COLUMBIA, S.C. — The holiday season is winding down and most folks are looking forward to the New Year. Here are some end-of-the-year celebrations for friends and family to enjoy:
LAST LOOKS AT HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, through January 14, 5–9 p.m. Advanced reservations are required; purchase tickets online. This year's new light display features nearly 60 larger-than-life nature-inspired lanterns depicting animals and plants. Interactive activities, photo ops, nightly snowfall and visits with Santa. Prices range from $19.99/adult to $14.99/child aged 2-12; children aged 2 and under get in free. Tickets include a souvenir mug with the first fill of hot chocolate.
Fireflies Holiday Lights through December 31, 6–9 p.m. at Segra Park. Tickets are $10 per person in November and $12 per person in December. Children aged 2 and under get in free; military, first responders and seniors aged 65+ receive $2 off tickets with valid IDs. Purchase tickets online and check out the different nightly activities (free cocoa, pet nights, craft nights, ugly sweater nights, etc.). All tickets are general admission, food and drinks will be available for purchase, and Santa will be there through Dec. 23. Attendees remember there is a clear bag policy in effect.
Fantasy of Lights, December 1-31, Sunday through Thursday until 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. at Swan Lake Gardens, 822 W Liberty St., Sumter. This free drive-thru display also features the Pilot Club's floating Christmas Tree.
HOLIDAY SHOWS
SC State Museum: Arora is a new planetarium experience focusing on the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) in 4K resolution. Learn about the science behind these colorful lights as you journey across remote Icelandic landscapes and into space. Check the SC State Museum website for showtimes.
Historic Columbia Holiday Tours of the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion through Dec. 30. Visitors can experience what Christmas might have looked like in the 1820s to 1850s. Guests can view artifacts and learn about holiday traditions involving Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year celebrations. Tours are noon-3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Robert Mills Gift Shop, 1616 Blanding St. Guided tours last 75 minutes, and visitors are asked to arrive 10 minutes before scheduled tour time.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS
SUNDAY, Dec. 31
Fireflies New Years Eve Celebration, 5-8 p.m. at Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. It's a special kids' New Years Eve party with an early ball drop and vouchers for free hot dog and soda for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets, $12 per person (ages and up) and $10 for military, first responders and seniors (age and older) are available online. Consider bringing children's books for donation to EdVenture Children's Museum.
Capital City Fireworks, midnight at the State House in Columbia. Several roads around the State House will be closed to motorized traffic beginning around 11 p.m. for the fireworks display. Visitors are encouraged to plan an evening out to celebrate the coming New Year and to take advantage of free on-street parking or complimentary parking in Columbia's parking garages. Check out Columbia's hospitality districts for dining and entertainment options:
This is by no means meant to be a complete list. If we have inadvertently omitted your holiday event, please email news19@wltx.com with the details.
