Autumn in South Carolina is always a good time. The temperatures begin to drop and the leaves begin to change colors. In Columbia, there are fun fall activities and events happening almost every weekend.
But, one of the best parts of Autumn has to be Halloween. And in Columbia, SC, there is no shortage of fun when it comes to this spooky holiday.
Here are the 5 Best Halloween activities in Columbia, SC for you and your friends and family to check out this October.
1. Corn Maze at Clinton Sease Farm
Nothing says Halloween like a trip to the corn maze and pumpkin patch. At Clinton Sease Farm, you can do it all!
Clinton Sease Farm is open on weekends through early November and offers all kinds of family-friendly fall activities.
The top attraction here is the corn maze. Each year, the family farm creates a new pattern in the cornfield for families to get lost in and find their way out. This year’s maze is named “farm defenders”.
It’s $15 per ticket to walk through the maze, and children 2 and under are free.
For a scarier experience, try starting the corn maze after dark! You must bring a flashlight with you if you’re trying the maze anytime after sunset.
Here are some of the other fun activities you’ll find at Clinton Sease Farm:
- Pumpkin patch
- Wagon hayrides
- Corn hole and games
- Playground and obstacle court
Check out the list of activities and buy your corn maze tickets on their website.
2. Dark History Tours at the SC State Museum
Do you love learning about the history of South Carolina? Do you love all things scary? Then, this Halloween activity is for you!
New in 2022, the South Carolina State Museum is offering a special “dark history tour”. Guests will walk through the museum with a guide and hear stories about South Carolina’s dark history and urban legends.
Guided tours will take place every Saturday in October in the morning and afternoon.
There’s also a self-led tour option for guests who prefer to tour at their own pace. On the self-led tour, you can view the panels and scan QR codes for extra information.
Plus, this tour comes with a general museum admission ticket! So, you can take the tour and then check out the rest of the museum.
The dark history tours are suitable for ages 12 and up.
Learn more and grab your tickets on the State Museum website.
3. Boo at the Zoo (Riverbanks Zoo)
Boo at the Zoo is a classic Halloween activity in Columbia, SC. For 10 nights straight, Riverbanks Zoo transforms to bring festive family fun!
Boo at the Zoo is perfect for families with younger children who want to enjoy a festive night out this October.
Here are some of the activities you can enjoy at Boo at the Zoo:
- Trick or treat throughout the zoo
- Dance along to a DJ playing Halloween-themed tunes
- Take a ride on the haunted carousel
- Hop on the “spooky spots and stripes railroad”
This event is at Riverbanks Zoo from October 20-30, beginning each night at 6 pm. Tickets are $15 for the general public, and children 2 and under are free.
Boo at the Zoo can sell out, so grab your tickets early on the Riverbanks Zoo website!
4. Deceased Farm: A Haunted House Experience
If you love all things scary and you’re feeling brave, take a trip to Deceased Farm. This is the ultimate haunted house experience in Columbia, SC.
Deceased Farm takes place at Clinton Sease Farm, which is the same location as the corn maze above.
This is a self-guided haunted house attraction through 6 buildings and 2 acres of cornfields.
But, this attraction isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll experience jump scares, dark rooms, loud noises, smoke and more.
Here’s an inside look at the attraction:
There is even an option to wear 3D glasses for a portion of the walkthrough to view the haunting 3D effects.
Deceased Farm is open every Thursday through Sunday in October. Tickets are cash only, and prices vary by the night of the week.
This attraction is not recommended for children under 12 years old.
Read more and start planning your visit on their website.
5. Trick-or-Treat/Trunk-or-Treat events
It isn’t Halloween without trick-or-treating! And, Columbia has no shortage of trick-or-treat events in October.
Below are some of the trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events to check out this month.
3rd Annual Trunk or Treat and Freedom Festival:
- Date: October 22
- Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Location: Veterans Of Foreign Wars Department of South Carolina, 210 Glassmaster Road, Lexington 29072
- Details: This is a free festival with candy, games, face painting, music and activities. It’s family-friendly and open to all ages.
- More information is available here.
Trunk or Treat at Providence Lutheran Church:
- Date: October 27
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Providence Luthern Church, 840 Old Chapin Road, Lexington 29072
- Details: This is a free event. There will be a costume contest, “trunk or treating” and more. Entry is one perishable canned food item per child.
- More information is available here.
Trunk or Treat at Edmund First Baptist Church:
- Date: October 29
- Time: 5 p.m.
- Location: Edmund First Baptist Church, 6256 Edmund Hwy, Lexington 29073
- Details: This is a free event. There will be trunk or treating, inflatables, face painting, food and more.
- More information is available here.
Other Halloween Activities in Columbia, SC
If you’re looking for even more Halloween activities in Columbia, check out the list below.
- Dracula Ballet with a Bite
- Halloween at Saluda Shoals Park
- A Free Times Halloween Party
- SC Philharmonic Halloween at Hogwarts
And for other family-friendly activities, read our 15 best things to do for kids in Columbia, SC.
Also, if you want to add some Halloween decorations to your yard, here are some fun options from Amazon!
