Festivals in Columbia, SC, attract guests from across the country every year. Many Columbia events showcase classic Southern cuisine. For example, the Columbia Shrimp & Grits Fest, which allows guests can taste numerous recipes and decide for themselves which South Carolina restaurant is worthy of saying they have the “best shrimp and grits.” After guests have found the best shrimp and grits, they can also taste their way through the South Carolina Cornbread Festival to find the best cornbread in the state.
Two Columbia music festivals are among the most prestigious competitions for young musicians in the nation. These include the Southern Guitar Festival & Competition, as well as the Southeastern Piano Festival. At both of these events, numerous musicians from around the nation compete for the top-prize. However, guests can come just to enjoy the music, since both of these festivals offer many free concerts every day.