Top 10 Festivals In Columbia, South Carolina

1. South Carolina State Fair

If you happen to visit Columbia around October, don’t forget to pay a visit to the phantasmagoric South Carolina State Fair. The festival is equally fun for kids and adults and features a number of exciting attractions, like dinosaur and animal farm corners, impressive Lego displays, amazing concerts and performances, pie contests, and more. Lots of knowledgeable vendors sell their lovely goods, while, as expected, there are numerous food stalls to satisfy your appetite after long and fascinating rides, such as Polar Express!

South Carolina State Fair

Address: 1200 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29201, United States

Website: South Carolina State Fair

Takes place: October

2. Columbia International Festival

You have no idea how many thrilling things might fit in just a two-day-long festival. Well, try Columbia International Festival that is held each April, and you will be amazed by the multicultural vibe found in the air. If you love exploring different cultures but you can’t travel right now, this festival showcases the cultural heritage of over 60 countries. As such, expect to try some delicious exotic flavors, watch some intricate national dances, buy original handicrafts, and enjoy parades and shows of traditional costumes, among others.

Columbia International Festival

Address: SC State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29201, United States

Website: Columbia International Festival

Takes place: April

3. Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival

This pretty joyful and family-friendly festival is especially dedicated not only to those who love tomatoes—the “champion of the home garden”—but also to those who love music, good food, and sustainable ways to grow food. Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival aims to promote locally grown tomatoes by eco-conscious producers, including chefs as well. This beautiful progressive food community comes together to celebrate the biodiversity of food in the most enjoyable way, so come to honor this famous fruit if you are in town!

Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival

Website: Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival

Takes place: July

4. St. Pat's in Five Points

Celebrated each year on St. Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland, this vivacious event is ideal for all ages as lots of great things are happening here for kids and adults alike. Outstanding musical and dance performances spread across four stages, a green race starting early in the morning, lots of food and beverage vendors, and kiddy stuff like face painting, rides, and games—all are meant to create a delightful atmosphere on that very special day. A good idea would be to bring cash instead of paying by cards, so the festival becomes more “green.”

St. Pat's in Five Points

Address: Devine St, Santee Ave & Congaree Ave, Columbia, SC 29205, United States

Website: St. Pat’s in Five Points

Takes place: March

5. Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The 41-year-old Festival of Black History & Culture is an outdoor festival that’s free and open for everyone to attend. It is held each year in September for one day. The once small community gathering is nowadays a can’t-miss event that features numerous live performances, historic storytelling, dances, art, and singing. A kids’ area for family-friendly activities is also present. Of course, like in every big festival, there are several vendors that sell unique art and wares too, as well as food and beverages.

Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture

Address: 1403 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States

Website: Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture

Takes place: September

6. Columbia Shrimp and Grits Fest

Columbia Shrimp and Grits Fest, as the name suggests, is a festival solely devoted to food—particularly to shrimp and grits. In case you wonder which restaurant makes the best shrimp and grits in Columbia, then join this short festival (only three hours long) and try unlimited samples with your ticket. Usually, there is also live music and other small prizes for the attendees.

Columbia Shrimp and Grits Fest

Address: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 2100 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, United States

Website: Columbia Shrimp and Grits Fest

Takes place: June

7. Indie Grits Film Festival [Last event in 2019]

Indie Grits Film Festival partners with Nickelodeon Theatre to present this pretty modern four-day event, dedicated to film, music, and art—through which emerges the experimental culture of the Southeast. A plethora of film screenings, along with numerous bands, puppet slams, and several interesting projects and exhibitions, all take place in this unique artsy festival that you don’t want to miss. There are also adult workshops, as well as family-friendly events that aim to boost creativity.

Indie Grits Film Festival

Address: Nickelodeon Theatre, 1607 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States

Website: Indie Grits Film Festival

Takes place: March

8. Jam Room Music Festival [Last event in 2019]

Jam Room Music Festival is probably the biggest music party in South Carolina, and it happens to take place in vivid Columbia—and guess what, it’s free for everyone. It might be just a one-day festival, held in October each year, however, it guarantees a gorgeous music-filled day and awesome vibes, with cool bands that you’ve always wanted to see live. As usual, food and drink vendors will make sure nobody stays hungry or thirsty.

Jam Room Music Festival

Address: Main & Hampton Sts, Columbia, SC 29201, United States

Website: Jam Room Music Festival

Takes place: October

Price: Free

9. Love, Peace & Hip-Hop Festival

So, big fans of hip-hop, come together and have a blast at this four-day mainly free festival, whose ultimate purpose is to bring the community together in love, peace, and unity. It’s among the 50 family-friendliest festivals in the United States, and as such, your kiddos may also have fun at the bounce houses and other activities. Adults can show off their hip-hop singing skills at the karaoke center, enjoy some break-dancing performances, and observe other visual artists. Of course, food and craft vendors are available around here too.

Love, Peace & Hip-Hop Festival

Website: Love, Peace & Hip-Hop Festival

Takes place: Usually held in April

10. Soda City Suds Week [Last event in 2019]

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Columbia’s love for craft beer should somehow find a venue to show off, and so the Soda City Suds Week festival was created in order to promote the city’s beer culture. Imagine that Columbia features eight craft breweries and numerous craft beer-related businesses, so what better way for them to exhibit what they make through this cheerful festival. For four days each year, participants can enjoy lots of good craft beer and a number of events that display the creativity of the businesses.

Soda City Suds Week

Website: Soda City Suds Week

Takes place: March

Guarantee fun in Soda City

Be it music, food, alcohol, dancing, history, arts, or rides, Columbia certainly has everything covered with the above-listed various festivals. So since everything is taken care of, you only have to decide which festival appeals to you the most and plan your visit accordingly!