South Carolina graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Columbia, South Carolina

14 to 15 May 2027 · ExpectedColumbia, South Carolina, United States

University of South Carolina Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Columbia, South Carolina for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Columbia, South Carolina Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Colonial Life Arena

Columbia Metropolitan (CAE) is 15 minutes away; Charlotte (CLT) is 1.5 hours.

Downtown Columbia.

Public transport directions to Colonial Life Arena

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Fort Jackson Boulevard chains	Closest to the post.
Mid-range	The Vista	Restaurants and bars.
Splurge	Downtown boutique hotels	Near the State House.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Columbia I-20 Fort Jackson
Mid-range: Graduate Columbia
Splurge: Hotel Trundle

Links search the nights from 13 May to 16 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for 14 to 15 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 13 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeSouth Carolina State House.
EatMain Street Columbia Restaurants

Ceremony day

Friday 14 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatSoda City Market Saturday market
Easy outingCongaree National Park Half day · Family
Boardwalk through old-growth forest.

The day after

Sunday 16 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayRiverbanks Zoo Half day · Family
One of the best zoos in the Southeast.
EatMain Street Columbia Restaurants

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickLake Murray boat rental Half day · Family
Swimming and boating.
Rain or heat backupUS Army Basic Combat Training Museum (on post).

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Congaree National Park

Boardwalk through old-growth forest.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Riverbanks Zoo

One of the best zoos in the Southeast.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Lake Murray boat rental

Swimming and boating.

See times and prices

EdVenture children's museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Food

Charleston day trip

2 hours away.

See times and prices

After dark

Five Points.

4 tours worth booking for South Carolina

Tour	Length	Good for
Congaree National Park	Half day	Families
Riverbanks Zoo	Half day	Families
Lake Murray boat rental	Half day	Families
Charleston day trip	Full day	Food lovers

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Main Street Columbia Restaurants
Soda City Market Saturday market

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

US Army Basic Combat Training Museum (on post).
South Carolina State Museum.

Getting around on event days

You need a car; post access needs ID and a vehicle check.

Day trips from Columbia, South Carolina

Charleston: 2 hours
Lake Murray: 30 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for South Carolina.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of South Carolina Commencement 2027?

The next edition is 14 to 15 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Colonial Life Arena?

Columbia Metropolitan (CAE) is 15 minutes away; Charlotte (CLT) is 1.5 hours. Downtown Columbia.

Where should I stay for University of South Carolina Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is The Vista: Restaurants and bars.

What else can we do around University of South Carolina Commencement?

Good short outings in Columbia, South Carolina include Congaree National Park, Riverbanks Zoo, Lake Murray boat rental. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near University of South Carolina Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Congaree National Park, Riverbanks Zoo, Lake Murray boat rental. EdVenture children's museum.

How far is Colonial Life Arena from Columbia, South Carolina centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Downtown Columbia.

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