Last updated: November 11, 2024
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!
Contact information and details below.
Interactive light and nature-inspired lantern display.
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
Synchronized light displays in a historic neighborhood setting.
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
Nighttime 4-mile race with festive light displays.
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
Extensive light displays along the scenic riverfront.
This dazzling celebration transforms the riverfront into a captivating display of lights, showcasing creatively themed installations that illuminate the landscape. Visitors can stroll along the waterfront while enjoying the vibrant sights, and local food vendors offer seasonal treats to enhance the experience. Family-friendly activities add to the cheer as people gather to appreciate the beauty of the season.
Where: Columbia | More Info: Holiday Lights on the River
Exclusive shopping event with live music, private shopping, and delectable eats.
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
Heartwarming adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic with stunning sets and costumes.
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
All-new spectacle with pyrotechnics and lasers.
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
High-energy, dazzling entertainment with world-class performers.
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
Interactive tea party with ballet dancers in exquisite costumes.
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
Special holiday lighting and shows in the planetarium and 4D theater.
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
Live music and treats along the riverwalk.
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
Live jazz quartet brings swing to this musical celebration.
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
Traditional Eastern European and American food offerings.
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
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
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
Guided tours highlighting Victorian-era holiday customs.
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
