COLUMBIA, S.C. — Well, just a few more days and you’ll have made it through November (Sunday is December 1)!
The final weeks of 2024 may be stressful, but think of everything that you can be thankful for heading into the holiday season – and the support system you can find with friends, family and even pets.
There’s plenty to do and places to take out-of-town guests, just remember to take time for yourself and don’t get too frazzled. Breathe deep and carry on. And check out our list of things to do this holiday week.
NOTE: If you plan to use City of Columbia’s public parking spaces this weekend, the city is offering free parking, with the following exceptions:
- On-street metered spaces
- Will be enforced citywide on Wednesday, Nov. 27 until 6 p.m.
- Will be FREE citywide on Thursday, Nov. 28
- Will be FREE, except for spaces in Five Points, which will be enforced as normal 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 & 30
- FREE citywide on Sunday, Dec. 1
- All City parking deck facilities/garages
- will operate normally until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27. At 5 p.m., the gates will be raised at Lincoln, Park, Lady and Sumter garages for FREE parking Wednesday night through Saturday evening. Gates will lower at 2 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1
- the 2221 Devine Street Deck Facility near Five Points will offer FREE parking Friday and Saturday
THINGS TO DO THROUGH DECEMBER 31
Holiday Lights on the River, 6-10 p.m. Saluda Shoals Park, 6027 St. Andrews Rd. It’s not only a dazzling display of lights, but activities such as the Winter Wonder Tube Slide, hayrides and train rides, laser light show on the Wetland Trail, Letters to Santa, and visits with the big guy himself on certain Friday and Saturday evenings. Santa's hours and ticket information online
Tim Turner: Songs of Celebration Exhibit, 11 a.m.-5 p. m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, City Art Gallery, 1224 Lincoln St. An exhibit of NC artist Tim Turner’s large-scale abstract paintings of the simple things that bring pleasure.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, various times Tuesday-Sunday, South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. The classic stop-motion cartoon follows the adventures of Rudolph and his friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius… even the Abominable Snow Monster!
Eye to Eye: The Roefs & Waddell Collection, 1-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley. Over 100 pieces of art from the collection of Wim Roefs and Eileen Waddell, one of the largest private collections in South Carolina. Some artists represented include Leo Twiggs, Tyrone Geter, Laura Spong, Michaela Pilar Brown, Marcelo Novo and Virginia Scotchie
THROUGH JANUARY 1
Children’s Garden Christmas, 5-10 p.m. Edisto Memorial Gardens, 250 Riverside Dr., Orangeburg. This is a free family event through Edisto Memorial Gardens featuring thousands of lights along the drive and interactive displays along the Kid’s Walk.
THROUGH JANUARY 4
Historic Columbia Holiday House Tours, noon and 3 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Robert Mills Gift Shop, 1616 Blanding St. Take a tour back in time to see how the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion would have been decorated for the holidays during the 19th century. Guided tours last approximately 75 minutes.
THROUGH JANUARY 5
French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850-1950, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. A showcase of works from the era’s leading artists, including Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Camille Corot, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, and more.
WEDNESDAY, November 27 through December 31
Kershaw County Tinsel Trail opens, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wateree River Veterans Park, 550 US-1, Lugoff. Make plans to come out and see the amazing spaces local businesses/organizations have created with the decorated trees to get you in the holiday spirit.
THURSDAY, November 28: THANKSGIVING DAY
Turkey Day 5K and 1K Family Fun Run/Walk, 9 a.m., Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. The largest fundraiser of the year for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, rain or shine! Pre-register and information at Strictly Running, 2515 Devine St., Columbia
FRIDAY, November 29
Shandon Turkey Trot & Burn 5K Walk/Run, 10 a.m. Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow St. Start & finish will be near Craft & Draft. Proceeds go to provide improvements to the historical neighborhood via the Shandon Neighborhood Council. Don’t forget to dress like a turkey!
OptOutside on the Palmetto Trail, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on one of four hiking trails along South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail. Sign up to walk with the group along one of these passages:
- Lake Marion, State Road S-14-230, Pinewood
- Oconee Passage, Sommers Dr., Mountain Rest
- Peak to Prosperity, Alston Rd., Jenkinsville
- Wateree Passage, McCords Ferry Rd., Eastover
Record Store Day + Mega Sale, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Scratch N’ Spin, 513 12th Street, West Columbia. Record Store Day exclusive vinyl releases, mega store sale and live performance by local and critically acclaimed music artist Marshall Brown
Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland, 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Stars from Riverdance and Lord of the Dance as well as other world championship dancers perform with live musicians to transport you to Christmas in Ireland
The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, 8 p.m., Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and come out to enjoy the beloved holiday musical that takes place in North Florida’s premier mobile home community. Themed merch and buckets of PBR at the bar.
SATURDAY, November 30
Santa Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14 and 21. South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, see holiday shows, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, explore 4 floors of exhibitions, shop for great SC-themed gifts in the Museum Store and more.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, November 30 & December 1
Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market), noon-7 p.m. Bierkeller Columbia, 600 Canalside, Suite 1009. The atmosphere of an old-world German Christmas market on the banks of the Congaree River. Santa will be available for photos, 2-5 p.m. each day (bring your own camera)
SUNDAY, December 1
First Sunday at State Museum, noon-5 p.m. South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. General admission is only $1 on the first Sunday of the month. Planetarium shows and 4D theater are extra
Palmetto Mastersingers “Homecoming” Holiday Concert, 4 p.m., Broad River Arts Center, 1500 Broad River Rd.. Enjoy the sounds of the season in this concert featuring men ranging in age from 18 to 86.
Good Night Lights parade & toy drive, 5:30 p.m., Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, 7 Medical Park Dr. The event includes a community Toy Drive Parade, followed by a First Responders’ Parade featuring the exciting arrival of Santa
Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour, 7 p.m. Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. An a cappella concert featuring the group’s top holiday songs. VIP packages available. Colonial Life operates under a clear bag policy
Santa on a Fire Truck, begins at 12:30 p.m. as members of Little Mountain Fire & Rescue escort Santa around the community. Listen for the sirens and Christmas music!
Town of Swansea Christmas parade, 4 p.m. from Swansea High School’s Doug Bennett Football Stadium (718 Redmond Mill Rd.) to Faith Baptist Church (123 Faith Church Rd.)
Winnsboro Christmas parade, 4:30 p.m. starts at Evans Street, between Congress and Newberry roads (Hwy 200)
DECEMBER 3: TREE LIGHTINGS
Forest Acres Sweet Seasons, 5-8 p.m., Lowes Food Shopping Center, 4711 Forest Dr., Pictures with Santa and The Grinch, face painting, animal balloons, hot chocolate, and more
Irmo Tree Lighting, 6-9 p.m., Irmo Town Park, 330 Carlisle St. Santa and free pizza, hot chocolate and cookies while supplies last, performances by local school choirs and bands.
Five Points NEON Joy, 6-9 p.m. NEON Joy laser light show in front of the Five Points mural. Come see Santa and Mrs. Claus and The Grinch, enjoy extended shopping hours. Blankets & chairs welcome for light show, no outside food or beverages.
