Events & Festivals

Celebrate the Town

Going to an event or festival is the best way to get to know Central SC in an exciting and immersive way. From music, food, and beer festivals to galas, horse races, tournaments, concerts, and cultural and holiday celebrations, our year-round events appeal to all walks of life.

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Festivals in Central SC

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holiday-themed festivals

St. Pat’s in Five Points is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in the Southeast

St. Pat’s in Five Points
chef creates a meal outdoors

Festivals for Foodies

Make sure to come hungry to our various food festivals, featuring cuisine from the best dining in Central SC, as well as exciting themes that get the community involved. Love to share a cold one with friends? Check out the World Beer Festival with more than 100 craft breweries showcasing their signature beers. For a more competition-based festival, enter or visit the Healthy Chili Cook off where amateur cooks faceoff for healthy chili recipes. Central SC is also dedicated to showcasing different cultures, like at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival, where you can enjoy live entertainment, food, wine, beer, and interactive demonstrations hosted in Five Points to celebrate Columbia’s signature flavors.

 

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A group of musicians perform at the West Columbia and Cayce Art Festival in the Central SC Region

Dance the Night Away

Central SC has year-round music festivals offering all different types of genres. The Carolina Downhome Blues Festival is a week-long celebration of blues with performances by US and international legendary blues artists. With perfect weather comes opportunities for outdoor events. The Summer Concert Series is a free outdoor concert that begins in June and runs through August on Saturdays at Finlay Park. Looking for events the whole family can enjoy? Enjoy paddling and live music with fun activities for the whole family at the River Rocks Music Festival in Richland County.

 

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Art Festivals for Everyone

Our communities have a dedication to the arts, with beautiful festivals that showcase local talent for you to discover. The Ag + Art Tour is a self-guided tour of farms in participating counties, which also includes local artisans and farmer’s markets. Artista Vista is the Midlands’ most celebrated gallery crawl. The three-day event features local galleries with exhibitions, cocktails and appetizers, and entertainment. Arts & Draughts is the Columbia Museum of Art’s quarterly block party. Enjoy beer tastings from The Whig, live musical performances, D.I.Y. art projects, a variety of food vendors, and more. Can’t get enough? For a weekly experience, enjoy First Thursdays on Main to discover new artists and grab a bite to eat.

 

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Featured News & Stories

May 25, 2022

Business program expands with five new concentrations (Newberry College)

NEWBERRY — Newberry College’s business administration program will introduce five innovative concentrations this fall. Students in one of the institution’s largest areas of study will now be able to specialize their education to meet some of the 21st century’s greatest demands. The concentrations, all available within the business administration major, include business management and leadership, finance and […]

May 18, 2022

Benedict College first in nation to join Veteran Affairs’ healthcare studies program

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Undergraduate students at Columbia’s Benedict College now have another way to explore possible careers in the health care field since the college recently agreed to participate in the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veteran Health Administration Health Care Talent Academy (HCTA). The program introduces students to careers in the Veteran’s Healthcare System with courses meant to […]

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