upcoming Lineup
Showcasing Main Street
First Thursday, September 3
Keep reading to see what Main Street has to offer for your First Thursday activities!
Boyd Plaza, 1515 Main Street
DJ Kris Love, 5-9pm
Delivering a musical grand tour, DJ Kris Love always knows what to play to keep the crowd grooving while introducing them to a cross section of sound they haven’t heard before.
A Columbia local, he strives to be the best behind the decks.
Follow DJ Kris Love on Instagram!
Milah, 6:45pm
Milah is a Columbia, South Carolina based rapper, singer, songwriter and producer known for blending hip-hop, R&B, and personal storytelling into a sound that is uniquely her own.
With a growing body of independent work, collaborations, and live performances, including her latest release, Love & Liquor 3 (2026), Milah continues to establish herself as one of South Carolina’s dopest artist.
EZ⚡PT, 7:45pm
An amalgamation of folk sensitivity, haphazard rhythms, harmonious voices, fuzzy and plunky instruments, the trio EZ️⚡PT sounds otherworldly, and like no other band before them.
The group comes from a collaboration of talents, Zach Seibert, lead singer/ songwriter of E.Z. Shakes, and Sean Thomson and Kelley Porterfield from The Post-Timey String Band.
With their powers combined they save audiences from musical dullness. It’s a sound you have to hear to believe.
Follow EZ️⚡PT on Instagram and Facebook, and listen to them on Bandcamp!
1300 Block
Live Music by Marcus Gullen at Cantina 76
1301 Main street, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Join us at Cantina 76 Main Street for tacos, margaritas and live music in the heart of downtown Columbia! Happy hour food specials (3-6 PM), $1 off all drinks (4-7 PM), $5 red and white sangria, $3.50 Victoria beer, $5 original house margaritas and $20 original house pitchers (4 PM – close)
Come early, grab a table and stay for the music!
1400 Block
First Thursday Creators’ Market
1400-1600 BLOCKS OF Main street, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Join us each month for a vibrant showcase of local creators, makers, and small businesses sharing their original creations along Main Street.
Sip & Shop at Miss Cocky
1450 main st, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where fashion meets Game Day. We will have door prizes and secret sales on First Thursdays between 6-8! Come sip and shop with us!
1500 Block
Free First Thursday at the Columbia Museum of Art
1515 Main St, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Enjoy free admission and extended hours every First Thursday, courtesy of the Art Bridges Access for All Program and Lexington Health! Last gallery tour entrance begins at 7:30.
AIA SC Design Awards Exhibition and People’s Choice Design Awards
1530 Main St, 5:00 Pm – 9:00 pm
The American Institute of Architects South Carolina Chapter (AIA SC) and the South Carolina Architectural Foundation (SCAF) will co-host the 2026 Design Awards exhibition, People’s Choice Awards announcements, and public reception at the SC Center for Architecture.
In conjunction with First Thursday on Main Street, the SC Center for Architecture will be open to the public from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Project boards featuring the 2026 AIA SC Design Award recipients will be on display, and at 7:00 PM, the 2nd Annual People’s Choice Awards will be announced. RSVP here.
1600 Block
Live Music at Mast General Store
1601 Main St
The Morel Support Group combines the songwriting talents of Casey Dianne and Sierra Knotts with the multi instrumental talents of Lalon Swaney and Bunny, in a melange of styles and genres from Rock to Americana, Folk, and more. It’s an inclusive, eclectic blend of the various influences each band member brings to the party.
Celebrate First Thursday at Hotel Trundle
1224 taylor St
As part of Columbia’s First Thursday on Main, our lobby will come alive with live musical performances, beer and wine available for purchase, and an opportunity to learn more about Hotel Trundle.
The Jasper Alley at Tapp’s
1644 Main St, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Jasper is Back On Main Street for First Thursday Fun! Join us from 6 – 8:30 pm in our old stomping ground at Tapp’s! This month we’re proud to present Emily Moffitt, Cam Moore, and Kate Timbes. Our soundtrack for the night will be provided by Saiteron, and we have a special guest artist, Andrew Phillips, showing his work as well.
Come shop, have a drink, and hang out with us in the alley! The artists and Jasper Board members will be on site to chat about their work. Learn more here!
Sip and Shop Social at Tapp’s
1644 Main St, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Meet us at Tapps for Sip & Shop during First Thursday on Main! Sip bubbles, shop local favorites, explore interactive bars with custom items to take home, and check out a new display from The Jasper Project!
1700 Block
Opera Night at Villa Tronco
1213 BLANDING ST St, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Opera Thursday was created to entertain lifelong aficionados and introduce new listeners to the beauty of opera. Join Villa Tronco for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, lively company, and captivating performances. Dinner begins at 6 PM and performance begins at 7 PM. Reservations are required. Learn more here.
Gaming Happy Hour at Transmission Arcade
1712 Main St, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Wind down after work with a drink and play some of your favorite arcade classics on the house! Any drink purchase $5 or more comes with $1 worth of gaming tokens. The deal applies to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from 4-7 PM. Make Transmission the start of a great First Thursday experience!
Latin Night at The Joint
1710 Main St, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Join us for the longest standing Latin night in Columbia! We will have the live band Latin Caravan preforming Latin Jazz, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Cumbia from 7pm-10pm and DJ Mario Vargas bringing you Miami vibes!! We will also have $5 drink specials!
1800 Block & BeyonD
Open Container Policy
Those of legal age will be permitted to drink beer and wine anywhere on the 1200 to 1700 blocks of Main Street between 6 and 9:30 p.m.
CPD Security
Columbia Police Department provides security services for the event to ensure you feel safe while enjoying the festivities.
Shuttle Services
The Main Street District Yellow Shirt Ambassadors offer courtesy shuttle services around the district until 11 PM. Call 803-205-5245 for a complimentary ride.