Christmas is coming! Here’s where your family can catch Santa in the Columbia area
It’s time to get the ball rolling on Christmas plans for the kiddos with the holiday fast approaching.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented many families and children last year from visiting their favorite bearded, jolly man in red. For those who did, they were often greeted with an unorthodox version of Kris Kringle, sporting a mask or face shield.
This year, luckily, coronavirus case numbers have lowered, and Santa Claus is stopping by a host of Columbia-area events and businesses to take pictures and to lend an ear to learn what gifts children want this holiday season. And with Thanksgiving break nearing for many school districts, there may be no better time to visit with Ol’ Saint Nick.
Here are some of the places your family can catch Santa leading up to Christmas:
Santa Saturday at the State Museum
Where: SC State Museum at 301 Gervais St., Columbia
Days: Dec. 4, 11, 18
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
For tickets, visit scmuseum.org.
Lights Before Christmas
Where: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia
Days: Nov. 24, 26-28 and most evenings during December
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
For tickets, visit riverbanks.org.
Holidays at EdVenture
Where: EdVenture Children’s Museum at 211 Gervais St., Columbia.
Days: Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-23
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For ticketing information, visit edventure.org.
Santa Magic at Columbiana Centre
Where: Columbiana Centre at 100 Columbiana Circle, Columbia
Days: Dec. 19-30
Time: Noon - 7 p.m.
To schedule an appointment time, visit cherryhillprograms.com.
Santa Train Rides
Where: S.C. Railroad Museum at 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro
Days: Dec. 4, 11, 18
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
For train times and ticketing information, visit scrm.org.
Free Pictures with Santa at Studio 221
Where: Studio 221 Interiors at 536 Meeting St., West Columbia.
Day: Dec. 19
Time: 3 - 6 p.m.
Catch Santa at the airport
Where: Columbia Metropolitan Airport at 3250 Airport Blvd., West Columbia.
Day: Nov. 28
Time: Noon - 3 p.m.
Cooking with Santa
Where: Seven Oaks Park at 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia.
Day: Dec. 4
Time: For children ages 5-8 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; for kids ages 9-12, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
For more information and registration, visit icrc.net.
Sundaes with Santa
Where: Cantey and Goodman Buildings on the S.C. State Fairgrounds at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia.
Day: Dec. 5
Time: Noon - 4 p.m.
For tickets, visit jlcolumbia.org.
Cookies and cocoa with Santa
Where: Columbia College at 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia.
Day: Dec. 6
Time: 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Visitors must RSVP by emailing ccalum@columbiasc.edu.
Sensitive Santa
Where: EdVenture Children’s Museum at 211 Gervais St., Columbia
Days: Dec. 8-10
Time: 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Register through edventure.org.
Reading with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
Where: South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library at 200 Sunset Drive, West Columbia
Day: Dec. 10
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Free Pictures with Santa and the Grinch
Where: Red Bank’s Best Summer Camp and Afterschool at 1056 S. Lake Drive, Lexington
Day: Dec. 11
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Decorating Cookies with Santa
Where: The Mad Batter at 827 Broad St., Camden
Day: Dec. 11
Time: 9 a.m.
Bagels with Santa
Where: Bruegger’s Bagels at 945 C Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo
Day: Dec. 20
Time: 10:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Bring Santa to you
If you’d rather have Santa visit your own party or event, you can hire him through thebash.com.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know by emailing reporter Andrew Caplan at acaplan@thestate.com
This story was originally published November 22, 2021 at 5:00 AM.