Celebrate the magic of the season in Columbia with our comprehensive event guide. From Columbia old-timers to newcomers, our guide ensures a festive season full of wonder and delight.
One of the highlights of the holiday season is the enchanting Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo, where vibrant displays illuminate the night sky amidst delightful wildlife. Another great option is Vista Lights, where the streets come alive with twinkling lights and an array of charming storefronts. And the timeless classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, is something you definitely don’t want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Columbia
- Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo
- Vista Lights
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas
- A Magical Cirque Christmas
- Columbia Classical Ballet presents The Nutcracker
- Carols Along the Riverwalk
- Holiday Planetarium Lighting
- Sleigh Bell Trot
- Santa’s Swingin’ Christmas Party
See these and even more events listed below!
Columbia Holiday Light Displays
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo
What to Expect:
Interactive light and nature-inspired lantern display.
Description:
Stroll through the Riverbanks Zoo to discover nearly 60 larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature, including pollinators, plants, endangered, and even extinct animals. Enjoy interactive activities and seasonal favorites like nightly snowfall and visits with Santa.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo
Vista Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light displays in a historic neighborhood setting.
Description:
Vista Lights is a family-friendly holiday event featuring over 60 galleries, shops, and restaurants decorated with festive lights and decorations, showcasing local businesses and community spirit.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Vista Lights
Sleigh Bell Trot
What to Expect:
Nighttime 4-mile race with festive light displays.
Description:
The Sleigh Bell Trot is a nighttime 4-mile race held in Columbia, SC, amidst the Holiday Lights on the River display. Participants enjoy festive light displays and receive finisher medals, t-shirts, and access to water stations.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Sleigh Bell Trot
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
What to Expect:
Hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights transform the gardens.
Description:
Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles features over 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights, creating a breathtakingly beautiful atmosphere. Guests can walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear holiday music, and enjoy beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
Where: Murrells Inlet | More Info: Brookgreen Gardens' Nights of a Thousand Candles
Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
What to Expect:
Brilliantly lit floats and community groups in a festive parade.
Description:
The Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade features brilliantly lit floats and community groups marching along West Coleman Boulevard, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show and a festive parade.
Where: Mount Pleasant | More Info: Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade
Downtown Christmas Magic
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with holiday light and music spectacular.
Description:
Downtown Christmas Magic in Florence features decorated storefronts, free hot cocoa, marshmallow roasting, an ugly sweater competition, a Jingle Mingle kids area with holiday crafts and games, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.
Where: Florence | More Info: Downtown Christmas Magic
Columbia Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Exclusive shopping event with live music, private shopping, and delectable eats.
Description:
The Holiday Market is a four-day shopping event featuring over 160 merchants, including Ladies Night Out, the Holiday Ball, and Sundaes with Santa. It raises funds to support the Junior League of Columbia's mission of strengthening the health and well-being of children and families in the Midlands.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Holiday Market
Mt Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and free admission and parking.
Description:
The Mt Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show features locally grown produce, baked goods, hot food, homemade preserves, and handcrafted gifts by local artisans. Enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, and a visit from Santa Claus in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Mount Pleasant | More Info: Mt Pleasant Holiday Farmers Market and Craft Show
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
What to Expect:
Combining traditional holiday market with European-inspired festival elements.
Description:
The Holiday Fair & Kringle Village at the Greenville Convention Center features a massive vendor market, roving performers, an European Bier Garden, and various family-friendly activities like Santa's Workshop and the Little Miss Kringle Pageant.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
Columbia Holiday Shows and Entertainment
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
What to Expect:
Heartwarming adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic with stunning sets and costumes.
Description:
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical is a record-setting Broadway holiday sensation featuring hit songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, reminding us of the true meaning of the holiday season.
Where: Columbia | More Info: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
What to Expect:
All-new spectacle with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents "The Lost Christmas Eve," a rock opera featuring pyrotechnics, lasers, and powerful storytelling, celebrating 20 years of this beloved holiday classic.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
A Magical Cirque Christmas
What to Expect:
High-energy, dazzling entertainment with world-class performers.
Description:
A modern variety show filled with awe-inspiring performances, featuring world-class entertainers performing your favorite holiday music. Witness stunning costumes and high-energy entertainment that delivers true holiday magic for all ages.
Where: Columbia | More Info: A Magical Cirque Christmas
Columbia Classical Ballet presents The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Interactive tea party with ballet dancers in exquisite costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker is a classic ballet production featuring intricate sets, lavish costumes, and beloved characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara. Guests can enjoy a charming sit-down tea surrounded by these iconic figures, creating memorable experiences for families.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Columbia Classical Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Holiday Planetarium Lighting
What to Expect:
Special holiday lighting and shows in the planetarium and 4D theater.
Description:
The Holiday Planetarium Lighting at the South Carolina State Museum features extended hours with holiday shows in the planetarium and 4D theater, extra shopping time, children's holiday crafts, and night sky observing. Guests can also meet Santa and enjoy special lighting of the planetarium dome.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Holiday Planetarium Lighting
Carols Along the Riverwalk
What to Expect:
Live music and treats along the riverwalk.
Description:
Carols Along the Riverwalk features live music and treats along the Cayce Riverwalk, with local church choirs and musicians performing throughout the first half mile.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Carols Along the Riverwalk
Santa’s Swingin’ Christmas Party
What to Expect:
Live jazz quartet brings swing to this musical celebration.
Description:
Santa’s Swingin’ Christmas Party is a holiday variety show featuring live music and vivid puppets illuminated by blacklight. The event is a unique creative collaboration with the Cola Jazz Foundation, where Tinkle the elf, despite being too young to work at Santa’s Workshop, makes his first toy, a Patchwork stuffed animal named Lumpy. When Lumpy doesn’t make it onto Santa’s sleigh, they embark on an adventure to find where they belong.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Santa’s Swingin’ Christmas Party
St. Nicholas Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional Eastern European and American food offerings.
Description:
The St. Nicholas Festival at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church features traditional Eastern European and American food, handmade crafts, and choral performances. Enjoy homemade holiday cookies, meet St. Nicholas, and participate in kids' activities like face painting and cookie decorating.
Where: West Columbia | More Info: St. Nicholas Festival
The Nutcracker by Aiken Civic Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Aiken Civic Ballet presents a classic rendition of The Nutcracker, featuring original ballets and contemporary dance works, with a focus on promoting dance as an accessible art form.
Where: Aiken | More Info: The Nutcracker by Aiken Civic Ballet
Columbia Other Holiday Activities
Holiday House Tours
What to Expect:
Guided tours highlighting Victorian-era holiday customs.
Description:
Explore historic holiday traditions at the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion, featuring 19th-century decorations and artifacts.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Holiday House Tours
Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed running event with scenic course and festive awards.
Description:
The Hilton Head Island Jingle Jingle Bridge Run is a holiday running event featuring 5K and 10K races that start and finish at Crossings Park. Participants will run over the scenic Broad Creek on the Cross Island Expressway, receiving colorful Long Sleeve T-shirts and Jingle Bells. The event includes an award ceremony with refreshments, music, and door prizes, and participants are encouraged to wear holiday costumes.
Where: Hilton Head | More Info: Jingle Jingle Bridge Run
Reindeer Run
What to Expect:
Family-friendly 5K run/walk benefiting a children's hospital.
Description:
The Reindeer Run is a family-oriented, pet-friendly 5K run/walk in downtown Charleston, SC, benefiting the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital. This event has grown significantly, with over 3,500 runners, and includes a costume contest with various categories.
Where: Charleston | More Info: Reindeer Run
Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Historic parade with festive floats and community involvement.
Description:
The Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade is a long-standing holiday tradition that signals the start of the Christmas season in downtown Greenville. Each year, thousands of visitors gather to view holiday floats and activities, making it a cherished community event.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade
The ARK's Ugly Sweater Dash
What to Expect:
Embroidered beanies for the first 200 registrations.
Description:
The ARK's Ugly Sweater Dash is a festive 5K run/walk and 1-mile stroll event featuring holiday surprises, an embroidered beanie for the first 200 registrations, and sponsor swag. Participants are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweaters.
Where: Summerville | More Info: The ARK's Ugly Sweater Dash
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Saint Andrews (5 miles)
- Lexington (12 miles)
- Sumter (40 miles)