Exhibitions and Tours

Holiday Parade of Homes: Features four new, furnished and decorated custom homes, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Olde Park, corner of Willingham and Parrish drives. Warm apple cider from Fresh Market will be served. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62 and older, free for kids 12 and under. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and receive $2 off one ticket. Discount tickets available at all area Bi-Lo stores for $8 each. All attendees will receive a discount card good at participating Forest Acres shops and restaurants. Presented by Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia. (803) 256-6238

Christmas at Kensington Mansion: The mansion will be decked out in period decorations. Guided tours are at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Jan. 12, Highway 601 South, Eastover. Tickets are $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and $2.50 for children 10 and older. Children under 10 are free. (803) 353-0456

Free Loblolly Pine Seedlings: Distributed Saturday and Sunday at the main branch of the Richland County Public Library Children’s Department, 1431 Assembly St. Seedlings are provided by the Richland County Master Gardeners in honor of Arbor Day. An exhibit about trees will be available. (803) 799-9094

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. Dec. 16. 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 Dec. 20. 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

Historic Holidays: Learn how the Christmas tree appeared in South Carolina and how a South Carolinian made the poinsettia a well-known holiday decoration. Enjoy various family activities, visit with Victorian Santa, decorate the tree and make ornaments, 10 a.m.-12 noon Saturday, 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

Other

Garden Volunteer Days: Director of grounds David Simpson will lead volunteers assisting with a variety of garden projects, 9 a.m. today and Dec. 13. 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

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