Whether or not Fall weather will come along with the season is still TBD. But while you’re waiting on the weather, here are some #MustDo events around Columbia now through November to #PlanAhead for. 🍂

Broaden your horizons this year and attend an event or festival outside of your comfort zone. Ride something at the state fair or try a food you can’t pronounce – just be sure to do at least one of these must-do’s.

September

1️⃣Serve & Connect’s A Knight of Honor | Sept. 28 | 6:30-10 p.m. | 701 Whaley St. | $75 | If you’ve ever wanted to attend a medieval-inspired night of entertainment – all while supporting a great cause – then this one’s for you. During this knight of honor, police + community leaders will be celebrated – alongside a medieval-inspired feast + an open bar (ft. Cottontown Brew Lab, wine by Josh Cellars + cocktails made by Bourbon's Kristian Niemi.).

2️⃣Jam Room Music Festival | Sept. 29 | 12-10 p.m. | Main + Hampton St. | free to attend | Jam Room has been called the city’s signature music festival – and the lineup for the 7th annual fest, set in the heart of Main St., includes SUSTO and Baroness. The fest features two stages, 12 bands, craft beer (ft. Palmetto Brewing, Catawba Brewing Company and Hi-Wire Brewing, plus a beer garden with Wicked Weed), local food vendors + a kids zone. See the full music lineup. 🎸

Photo by @jamroomfest

October

1️⃣Jerry Fest | October 7 | 2-10 p.m. | Five Points | free to attend | Celebrate the life and art of Jerry Garcia with local vendors, artisans, live music + more. Get your face painted, buy a dream catcher, wear a Grateful Dead t-shirt + jam to a drum circle. This event is kid + pet-friendly.🥁

Photo by @allenwallace72

2️⃣South Carolina State Fair | October 10-21 | $7 presale; $10 at the gate | If you’ve dreamt of a burger with buns made of donuts or a funnel cake the size of your face, the S.C. State Fair is calling your name. See all the events, performers + promotions on their calendar. This year’s concert headliners include Scotty McCreery, Trace Adkins + Fantasia. The S.C. State Fair is a non-profit, and has donated over $3 million in scholarships to S.C. students. 🎡

3️⃣Oktoberfest Columbia | October 12-14 | Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12-7 p.m. | Incarnation Lutheran Church | 3005 Devine St. | free to attend | In search of an authentic German experience right here in Columbia? Oktoberfest is a classic Cola must-do. Grab a stein from one of the fest’s two biergartens, sit under the big white tent + watch the oompah bands + dancers, and don’t forget the authentic German food + pastries – like their popular dessert plate. It’s also kid-friendly, ft. a kinderzone, face painting + a balloon artist.

4️⃣Great American Whiskey Fair | October 18 | 5-9 p.m. | 701 Whaley | $50-125 | Consider yourself a whiskey aficionado? Come to the largest whiskey fair in the Southeast – right here in our own city – ft. 500 different kinds of whiskey. Tickets give you access to the entire tasting event, food by Bourbon and Cigar Veranda access. The VIP crowd will also get a goody bag, early entry + a chance to win a tasting for 10 at Bourbon. #protip: Mark your calendar to read COLAtoday on Oct. 4 for a chance to win a fun GAWF experience.

5️⃣Famously Hot South Carolina Pride | October 20 | 12-9 p.m. | Lady St. + Main St. | free | Celebrate Columbia’s LGBTQ communtity at the 29th annual S.C. Pride festival, with performances by Lisa Lisa and Silentó, plus other special guests, like Tatianna + Phoenix from RuPaul’s Drag Race. If you want to start the festivities early, the Get Lit Night-Time Parade is Friday at 7 p.m. Purchase a Pride Pass for a $100 donation, which gets you into the VIP Lounge, the Aftermath Party + a chance to meet the performers. 🏳️‍🌈

Photo by @streetsandeatsofsc

6️⃣Bubble Q | October 26 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | City Roots | $75 + gratuity | What’s better than some good ol’ S.C. BBQ? How about 30 different champagnes to pair it with. Chefs Lou Hutto, Frank Bradley, Kristian Niemi of Bourbon + a guest chef from Home Team BBQ will be serving up smoked + grilled dishes, paired with bubbly picked by experts. Tickets include a commemorative champagne flute, food + drink tastings and live music. 🍾🍗

November

1️⃣Vista Lights | November 15 | 5-10 p.m. | The Vista | free | Stroll The Vista – all lit up for the holidays – and visit many of their 90+ shops, restaurants + galleries that are open late for Vista Lights. There’s always live entertainment + performances, and Mayor Steve Benjamin will light the Vista Tree (at the corner of Gervais and Lincoln St.). 🎄

Photo by @colatoday

2️⃣South Carolina Oyster Festival | November 18 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Robert Mills House and Gardens | 1616 Blanding St. | $5 | Picture this: buckets of steamed oysters, oyster shooters, fried oysters + oyster gumbo – all set on the grounds of two historic house museums, with live music, local vendors, beer + a wine garden. You can even bring the kids + enjoy discounted house tours. Don’t forget your gloves, chairs + blankets.
If you’re looking for more Fall events beyond Columbia, here’s your guide.

I’m looking forward to attending the local festivals, eating all the different foods + drinking some legit Kölsch. My only regret is not getting a ticket to the Gervais St. Bridge Dinner, which sold out in record time this year. Maybe next fall.

My only regret is not getting a ticket to the Gervais St. Bridge Dinner, which sold out in record time this year. Maybe next fall.

–Shayla, COLAtoday Fall intern