Believe it or not, the holidays are here and we have everything you need to know about how we celebrate in Columbia SC! From shopping and light displays to neighborhood celebrations and special events, there’s plenty going on to keep you feeling festive all the way into the new year. Be sure to keep checking in as additional holiday events are announced!

Jumpstart the Fun

Dive right into the holiday happenings with kickoff events going on in our various neighborhood districts with Vista Lights, A Starry Night in Five Points and A Night Out at Trenholm.

 

Eyes All Aglow

Prepare to be dazzled as millions of twinkling lights take over the Columbia region. Join us for the lighting of the State Christmas Tree at the 52nd Annual Governor’s Carolighting, see a menorah lit by way of fire truck at the Giant Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Party, gaze at the impressive displays at Lights Before Christmas and Holiday Lights on the River and let the lights dance before you at the Holiday Parade of Lights.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Holiday spirit: achieved ✔️

A post shared by Experience Columbia SC (@columbiasc) on

 

General Merriment

Keep your calendar filled in the weeks ahead with a slew of special holiday events around town. Pop into the Columbia Museum of Art for a Black Friday Gallery Tour. Work off all the tasty holiday treats with the Jingle Bell Run, Sleigh Bell Stroll, and Sleigh Bell Trot. Don your tackiest knitwear for the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl and River Rat Brewery’s Ugly Oyster Roast. Enter into a winter wonderland at the Snowball Festival – Concert, Carnival and Tree Lighting. Get downright holly jolly at the Country Christmas Celebration at the South Carolina State Farmers Market and the Carolina Carillon Parade. Historic Columbia has the holiday hookup with programming like Holiday House Tours, Santa Signing, Candlelight Tours & Carriage Rides and Breakfast with Santa. Be sure to save room for River Rat Brewery’s Cookie & Beer Pairing. Finally, gear up for 2019 with the fabulous and free(!) downtown celebration – Famously Hot New Year.

 

Making a List

With all the opportunities to tackle your shopping in November and December, there’s no excuse to wait until the last minute! Check out the unique goods and take home something special Small Business Saturday in Five Points, Sustainable Holiday Market, Soda City Holiday Yard Sale, Junior League Holiday Market and Crafty Feast. Don’t forget to treat yourself, too!

 

Carols, Concerts and Curtain Calls

Sing along and get swept up in the magic of the holidays with performances like Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Trustus Theatre, Holiday Pops, The Nutcracker, Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, The Polar Express 4D Experience and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Township Auditorium

 

 

Looking for more fun in Columbia SC? Check out our Things To Do page.