Columbia Christmas

The streets of The Vista, Five Points, Devine Street, and the Main Street District will soon be dawned with twinkly lights and wreaths. It's a time when the capital city becomes even more magical than its usual charm. Beyond the beauty, it's hard to be bored during the holidays. Let us tell you about what a Columbia Christmas has to offer you.

Columbia for the holidays has become nothing short of a fantastic light show thanks to rockstar events like Lights Before Christmas and Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden returns on select nights from November 21 through January 11, featuring more than 60 handcrafted wildlife lanterns that glow across the grounds. You’ll find nightly “snowfalls,” twinkling photo ops and meet-and-greets with Santa through December 23.  Over at Segra Park in the BullStreet District, baseball may be on pause, but the glow-up is real. Fireflies Holiday Lights illuminate the ballpark November 21 through January 3, featuring more than one million LEDs, along with shopping, kids’ crafts and holiday eats and drinks. It’s open evenings from 6-9 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. If looking at dazzling and somewhat tacky holiday lights isn't your thing, there are more than enough ways to get your holiday fix in Columbia, South Carolina. 

At Holiday Lights on the River in Saluda Shoals Park(November 26 through December 31), more than one million lights sparkle along a drive-through trail. Lace up for the Sleigh Bell Trot (November 24) or the Sleigh Bell Stroll (November 25) to run or walk through the display before it opens up to cars. Families looking for sensory-friendly fun can check out the Sensory Santa Visit on November 30, designed with calm lighting and minimal crowds for a magical, low-stress experience. Hoping for a grown-up gathering? You can toast the season during Winter Wine at Holiday Lights on December 5-6.

All across the Midlands, neighborhoods light up in their own creative ways. Whittle away a few hours strolling the lights in the Main Street corridor, gaze at wreath-lined facades or catch the shimmering reflections off the State House Christmas tree’s ornaments.

CHRISTMAS IN CAYCE

The City of Cayce is excited to announce the return of the Christmas in Cayce festivities! Beginning on Thursday, December 2nd and continuing through the end of the year, visitors can ride or stroll through Cayce City Hall grounds and enjoy the magic of thousands of twinkling lights and Christmas music. Christmas in Cayce is sponsored by several local partners, so all events are free! Learn more at https://www.experiencecolumbiasc.com/event/christmas-in-cayce/65211/

JOYFUL WINTER FESTIVALS

If you’re looking to dive headfirst into the holiday spirit, Columbia’s got options. Vista Lights is the city’s beloved holiday kickoff — equal parts block party and tree lighting ceremony. With portions of Gervais, Park and Lincoln streets closed to traffic, families can ramble through shops and galleries, take in live performances, and let the kids enjoy face painting, reindeer snacks and a visit from Santa.

In Lexington, the Snowball Festival, taking place December 4-7, fills the weekend with a craft fair, carnival, movie nights and a Christmas parade. Bottom line, it’s a small-town celebration that lives up to the hype.

And don’t miss a local classic, the Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade, on December 6, when marching bands, dancers and Santa himself make their way toward the State House in true festive fashion. That same day, Irmo debuts its first-ever Christmas Parade, proof that the Midlands always find new ways to celebrate together.