Tis the season to deck the halls and light up Columbia SC with a roundup of the region’s tree lightings and lights displays.
VISTA LIGHTS
The Vista starts to shimmer a little extra during Vista Lights – a kickoff to the holiday season that highlights the best of The Vista’s art galleries and retail shops along with live performances and tasty bites and sips and a tree lighting on Thursday November 20 from 6-10pm. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vista Lights, commemorative ornaments will be available to purchase at the Columbia SC Visitors Center.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE RIVER
Wind your way across two miles featuring over a million lights and animated displays at Saluda Shoals Park’s Holiday Lights on the River beginning Wednesday November 26 and running through December 30.
59TH ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S CAROLIGHTING
Each year South Carolina’s governor invites residents and visitors to gather on the capitol grounds for the annual lighting of the state Christmas tree. This year’s Governor’s Carolighting is on Sunday November 23, beginning with a visit from Santa and South Carolina pop up shop at 4:30 followed by live music from South Carolina artists and a countdown to the tree lighting from 6-7pm.
FORT JACKSON’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
Enjoy a holiday market, food trucks, live music and more at Fort Jackson’s 2025 Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday December 5 from 5-8pm at Patriot’s Park.
WILD LIGHTS AT RIVERBANKS ZOO
On select nights beginning November 21-January 11, enjoy the enchantment of nearly 60 larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature as well as interactive activities, photo ops and nightly snowfall as you walk through Riverbanks Zoo’s Wild Lights.
FIREFLIES HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Beginning November 15 at Segra Park, enjoy one of Columbia’s fastest-growing holiday traditions with Fireflies Holiday Lights. In addition to riding the Fireflies Express, making crafts, visiting Santa and participating in a scavenger hunt, enjoy the new “Igloos in the Infield” where guests can dine on a charcuterie board, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies.
From gift guides to shopping events, find more ways to enjoy holiday happenings around Columbia SC on our website.