Feeling festive? Seeking holiday cheer? What to do in Columbia this season
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, Christmas is around the corner. Here are some shows, activities and places to go to this holiday season.
Holiday Performances
The Koger Center for the Arts at the University of South Carolina hosts several holiday-themed performances throughout the month of December.
- Columbia Classical Ballet is collaborating with the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, the Columbia Ballet School and El Camino Ballet to perform “The Nutcracker” every weekend through Dec. 21. There is one Friday show on Dec. 5, two shows every Saturday and one every Sunday.
- “Cirque Dreams Holidaze,” a Broadway-style production blended with contemporary circus arts is happening Dec. 8.
- The South Carolina Philharmonic is performing “Home for the Holidays,” a themed concert “filled with festive classics, beloved carols, and joyous melodies” on Dec. 18.
- Live in the Lobby Jazz is putting “Eve of the Eve,” an annual holiday jazz celebration on Dec. 23.
Town Theatre is hosting Charles Dickens’ classic, “The Christmas Carol,” with showings from Dec. 5 through Dec. 21.
The Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College is hosting several holiday performances as well.
- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will be performed by the Columbia Children’s Theatre on Dec. 6.
- The SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble will be performing “Swingin’ Holidays: A Big Band Christmas” on Dec. 7.
- The Columbia City Jazz Conservatory reimagines “The Nutcracker” into a modern rewrite: “The Two Claras,” with performances on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.
- “The Christmas Angel,” an original ballet, will be performed on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 by the Nova Ballet Theatre troupe.
The Chapin Theatre Company is putting on “A Suessified Christmas Carol,” a reinvention of the well-known story in the stylings of Dr. Suess. It runs from Dec. 4 through Dec. 14.
Village Square Theatre in Lexington is hosting performances of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” running from Dec. 5 through Dec. 15.
Holiday Lights
Segra Park is hosting the Fireflies Holiday Lights show from now until Jan. 3. Open every night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days, it features thousands of lights and displays.
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo is open for select nights until Jan. 11. Visitors can stroll through the grounds and find more than 60 handcrafted lanterns in the shape of wildlife, with other interactive showcases and illuminations. The event includes a “nightly snowfall,” photo opportunities and hot chocolate. Santa Claus will visit the zoo through Dec. 23.
Saluda Shoals Park is hosting Holiday Lights on the River, the largest drive-through light show in the Midlands runs nightly from now until Dec. 31. Millions of dazzling lights and stretch over three miles at the park. Admission also includes winter wonder dual tube slides, hay rides and train rides, a laser light show on the Wetland Trail and letters to Santa.
Holiday Pop-Up Bars
Prohibition on Main Street is hosting its annual Sippin’ Santa pop-up. The bar is decked out in decoration, a ”floor-to-ceiling winter wonderland filled with holiday cheer into December.
In Columbia’s BullStreet district, Publico has a Grinch-inspired pop-up with themed drinks and snacks through the holiday season. Publico’s Five Points location is now “Santa’s Pub” is also fully decorated and offering holidays cocktails. Outside, the restaurant has heated igloos that patrons can rent for a private dining experience.
For three days only, “Glitter on Greene” is coming to Proof at Claussen’s from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6, a festive pop-up bar with cocktails and “surprises to come.” The pop-up benefits the nonprofit Power in Changing, which helps give baby items to families in need.
Holiday Parades and Christmas Tree Lightings
Columbia’s Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade is happening Dec. 6, rain or shine around 9:30 a.m. It is the city’s largest holiday parade, showcasing over 125 community groups and businesses. This year’s theme is “Making Merry Memories.”
Cayce is having its Parade of Holiday Lights on Dec. 13. A local business showcase is happening in the afternoon, with a holiday trolley running through downtown. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m.
Lexington is having its annual Snowball Festival from Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, with a craft fair, carnival and pictures with Santa. A Christmas tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.
West Columbia is hosting a tree lighting at city hall on Dec. 5 starting at 6:30 p.m., with holiday carols, hot chocolate, cookies and award-winning student art on display.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
