Lucky you. You just found COLAtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Columbia each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.

FESTIVALS

South Carolina Caribbean Carnival | Thursday, June 11–Sunday, June 14 | South Carolina State Fairgrounds | $193+ | A multi-day celebration of Caribbean culture featuring Carnival, live music, culinary showcases, and cultural experiences at the SC State Fairgrounds.

Columbia's 11th Shrimp & Grits Fest | Saturday, June 20 | 6–9 p.m. | Seawell's Catering | $50+ | Sample unlimited shrimp and grits from competing Cola restaurants as they battle it out for the title of "Columbia's Best," with live music from Prettier Than Matt.

CONCERTS

Glenn Miller Orchestra | Wednesday, June 3 | Harbison Theatre, Irmo | $65 | The world-famous 15-piece big band plays "In The Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," and all the classics just as Glenn Miller intended.

John Williams' America: Free Movie Music Concert | Saturday, June 6 | 7 p.m. | Finlay Park | Free | The outdoor orchestral concert featuring iconic John Williams scores from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., and more — bring a blanket and enjoy it by the lake.

Southeastern Piano Festival | Sunday, June 7–Saturday, June 13 | University of South Carolina School of Music | $5+ | A week of world-class piano performances, masterclasses, and a student competition culminating in a winners' concert Saturday night.

SPORTS

THEATER

"Urinetown" | Friday, June 19–Sunday, July 19 | Trustus Theatre | $35+ | A sharp political satire about greed, revolution, and a dystopian world where private toilets are banned.

ACTIVE

SEASONAL EVENTS

FOR THE FAM

Fresh peaches on a checkered table cloth at Soda City Market.

GET SOCIAL

First Thursday on Main Presents: PCW Here Comes The Pain | Thursday, June 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Main Street District | Free | Pro wrestling comes to Main Street as Palmetto Championship Wrestling brings hard-hitting matches and larger-than-life personalities to Boyd Plaza.

Third Thursday Art Night: Ginny Merett | Thursday, June 18 | 5:30–7 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Opening reception for mixed media collage artist Ginny Merett, whose work reimagines stylish women from her grandmother's era using vintage and contemporary papers.