20+ Spectacular Christmas Occasions in Columbia, SC

Christmas Occasions in Columbia Map

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Vista Lights

The Vista is one in every of 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 outlets, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s a superb alternative to search out Christmas items 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 outlets and eating places.

Fireflies Vacation Lights

For the second time, Segra Stadium – residence of the Columbia Fireflies Minor League Baseball staff – is reworked right into a spectacular Christmas gentle show in Columbia.

Fireflies Vacation Lights options a couple of million LED lights all through the stadium and baseball discipline. Shows cowl the diamond, fill the seats, and wrap across the stadium.

Though guests should not allowed onto the baseball discipline, it’s a uncommon alternative to stroll alongside the warning monitor surrounding the sphere. However the easiest way to expertise the spectacular gentle 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 gentle show that includes greater than 60 larger-than-life 3D shows, bonfires, and photographs with Santa.

READ MORE: Expertise the Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard in Columbia, SC

The 3D shows tower over the visitors whereas meandering the concrete paths by way of the zoo. Go for a nighttime trip 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 by way of mid-January. Tickets fluctuate in value from $20-$25 for adults and $15-$20 for kids.

Governor’s Carolighting

South Carolina’s Christmas vacation season begins with the Governor’s Carolighting. Through the annual occasion, Governor Henry McMaster lights the State Christmas Tree on the north facet of the State Home going through Primary Road. The tree stays lit each evening by way of the tip of December.

The free occasion begins at 6 p.m.

Sleigh Bell Stroll

Certainly one of Columbia’s hallmarks and most fun 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 street by way of 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 by way of Saluda Shoals Park.

You’ll have two hours to expertise the Christmas gentle 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 little one.

Vacation Lights on the River

The Vacation Lights on the River is Columbia’s longest drive-thru Christmas gentle show. The two.5-mile route options dozens of sports-themed gentle shows, animated shows, and shows hanging from timber.

READ MORE: Drive By way of the Vacation Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia, SC

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 picture with Santa after which choose up a Tin Can Kettle Corn bag. Go for a brief stroll on the Wetlands Path to expertise a shocking laser gentle 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 car. It takes about an hour to drive by way of 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 massive 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 out there 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.

Images with Santa at Ho-Ho-Lodge Trundle

Expertise a Nineteen Twenties Artwork Deco Christmas on the 41-room boutique Lodge Trundle with the particular Images with Santa on the Ho-Ho-Lodge Trundle occasion. Guests arrive on a first-come, first-served foundation for 10-minute picture periods with Santa. Seize as many photographs as you want along 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 Purple-Nosed Reindeer performs within the 4D Theater. Guests can peek on the stars within the Boeing Observatory. And Santa makes an look for photographs.

The occasion makes use of a “pay-as-you-may” common admission value – you possibly can pay $10 per particular person or enter the occasion totally free. Nonetheless, the 4D Theater and Planetarium exhibits 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. Virtually 200 retailers show arts and crafts, clothes, jewellery, and baked items. It’s a incredible 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. Common 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. each day besides Sunday when it’s open from 12 P.M. till 4 p.m.

Women Evening Out is a particular occasion through the vacation market. Held on Thursday, the occasion for visitors 21 and up is a chance to “carry your girlfriends and store the evening away.”

The Vacation Ball is 6:30 p.m. till 11 p.m. on Friday. The black-tie non-compulsory occasion options stay music, personal procuring, and cocktails.

Sundaes with Santa is a chance to get photographs 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” through 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 search out the varied highschool and church choirs caroling within the forest.

The occasion is free to attend. Parking is out there at close by Brookland Cayce Excessive Faculty, and a shuttle bus gives 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 Pageant

The Holy Apostle Orthodox Church hosts the annual St. Nicholas Pageant 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

For those who’ve ever visited Lake Murray in the summertime, you realize folks 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 conform to 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 attention-grabbing occasion is over.

Admission to the boat parade is free.

Snowball Pageant Carnival and Film

The Snowball Pageant Carnival and Film is likely one of the finest 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 photographs 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 accident turns into the brand new Santa.

Carolina Carillon Vacation Parade

The Christmas vacation just isn’t full with no grand parade. And the Carolina Carillon Vacation Parade is likely one of the finest 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 colleges and faculties, particular performers, vacation floats, cloggers, and South Carolina celebrities.

The occasion is free to attend.

Christmas Olde and New

Expertise a historic Christmas through the annual Cayce Historic Museum’s Christmas Traditions Vacation Open Home. Through 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 through the Holidays. However he’s assured to look on the South Carolina State Museum each Saturday in December.

Throughout Santa Saturday, guests who pay the final admission charge to the museum can get pleasure from a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, watch Rudolph the Purple-Nosed Reindeer on the 4D Theater (extra value), and store for distinctive vacation items 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. Common admission is required, and present tickets are further.

The Columbia Christmas Extravaganza Vacation Market is an appropriately named two-day Christmas occasion. The vacation market options over 150 native distributors, recent fudge, photos with Santa, and Christmas crafts. The occasion organizers boast that it’s “the right method to skip out on large field shops this vacation season and select to assist 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 out there on the conference middle’s parking zone.

Carolina Lights

Expertise the Carolina Lights drive-through vacation gentle present from the consolation of your automotive. The drive-through expertise options over 100 LED gentle shows alongside a circuitous route by way of the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.

Concessions midway by way of the present promote chocolate chip cookies, milk, water, and soda. However the easiest way to get pleasure from this occasion is to carry your snacks.

Carolina Lights is solely a drive-through expertise with no different occasions. The gates open at 6 p.m. each evening from December 8 by way of December 24, aside from Mondays. Price is $20 per automotive.

After exiting the sunshine present, guests can request a re-entry move to expertise the drive-through gentle present once more on the identical evening.

Candlelight Excursions with Historic Columbia

Discover Christmas of the previous throughout Candlelight Excursions with Historic Columbia. Through 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 kids. 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

Take pleasure in 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 most of the 30 historic constructions through the occasion and see interval Christmas decorations.

Scorching apple cider and gingerbread cookies can be found for a lightweight snack through 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 Girl: A Christmas Symphony

Expertise a singular occasion through the Holidays in Columbia with Celtic Girl: 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

House for the Holidays

Settle into a cushty seat on the Koger Heart for the Arts for House 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 through the efficiency.

Catch the spectacular occasion at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023.