News Summary
Columbia, SC is gearing up for a lively weekend filled with exciting events such as the South Carolina BBQ Shag Festival, Soda City Market, and the NCAA Women’s Tournament. Food enthusiasts can enjoy a BBQ Cook-Off while art lovers can explore local crafts. Sports fans won’t want to miss the thrilling NCAA games. With perfect weather, it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy everything Columbia has to offer!
Exciting Weekend Events in Columbia, SC: BBQ Festival, Art Fairs, and NCAA Tournament
Get ready for another sunny weekend in wonderful Columbia, SC! With perfect weather in the forecast, it’s the ideal time to take part in outdoor activities that are filled with fun and excitement. There’s a jam-packed schedule of events happening, and you won’t want to miss a single moment!
South Carolina BBQ Shag Festival
If you’re a fan of great food, lively music, and community celebrations, make your way to the SC BBQ Shag Festival in nearby Hemingway, SC. Kicking off on Thursday, the festival features charming arts and crafts and a plethora of amusement rides that’ll delight the kiddos.
Friday evening is set to be a highlight with a fabulous Shag Contest where couples can showcase their best dance moves. Once the sun sets, enjoy a dazzling fireworks display that will light up the night sky!
On Saturday, the stakes get higher as the BBQ Cook-Off heats up. Competitors will be getting their whole hogs around midnight on Friday, with the winner being announced midday on Saturday. Make sure to arrive early because the delicious pulled pork will be available only while supplies last!
Soda City Market
Back in Columbia, the vibrant Soda City Market is taking place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street. This lively market is not just a treat for your taste buds; it’s competing for a coveted spot in USA Today’s 10Best List in the Farmers Market category. So be sure to stop by and support local vendors!
NCAA Women’s Tournament
Sports fans are in for a treat with tickets available for the first round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament on Friday at the Colonial Life Arena. The day features two high-stakes games: #8 Utah versus #9 Indiana at 1:30 p.m., followed by #1 South Carolina taking on #16 Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m. Grab your tickets and bring some friends for an action-packed afternoon!
Local Events and More
As we usher in the beautiful season of spring with the vernal equinox at 5:01 a.m. this Thursday, a multitude of events will fill your weekend with joy. Starting with an engaging Metta Prayer film screening and discussion featuring artist Jacolby Satterwhite at the Columbia Museum of Art on Thursday night.
If you’re craving good food and good vibes, don’t miss Bockfest 2025 at Bierkeller on Friday and Saturday, featuring delicious eats, live music, and their famous ceremonial keg tapping.
Families and BBQ lovers should head to the Scouts BSA BBQ Cook Off at Sumter County Fairgrounds on Friday night and Saturday. This event will be packed with wing nights and lively performances!
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy events like the Gravel Road 10K at Harbison State Forest (registration ends Thursday), or the Curing Kids Cancer Fire Truck Pull on Saturday in downtown Columbia, which is free to attend with donations welcome.
Don’t forget the Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, which promises handcrafted artwork and a lovely picnic atmosphere. There’s also the Sumter Springfest, scheduled for Saturday with a variety of food vendors and family activities!
For those who love the arts, catch performances of the enchanting ballet “Giselle” at the Koger Center on Saturday evening. If you’re looking for something different, the Through the Looking Glass: A Surrealist Gala at the Columbia Museum of Art on Saturday night will have something for every art lover. Members get special pricing, so don’t miss out!
Special Events Ahead
Looking slightly ahead, mark your calendars for the Taste of Lake Murray on March 27 featuring delightful food and music, and the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic from March 28-30 at the SC State Fairgrounds, as well as the Read Freely Fest at Richland Library from March 28-30 with panels from various authors.
Spring has sprung in Columbia, SC, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by getting out there and enjoying all the amazing events happening this weekend!
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Weekend Events in Columbia, SC
- Post and Courier: Things to Do in Columbia, SC
- ABC Columbia: Agriculture and Forestry Event
- Cola Today: Upcoming Events in Columbia
- WIS TV: New Year’s Eve in the Midlands
- Wikipedia: Columbia, South Carolina
- Google Search: Columbia SC events
- Google Scholar: Columbia SC events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Columbia
- Google News: Columbia SC events
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
