First Fridays Returns This Week

Issue #696

March 30, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤 Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Morning sun, afternoon clouds w/ high of 82, low of 64

 🎉 First Fridays Returns This Week

🪴 Fernwood Garden Center Hosting “Toadally Awesome” Kids Workshops on Friday

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

First Fridays Returns This Week

Columbia Main Street is excited to announce the return of First Fridays in Downtown Columbia. The event runs April through December from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and invites the community to enjoy food trucks, craft vendors, live music, a Game Zone, a Young Entrepreneurs Market, plus shopping and dining with downtown merchants and restaurants.

Each month features a fun theme, and attendees are encouraged to dress up and participate.

• April 3 – Muletown Celebration
• May 1 – Flashback Friday
• June 5 – Luau
• July 3 – USA 250th Celebration
• August 7 – Tie-Dye
• September 4 – Spill the Tea
• October 2 – Fall Fest
• November 6 – Holiday Kickoff & Tree Lighting
• December 4 – Merry Makers Market

New this year, the event area expands to include West 7th Street, the entire Public Square, and one block of South Main Street. The larger footprint allows for better placement of vendors and activity areas, including the expanded Young Entrepreneurs Market for youth 17 and under to sell homemade items, baked goods, or showcase their talents.

LIVE at First Fridays takes place on a new amplified stage-area on South Main Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the live music. Also returning by popular demand are acoustic performers playing throughout the downtown district on the streets and inside downtown storefronts and restaurants.

A new dedicated Game Zone will feature yard games and activities for all ages. Columbia Main Street is also partnering with the City of Columbia’s Public Works Department on a recycling awareness project. At each month’s event, guests can help paint a recycling can that will later be placed in the Arts District.

“It’s an honor to continue this beloved community event where residents can gather to enjoy great shopping, food, and a lively downtown atmosphere,” said Kelli Johnson, Columbia Main Street Director. “We encourage everyone to attend all nine First Fridays because each one will be different. Our goal is to help our residents deepen their love for our community by continuing to showcase the best that Columbia has to offer!”

Vendors interested in participating can apply here. The deadline to apply is the 14th of the prior month and all applications are reviewed by the First Fridays committee. Applicants are notified by the 19th of their application status.

Columbia Main Street is a nonprofit organization, and vendor fees help support the initiatives of Columbia Main Street’s plan of work for the Downtown District. For more information, visit ColumbiaMainStreet.com, follow Columbia TN Main Street on Facebook and Instagram, call 931-560-1507, or visit the office at 713 North Main Street, Columbia, TN

Fernwood Garden Center Hosting “Toadally Awesome” Kids Workshops on Friday

If you’re looking for something fun and hands-on for the kids this Friday, Fernwood Garden Center is hosting two special “Toadally Awesome Toad House Workshops” designed to spark creativity while teaching children about the importance of wildlife in the garden.

Both workshops take place Friday, April 3, 2026, at Fernwood Garden Center, located at 1075 N James Campbell Blvd in Columbia.

The workshops are split by age group, giving kids a chance to learn and create alongside peers their own age.

Toadally Awesome Toad House Workshop (Ages 4-8)
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

This session is geared toward younger children, affectionately called “Sprouts.” Participants will learn about the important role toads and other garden critters play in keeping ecosystems healthy. Then they’ll get to decorate their own toad house using natural materials like twigs and leaves.

Each child will leave with their finished toad house, ready to place in the yard and welcome helpful garden visitors.

Participation is limited to 15 children, and registration is required. You can sign up here.

Toadally Awesome Toad House Workshop (Ages 9-14)
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

The second session is designed for ages 9-14 and dives into the same themes of wildlife awareness and garden ecosystems, while giving older kids more time to design and decorate their own unique toad houses.

Like the earlier session, participants will explore awareness, prevention, and the role wildlife plays in maintaining a thriving garden environment. Each attendee will create a toad house to take home.

This workshop is also limited to 15 participants, and registration is required. You can register here.

Parents are encouraged to stay and participate, and families are welcome to bring along natural materials they’d like to incorporate into their child’s project.

With limited spots in each session, early registration is encouraged.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, March 31st

Wednesday, April 1st

Thursday, April 2nd

Friday, April 3rd

Saturday, April 4th

Sunday, April 5th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, March 31
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Thursday, April 2
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM
A Night of Worship - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM
Karaoke - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 7–11 PM

Friday, April 3
Michael Forkuo of Pardon The Rebels - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM
Chief Smiley Ricks & The C-Town Specials - Daniel’s Barber Shop on the Square, 6–7:30 PM
Nkahootz - Grinder’s Switch, 6–9 PM
First Fridays with The Fletcher Brothers - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
The 77 Experience - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Live on the Square - Smith & Gone - Puckett’s Upstairs, 8:30–10 PM

Saturday, April 4
Grasskickers - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
The Prickly Pair - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Twilight Train - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Stranger Than Fiction - Embers, 8–11 PM

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