Things to do in the Columbia area Easter weekend, April 17-20
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sunday is Easter, and that means in addition to sunrise services for those of the Christian faith, there are church and neighborhood Easter egg hunts in what seems like every community in the Midlands. Way too many to list here.
If you plan on venturing outdoors, the temperatures will gradually rise through Sunday, with Saturday and Sunday forecast to be in the mid- to upper-80s. Make sure to grab the sun screen and remember to stay hydrated when you’re out and about.
Sports fans can choose Carolina baseball or football — the Garnet & Black Spring Game is Saturday. Gardeners should check out Riverbanks Zoo & Garden’s plant sale (get there early!) then swing by for free compost, compliments of the City of Columbia.
Or just take yourself, your friends and/or family to the giant outdoor bounce house at Historic Columbia Speedway this weekend.
There’s plenty to do and see. Here’s a sampling:
THURSDAY, April 17
Flashlight Egg Hunt, 7-8:30 p.m. Melvin Park, 370 Eptings Camp Rd., Chapin. Presented in partnership with Chapin Baptist Church and Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission, here’s a twist on the traditional egg hunt. Hunt is for children age 12 and under, $3/child in advance, $5/child at the gate.
After: Photography by Dalvin “Mustafa” Spann, Opening reception 5-8 p.m. Soulhaus Gallery, 1223 Lincoln St, Columbia. Follow the transformation from boyhood to manhood through images spanning 12 years, reflecting the artist’s growth, responsibility, and development of values.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, April 17 & 18
Twelfth Night, 7:30 p.m., Drayton Hall Theatre, 1214 College St., Columbia. Shakespeare’s comic love triangle and tale of mistaken identity.
THURSDAY through SATURDAY, April 17-19
South Carolina vs. #11 Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia. The Gamecock baseball team takes on Ole Miss. Thursday is Wii Sports Night; stick around after the game Saturday for an Easter Egg Hunt on Ray Tanner Field
THURSDAY through SUNDAY, April 17-20
More Than Decent Film Festival, April 17-20, Ritz Theater, 1511 Main St., Newberry. This three-day festival highlights independent filmmakers in the Newberry area and beyond. $8/block ticket; $15/daily pass; $30/weekend pass. See schedule for show times.
FRIDAY, April 18
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt @ Clinton Sease Farm, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Clinton Sease Farm, 382 Olde Farm Rd., Lexington. Children ages 2-10, bring your own basket to collect the eggs – up to 15 eggs per hunter. Ticket includes egg hunt, ride on the wagon and Cow Train, Bubble Mania, obstacle course, playground, and photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny.
Garnet & Black Spring Game, 7:30 p.m., Williams-Brice Stadium. Admission to the game is free. Fans can participate in auctions to enhance the game experience. Gates open at 6 p.m., fireworks are scheduled for after the game.
Augusta Baker Lecture: Vashti Harrison, 6:30-9 p.m. Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. Vashti Harrison, Caldecott award-winning illustrator of Big and the Little Leaders series, illustrator of beloved picture books like Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o and Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, is this year’s guest.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, April 18 & 19
Easter Bunny at Sumter Mall, 4-7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sumter Mall, 1057 Broad St., Sumter. Sumter Mall and YMCA of Sumter partner for a celebration of Easter. Donations of any amount to the YMCA allow guests to take a picture with the Easter Bunny.
Newberry Pork in the Park, 4-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, downtown Newberry. Come on out to this Southern BBQ Network (SBN) sanctioned barbecue competition. Friday night is anything but pork competition, Saturday features pork barbecue (Boston butt and ribs). Music, beer and wine, fun for the kids, barbecue available while supplies last.
Clyde’s, 8 p.m., Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St., Columbia. Clyde’s is a truck stop sandwich shop in Pennsylvania, staffed exclusively by formerly incarcerated individuals looking for redemption – and a shared quest to create the perfect sandwich.
FRIDAY through SUNDAY, April 18-20
Big Bounce America, various times, Historic Columbia Speedway, 2001 Charleston Hwy., Cayce. Everybody loves a bouncy house! This event features custom-built inflatables and times for the entire family as well as adults only. Select your time and purchase online, tickets from $22-$45 per person.
SATURDAY, April 19
Free Compost Giveaway, 8 a.m.-noon, Columbia Solid Waste Division, 123 Humane Lane. Columbia residents are welcome to come by and gather free-, nutrient-rich compost, ideal for gardening and landscaping, while supplies last. Staff will be on hand to assist with loading compost into vehicles, trailers, and trucks. For residential use only, no commercial businesses. No deliveries.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Plant Sale, 8-11 a.m., Riverbanks Growing Center, 1201 Seminole Dr., West Columbia. Select from over 80 varieties of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and rare tropical plants curated by the Riverbanks Horticulture Staff. Plant list available online, bring a wagon to load up and come early for best selection. Admission free for Riverbanks members, $5 for non-members.
Riverwalk Rabbit Run 5K, 9 a.m., West Columbia Amphitheatre, 109 Alexander Rd., West Columbia. Come on out and take a run through the Riverwalk area of Cayce and West Columbia. Easter egg hunt and party following the race.
Soda City Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Main Street Columbia. Nourishment for your brain, body, and belly. Take in the work of artisans and crafters and try something new to eat at one of the food trucks. Family and pet friendly.
Spring Street Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Fairfield Farmers and Artisans Market, 117 E Washington St., Winnsboro. Set up behind the clock tower on East Washington street, this event features street vendors and food trucks, rain or shine.
2025 Murraytown Antique Tractor Show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Buddy Taylor’s Produce Stand, 4809 Augusta Hwy. Leesville. An amazing collection of antique tractors to admire while learning about South Carolina’s agricultural heritage. Organized by the Palmetto Tractor Club and the Aiken Antique Power Association.
Easter at Dorr Farms, 9 am.-5 p.m., Dorr Farms, 5225 Dorr Acres Rd, Gable, SC (outside Sumter). Meet the Easter Bunny, visit with farm animals, and enjoy the playground and food trucks. Helicopter egg drop at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., $15 per child, limited tickets available.
Peep-a-palooza, 10 a.m., Moore Park, 7473 Church St., Irmo. Free family egg hunt, games and prizes.
SWAP: Spring Plants, 10-10:30 a.m. Richland Library Blythewood, 218 McNulty St., Blythewood. Bring up to five plants — perennials, annuals, vegetables, and other garden plants – to swap for new ones. Plants should be labeled, and cuttings need to be rooted.
Birds in the Garden workshop, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Wild Birds Unlimited, 2005 N Beltline Blvd., Columbia. Sponsored by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, learn the fundamentals of creating a thriving and functional habitat for birds and other wildlife in your own backyard. $15/person, limited space available.
Pups & Pints Adoption Event & Donation Drive, noon-3 p.m., Bierkeller Columbia, 600 Canalside St. City of Columbia Animal Services is hosting a free dog adoption event. Adoption fees are waived, just bring your own leash and collar to bring your new fur baby home. Donations will be accepted.
After: Photography by Dalvin “Mustafa” Spann, Artist talk and performance by MAJIMA, 3-6 p.m. Soulhaus Gallery, 1223 Lincoln St, Columbia. Follow the transformation from boyhood to manhood through images spanning 12 years, reflecting the artist’s growth, responsibility, and development of values.
The Shot Heard Round the World: A 250th American Revolution Event, 4:30-8 p.m., Old Mill Pond Trail, 711 East Main St., Lexington. History comes alive in a 250th American Revolution anniversary celebration of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. This free event will transport you to the Colonial era with lantern tours, hands-on activities, and cannon demonstrations. To honor the events of April 19, 1775, Saxe Gotha was officially renamed Lexington County in 1785.
Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel, featuring Gibb Droll, 8 p.m., The Senate Columbia, 1022 Senate St. Williams’ take on the spiritual side of Grateful Dead/Jerry Garcia songs performed in the style of Black gospel music. The Senate is now a cashless venue with a clear bag policy in place.
SUNDAY, April 20
Easter Sunday
COMING UP
April 24-25: Southeastern BBQ Showdown