Exhibitions and Tours

Christmas Tour of Homes: Sponsored by Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 1. Tickets are $20 each with a discount for groups of 10 or more. (803) 276-7542 or newberryoperahouse.com

City Strolls, Robert Mills House and Gardens: Historic Columbia Foundation will host a guided tour of the Robert Mills Historic District on Dec. 14. See some of Columbia’s oldest homes. Tickets: $6 at the Museum Shop, 1616 Blanding St. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24

Dollar Sundays, Robert Mills House and Gardens: Take a guided tour of historic house museums 1-5 p.m. Sunday for $1. Purchase tickets at the Museum Shop, 1616 Blanding St. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24, or email aposner@historiccolumbia.org.

W. Gordon Belser Arboretum: Monthly open house will be held 1-4 p.m. Sunday, 4080 Bloomwood Road. (803) 777-3934

Holiday House Tours: Enjoy the holidays with guided tours of the Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion and Mann-Simons Cottage. Guides will provide stories of holidays past and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th and early 20th centuries, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Tours are available through Dec. 31. (803) 252-1770 ext. 24 or reservations@ historiccolumbia.org

Garden Tours, Robert Mills House and Gardens: This 60-minute guided tour is today and the third Thursday of each month. Compare the visual aesthetics of late 18th- and 19th-century landscape gardening to an earlier-style English boxwood garden. Tickets $6. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24, or aposner@historiccolumbia.org

Christmas Open House: Have a cup of cider, enjoy holiday carolers, browse through the ornaments, seasonal items and unique gifts. Local artist Melony Stuckey will display her work. Free gift wrap and Garden Dollars, 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, Wingard’s Nursery & Garden Center, 1403 N. Lake Drive, Lexington. (803) 359-9091 or wingardsnursery.com

Historic Holidays: Learn how the Christmas tree appeared in South Carolina and how a South Carolinian made the poinsettia a well-known holiday decoration. Various family activities, visit with Victorian Santa, decorate the tree and make ornaments, 10 a.m.-12 noon Dec. 8, Robert Mills House and Gardens, 1616 Blanding St. $6 for first child and $3 for additional children. Free for adults and members. (803) 252-1770 ext. 24 or reservations@historiccolulmbia.org

Workshops, seminars

Holiday Wreaths: Using fresh greens, seed pods and natural accents, create decorations for the holidays. Everyone will make a fresh wreath, 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 1, Riverbanks Botanical Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Cost is $20. Register at riverbanks.org or (803) 779-8717.

Other

Garden Volunteer Days: Director of grounds David Simpson will lead volunteers assisting with a variety of garden projects, 9 a.m. today and Nov. 29. Historic Columbia Foundation, 1601 Richard St. Dress for working in the garden and bring gloves if you have them. Hand tools and water will be provided. (803) 252-1770

Family Day: Have refreshments and take a family photo with Santa or enjoy other festive areas perfect for your family holiday photo. Leashed four-legged family members are welcome, 12-3 p.m. Nov. 23, Woodley’s Garden Center, 10015 Two Notch Road, (803) 788-1487 or 2830 Dreher Shoals Road, (803) 407-0601.

Send events and calendar items to homeandgarden@thestate.com.