Through December, we will run a list of community holiday events each Thursday in Metro.

Find an online holiday events list, updated daily, under local news at thestate.com. Look for Community Events.

LIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS: 6-9 nightly through Dec. 30 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (closed Dec. 24-25). Santa’s Village, giant snow globe, Music in Motion, Jingle Bell Bonfire and snow. $10; ages 3-12, $8 (advance tickets, $8 and $6); one free visit with Riverbanks membership card and picture ID; guest passes not accepted. Parking on the zoo side only. (803) 779-8717; www.riverbanks.org

HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE RIVER: 6-10 nightly through Dec. 31 at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road. Drive-through lights display features Dazzling Dancing Forest, Victorian Village with carolers, hayrides and boardwalk stroll. $10 per car, 15-passenger vans, $20; buses, $35. (803) 772-3903; www.icrc.net

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS: Games, crafts, stories, visit with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies for ages 3-8 through Dec. 21, Historic Columbia Foundation Carriage House, 1616 Blanding St. Private groups of 10 or more, reservations required. $6 per child. (803) 252-7742; www.historiccolumbia.org

TRAIN RIDES WITH SANTA: 9:30, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 15 at the S.C. Railroad Museum, 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro. First class, $20 (all tickets); coach, $12; children, $9; age 2 and younger, free. Don’t forget to bring your letters to Santa. (803) 712-4135; www.scrm.org

KENSINGTON MANSION TOURS: Guided, holiday-themed tours will be held Thursdays-Saturdays, Dec. 6-Jan. 12. Times are 9:30 and 11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $5.50; seniors, $4.50, children, $2.50. Groups of 10 or more are asked to make a reservation. (803) 968-4129

FOREST ACRES’ SWEET SEASONS: 5:30-7:30 tonight on the rooftop of Richland Mall, Beltline Boulevard and Forest Drive. Photos with Santa, face painting, magician, free desserts, beer, wine and fare from local restaurants will be available for sale, door prizes, music by Carillon Carolers, Island Close By, 7 p.m. tree lighting.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY DROP-IN: 6-8 tonight in the squad room at the Lexington County Law Enforcement Complex, 421 Gibson Road, Lexington. Refreshments will be served and Santa will be in attendance. Accepting non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Holiday Food and Toy Drive.

“A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”: 7 tonight and Friday; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday at Columbia Children’s Theatre, Richland Mall, second floor, 3400 Forest Drive. Tickets are $10; $2 of the price will support Epworth Children’s Home and Pets Inc. www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com

COLUMBIA CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: tonight through Sunday at First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton St. Performances at 7 tonight and Friday; 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Free, but tickets are required. (803) 217-3250; www.columbiachristmaspageant.com

HOLIDAY BALL: 6 p.m. Friday at Greenview Park, 5700 David St. Sponsored by the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, the semi-formal event is for age 50 and older. Tickets are $12 and include dinner, live music, dancing and more. Seating is limited. (803) 545-3100

FAMILY DAY: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Robert Mills House, 1616 Blanding St. Holiday crafts and activities for children. $6 for the first child, $3 for each additional child, HCF members, free. (803) 252-7742; www.historiccolumbia.org

CHRISTMAS AT KILLIAN PARK: 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday at 1424 Marthan Road, Blythewood. Food, arts and crafts, children’s activities and presents for all ages. Free. (803) 754-7980

LIGHTS OF LUGOFF CHRISTMAS PARADE: 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Parade will begin at the BP station, 742 U.S. 1, proceed down U.S. 1 South and turn right onto S.C. 34. Both lanes of U.S. 1 will be closed beginning at 6 p.m. Sponsored by the Lugoff Optimist Club. www.lightsoflugoff.com

HOME WORKS CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: 1-4 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 9-23 at the Home Works warehouse, 2812 William H. Tuller Drive. Pictures with Santa, Starbucks coffee and candy canes. (803) 206-6974

COLONIAL CHRISTMAS IN CAMDEN: 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Kershaw-Cornwallis House and Lower Grounds, Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 222 Broad St. Guided tours, colonial games, scavenger hunt, refreshments, gift shop discounts. $5; ages 6-12, $3; age 5 and younger, free. (803) 432-9841; http://www.historic-camden.net

LEXINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE: 2-5 pm. Sunday at 231 Fox St., Lexington. Most of the 30 historic structures in the complex will be open and decorated for the season. Free, live music, refreshments. (803) 359-8369; www.lex-co.sc.gov/museum

BLYTHEWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m. Sunday beginning at Oakhurst Road and Main Street (near the fire station) and ending at Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School. Grand marshal will be Art Baker. Parade will feature marching bands, Scout troops, JROTC groups, dance groups, classic cars, equestrians and Santa (of course). (803) 712-3806

BOYKIN CHRISTMAS PARADE: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 16. There’s always something different at the crossroads. Looking for an adventurous couple who want to be married during the parade. A gospel concert will follow at the historic Swift Creek Baptist Church. For information about floats (entry deadline is Monday), call (803) 432-5714 or email rw_belger@bellsouth.com