Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
SC Pride is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the city and the largest LGBT event in the state attracting more than 90,000 visitors.
The SC Pride Parade & Festival or Famously Hot South Carolina Pride as the Locals know it takes place in early Autumn in the capital city, Columbia as the temperatures cool a little and the parties last long into the night.
- Visiting South Carolina for Pride? Stay close to the state capitol building, close to all the pride activities and some of the city’s most popular gay and gay friendly bars and restaurants.
SC Pride
- Sunday – Awaiting dates – Typically held in mid October, before Halloween.
- South Carolina Pride is one of the later prides to take place in the United Stages, making it the perfect place to escape for some late season fun in the sun.
- SC Pride is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the city and the largest LGBT event in the state attracting more than 90,000 visitors.
- Stay at The Aolft Columbia downtown with high end in room amenities, city views and the hotel is within easy walking distance to the pride festivities.
Get Lit Night-Time Parade & Concert | Friday
- Warm up with a street party at 6 PM before walking in the Parade down Main Street, which starts at 7 PM.
- If you’re planning to watch from the sidelines, find the perfect spot along Main, anywhere between Richland and Lady Streets. Bonus points for snagging an outdoor table at Michael’s or The Grand for some of the best seats in the house.
- During the parade you will see colorfully lit floats and cars, creative costumes, and a sea of positive energy, all with music to make you want to dance.
- When the parade is over, the party doesn’t end. Follow it all up with a street dance and concert at 8 PM.
Famously Hot SC Pride Festival | Saturday,
- Spend the morning at Soda City Market for delicious artisanal food and more. Then stay on Main for the Famously Hot South Carolina Pride Festival from 12 – 9 PM.
- Here you can catch food & beverage vendors, community resources, and performances by nationally recognized acts, guest DJs, Ru Paul Drag Queens and local performers.
Gay Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia has a surprisingly fervent gay nightlife scene. A couple of the town’s most popular LGBTQ+ bars are within view of the state capitol building, and a few more mixed but gay-friendly bars and hangouts are in the Five Points retail and entertainment neighborhood, not far from the University of South Carolina.
- The Capital Club: One of the longest-running gay bars in the Southeast, and the oldest in Columbia, the laid-back Capital Club is a block from the capitol building downtown. It’s along a stretch of Gervais with several restaurants and mixed bars.
- PT’s 1109 is arguably the most popular gay bar and nightclub in Columbia, with a good-size dance floor and drink specials. The venue has drag shows, karaoke, and a variety of parties.
- Art Bar is packed on Friday nights when queer folk age 21 and up hit the dance floor. The rest of the week, the venue draws a mixed crowd to its live shows, karaoke (on Wednesdays), Trivia Nights, and other festivities. It’s near Capital Club and PT’s 1109
Recommended Hotels in SC
Here are the Hotels we recommend that keep you close to all the action,
Graduate Columbia, Hilton Columbia, Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites
Find your hotel in Columbia
Book now and Pay on arrival
The Graduate hotel is our editors
choice when we are in Columbia
For further information and advice on
South Carolina Pride Festival Website
1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Each classically furnished room includes a work desk and a seating area. Business travelers will appreciate the on-site business center and the 3,000 sq ft of meeting space. A fitness center and laundry facilities are provided as well. Free WiFi
511 Lady Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
SpringHill Suites Columbia’s rooms have basic self-catering facilities such as a microwave, fridge and a tea/coffee maker. Each air-conditioned room has cable TV and ironing facilities. This hotel offers a free breakfast and a fitness center.
822 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Guest rooms at the Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District provide cable TV. A coffee maker, and a refrigerator are also available in the rooms. Guests can visit the on-site gym at the Hampton Inn Columbia. There is a gift shop.
924 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Rooms at the Columbia Center Hilton are equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, coffee machine, and iPod docking station. A desk is also included. The Columbia Center Hilton features a business center, tour desk, and fitness center
1217 Taylor Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. A dishwasher, as well as a kettle & a coffee machine
2422 Clark Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
With direct access to a balcony, this air-conditioned apartment comes with 2 separate bedrooms. A Living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. This home is the upstairs unit with it’s own separate entrance
200 Augusta Street, West Columbia, South Carolina 29169
The air-conditioned accommodations features 2 bedrooms, a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a Washing machine and a bathroom with a shower. guests benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site.
1601 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with bath or shower, a hairdryer. A dishwasher, as well as a kettle & a coffee machine.
1109 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Since 2001, PT’s 1109 has been one of the most unique gay clubs and show bars in Columbia featuring diverse events nightly like drag shows as well as premium cocktail
1002 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
One of the oldest gay bars in the Southeast, and the oldest in Columbia, the laid-back and friendly Capital Club is right around the corner from PT's 1109 and a block from the state capitol building - it's along a stretch of Gervais that's been a big part of the city's recent gentrification, and you'll find several notable restaurants and mixed bars along this block
This is a good place to mingle at the bar and chat with locals - there's a long bar on the left as you enter, and plenty of cozy spots to sit and chat
735 Meeting St, West Columbia, SC 29169
West Columbia's newest addition, and ONLY pride bar! LGBTQ+ Ally friendly. Good drinks, good company
1211 Park Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Art Gay Bar is the eclectic answer to where to go for extraordinary nightlife, a diverting experience and live music in Columbia, South Carolina. Located in the vibrant Vista district, Art Bar offers a unique environmental space.
Make yourself at home in the Exclusive Blue Lady Side Lounge. Belly up to the most artistic bar in all Columbia
2107 Greene St, Columbia, South Carolina 29205
A local's gay hangout since 1978. Columbia's oldest bar....come find out why Group Therapy is still standing.
Come out for entertainment, food and drinks, seven days a week!
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We have chosen hotels in Columbia that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Famously Hot South Carolina Pride! 2019