FRIDAY, OCT. 3

National Crappie League: Wild Card Tournament
Lake Murray hosts one of the most exciting fishing events on the calendar, the National Crappie League’s Wild Card Tournament. This two-day event will showcase some of the nation’s best anglers, but it also lets the public in on the fun. See daily weigh-ins at Dreher Island National Park (3677 State Park Rd.), and there’s a free kids' “fishing rodeo” on Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. All the fun kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday, and admission is free. Visit nationalcrappieleague.com for more information.

Swift Nation (concert)
The Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W. Main St.) brings the music of icon Taylor Swift to you with a performance from Swift Nation. For the first of two shows in October, Swift Nation, led by stunning vocalist Melody Ebner, gives you an evening of Swiftie classics like “Shake It Off,” “Style,” “Ready For It,” “Dear John” and many more, all in Eras-appropriate costumes. Showtime is 6 p.m., and admission for this family-friendly show is $26. Visit icehouseamphitheater.com for more information.

Electric Avenue: The ‘80s MTV Experience (concert)
The Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Blvd.) takes you back in time to the neon-bright 80s with Electric Avenue: The ‘80s MTV Experience. This high-energy, high-color performance features classic 80s synths and electronic beats, and this show will be just like an afternoon sitting in front of MTV back in 1985. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $35 and $40. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4

Savage Craft Oktoberfest
Savage Craft Ale Works (430 Center St.) invites you to Oktoberfest: Hops to Harvest. Enjoy a classic Oktoberfest menu with plenty of Bavarian favorites, ice cold German beers, the annual Stein Hold competition, a petting zoo, games and face painting for the kids, and live music from Cody Webb, The Hijacks and Chris Reed & The Bad Kids. This event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit savagecraft.com for more information.  

Cayce Fall Fest
Head over to Granby Gardens Park (1800 12^th St.) for the Cayce Fall Fest. This free, family-friendly event includes live music from Coley Williams, Willie Wells & The Blue Ridge, Mountain Grass and headliner Kendall Lanford, a playground for the kids, picnic tables to snack at and a covered gazebo to cool off in the shade. The Cayce Fall Fest runs from noon to 6 p.m. Visit caycesc.gov for more information.

Willie Walker Trio (concert)
Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St.) invites you to enjoy an evening of soulful grooves with bassist/bandleader Willie Walker and his namesake trio. Expect to hear hits and classics by  The Crusaders and Roy Hargrove to Kem, Kirk Whalum, Tevin Campbell, Beyoncé and Stevie Wonder, all in intimate jazz-trio arrangements. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Admission is $85 (price includes dinner). Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5

2025 Corn Maze
After transforming from Deceased Farm back into Clinton Sease Farm (382 Olde Farm Rd.), you can bring the kids to the farm’s 2025 Corn Maze adventures. Enjoy finding your way through the maze, let the kids play on the playground, take on the obstacle course or hop on a wagon ride. This family-friendly event also includes vendors selling food and drink, and it runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $18. Visit clintonseasefarm.com for more information.

Midlands Fall Plant & Flower Festival
The S.C. State Farmer’s Market (3483 Charleston Hwy.) hosts the Midland Fall Plant & Flower Festival. Now that the weather is cooling off, you can browse through a huge selection of fall plants, flowers, pumpkins and seasonal décor for your home and garden, along with handcrafted items from local vendors. Plus, certified S.C. Grown produce is on sale, and master gardeners are on hand to answer your questions. The Fall Plant & Flower Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit agriculture.sc.gov for more information.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8

Bacardi Tasting Hour
518 Smokehouse (673 Chapin Rd.) invites you to a Halloween-themed tasting event. Enjoy cocktails, neat pours, food pairings and an expert-led rum experience, all using Bacardi Superior Rum. Bacardi Reserve Ocho and Santa Teresa 1796 are available for sampling, and you can wrap things up with a dessert cocktail featuring Bacardi Coquito. This event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and tickets are $45. Visit 518smokehouse.com for more information.

Kids Night
The East Bay Deli (108 Sunset Ct.) hosts their weekly Kids Night. Enjoy a free kids’ meal with an adult purchase and dive into arts and crafts with the kids. And you might also get to meet your favorite superheroes. Kids Night runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/EBDWestColumbia for more information.

THURSDAY, OCT. 9

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (play)
The Chapin Theatre Company invites you to the Chapin Theatre (830 Columbia Ave.) for a wacky twist on the vivacious Vlad himself. In “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors,” five performers portray over 20 eccentric characters, turning the gothic legend into a chaotic, hilarious romp. Join director George Dinsmore and a talented Midlands cast for an evening of ghoulish giggles. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $18 and $22. Visit chapintheatre.org for more information.

Across the county line

New Brookland Tavern (632 Harden St.) hosts a blowout party called Meltdown 2.5 on Friday, Oct. 3. NBT and S.C. Pride have teamed up for a dance party for the ages, featuring DJ sets from Maya Wang, Skovaz, Bloom, DJ Wandergirl, J. Josef and Nori Noir. Dynamic drag performers Phoenix, Symone and Irene The Alien are also on hand for some outrageous fun. Showtime is 9 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.

Bierkeller Brewing Company (600 Canalside St., Suite 1009) invites you to the second weekend of their annual Oktoberfest celebration on Friday, Oct. 3. Return to Columbia’s original riverfront brewery, restaurant and biergarten and enjoy festive and authentic Oktoberfest food, authentic brews and much more. The first night of Oktoberfest runs from noon to 8 p.m. and admission is free. Visit bierkellercolumbia.com for more information.

The Colonial Life Arena (801 Lincoln St.) hosts a performance by R&B icon Maxwell on Saturday, Oct. 4. Expect to hear platinum hits and soulful ballads like “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” “Matrimony: Maybe You,” “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” and many more. Maxwell’s show, “The Serenade 2025,” kicks off at 8 p.m. with a set from fellow platinum-selling neo-soul star Kem. Tickets cost between $55 and $253. Visit coloniallifearena.com for more information.

Writer, radio host and comedian Ali Siddiq performs at the Township Auditorium (1703 Taylor St.) on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Houston performer mixes sharp social commentary with incisive humor, and the “In The Shadows” tour features some of his sharpest material yet.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets cost between $32.50 and $52.50. Visit thetownship.org for more information.

The Longstreet Theatre (1300 Greene St.) invites you to their production of “An Original Ghost Story” on Sunday, Oct. 5. The play, which was written by USC Theatre Assistant Professor Lauren Wilson, follows a student director and an inexperienced cast as they break into the abandoned Longstreet Theatre to stage a renegade production of “Hamlet.” But as they rehearse, the spirits of the building’s past begin to stir. Showtime is 5:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $15 and $22. Visit sc.universitytickets.com/w/ for more information.