From the return of Main Street Ice and holiday events to the most important football game in South Carolina, this Thanksgiving weekend is packed with fun events across the Columbia region. Check out the six things to do listed below, and search our calendar of events for a more Columbia, SC happenings. 
Glide into the weekend
Main Street Ice, an outdoor skating rink at Boyd Plaza, returns Thanksgiving Day. Work off all the turkey and pie or even make room for more by strapping on some ice skates and twirling a few laps around the rink. $8 - $10
Main Street Ice @ Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 11 am – 10 pm, Sunday 1 – 9 pm

Celebrate the season
Gear up for the yuletide fun by attending any of these jolly events:

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Friday – Sunday 5 – 9 pm; $8 - $10
Carolina Ballet's "The Nutcracker Ballet" at The Township Auditorium Friday 7:30 pm, Sunday 3 pm; $12.50 - $20.50
CCT Presents “Ho Ho Ho” at Columbia Children’s Theatre Friday 7 pm, Saturday 10:30 am, 2 pm and 7 pm, Sunday 3 pm; $6 - $12
Holiday House Tours at Robert Mills House & Gardens Friday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm; Free for members, $8 adults, $5 youth
Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park Thursday - Sunday 6 - 10 pm; Cars $15, 15-passenger vans $25, buses $40 
 
Gamecock football at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC
 

Cheer on the Gamecocks
It’s not Thanksgiving weekend unless there is football involved and this is the game Gamecock fans have been waiting all season for. Arguably the most intense rivalry in the Southeast, the Carolina Gamecocks have defeated the Clemson Tigers four years in a row. Watch with bated breath as our beloved players give it their all for yet another victory! 
 
Soda City in Columbia, SC
 
 
Shop ‘til you drop
After braving the frenzy of Black Friday, celebrate Small Business Saturday with a morning of supporting Columbia’s local vendors. One of Columbia's favorite Saturday morning rituals, Soda City's local vendors offer hot breakfast, fresh produce, artisan crafts and more. Browse our shopping listings to find more local stores to support on this weekend's Small Business Saturday. Admission is free.
Soda City Market at 1500 block of Main Street Saturday 8 am – Noon 
 
 
Meander through museums
Take a break from the hectic holiday schedule and enjoy some peace and quiet appreciating history or art in one of Columbia, SC’s top-notch museums.

Tutankhamun: Return of the King at South Carolina State Museum Saturday 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday 1 - 5 pm; $5 - $7
Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage at Columbia Museum of Art Friday 11am - 7pm; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday Noon – 5 pm; $5 - $10
The View From Here at Columbia Museum of Art Friday 11am - 7pm; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday Noon – 5 pm
Cool and Collected: New Art at CMA at Columbia Museum of Art Friday 11am - 7pm; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday Noon – 5 pm
Figures and Forms: The Glass Sculpture of Rick Beck at Columbia Museum of Art Friday 11am - 7pm; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday Noon – 5 pm
This Just In at South Carolina State Museum Saturday 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday 1 -5 pm 
 
 For more things to do in Columbia, SC, browse our calendar of events and listings of attractions, outdoors, restaurants and more. Book your hotel room and attractions tickets at reservations.columbiacvb.com.