South Carolina is much faraway from the North Pole, however Columbia’s residents know the right way to rejoice the Christmas vacation season. From mid-November via the New Yr, guests can take pleasure in spectacular mild shows, entertaining reveals, and native purchasing extravaganzas. It’s simple to seek out Christmas occasions in Columbia – the laborious half is discovering room for them in your schedule.
Columbia was based after the Revolutionary Warfare to supply a centrally situated capital metropolis – it was beforehand in Charleston. Happily, that makes it simple to get to Columbia right now, particularly because it’s on the intersection of Interstates 26, 20, and 77.
Browse the listing of Christmas lights in Columbia, nightly occasions, particular one-night performances, and vacation markets.
Christmas Occasions in Columbia Map
Find out how to use this map: Click on the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend gadgets to show extra data. In case you have a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s title to avoid wasting this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Vista Lights
The Vista is one among Columbia’s charming neighborhoods. The 48-block neighborhood round Gervais and Huger Streets is an official South Carolina Cultural District due to its cultural, architectural, and historic heritage.
Vista Lights is an annual celebration kicking off the Christmas vacation season within the capital metropolis. Celebrated for 38 years, the occasion is an open home introduction to greater than 60 native retail retailers, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s a wonderful alternative to seek out Christmas presents made by native artisans and uncover a brand new favourite restaurant.
The occasion begins at 6 p.m. with stay music and Santa Claus on Lincoln Road. A tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. retains the night going.
The occasion is free, however you’ll be tempted to spend cash on the retail retailers and eating places.
Fireflies Vacation Lights
For the second time, Segra Stadium – dwelling of the Columbia Fireflies Minor League Baseball crew – is remodeled right into a spectacular Christmas mild show in Columbia.
Fireflies Vacation Lights options multiple million LED lights all through the stadium and baseball discipline. Shows cowl the diamond, fill the seats, and wrap across the stadium.
Though guests are usually not allowed onto the baseball discipline, it’s a uncommon alternative to stroll alongside the warning observe surrounding the sector. However the easiest way to expertise the spectacular mild present is to stroll the stadium’s perimeter across the outfield seats.
The occasion additionally contains the Richardson Tree Farm, visits with Santa Claus, and marshmallow roasting on firepits.
Fireflies Vacation Lights is held from Thursday, November 16 till Sunday, December 31 – aside from November 20, November 23, November 27, and December 25. The sunshine show is open from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m.
Tickets to the occasion begin at $10 per particular person in November and enhance to $12 in December. Parking is free on the Freed Road Parking Storage.
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard
Lengthy after the animals fall asleep, issues get wild on the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard. Wild Lights is an annual Christmas vacation mild show that includes greater than 60 larger-than-life 3D shows, bonfires, and pictures with Santa.
READ MORE: Find out how to Expertise the Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard in Columbia, SC
The 3D shows tower over the visitors whereas meandering the concrete paths via the zoo. Go for a nighttime journey on the carousel, take a photograph with Santa, and roast marshmallows on the bonfires throughout this spectacular Columbia occasion.
Wild Lights is open from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. on choose dates from mid-November via mid-January. Tickets differ in value from $20-$25 for adults and $15-$20 for youngsters.
Governor’s Carolighting
South Carolina’s Christmas vacation season begins with the Governor’s Carolighting. Throughout the annual occasion, Governor Henry McMaster lights the State Christmas Tree on the north facet of the State Home going through Fundamental Road. The tree stays lit each night time via the top of December.
The free occasion begins at 6 p.m.
Sleigh Bell Stroll
Certainly one of Columbia’s hallmarks and most enjoyable household Christmas occasions is the Vacation Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park. The dazzling show of Christmas lights, from static shows to animated wonderlands, traces the paved highway via the park so guests can admire the shows from the consolation of their automobiles.
The Sleigh Bell Stroll is an enchanting one-time alternative to see the spectacular lights with none automobiles. Individuals park on the east entrance close to St. Andrews Street and stroll the 2-mile route via Saluda Shoals Park.
You’ll have two hours to expertise the Christmas mild show in peacefulness. Then, a bus brings everybody again to the parking zone.
Registration is required by November 20 for this occasion. It prices $7 per grownup and $2 per youngster.
Vacation Lights on the River
The Vacation Lights on the River is Columbia’s longest drive-thru Christmas mild show. The two.5-mile route options dozens of sports-themed mild shows, animated shows, and shows hanging from timber.
On the Environmental Heart, guests can roast marshmallows on firepits, discover the Santa Claus’et Reward Store, and go for a hayride. Get an expert photograph with Santa after which decide up a Tin Can Kettle Corn bag. Go for a brief stroll on the Wetlands Path to expertise a shocking laser mild present.
The Vacation Lights on the River is held nightly from November 23 till December 31, aside from Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission is $25 per automobile. It takes about an hour to drive via the sunshine show casually.
Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt
“Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt” is German for “beer cellar Christmas market.” The particular occasion is hosted by Bierkeller Brewing Firm, the one genuine German brewery in Columbia.
The Christmas market is modeled after the spectacular Bavarian markets, permitting guests to expertise the distinctive festive ambiance with out flying throughout the large pond. The market options native arts and crafts distributors, basic vacation music, festive lights, and Glühwein – a German mulled wine.
It’s additionally a terrific probability to strive genuine German beer, Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, and Bratwursts.
The free occasion is at The Esplanade at CanalSide, a waterfront public park overlooking the Columbia Canal and Congaree River. Parking is accessible on the close by parking storage.
The occasion runs every weekend from November 25 till December 17. The market is open from 12 p.m. till 10 p.m. on Saturdays and from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Pictures with Santa at Ho-Ho-Resort Trundle
Expertise a Nineteen Twenties Artwork Deco Christmas on the 41-room boutique Resort Trundle with the particular Pictures with Santa on the Ho-Ho-Resort Trundle occasion. Guests arrive on a first-come, first-served foundation for 10-minute photograph classes with Santa. Seize as many pictures as you want together with your smartphone or digicam. Then, benefit from the complimentary scorching chocolate and vacation actions!
The one-day occasion is from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2023.
Vacation Planetarium Lighting
The South Carolina State Museum begins Christmas with the Vacation Planetarium Lighting. The one-night occasion options prolonged hours so guests can discover the exhibition galleries. Rudolph the Crimson-Nosed Reindeer performs within the 4D Theater. Guests can peek on the stars within the Boeing Observatory. And Santa makes an look for pictures.
The occasion makes use of a “pay-as-you-may” basic admission value – you may pay $10 per particular person or enter the occasion free of charge. Nevertheless, the 4D Theater and Planetarium reveals are $5 per particular person.
Junior League of Columbia Vacation Market
Annually, the Junior League of Columbia organizes the Vacation Market as their greatest fundraiser of the yr. Nearly 200 retailers show arts and crafts, clothes, jewellery, and baked items. It’s a improbable alternative to discover a memorable Christmas reward.
The four-day occasion is held on the South Carolina State Fairgrounds from Thursday, November 30, till Sunday, December 3. Basic admission to the marketplace for all 4 days is $10 per particular person. The vacation market is open from 9:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. daily besides Sunday when it’s open from 12 P.M. till 4 p.m.
Women Evening Out is a particular occasion throughout the vacation market. Held on Thursday, the occasion for visitors 21 and up is a chance to “deliver your girlfriends and store the night time away.”
The Vacation Ball is 6:30 p.m. till 11 p.m. on Friday. The black-tie optionally available occasion options stay music, personal purchasing, and cocktails.
Sundaes with Santa is a chance to get pictures with Santa and revel in youngsters’s crafts and video games. The occasion is held from 12 p.m. till 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Carols Alongside the Riverwalk
Expertise a “reverse caroling occasion” throughout the Carols Alongside the Riverwalk in Cayce. The occasion begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 1, on the Cayce Riverwalk Picnic Shelter. Stay music and treats begin the night. However you’ll have to stroll about half a mile on the riverwalk alongside the Congaree River to seek out the assorted highschool and church choirs caroling within the forest.
The occasion is free to attend. Parking is accessible at close by Brookland Cayce Excessive College, and a shuttle bus offers transport to the riverwalk.
Columbia Classical Ballet Co.’s The Nutcracker
Watch the spectacular Columbia Classical Ballet Co.’s The Nutcracker throughout Christmas. Directed by Brooklyn Mack, the play is held nightly on the Koger Heart for the Arts on the College of South Carolina from Friday, December 1, till Sunday, December 3.
Tickets for the play vary from $10-$25.
twentieth Annual St. Nicholas Competition
The Holy Apostle Orthodox Church hosts the annual St. Nicholas Competition in West Columbia. The one-day occasion options native craft distributors, selfmade cookies, vocal ensembles, Japanese European and American meals, and church excursions.
The pageant is free to attend, however the delicious meals and native arts and crafts would possibly tempt you. All of the earnings from the pageant are donated to native charities. The pageant begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, and ends at 4 p.m.
Lake Murray’s Christmas Lights Boat Parade
In the event you’ve ever visited Lake Murray in the summertime, you realize individuals love boating the 50,000-acre lake. The 1.5-mile-long earthen dam is fascinating to journey throughout. Lake Murray Public Park is on the south finish of the dam – the right place to observe Lake Murray’s Christmas Lights Boat Parade.
The gates to the small public park open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 2. There’s ample room for guests with a 300-vehicle capability, however the gates shut as soon as the parking capability is reached.
The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Boats have to be at the very least 21 toes lengthy, and boat captains comply with type a single line for the casual parade route previous the general public park. Shortly after the final boat passes the park, fireworks fill the sky, and the fascinating occasion is over.
Admission to the boat parade is free.
Snowball Competition Carnival and Film
The Snowball Competition Carnival and Film is without doubt one of the greatest free Christmas occasions within the Columbia space. The carnival is on Saturday, December 2, from 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. on the Icehouse Amphitheater in Lexington.
The occasion begins with face portray, carnival rides, and meals distributors. Santa makes an look for pictures with households. At 5:30 p.m., an out of doors screening of The Santa Clause brings the festive occasion to an finish. The 1 hour, 37-minute comedy film options Tim Allen as a hapless house owner who by chance turns into the brand new Santa.
Carolina Carillon Vacation Parade
The Christmas vacation isn’t full and not using a grand parade. And the Carolina Carillon Vacation Parade is without doubt one of the greatest Christmas parades in South Carolina.
The parade begins at 9:45 a.m. at Sumter and Laurel Streets, proceeds down Sumter Road, crosses Gervais Road, passes the South Carolina State Home, and ends at Senate Road.
The parade options marching bands from native excessive faculties and schools, particular performers, vacation floats, cloggers, and South Carolina celebrities.
The occasion is free to attend.
Christmas Olde and New
Expertise a historic Christmas throughout the annual Cayce Historic Museum’s Christmas Traditions Vacation Open Home. Throughout the Saturday occasion from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m., guests can take a guided lantern tour by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, store on the out of doors Christmas market, and discover Christmas timber all through the museum.
Santa Saturday on the South Carolina State Museum
Santa will get round throughout the Holidays. However he’s assured to seem on the South Carolina State Museum each Saturday in December.
Throughout Santa Saturday, guests who pay the final admission charge to the museum can take pleasure in a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, watch Rudolph the Crimson-Nosed Reindeer on the 4D Theater (further value), and store for distinctive vacation presents within the museum’s retailer.
Santa seems on the museum each Saturday from December 2 till December 23 from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. Basic admission is required, and present tickets are additional.
The Columbia Christmas Extravaganza Vacation Market is an appropriately named two-day Christmas occasion. The vacation market options over 150 native distributors, contemporary fudge, photos with Santa, and Christmas crafts. The occasion organizers boast that it’s “the right strategy to skip out on large field shops this vacation season and select to help small.”
The indoor occasion is held on the Columbia Conference Heart on Saturday, December 2, and Sunday, December 3. Doorways open from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. every day of the occasion.
Admission to the market is $7 per particular person. Free parking is accessible on the conference middle’s parking zone.
Carolina Lights
Expertise the Carolina Lights drive-through vacation mild present from the consolation of your automobile. The drive-through expertise options over 100 LED mild shows alongside a circuitous route via the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.
Concessions midway via the present promote chocolate chip cookies, milk, water, and soda. However the easiest way to take pleasure in this occasion is to deliver your snacks.
Carolina Lights is completely a drive-through expertise with no different occasions. The gates open at 6 p.m. each night time from December 8 via December 24, aside from Mondays. Price is $20 per automobile.
After exiting the sunshine present, guests can request a re-entry cross to expertise the drive-through mild present once more on the identical night time.
Candlelight Excursions with Historic Columbia
Discover Christmas of the previous throughout Candlelight Excursions with Historic Columbia. Throughout the particular one-night occasion, guests can discover interval Christmas décor on the historic Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills Home.
The occasion additionally options interval costumes, Nineteenth-century stay Christmas music, and a vacation market with native distributors.
Admission to the occasion is $20 for adults and $8 for youngsters. Historic Columbia members get a reduction on admission. The occasion is from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
South Carolina Ballet’s Nutcracker
Get pleasure from a fascinating night whereas attending the annual efficiency of the South Carolina Ballet’s Nutcracker. Directed by William Starrett, the efficiency options new backdrops and excellent performances.
Catch the present on the Koger Heart for the Arts on the College of South Carolina on Friday and Saturday nights, December 9-10, or on Friday and Saturday nights, December 16-17, 2023. Admission ranges from $35-$60 per particular person.
Lexington County Museum Christmas Open Home
The Lexington County Museum Christmas Open Home is an enchanting probability to expertise a Christmas of the previous on the distinctive out of doors museum campus. Guests can discover lots of the 30 historic buildings throughout the occasion and see interval Christmas decorations.
Scorching apple cider and gingerbread cookies can be found for a light-weight snack throughout the occasion. Stay music performs on the historic Fox Home.
The free occasion is from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 10.
Celtic Lady: A Christmas Symphony
Expertise a singular occasion throughout the Holidays in Columbia with Celtic Lady: A Christmas Symphony. The feminine-led group performs conventional Irish Christmas carols throughout an uplifting night on the Koger Heart for the Arts on the College of South Carolina.
The one-night occasion begins at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
December 21, 2023
Dwelling for the Holidays
Settle into a cushty seat on the Koger Heart for the Arts for Dwelling for the Holidays, a particular efficiency by the South Carolina Philharmonic, The Columbia Repertory Dance Co., and a number of other solo artists. Even Santa Claus makes an look throughout the efficiency.
Catch the spectacular occasion at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
