships, and seasonal opportunities. Meet recruiters from a variety of industries looking for fresh talent like you. Explore new opportunities and discover roles that match your skills and goals. Build connections that could shape your future career. Whether you’re starting your job search, exploring career paths, or just curious about what’s out there, this event is your gateway to success!

Youth Service Providers Meet-Up
2025-02-17 11:00 - 12:30 | columbia police, 5471 Leesburg Rd, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States

Belmont Community Meeting
2025-02-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Gable Oaks Community Resource Center, 901 Colleton St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

FastTrac Growth Venture
2025-02-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-25 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-04 18:00 - 21:00 | Midlands Technical College Northeast Campus, 151 Powell Road, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Office of Business Opportunities is no longer accepting applications for the 2025 FastTrac Growth Venture course. If you have any questions, you can contact our office at (803)545-3950 or send an email to OBO@columbiasc.gov.
FastTrac Growth Venture is a course designed to support the entrepreneur seeking to take their existing business to a higher level. This program assists entrepreneurs in analyzing their current business condition to identify the best opportunities for growth. Budgeting, sales strategies, management team roles, operational systems and business plan implementation are key areas of emphasis. The course also facilitates networking between entrepreneurs and experienced professionals.
This training is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with more in-depth business skills to grow their business successfully. 2025 is the 22nd year of the collaborative partnership between the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities and Midlands Technical College in providing the FastTrac Growth Venture training to local business owners.
To be eligible to participate in the FastTrac Growth Venture course, participants must:

Have a small business located in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, or Saluda counties.
Have a business plan or must be in operations for more than five (5) years.

Be one of the lucky few selected for this course and join the many who have successfully risen to the challenge.

Lunch and Learn
2025-02-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States

City Funding for Non-Profit Events Seminar
2025-02-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The Non-Profit Events Seminar hosted by the City of Columbia will help event managers learn about funding programs through the City of Columbia and identifying information that sponsors need to increase the probability of funding.
The seminar will be taught by Harold Reaves, City of Columbia Special Events Coordinator, Laura S. Truell, Instructor of Sport and Entertainment Management at USC, and Tina Saxon, Grants Coordinator for the City of Columbia.
Click here to reister!
This is the second workshop within a series of workshops designed to assist and prepare event managers with planning, producing, and administering their events. Topical areas for this series will include Event Management 101, Staffing, Risk Management/Liability, Insurance, and Potential Sponsorship/Funding.

Design/Development Review Commission (D/DRC) Meeting
2025-02-20 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 January 17, 2025. For more information, call 803-545-3222 or visit the D/DRC page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.

Homebuyer Workshop
2025-02-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Hampton Park Community Center, 1117 Brandon Ave, Columbia, 29209, United States
The City of Columbia Community Development Department is hosting a homebuyer workshop at the Hampton Park Community Center on February 20, 2025 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Topics of Discussion will include:

How to purchase a house on a budget
Understanding home mortgage process budgeting
Housing loan programs

Register for the event here: Home Buying Workshop, Credit Counseling & Budgeting (columbiasc.gov)
For more information, contact Community Development at (803) 545-3373 or email at housingloanprograms@columbiasc.gov.

Food Truck Friday
2025-02-21 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-02-28 11:00 - 15:00 | SC
Each Friday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, join us in the REI Co-op parking lot on Bull Street to enjoy lunch from a variety of food trucks!
Check out the line up for February’s food trucks:
February 7, 2025:

Diamond’s Smokehouse
Luna’s Grill
Mamas Taste of the World
Moma Kno’z Butter Bitez

February 14, 2025:

Brown Bag Deli
Purposely Made Sweets
Smok’in Pot
Tacos Oink Oink

February 21, 2025:

Bessie’s Bites & Sweet Delights
La Dolce Vita Pizza
Smoke it Up

February 28, 2025:

Fishers of Men
Smok’in Pot
Tacos Oink Oink
Smoke It Up

P.E.A.C.E. Artistic Expressions
2025-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
This free event will provide a safe space for young artists to express their artistic talent. Join us in the Leroy Moss Multipurpose Building at Hyatt Park!
Open to high school students ONLY. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited!
Register here:
P.E.A.C.E Arts Expression Day (google.com)

Black History Celebration
2025-02-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Greenview Park, 6700 David Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

Grand Finale Black History Parade & Festival
2025-02-22 13:00 - 18:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2300 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
Join us for the Grand Finale Black History Parade & Festival! We will be celebrating our 20th year with Actress & Comedienne Annie McKnight, and the Grand Marshal 2025 will be the Honorable Senator Maggie Glover.
The Black History Parade will begin at Hampton & Harden St, and the Festival will take place at MLK Park, 2300 Greene St. Columbia SC.
This year marks the GRAND FINALE of our beloved 20-year tradition, the Statewide Black History Parade and Festival! This milestone event will be a powerful and unforgettable celebration, filled with vibrant displays of African American heritage and contributions, both past and present.
As we culminate two decades of honoring Black history and community unity, the 2025 parade npromises to be our most dynamic gathering yet, featuring extraordinary floats, historical portrayals, cultural performances, and a diverse array of community participants from across the state. This Grand Finale will showcase our collective journey, celebrating our shared progress while inspiring everyone to stay active and engaged in shaping our future.
For questions call (803) 361-5470 or email fundsinc@fundsinc1.org

2025 Empowerment for Peace Walk
2025-02-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Earlewood Park, 1113 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
This Peace Walk is the fifth annual community-led empowerment walk. This free event is a collective effort of North Columbia residents, supporters, community partners and law enforcement partners since 2020. This walk is the organization’s united stand against gun violence and celebrates youth, youth empowerment, community and peace for all. The Peace Walk is about affirming life, honoring loved ones taken by gun violence, celebrating the youth and taking a collective stand for peace.
Schedule:
Sign In for Peace: 1 p.m.
Opening Ceremony: 2 p.m.
Walk Route: Earlewood Park to Hyatt Park
Peace Rally at Hyatt Park: 4 p.m.

Coffee Conversations at All Good Books with EveryLibrarySC
2025-02-23 14:00 - 15:00 | All Good Books, 734 Harden St, Columbia, SC, 29212, United States
Join EveryLibrarySC at All Good Books in Columbia, SC, for an engaging discussion on policy, education, and the importance of public funding in ensuring access to libraries. We are honored to welcome Valerie Byrd for as our guest moderator.

RSVP here: Coffee Conversations Event at All Good Books

Mayor's Coffee with the Press
2025-02-26 09:00 | City Hall, Second Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann will hold an informal coffee with the press the last Wednesday morning of every month. These will be informal coffee talks where representatives from all press outlets are invited to come for an update from him and to ask questions. The sessions will be held in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall, 1737 Main Street. Each session will be scheduled for approximately 45 minutes.

Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting
2025-02-28 10:30 - 12:00 | SC

Tai Chi
2025-03-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Riverfront Park South, 312 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States

Ribbon Cutting for PowerHouse Cycle and Fitness
2025-03-01 10:00 - 23:00 | 2418 Devine Street, 2418 Devine Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
WHO: City of Columbia Economic Development, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and City Councilwoman Aditi Bussells
WHAT: PowerHouse Cycle and Fitness will be hosting their upcoming grand opening on Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. at their new location at 2418 Devine Street. They will be hosting a morning of fitness, fun, and community, with free classes, local vendors, food, drinks, and music. PowerHouse is founded by a woman who knows what it takes to overcome obstacles and build something meaningful, and the business reflects the values of resilience, empowerment, and inclusion.
At PowerHouse Cycle and HIIT, their story is rooted in a passion for fitness and community. Founded with the vision of creating a personal training studio that emphasizes both physical transformation and emotional connection, they cater to a diverse range of fitness enthusiasts. Their unique approach combines HIIT circuit training, strength training classes, and an energizing cycling studio to inspire their members.

SCORF Community Events
2025-03-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Bellfield Center, 2611 Grant St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The ONSE is partnering with A Second Chance Resource Center and other community partners to host a community resource fair to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic. The event will feature service providers, printed materials, Narcan and other opioid overdose reversing drugs, as well as an opportunity for referral as well as case management services. This event is free to the public and registration is not required.

Administrative Policy Committee - Standing Committee Meeting
2025-03-04 15:00 - 16:00 | City Hall, Second Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States

Bingo Social
2025-03-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States

Groundbreaking for Single-Family Home Development in Jones McDonald Neighborhood
2025-03-06 10:00 - 13:00 | 1725 Ogden Street, 1725 Ogden St, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States

Board of Zoning Appeals (BoZA) Meeting
2025-03-06 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 February 7, 2025. For more information, call 803-545-3333 or visit the BoZA page for agendas, approved minutes, a printable calendar, and more.

NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs
2025-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The Office of Business Opportunities is no longer accepting applications for the 2025 NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs course. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at (803) 545-3950 or send an email to OBO@columbiasc.gov.
NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs Course
The NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs course is training that prepares entrepreneurs to compete, win, and survive in the market place. It is designed for businesses with less than five employees. Participants learn how to choose a business idea, develop a business plan, develop a marketing plan, understand market analyses, explore financing options, assess risk management, develop a customer’s service philosophy, as well as other relevant entrepreneurial skills.
To be eligible to participate in the NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs course, participants:

Can reside or have their small business located in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, or Saluda counties.
In the process of starting a small business or have been in operations for two (2) years or less.

Food Truck Friday!
2025-03-07 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
Each Friday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, join us in the REI Co-op parking lot on Bull Street to enjoy lunch from a variety of food trucks!
Check out the line up for February’s food trucks:
March 7, 2025:

Lunch Box
Mamas Taste of the World
Moma Kno’z Butter Bites
Wise’s Fish & Fries

March 14, 2025:

Brown Bag Deli
Diamond’s Smokehouse BBQ
Fishers of Men
Kurt’s Kitchen

March 21, 2025: The Blood Connection Mobile Blood Drive Unit will be parked alongside the food trucks, so come out, grab lunch, and give blood to help save a life!

Fresh Pours & Mo’
Smoke It Up
Snacks & Things
Tacos Oink Oink

March 28, 2025:

Diamond’s Smokehouse BBQ
Kurt’s Kitchen
Lunch Box
Purposely Made Sweets

Youth Symposium
2025-03-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Booker Washington Heights, 2611 Grant Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
Join us for the annual Youth Symposium for 6 through 12th graders hosted by the Iota Omicron Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Objectives:

To inspire and engage youth ages 12-18 through various art forms.
To provide exposure to different artistic disciplines, promoting creativity and potential career paths.

Event Components:

Culinary Arts: Interactive cooking demonstration with a professional chef, allowing participants to learn basic cooking skills

Dance: Interactive dance sessions led by professional dancers, introducing various dance styles and encouraging self-expression through movement.
Performances: Showcases by local artists, including musicians, dancers, and spoken word performers, to inspire and entertain.

Register here!

Ribbon Cutting for Big Dave's Cheesesteaks
2025-03-08 12:00 - 13:30 | 942-B Harden Street, 942-B Harden Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
WHO: City of Columbia Economic Development, Five Points Association, Councilman Ed McDowell and franchise owners Marc and Kiera Brown and Frank and Courtney Williams
WHAT: Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks will be hosting their upcoming grand opening of their Columbia location on Saturday, March 8 at 12:00 p.m. at 942-B Harden Street.
Franchise owner Marc Brown is a respected personal injury attorney and the proud owner of the Marc Brown Law Firm, one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing legal practices, recently ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for 2024. His wife, Dr. Kiera Brown, is a dedicated local pharmacist. Fellow franchise owner, Frank Williams III, also known as Shuler King, is a nationally recognized comedian and runs his family’s legacy business, Williams Funeral Home in Sumter, SC. His wife, Courtney, a former flight attendant, now serves as a life coach. Marc and Frank, both hailing from Sumter, South Carolina, and Kiera, a native of Philadelphia, all share a deep connection to the state, having graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Their decision to franchise with Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks was driven first and foremost by the exceptional quality of the food—truly remarkable in every way. But it’s more than just great food. The brand resonates with their values, aligning perfectly with their commitment to giving back to the community, supporting entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for others. As proud Columbia residents and USC alumni, the Five Points community holds a special place in their hearts. Opening their first location here is a true honor, as the area is both nostalgic and poised for exciting growth.
