Through December, we will update a list of community holiday events each Thursday.
LIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS: 6-9 nightly through Dec. 30 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). 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; http://www.riverbanks.org
SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS: Games, crafts, stories, visit with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies for ages 3-8 through Friday; Historic Columbia Foundation Carriage House, 1616 Blanding St. Private groups of 10 or more, reservations required. $6 per child. (803) 252-7742; http://www.historic columbia.org
KENSINGTON MANSION TOURS: Guided, holiday-themed tours will be held Thursdays-Saturdays through Jan. 12 at 4101 McCords Ferry Road, Eastover. 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
NIGHTS OF WONDER: 6-10 nightly through Sunday at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road. Red-Nose Express Hayride, Saluda Shoals Choo-Choo, Winter Wonder Ride (downhill tubing without the snow), holiday crafts, marshmallow roast and visit with Santa. Part of the park’s Holiday Lights on the River, which runs through Dec. 31, admission is $10 per car; 15-passenger vans, $20; buses, $35. (803) 772-3903; http://www.icrc.net
ELGIN LIGHTS: 6-9 nightly through Christmas Eve at 2433 Charlie Horse Circle, Elgin. Lights display, toy trains, tractors, antiques and hayrides. Free, but donations will be accepted for Camp Kemo in memory of Cole Sawyer and Jeannie Schmidt. (803) 408-0131; http://www.elginlights.com
GOVERNOR’S MANSION CHRISTMAS GUIDED TOURS: 10, 10:30 and 11 a.m. today. Call for reservations, (803) 737-1710.
SANDLAPPER SINGERS: “Silver Bells, Golden Harps, Brass Magic,” 7 tonight, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo. Guests will be Palmetto Brass, Southern Bronze Handbell ensemble and the Young Sandlapper Singers. $20; military, $18; students, $10. (803) 381-5481; http://www.sandlapper singers.org
BREAKFAST WITH VICTORIAN SANTA: 8-11 a.m. Sunday. Start off the day with a continental breakfast at the Historic Columbia Foundation’s Carriage House, 1616 Blanding St. Then tour the decorated halls of the Hampton-Preston Mansion, make a holiday craft and pose for a picture with Santa Claus. Reservations required. $10; ages 4-12, $5; HCF members, $8/$3; free for all children age 3 and younger. (803) 252-7742; http://www.historiccolumbia.org
LIVING NATIVITY: 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Sunday on the front lawn of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. (803) 256-1654
