Things to do across the Midlands: From tasty to scary to just fun, area events have you covered

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SUMTER COUNTY

Explore downtown Sumter's charm during the annual Porches of Sumter evening event, returning Friday, Oct. 10. This outdoor festival will allow you to meet your Sumter neighbors in the historic district and enjoy live music and local food vendors. General admission is $40 and includes access to all general-admission areas of the event. At check-in, you will receive a map which includes the locations of vendor porches, pop-up bars, Artisan Heritage Market and concert lawn. All food and beverages are included. Get tickets and more information at www.porchesofsumter.com.

Take the kids (or just yourself) to meander around a replica homestead and learn about how Sumterites lived in the 1800s through costumed interpreters. Visit the blacksmith's forge, garden and reproduction buildings from a typical farm community then. The Saturday, Oct. 11, event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is fun and free for all at Sumter Museum, 122 N. Washington St. On Saturday, Oct. 25, the museum is also hosting Trick or Treat in the Backcountry. Kids can dress up in their favorite costume and stroll around the homestead for treats from 3 to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Celebrate culture, style and equestrian history during Greenfield Farms’ Derby Day this fall. Wear your derby finest and listen to jazz and Louisiana blues while watching skilled horsemen perform. Fashion, culture and tradition will take the spotlight at this day sponsored by BCE Society. There will be storytelling, live demonstrations and exhibits on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farm is at 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert. Get your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/yju4kf2j.

Dust off your lederhosen and sample locally brewed beers at the annual Sumter Oktoberfest. This event is billed as “Sumter’s largest street party,” and you’re invited to this fundraising good time. It will be held Oct. 11 on Main Street. Tickets are $10 in advance at https://tinyurl.com/4cypkw9h and $20 at the door (no refunds). Kids 10 and under enter for free. The event starts at 5 p.m. with German music playing on Main Street until 8:30 p.m.  DJ Howie D's Entertainment DJs will continue the party in La Piazza. All proceeds will go to Sumter United Ministries.
Save your appetite on Thursday, Oct. 23, for that evening because the annual Fall Feast is back. Enjoy fabulous food and drinks from more than 30 local businesses with family and friends at this outdoor event that benefits Sumter Green. The band Chief Complaint will provide the jams while you sample chefs’ favorite dishes cooked just for the crowd. Only guests 18 years and up can attend, and you must have ID for adult beverage participation. Ticket donations in advance are $40 each, and tickets are limited. Group pre-sale ticket discount of $35 each begins at the purchase of 20 or more. Ticket donations at the door are $50 if available, but this event is known to sell out. Buy tickets at www.sumteroperahouse.com/fall-feast-2025.

Join Grace Baptist Church's Fall Festival 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the church, 219 W. Calhoun St. This free event will include Trunk-or-Treat Alley, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, games, bounce houses and family fun.

Put on your costume and drop by the Wesmark Branch Library for Halloween @ The Library from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The event will include a story stroll, Halloween trivia, face painting, coloring, activity sheets and take-and-make crafts. Halloween cartoons will be shown in the meeting room.

Shiloh Project Lift will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the St. John School building, 4515 Narrow Paved Road, Lynchburg. Barbecue will be available for purchase. Attendees may enter for chances to win prizes such as a TV, an air conditioner and cakes. Activities will include cake walks, hayrides, corn hole toss, sack races, kickball, basketball and horseback riding. All ages are welcome to attend. This event supports fundraising efforts for the renovation of St. John School. Residents of surrounding communities are invited to attend. For more information, please call (803) 459-7463.

Shop from over 20 local and area artists for hand-crafted goods at Sumter First Church of God Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in Sumter FCG Fellowship Hall, 1835 Camden Highway. Handmade and boutique items will include clothing and accessories, coastal decor, handmade soaps, crochet items, ornaments, sublimation tumblers, T-shirts, baked goods and more.

Celebrate and support veterans at the VFW Car, Truck and Bike Show in Sumter, coming Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be patriotic trophies for winners, food and drinks, 50/50 and cash giveaways. Cost to register a vehicle is $20. The public is welcome to this free show hosted by VFW Post 3034 and Head Turnerz Car Club, sponsored by Patriot Auto Parts-CARQUEST. Proceeds benefit the post. The show will be at 1925 Gion St. Rain date is Saturday, Nov. 15. Call David Dury at (803) 316-1052 for more information.

Sumter First Assembly, 1151 Alice Drive, will hold its Family Fun Fest and Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. The free event will include bounce castles and slides, food, fun, games and prizes.

Sumter Museum will hold the popular Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Museum, 122 N. Washington St. Entertainment will be provided by Chappell Court Band. Purchase your tickets now at https://tinyurl.com/495hbc8d.

Get some shopping done at the Sumter Farmers Market Holiday Market from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road. Available will be locally grown produce, talented artisans, crafters, holiday decor, sweet treats, jams, jellies, sauces, soaps, lotions, candles and more. Multiple food trucks will be on site. Santa Claus will visit.

CLARENDON COUNTY

Mark your calendar for the annual Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce’s Soups, Stews and Sweets on Thursday, Nov. 4. From 5 to 7 p.m., stroll from vendor to vendor enjoying the warmth of your favorite fall and winter foods starting at Weldon Auditorium, 7 Maple St., Manning. Call (803) 433-7469. More information will be available closer to the event.

LEE COUNTY

Fall Fest is coming to Bishopville! Save the date for Oct. 17-18, and get your family to downtown Main Street for this Unity in the Community event. There will be live entertainment, vendors, a parade and food trucks at this community festival. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, with Live After Five, and on Saturday, the festival runs through 6 p.m. and includes the parade and festival.

Up for a scare? Scream Acres is your kind of place. This haunted destination has been operating since 1989 and includes an original haunted house built in the early 1880s. Do your best to make your way through the first house, then get on a custom-made trailer for a terrifying two-mile hayride through the woods before being abandoned in the swamp. From there, walk your way to the second haunted house. If you make it out alive, you will re-board the trailer and finish your tour of the haunted trail. The site also has a souvenir shop and a food truck provided by Jimco Concessions. It runs Friday and Saturday nights starting Sept. 12 through Nov. 1 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. A no-scare event will be on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. General admission costs $25, or snag a fastpass for $40. Both can be purchased on site, but you can buy the fastpass online at www.screamacreshauntedhouse.com. This attraction supports charity. The haunting starts at 1137 Old Camden Road, Bishopville.

Three miles away but also in Bishopville is Kreepy Hollow, if you haven’t gotten your heart rate up enough. This haunted attraction features an expanded two-story haunted house, a two-mile hayride journey through the swamps of Lucknow Bottom to see seven deadly scenes and Zombie Breakout, where you can find out if you have what it takes to survive a zombie attack. This fall, Kreeper’s Bus ride is even Kreepier than ever, too. Hours are: Fridays and Saturdays: 7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Thursdays and Sundays: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
November Friday/Saturday: 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Get scared at 1155 Joe Dority Road, Bishopville. Tickets are available online at www.kreepyhollowhauntedattraction.com/ticketing.

FLORENCE

Kick off December with the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. The legendary basketball team will bring its thrills and skills to the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence, on Dec. 7. "From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans will feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver." Tickets can be purchased at www.harlemglobetrotters.com. For group sales, visit https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/groups/#ContactUs. The team will debut their new 100-year jerseys as they face off against their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. Fan engagement continues with Premium Fan Experiences such as: Magic Pass - Pre-game access & player meet-and-greets; Celebrity Court Pass - Join the team for warmups on the court; VIP Bench Tickets - Sit on the bench with the Globetrotters or Generals for the entire game and immerse yourself in 100 years of history; Limited Edition 100 Year Golden Replica Game Ball by Spalding, the most exclusive collectible to be ordered in advance and have ready for you when you enter the venue. Visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/premium-experiences.

COLUMBIA

October brings the sights, sounds and smells of the South Carolina State Fair. Join the 12-day event for rides, games, exhibits, entertainment and of course fair food from Wednesday, Oct. 8, to Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. Visit www.scstatefair.org for more details.

Want to experience the tastes of Germany? Don’t miss out on authentic German beer, homemade German food, pastries by the ladies of the church and lots of great entertainment by real oompah bands and dancers at Oktoberfest Columbia sponsored by Incarnation Lutheran Church from Friday, Oct. 10, to Sunday, Oct. 12, at the church, 3005 Devine St., Columbia. There will also be face painting, a balloon artist and a playground for the children. No pets. Visit www.oktoberfestcolumbia.com.

Grab your princesses, ghosts and tiny superheroes at head to Boo at the Zoo from 6 to 9 nightly Friday, Oct. 17, to Thursday, Oct. 30, at Riverbanks Zoo, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia. The zoo’s website describes the event: “Protect your booty as you meander through Pirate’s Cove; lace up your shoes in case you find Bigfoot in Sasquatch Swamp; don’t get whisked away by a UFO in an invasion; and get the full VIP treatment with the Trick-or-Treat Dinner Party. Enjoy all of your old favorites as well. Trick or treat through the zoo, try your hand at some hocus-pocus at Ray’s Moonlight Magic Show and beware of the lost souls as you traverse the Mummy’s Maze.” For additional information, visit www.riverbanks.org/events/boo-at-the-zoo.

If you are interested in Korean culture, the S.C. Korean Festival is the event for you. The event set for Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1412 Richland St., Columbia, will include dance and musical performances from centuries past to modern K-Pop, taekwondo demonstrations and Korean cuisine including favorites like kimchi, kimbap and bulgogi as well as Korean desserts.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/SCKoreanFestival.

World-renowned gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama will perform at Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. The concert is sponsored by the University of South Carolina School of Music and the Brookland Foundation. Tickets are on sale now. Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts and The Recording Academy/GRAMMYs with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and winners of six GRAMMY Awards, Blind Boys have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans more than 70 years. Tickets can be purchased online at www.kogercenterforthearts.com, in person at the Koger Center Box Office, over the phone by calling (803) 251-2222 or through the Koger Center mobile app.
Dirty Dancing in Concert is coming to the Koger Center, 1051 Greene St., Columbia, on Feb. 11, 2026. The production by Lionsgate and GEA Live brings the beloved classic based on the iconic Academy Award-winning film, which was released 38 years ago today. Tickets are on sale now at the Koger Center Box Office in person, online at KogerCenterForTheArts.com, through the official Koger Center for the Arts mobile app, and their ticketing charge line at (803) 251-2222. "Shows will feature a screening of the digitally remastered movie while a live band and vocalists perform the hit songs in sync with a full-size screen on stage. The show continues on with an incredible after-party, where the audience is encouraged to sing and dance to their favorite songs from the feature film and relive their best movie memories."

A weekend of family fun is coming to Columbia. Monster Jam crashes into the Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St, Columbia, on April 18-19, 2026, and tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com. Experience 12,000-pound trucks standing on two wheels, flying through the air, performing gravity-defying stunts and more. The fun begins with the Monster Jam Pit Party on Saturday and Sunday giving attendees the chance to take selfies with trucks, get autographs from drivers and enjoy family-friendly activities. "There’s no better way to get ready for the action than Monster Jam Trackside, happening about an hour before the event. It’s packed with driver interviews, pit crew sneak peeks and epic giveaways that’ll get everyone pumped up before the action begins." Truck and driver lineup (subject to change) include Grave Digger driven by Krysten Anderson; El Toro Loco driven by MJ Solorio; Sparkle Smash driven by Loghan Ashline; Dragon driven by Coty Saucier; Megalodon driven by Jon Zimmer Sr.; and Terminal Velocity driven by Jon Zimmer Jr.
Show times are:
Saturday, April 18 — Event Time, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Pit Party open from 10:30 a.m.-noon (Event Ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry)
Sunday, April 19 — Event Time, 2 p.m.; Pit Party open from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Event Ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry)
Visit MonsterJam.com for more information.