Things to Do in Columbia SC in November 2026

South Carolina events › Midlands › Columbia in November

Columbia and Midlands events in November 2026 begin with a $1 State Museum Sunday on Nov 1, include Gamecocks home games on Nov 7 and Nov 21, then Wild Lights at Riverbanks and Newberry’s tree lighting on Nov 20 and the Colonial Cup in Camden on Nov 22. Prices are what each organizer lists; where a price or time is not published we say so.

Event	When	Where	Price
State Museum First Sunday	Sun, Nov 1, noon-5 p.m.	South Carolina State Museum, Columbia	$1 general admission
Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M (Homecoming)	Sat, Nov 7, afternoon (time TBA)	Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia	See the game day guide
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo	From Fri, Nov 20, select nights 5-9 p.m.	Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia	Not yet shown; tickets on sale Nov 2
A Very Berry Christmas tree lighting	Fri, Nov 20, performances 5 p.m., ceremony 6 p.m.	Newberry	Free movie and craft
Gamecocks vs. Georgia (Senior Day)	Sat, Nov 21 (time TBA)	Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia	See the game day guide
Colonial Cup Races	Sun, Nov 22	Springdale Race Course, Camden	$52.50; children 12 and under free
EdVenture Children’s Museum	Open most days all month	Columbia	$15; $10 first responders, military, seniors

Week by week

Sunday, November 1: First Sunday at the State Museum

On the first Sunday of each month the South Carolina State Museum lists general admission at $1, noon to 5 p.m. Planetarium shows and the 4D theater cost extra, and the offer is not valid with other discounts or Museums for All. The museum says the Dinosaur Gallery and Habitats display is closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in November 2026, so confirm before you promise kids dinosaurs. Details are on the museum’s First Sunday page.

Saturday, November 7: Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M

South Carolina hosts Texas A&M for Homecoming at Williams-Brice Stadium; the game is in the afternoon and the kickoff time is not yet announced. Parking, gate times and the clear bag rule are in our Gamecocks game day guide.

From Friday, November 20: Wild Lights at Riverbanks

Riverbanks lists Wild Lights on select nights from Nov 20 to Jan 10, 5 to 9 p.m., with 60-plus lantern displays, nightly snowfall and photo spots; Santa visits through Dec 23. The zoo had not shown ticket prices when we checked and says tickets go on sale Nov 2. See the Wild Lights guide and the Riverbanks page.

Friday, November 20: A Very Berry Christmas in Newberry

Newberry’s community tree lighting has performances from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and the ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by a free Christmas movie at the Ritz Theater at 7:30 p.m. Kids can make and take a free holiday craft. North Pole Nights follow on Dec 4, 11 and 18, 6-8 p.m. Other admission is not published; see the City of Newberry page.

Saturday, November 21: Gamecocks vs. Georgia (Senior Day)

Georgia comes to Williams-Brice for Senior Day, with the kickoff time not yet announced. Our game day guide is updated when the time is set.

Sunday, November 22: Colonial Cup Races in Camden

The 51st Colonial Cup at Springdale Race Course costs $52.50 for general admission (children 12 and under free) and $21 for general parking. Pets are not allowed, paper, plastic and cans are preferred over glass, and tickets, tailgating and parking are non-refundable. Start times are not published. Read our Colonial Cup guide or the Carolina Cup ticket page.

Open all month

EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday, through Memorial Day. Admission is $15 for children and adults, $10 for first responders, military and seniors with ID, and free for children under 2 and members. See EdVenture’s visit page.

More ideas are on the Midlands events page; plans for this Saturday are in this weekend’s guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest family outing in Columbia in November?

The South Carolina State Museum’s First Sunday on Nov 1, noon to 5 p.m., lists general admission at $1. Planetarium shows and the 4D theater cost extra, and the $1 rate cannot be combined with other discounts or Museums for All.

When does Wild Lights at Riverbanks start?

Select nights from Friday, Nov 20 through Jan 10, 5 to 9 p.m. Riverbanks said ticket prices were not yet shown and that tickets go on sale Nov 2. Our Wild Lights guide has the details.

Are there Gamecocks home games in November?

Yes, two. Texas A&M visits on Saturday, Nov 7 (Homecoming, afternoon, time to be announced) and Georgia comes on Saturday, Nov 21 (Senior Day, time to be announced). See our Gamecocks game day guide for parking, clear bag rules and kid tips.

Is the Colonial Cup good for kids?

Children 12 and under are free; general admission is $52.50 and general parking is $21 (the $42 early-bird price ended Oct 15). Dogs and pets are not allowed at Springdale Race Course, and races run rain or shine. See our Colonial Cup guide.

What is free in the Midlands this month?

Newberry’s tree lighting on Nov 20 includes a free Christmas movie at the Ritz Theater (7:30 p.m.) and a free children’s craft. The organizer does not publish other admission for that evening.

Where can kids go indoors if it rains?

EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. (closed Tuesday). Admission is $15 for children and adults, $10 for first responders, military and seniors with ID, and free for members and children under 2.

Keep planning

Sources

Everything above was read at the organizers’ own pages and last checked 2026-10-17. Dates, hours and prices change, so confirm on the linked page before you go. See our editorial standards, verification log and corrections.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Things to Do in Columbia SC in November 2026”, itssouthcarolina.com/columbia-things-to-do-in-november/ (updated 2026-10-18). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.