Township Auditorium

⭐️ Winner of COLAtoday’s Best “Music/Event Venues”!

This Township Auditorium is centrally located in downtown Columbia, SC and host a variety of entertainment, comedy, bands, and solo artists. The theatre has 3,099 seating capacity and a proscenium stage.

On December 1, 1930, the unveiling of the Township Auditorium marked the realization of South Carolina’s highest aspirations. Designed and built by the renowned South Carolina architectural firm Lafaye & Lafaye Associates, the Township was the Carolinas’ first multi-purpose facility. Praised for its architecture, acoustics, and sightlines, the venue has endured world wars, economic fluctuations, social changes, and the revitalization of Columbia’s Downtown City Center.

This architectural gem was constructed to replace the Columbia Theatre, locally known as the Columbia Opera House, once located at the corner of Main and Gervais Streets. Positioned on the rail line between New York and Miami, Columbia attracted celebrated entertainers of the era, and the Township welcomed them all. From John Philip Sousa’s Orchestra on opening day to performances by Duke Ellington, the Dorsey brothers, Leonard Bernstein, and Elvis Presley, the Township remains a treasured link to the city’s rich cultural history.

With a legacy of hosting diverse events, including graduations, dance recitals, and inaugural galas, the Township continues to thrive after more than 90 years. In recent years, the stage has been graced by notable performers such as Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bonnie Raitt, Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, among many others.