COLUMBIA, S.C. — So you want to get into the spirit of the holidays?
Here is a list of some of the events going on in the South Carolina Midlands. If, somehow, our elves have missed your event, please email us at News19@WLTX.com and we'll be happy to add it to our list.
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
- DATES: Select dates between Nov. 19 to Dec. 30, 2022
- TIME: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- LOCATION: Riverbanks Zoo, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia
- COST: Membership to the zoo it's free. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for kids ages 2 to 12. Under 2 is free.
- DETAILS: Bonfire, lights, and sales of hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast
SEGRA PARK Fireflies Holiday Lights
- DATES: Nov. 19 to Dec. 31, 2022
- TIMES: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday thru Thursday) 6 p.m. 10 p.m. (Friday thru Saturday and holidays)
- LOCATION: Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia
- DETAILS: First year for this event. Vendors for gifts and food are available.
Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park
- DATES: Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, 2022
- TIME: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- LOCATION: Saluda Shoals Park East, 6701 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia
- COST: $25 per car $50 per 12 to 14-passenger van, trucks w/trailers or limos $75 per bus with 16+ passengers
- DETAILS: Santa's gift shop, concessions, beer, and wine are available. Santa visiting Nov. 25 thru 27, Dec. 2 thru 3, and Dec. 9 thru 23.
Photos with Santa at the Ho-Ho-Ho-Hotel Trundle
- DATES: Sunday November 27, 2022
- TIME: 1pm-3pm
- LOCATION: Hotel Trundle inside 1224 Taylor St, Columbia
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Enjoy hot chocolate, games while visiting Santa Claus
Columbia College Tree Lighting
- DATES: Monday November 28 2022
- TIME: 6pm
- LOCATION: Alumnae Hall Columbia College Campus
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Tree lighting and Christmas carols
Forest Acres Christmas Tree Lighting
- DATE: November 29, 2022
- TIME: 5pm-8pm
- LOCATION: Lowes Food Shopping Center 4711 Forest Drive
- COST: Free
Holiday Planetarium Lighting
- DATE: Dec. 1, 2022
- TIME: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- LOCATION: S.C. State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia
- COST: Museum members get free general admission. Non-members set their own admission price. Planetarium shows cost $5 or $4 for members. Attendees can visit the gift shop as well. The planetarium dome's official holiday lighting will take place at the end of the evening.
Christmas in Cayce Drive-Thru
- DATE: Dec. 1, 2022
- TIME: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- LOCATION: Cayce City Hall, 1800 12 St., Cayce
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: The event includes local performers, a visit from Santa, and thousands of lights all from the warmth of your car. The group is also collecting canned goods if you can donate.
Christmas Craft Fair
- DATES: Dec. 1 and 2, 2022
- TIME: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- LOCATION: Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St., Lexington
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: The event includes fresh produce, unique gifts, local vendors, and food.
Columbia Classical Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker'
- DATES: Dec. 1 thru 3, 2022
- TIMES: 10 a.m. (Thursday and Friday) 7:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) 2 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
- LOCATION: Koger Center for the Arts, 501 Greene St., Columbia
- COST: Prices for tickets range from $6 to $18.
Carols Along the Riverwalk
- DATE: Dec. 2, 2022
- TIME: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- LOCATION: Cayce Riverwalk, 201 N. Ave. (Intersection of Axtel Drive and North Avenue)
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Parking is available at Brookland-Cayce High School. You can take a free trolly ride to the Riverwalk entry.
18th annual Christmas Tree lighting
- DATE: Dec. 2, 2022
- TIME: 6:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: West Columbia City Hall 200 N. 12 St., West Columbia
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: The event includes tree lighting and carols.
Carollighting Ceremony
- DATE: Dec. 2, 2022
- TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- LOCATION: Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St., Lexington
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Tree lighting and Santa will be on-hand.
Junior League Holiday Market
- DATES: Dec. 2 to 4, 2022
- TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- LOCATION: S.C. State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia
- COST: $8 each
Drive Thru Christmas Nativity
- DATES: December 2 thru December 4
- TIMES: 6:30pm-9pm
- LOCATION: Union United Methodist Church Irmo -Buses will leave from the parking lot between Lizards Thicket and O'Reilly's at St. Andrews Rd. and Thames Valley Rd.
- COST: Free
Santa Market Craft Show
- DATES: Saturday December 3, 2022
- TIME: 8:30am-2pm
- LOCATION: Seven Oaks Park 200 Leisure Lane Columbia
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Holiday market and local gifts
69th Annual Carolina Holiday Parade
- DATE: Saturday December 3, 2022
- TIME: 9:45am-Noon
- LOCATION: Main Street Columbia, SC
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Get there early to get a good place to view
Town of Pine Ridge Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
- DATE: Dec. 3, 2022
- TIME: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- LOCATION: Pine Ridge Town Hall, 2757 Fish Hatchery Rd., West Columbia
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Included is a nighttime Christmas Parade and a tree lighting
Snowball Festival
- DATE: Saturday December 3, 2022
- TIMES: 1pm-9pm
- LOCATION: Icehouse Amphitheater 107 West Main Street Lexington
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Face painting, balloon artists, letters to Santa, rides and more.
Free Model Train Show
- DATE: Saturday December 3, 2022
- TIMES: 10am-4pm
- LOCATION: Arsenal Hill corner of Lincoln Street and Laurel Street across from the fountain
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Christmas train show
Newberry Christmas Parade
- DATE: December 3
- TIME: lineup starts at 11am and parade kicks off at 1pm
- LOCATION: Main Street Newberry
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Prizes given for best float, best walking group, best car and overall winner.
Barr Lake Golf Cart Parade
- DATE: December 3, 2022
- TIME: 4:45pm
- LOCATION: Mossback Trail Lexington
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Decorated golf carts celebrate the holidays
Christmas Traditions open house
- DATE: December 3, 2022
- TIME: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- LOCATION: Cayce Historical Museum, 1800 12th St, Cayce
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Each room will be decorated with trees and crafts from the 18th century to the present. The event will also feature live entertainment, docents dressed in period attire, and light refreshments.
Sonrise Chorale African-American Extravaganza
- DATE: December 3, 2022
- TIME: 10am-3pm
- LOCATION: Brookland Baptist Church Health & Wellness Center 1066 Sunset Boulevard West Columbia
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: One of a kind Christmas gifts
Santa's Swingin' Christmas Party
- DATES: Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 19, 2022
- TIMES: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Dec. 3, 10, and 17) and 10 a.m. (Dec. 19)
- LOCATION: Columbia Marionette Theatre, 401 Laurel St., Columbia
- COST: $7
Carolina Lights drive-thru light show
- DATES: Dec. 3 to 26 2022
- TIME: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- LOCATION: SC State Fairgrounds 1200 Rosewood Drive Columbia
- COST: $20 per car, $35 per minibus (9 to 25 passengers), and $70 for vehicles with over 25 passengers.
- DETAILS: Drive-thru lights include over 100 individual LED light displays along the route.
Santa Train
- DATES: Dec. 3, 10, and 17, 2022
- TIMES: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
- LOCATION: 110 Industrial Park Rd. Winnsboro
- COST: $15 to $20 (children under three are considered lap infants and do not need tickets unless they need their own seat)
- DETAILS: The train does not return until Santa has talked to everyone on the train.
Carolina Lights
- DATES: Dec. 3 to 26, 2022 (Closed Christmas Day)
- TIMES: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Sun-Thu), 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Fri-Sat)
- LOCATION: S.C. State Fair, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia
- COST: Pay at the gate with cash or a credit card (Visa or Mastercard). It is $20 per car, $35 for a minibus (9 to 24 passengers), and $70 for vehicles with 25 or more passengers.
- DETAILS: This year is the fourth annual drive-thru light show at the State Fairgrounds. You can enter at Gate 6 on George Rogers Boulevard. Chocolate chip cookies and milk will be available for purchase. As you drive through the light show, tune your radio to 88.9 F.M. for holiday music synced with the lights.
Lexington Christmas Parade
- DATE: December 4, 2022
- TIME: 4 p.m.
- LOCATION: Town of Lexington, 111 Maiden Ln., Lexington
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Come early to get a good seat. The parade is on Main Street
Christmas Parade in Prosperity
- DATE: December 4, 2022
- TIME: 3pm
- LOCATION: Main Street Prosperity, SC
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Annual Christmas parade
Christmas Parade and tree lighting Batesburg-Leesville
- DATE: Sunday December 4, 2022
- TIME: 5:30pm
- LOCATION: Parade will go down Columbia Avenue in downtown Batesburg-Leesville
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Get there early to get a good spot to watch. Shops open later
Ya'll Greetings Flea Market
- DATE: December 4, 2022
- TIME: 1pm-4pm
- LOCATION: Art Bar 1211 Park St, Columbia,
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Unusual gifts for unusual folks for the holidays
Irmo Christmas Tree Lighting
- DATE: Tuesday December 6, 2022
- TIME: 6pm
- LOCATION: Irmo Town Park 7330 Carlisle Street
- COST: Free
Christmas Cookies and Beer pairing
- DATE: Friday December 9, 2022
- TIME: 6pm
- LOCATION: River Rat Brewery 1231 Shop Road Columbia
- COST: Varies
- DETAILS: Find out which alcohol goes best with each cookie
Irmo Holiday Market
- DATE: Dec. 10, 2022
- TIME: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- LOCATION: Irmo Community Park, 7473 Church St., Irmo
- DETAILS: It's the second annual holiday market.
Holiday Parade of Lights
- DATE: Dec. 10, 2022
- TIME: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- LOCATION: All along 12th St., Cayce
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: An annual event hosted by the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
Christmas Cantata-"A festival of lessons and carols"
- DATE: Saturday December 10 and Sunday December 11, 2022
- TIME: 7pm
- LOCATION: Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church 5503 Sunset Blvd Lexington
- COST: FREE
- DETAILS: Will include the Sanctuary Choir, chamber orchestra, piano and pipe organ, soloists, children’s choir and narrators featuring the choral works of Hal Hopson, Craig Courtney, Dan Forrest, Larry Shackley and John Leavitt.
Columbia City Ballet "Nutcracker"
- DATES: Dec.10 and 11, 17 and 18, 2022
- TIME: 3 p.m. (Sat-Sun), 7:30 p.m. (Sat)
- LOCATION: Koger Center for the Arts, 501 Greene Street, Columbia
- COST: Tickets range from $35 to $60.
- DETAILS: Ballet
Rosewood Community Tree Lighting
- DATES: December 11, 2022
- TIME: 4pm caroling and 5:30pm tree lighting
- LOCATION: 3707 Moss Avenue Columbia
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: cookies and hot chocolate, crafting and ornament making, door prizes
Blythewood Christmas Parade
- DATE: Dec. 11, 2022
- TIME: 2 p.m.
- LOCATION: Blythewood Town Hall, 141 Langford Road, Blythewood
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Presented by the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce.
Wreaths Across America
- DATE: Saturday December 17, 2022
- TIME: Noon
- LOCATION: Fort Jackson National Cemetery 4170 Percival Road Columbia
- COST: Free-volunteering to help put wreaths on veterans graves
- DETAILS: Sheriffs Department will direct to parking. Shuttle buses will take you to cemetery.
Hoofbeats and Christmas Carols
- DATE: December 17, 2022
- TIME: 2pm-3pm
- LOCATION: Downtown Aiken
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Hundreds of dogs, equestrians, dogs and Santa's elves.
Boykin Christmas Parade
- DATE: Sunday December 18, 2022
- TIME: 2pm
- LOCATION: Rembert
- COST: Free
- DETAILS: Awesome, fun holiday parade. Go early for good parking
A gift on Christmas
- DATE: Sunday December 25, 2022
- TIME: Noon-2pm
- LOCATION: FIndlay Park
- DETAILS: Local non-profit to give out food, goodie bags, socks, blankets to the homeless
