Fall guide to Columbia

Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean the fun has to.

Columbia has a packed schedule this Fall season, with everything from beautiful views and delicious sweet treats to fun festivals.

Here’s a list of things to keep you busy from now until the start of the Christmas season.

Sites and activities

Visitors can enjoy a wide array of venues offering many events this Fall season.

The Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater offers a walking trail. And on Thursday evenings, Jazz on the River takes place from 6-9 p.m. on the corner of Meeting Street and Alexander Road beginning Oct. 5.

Visitors can find everything from yoga to drag bingo in the upcoming months at the Columbia Art Museum. Check out its full list of events here.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will be hosting their annual Boo at the Zoo event this October, along with a new Wild Lights event later this year. Buy tickets and read more here.

Clinton Sease Farm in Lexington opens Sept. 22 and features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, playground activities, food trucks and a long list of sweet treats. Buy tickets here.

The Trenholm Road United Methodist Church pumpkin patch also will be open daily Oct. 7-31.

The Terror Falls Haunted Farm offers five different haunted attractions and aims to provide more than a few good scares. It opens Oct. 6 in Gaston.

The Deceased Farm Haunted Attraction in Lexington is open every Friday and Saturday from 7:30-11:30 p.m. with self-guided tours through six buildings, three outdoor areas and corn fields. Buy tickets in person with cash only.

The 38th annual Vista Lights, Columbia’s unofficial kickoff of the Christmas season, will take place Nov. 16. The evening showcases live music performances and a tree lighting ceremony, with several roads closed to vehicle traffic.

Specialty food & drink

Some people may want to enjoy a festive fall drink or meal after working up an appetite visiting local attractions.

Curiosity Coffee Bar on Main Street offers a taste of fall with its specialty drink menu, which includes a vegan Pumpkin Pancake drink.

Azalea Coffee Bar on Devine Street has multiple themed drinks as well, including the option of adding red velvet syrup to a customer’s pick-me-up of choice.

Drip Coffee in Five Points is offering a house-made Pumpkin Latte starting this weekend, Sept. 23, and is rolling out slow-cooked steel oats with a blueberry lemon jam in October.

Festivals

The second annual Best of SC Craft Beer Festival is Sep. 30 from 2-5 p.m. at Junction 800 in the Vista. There will be live music and unlimited tastings of craft beers. Buy tickets here.

The Jam Room Music Festival returns Nov. 4 on Main Street, with no cost to attend and no ticket needed. The lineup for this year’s street festival features Tortoise, Adia Victoria, Jaron Marshall & The Collective and many more. 

South Carolina’s State Fair will take place Oct. 11-22 at the State Fairgrounds. The fair will have live entertainment and lots of food options with rides for the whole family. Buy tickets early here.

Columbia offers multiple Oktoberfest celebrations. For a full list check out this link. Oktoberfest activities typically include drinks, German food and fun for all ages.

The 16th annual Palmetto Peanut Boil will be Sept. 30 on Devine Street from 12-6 p.m. There will be live music, food and activities for kids.