COLUMBIA — Who still waits for Thanksgiving to get festive?

Tonight, Vista Lights, the 27th annual fall art open house in the Vista, will welcome Christmastime to downtown in a fanciful way. More than 60 galleries, shops and restaurants will be open for thousands to peruse, partake and purchase.

Many businesses will also offer complimentary drinks (some alcoholic) and snacks, and there will be horse-drawn carriage rides for the romantics — or for those who bring their kids. It’s a family-friendly event.

Here are some of the Vista Lights happenings:

Tree lighting: Mayor Steve Benjamin and a delegation of city leaders will be on hand to light the tree at 7 p.m. at Gervais and Lincoln streets. Bon Bons featured in Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will perform before the lighting.

Though their trees won’t be as big as the one outdoors, several of the Vista’s shops will have decorated trees displayed. And guests get to vote on their phones for the best. The participants: Ellen Taylor Interiors & Design, Eye on Gervais, The Gallery at Nonnah’s, Lewis+Clark, Nova Bella Studio, Post No Bills, Blue Marlin, Cupcake, Liberty Tap Room, The Peanut Man and Wild Wing Cafe.

Sweet sStreet: The Peanut Man, Tutti Frutti and Cupcake, businesses on Lincoln Street, are going with a gingerbread theme. Cupcake will sell gingerbread cupcakes (buy three, get one free); Tutti Frutti will offer 25 percent off on gingerbread and other yogurt flavors; and at The Peanut Man, children can make a gingerbread ornament and get a gingerbread lollipop.

Also for the sweet tooth: LongHorn Steakhouse will have a free build-your-own s’mores bar and Liberty Tap Room will have free holiday cookies.

Making a checklist: Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’ll be at Marble Slab.

Sounds of the season: So you probably won’t hear a lot of Christmas music just yet, but you’ll still hear songs. Performers included Chris Condon Brass Duo and Zach Bingham Jazz Quartet. The Eau Claire High School marching band will escort Mayor Benjamin to the tree lighting.

Outdoor painting: Look for the painters set up on the sidewalk.

The galleries, restaurants and shops

Vista Lights is about fun and the upcoming holidays, sure, but it’s also about introducing attendees to the assortment of businesses — from art to the outdoors to food — that have made the Vista a vibrant destination. Here are some participants.

City Art Gallery: “Sticks and Stones,” an exhibition by the painter Wanda Steppe, will be featured as part of City Art Gallery’s Vista Lights presentation. A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to Walk for Life. City Art Gallery is at 1224 Lincoln St. Free; (803) 252-3613 or www.cityartonline.com

At 6 p.m., Jasper Magazine will release its next issue and announce its artist of the year winners.

Gallery 80808/Vista Studios: “Season’s Harvest: Recent Works by Vista Studio Artists,” a joint exhibition at Gallery 80808, is open. The studio’s 13 resident artists — Ethel Brody, Stephen Chesley, Pat Gilmartin, Susan Lenz, Jeff Donovan, Sharon Collings Licata, Laurie Brownell McIntosh, Kirkland Smith, Laura Spong, Heidi-Darr Hope, Robert Kennedy, Michel McNinch and David Yaghjian — will show work. VistaStudios/Gallery 80808 is at 808 Lady St.; www.vistastudios80808.com or (803) 252-6134

Also, Susan Lenz and Jeff Donovan would like help in naming their collaborative art piece.

The Backpacker: Open until 9 p.m., the store will offer discounted prices. 1215 Wayne St., (803) 799-7571

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique: The boutique will have two fashion shows — at 7:05 and 8:05 p.m. — on an outdoor stage. 929 Gervais St., (803) 251-3336

Blue Marlin: Shrimp and grits and bluegrass music. 1200 Lincoln St., (803) 799-3838

ByFarr Design & Letterpress: The letterhead shop will offer letterpress demos and wreath making. There will also be hot apple cider and hot chocolate provided by Hudson’s. 501 1/2 Gervais St., (803) 609-0590

Capelli Salon: Mini cupcakes, coffee, wine, cheese and drawings for free haircuts. 701 Gervais St., (803) 661-8968

Carol Saunders Gallery: Art, jewelry and accessories. 922 Gervais St., (803) 256-3046

Carolina Ale House: Music by Under the Sun. 710 Lady St., (803) 227-7157

Carolina Imports Quality Wood Furniture: Open from 8-9 p.m., browse while sipping coffee and eating cookies. 705 Gervais St., (803) 748-9889

Columbia Music Festival Association: Ann Brodie’s Ballet will promote “The Nutcracker.” 914 Pulaski St., (803) 771-6303

Eye on Gervais: Discounts on designer frames and a Gucci trunk show. 1219 Lincoln St., (803) 799-2020

The Gallery at DuPre: “Infrared Visions: The Curious and the Sublime,” work by James Henderson. 807 Gervais St.; (803) 546-1143

The Gallery at Nonnah’s: Meet the gallery’s artists and violinist Brian McCullough will play. 930 Gervais St., (803) 779-9599

Gervais & Vine: Beaujolais Nouveau release party, French food, French wine and “French serving maids.” 620-A Gervais St., (803) 799-8463

if ART Gallery: “18/100 Southern Artists: The if ART Contingency,” a show of the gallery’s artists in the new book “100 Southern Artists.” 1223 Lincoln St., (803) 238-2351

Jason’s Deli: Coffee and pumpkin pound cake. 823 Gervais St., (803) 540-1973

Jillian’s: Crab cakes, ribs and gouda mac and cheese. 800 Gervais St., (803) 799-7789

Lady Antoinette’s Pastries, Cakes & Eats: The shop’s creme beignets won “best sweets” at Viva La Vista. 929 Gervais St., (803) 400-8646

Lewis+Clark: Hot wassail and cookies on Lincoln Street and new ceramic sculptures and other work on Huger Street. 1221 Lincoln St. and 1001 Huger St., (803) 765-2405

Mezza Lebanese Bistro & Hookah Lounge: Almaza Lebanese beer, Ksara wine and traditional demonstrations on saj baking artisan-style Lebanese style bread, Lebanese music and bellydancing. 701 Gervais St., (803) 708-0236

Nova Bella Salon: Discounted gift packages. 801 Gervais St., (803) 779-9599

One Eared Cow Glass: Glass-blowing demos and purchase discounts. 1001 Huger St., (803) 254-2444

Moore Photography, Fern Floral & Event Design, Parkside Wedding Studio: Happy Cookers and beverages by Rosso Trattoria Italia, a photo booth, complimentary manicures and makeup application by Occo Skin Studio and art by Whitney LeJeune. The Mobros play at 7:30 p.m. 911 Lady St., (803) 315-9712

Paul D. Sloan Interiors: Ten percent off Mark Roberts Fairies, and gingersnaps will be served. 1012 Gervais St., (803) 733-1704

Pearlz Oyster Bar: Hot chocolate, does it go well with oysters? Find out. 936 Gervais St., (803) 661-7741

Post No Bills: Food, beverages, food trucks and a dance-music DJ. 801 Gervais St., (803) 254-4334

Regions Bank: The bank will have cider, cookies and music by Cathy Jansen. There’s also a bike raffle. 1010 Gervais St., (803) 931-0700

River Runner Outdoor Center: Hot apple cider and outdoor gear. 905 Gervais St., (803) 771-0353

SakiTumi: DJ and artist painting in the alley. 807 Gervais St., (803) 461-4677

SCBT: Food and beverages. 502 Gervais St., (803) 534-2175

CANCELED South Carolina State Museum: The museum and the Midlands Astronomy Club will host “Planets for the People,” sidewalk telescope viewing that will be set up on Gervais Street near Mellow Mushroom. Note as of 5 p.m. Thursday: Cloudy conditions have forced the Planets for the People event to be canceled.

TakoSushi: Tempura asparagus with Asahi and Sapporo beer. 1115 Assembly St., (803) 771-7131

Wet Willie’s: Bingo and live music by Chris Compton. 800 Gervais St., (803) 252-9464

Whit-Ash Furnishings, Inc.: Cheese, cookies, nuts and warm drinks. 919 Gervais St., (803) 779-5123

Wild Wing Cafe: Mrs. Claus cookies, hot chocolate and “The Steve Spurrier Show.” 729 Lady St., (803) 252-9464

The Woody: DJ Woody Windham, free line dance lessons and soup samples. 729 Lady St., (803) 779-9663

World of Beer: Taste festive beer while playing cornhole and a giant version of Jenga. 902 Gervais St. Suite F, (803) 256-1126

Reach Taylor at (803) 771-8362.