Go Columbia: Our event picks of the week, Dec. 28-Jan. 3

HEARD AT EVERY TURN: TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN SOUTH CAROLINA: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at McKissick Museum. South Carolina’s complex history has shaped the state’s contemporary traditional music. For hundreds of years musicians and singers have mingled and traditions collided, forming vibrant musical experiences. Explore the musical instruments, apparel, audio and video that tell the story of traditional music history and practice in South Carolina. 816 Bull St. (803) 777-7251, http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/mckissickmuseum/

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: HER CAROLINA STORY: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday at Columbia Museum of Art. Presents an exhibition of 14 works examining American painter Georgia O’Keeffe’s intimate artistic epiphany experienced in South Carolina. “Her Carolina Story,” the first exhibition to explore her time in Columbia, celebrates the 100th anniversary of O’Keeffe’s time teaching at Columbia College and the untold story of her development as modernist. $12, admission. 1515 Main St. (803) 799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org

SECOND SHIFT TWOSDAYS: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the S.C. State Museum. In a celebration of the the history of its building and the mill workers who decades ago worked the second shift, the State Museum is extending its Tuesday hours. Each Tuesday the museum will feature something different, which may include programs, planetarium shows, 4-D movies, lunar observing, exhibit previews, food and beverage events, discounts and more. Adults 13-61: $8.95, Seniors 62 and over: $7.95, Children 3-12: $6.95, Members and children 2 and younger: free. $1 off for military. 301 Gervais St. (803) 898-4921, www.scmuseum.org

FINAL NIGHT: LIGHTS AT THE ZOO: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday at Riverbanks Zoo. If you haven’t had a chance to get to the zoo, there’s still one last night to catch the 28th annual event. The zoo is alive with 1 million twinkling lights and countless animated images. Roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire, visit with Santa, and enjoy the festive sounds of the Music in Motion lights spectacular. Also, it’s the only place in town where it snows every night. 500 Wildlife Parkway. (803) 779-8717, www.riverbanks.org

FINAL DAYS: HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE RIVER: 6-10 p.m. Wednesday at Saluda Shoals Park. See sparkling lights, dancing trees and more as Saluda Shoals is transformed for the holidays by more than 1 million sparkling lights. Visit the Wetland Wonderland Walking Trail; Deck the Doors display; Winter Wonder Ride tube slide; and more. Create a festive holiday craft to take home, sip some hot cocoa and roast marshmallows or make s’mores. The final day for this year’s show is Dec. 31. 5605 Bush River Road. $15 per car. Additional fees for activities. (803) 772-3903, www.icrc.net

FAMOUSLY HOT NEW YEAR: 6 p.m.-1 a.m. at Main and Gervais streets. Lauryn Hill, five-time Grammy winner, will perform an outdoor concert in front of the S.C. State House – followed by the most colossal New Year’s Eve fireworks show in the Carolinas. South Carolina’s biggest, free New Year’s Eve celebration features beer, wine and bubbly; local food vendors; a family-friendly carnival and ice rink; S.C. support bands SUSTO, ColorBlind and Dead 27s; and a festival atmosphere for 28,000 expected guests. www.famouslyhotnewyear.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT NOON: 9 a.m. to noon at Edventure Children’s Museum. Activities celebrate New Year’s Eve around the world. Count down to noon, when a giant illuminated ball descends and lands at the food of Eddie, kicking off the biggest mid-day celebration in Columbia. Event is free with museum admission or membership. Children and adults, $11.50; seniors 62 and older, military and educators with ID, $10.50; children ages 2 and under, free. 211 Gervais St. www.edventure.org

TOWN OF BLYTHEWOOD’S NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY: 5-9 p.m. at Doko Meadows. Celebrate the new year with family and friends. Enjoy music by Freeway Music All Stars and food from Chuggers, Scottie’s, Doko Smoke and others. Bring the kids and a lawn chair and enjoy the fun with fireworks at 8:30 p.m., rain or shine. Free admission. No coolers please. Steve Hasterok, (803) 754-0501, www.dokomanor.com

INDEPENDENT SPIRITS: WOMEN ARTISTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Columbia Museum of Art. South Carolina has produced and nourished many “independent spirits,” women who work against the social grain to pursue modern and experimental means of artistic expression. This exhibit is a selection of approximately 30 works by women from across the state, celebrating the creativity of contemporary women artists. Whether they work in painting, sculpture, assemblage, ceramics, or installation, these artists represent the undeniable role that women play in shaping the future of arts. $12, admission. 1515 Main St. (803) 799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org

JACK WILLIAMS AT UU COFFEEHOUSE: 7 p.m. Saturday at UU Coffeehouse. Legendary Jack Williams and friends return for another “New Year’s Party.” This is a special show with an ever-revolving cast of players. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m. This event always causes a stir and is likely to go a bit later than most. $20 at the door or online. (803) 200-2824, www.uucoffeehouse.org

FINAL DAYS: HOLIDAYS AT HISTORIC COLUMBIA: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. See a variety of holiday decorations and traditions in the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion in downtown Columbia. Guides provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historic Holiday Tours are free for members, $5 for youth and $8 for adults. The final day is Jan. 3. Purchase tickets at the Robert Mills House gift shop, 1616 Blanding St. www.historiccolumbia.org

FIRST CITIZENS FIRST SUNDAY: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday at the South Carolina State Museum. General admission to the museum is only $1 for guests during First Citizens First Sunday. Included in general admission, guests can explore the museum’s four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology, including the new Boeing Observatory and the new Robert B. Arial Collection of Historical Astronomy on the fourth floor. Adults 13-61: $8.95, Seniors 62 and over: $7.95, Children 3-12: $6.95, Members and children 2 and younger: free. $1 off for military. 301 Gervais St. (803) 898-4921, www.scmuseum.org

BRIDAL EXPO: 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Brides, get ready! This show is going to be awesome. 1101 Lincoln St. (803) 545-0001, www.columbiaconventioncenter.com