‘Tis the season! Here’s a list of holiday events happening in the Midlands this December

You’ve seen all the lights — Riverbanks, Carolina, Lights on the River, Edventure — and been to the State House to see the tree, but you’re still looking for more holiday fun. And college football is just not holiday enough.

The Midlands has lots more to do.

There’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 4D.” Yes, a favorite holiday classic. In 4D. This 10-minute show is at the South Carolina State Museum and runs every day except Mondays until Jan. 2. The museum calls it a “visually brilliant experience” of the beloved classic about the underdog, er underdeer, who saves Christmas.

Also at the State Museum is Santa, but you’re going to have to act quickly because his last appearance is Saturday, Dec. 18 — he’s got to get ready, you know, for the big day. Santa will be there from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., and the visit is included with admission or membership.

Several holiday-themed and ticketed shows are planned for this coming week in Columbia. A Magical Cirque Christmas will be at Koger Center for the Arts Dec. 14 - 15, Jingle Bell Jazz at the Trustus Theatre on Dec. 15-16, and Columbia R&B Holiday Jam at Colonial Life Arena on Dec. 17.

And on Saturday, there’s the Santa Fun Run 5K at Garners Ferry Sports Complex.

Not to be outdone, Santa’s Swingin’ Christmas Party will be performed at the Columbia Marionette Theatre Dec. 20. In collaboration with ColaJazz Foundation, the theater’s marionettes perform a play about whether Santa will make it back in a snowstorm from delivering presents to attend a party planned by his elves. Every holiday performance needs suspense.

In Lexington County, another tradition takes place at the Harbison Theatre Dec. 17-18 when the “The Christmas Angel” is staged for the 21st year. The ballet is described as “a magical journey with intriguing characters, a compelling storyline, and beautiful scenery, costumes, and dance.”

And what is Christmas without “The Nutcracker”? Columbia City Ballet has performances at the Koger Center Dec. 18-19.

On Dec. 23, ColaJazz Little Big Band will stage “Swing into the Holidays” with Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite at the Koger Center. It is part of a series at the Koger Center called “Live in the Lobby: Koger Center Jazz.”

The lobby concerts have been a partnership between the Koger Center for the Arts and the ColaJazz Foundation ”curated to embody a specific style and era of jazz music.”

An optional discussion between the artist and audience will be held 30 minutes before the concert starts to talk about the music.

On Dec. 31, a New Year’s Eve party will be held at the Capital City Club atop South Carolina’s tallest building. The party includes hors d’oeuvres, bottomless drinks, live entertainment and a champagne toast for the countdown to the new year.

This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 10:10 AM.