When Christmas involves Columbia it arrives with one superb occasion after one other. Occasions centered round implausible native procuring, stunning mild shows, and thrilling household actions occur virtually each weekend. Listed here are some implausible Christmas occasions you don’t wish to miss throughout Christmas in Columbia.
No. 01
Vista Lights
The one-night Vista Lights occasion is a superb alternative to discover the outlets and eating places of The Vista, one of many distinctive neighborhoods of Columbia. Stay leisure fills the cool night time air as guests mingle all through the practically sixty domestically owned outlets. Stroll alongside Gervais or Woman Streets between Meeting and Huger to search out these nice locations.
Carol Saunders Gallery is a pleasant native artwork store to browse. Metropolis Artwork is a superb place to search out artwork provides to help the artist within the household throughout Christmas.
One of many extra attention-grabbing locations to search out nice present concepts is The Cotton Mill Change, the 4,000 sq. foot present store on the South Carolina State Museum. The present store has a bevy of clothes, books, and dinnerware with a South Carolina theme, together with academic books and toys for kids.
Admission to the occasion is free.
READ MORE: 5 Locations to Discover Lovely Christmas Lights in Columbia, SC (Up to date for 2022)
No. 02
Historic Vacation Excursions
Every year Historic Columbia provides Historic Vacation Excursions, a collection of guided excursions of the beautiful Robert Mills Home and Hampton-Preston Mansion. Though these historic properties might be toured all year long, in the course of the Christmas vacation season the properties are embellished with period-specific décor for the home.
The Robert Mills Home, designed by the identical
architect who designed the Washington Monument, is an enchanting dwelling to
discover. The 1820s Christmas décor doesn’t embody the Christmas tree as a result of
that had not turn out to be popularized but. Excursions embody the basement and first ground
of the home.
The Hampton-Preston Mansion is a beautiful dwelling that
is likely one of the oldest remaining buildings within the metropolis. The house is embellished
with an 1860s Christmas tree however be sure you be aware of the candles, a German
custom, hanging on the tree as a substitute of electrical lights.
Guided excursions are supplied Wednesdays – Saturdays at 12 p.m. and three p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and three p.m. Admission is free for members, $18 for grownup non-members, and $15 for youth.
No. 03
Lights at Riverbanks
One of many greatest Christmas mild shows in Columbia is discovered on the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard. The annual Lights at Riverbanks contains hundreds of lights and shows across the enclosures and sidewalks of the zoo. Firepits for roasting s’mores, pictures with Santa, and a craft workshop make this the most effective household occasions for Christmas in Columbia.
Purchase your tickets prematurely – admission is $12 for adults and $10 for kids – and spend one of many following evenings on the Riverbanks Zoo.
- Saturday, November 19 – Sunday, November 20, 2022
- Wednesday, November 23, 2022
- Friday, November 25 – Sunday, November 27, 2022
- Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – Sunday, December 4, 2022
- Wednesday, December 7 – Sunday, December 11, 2022
- Wednesday, December 14 – Friday, December 23, 2022
- Monday, December 26 – Friday, December 30, 2022
READ MORE: Why You Must See the Lights at Riverbanks in Columbia, SC (Up to date for 2022)
No. 04
Annual Governor’s Carolighting
On November 20, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will mild the official State Christmas Tree in entrance of the South Carolina State Home. The Annual Governor’s Carolighting kicks off Christmas in Columbia with a fun-filled night time. Sarcastically, the 35-foot-tall tree doesn’t come from South Carolina – as a substitute, it’s delivered straight from Henderson Tree Farm in Morganton, North Carolina.
The State Christmas Tree stays lit every night time all through the vacation season. The tree might be considered from Gervais Road. There’s loads of parallel parking across the State Home so you will get out and see it.
No. 05
Vacation Lights on the River
The annual Vacation Lights on the River is likely one of the most implausible household Christmas occasions as a result of you’ll be able to get pleasure from most of it from the consolation of your automobile! The guts of the occasion is a gigantic, animated Christmas lights show alongside a self-driving tour by means of Saluda Shoals Park. On the exercise middle close to the tip of the driving route guests can roast marshmallows, seize some sizzling chocolate, be a part of a vacation craft workshop, and seize pictures with Santa.
Admission is $25 per automobile.
Inside Tip The gate opens at 6 p.m. each night time to permit autos into the park. Arrive two hours early to be one of many first vehicles in line. As soon as the gate opens, anticipate to take a seat in line exterior the gate 1-2 hours.
No. 06
Vacation Market
Every year the Junior League of Columbia organizes the Vacation Market as their greatest fundraiser of the 12 months. Nearly 200 distributors come out with baked items, arts and crafts, clothes, jewellery, and all types of implausible Christmas present concepts for the four-day occasion. Particular occasions embody the Preview Occasion, Girls Night time out, and Sundaes with Santa.
Common admission to the market is $8 per individual (covers all 4 days). The market is held from 9:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. every day of the occasion
No. 07
Carolina Carillon Vacation Parade
The Christmas vacation shouldn’t be full with no parade! The Carolina Carillon Vacation Parade begins at 9:45 a.m. at Sumter and Laurel Streets in downtown Columbia. The parade proceeds down Sumter Road, throughout Gervais Road and previous the South Carolina State Home, and ends at Senate Road close to the historic Horseshoe.
The parade options marching bands from native excessive faculties
and faculties, particular performers, vacation floats, cloggers, and South Carolina
celebrities.
The occasion is free to attend.
No. 08
The Nutcracker
One other annual occasion each Christmas wants is a efficiency of The Nutcracker. The Columbia Metropolis Ballet places on six performances in the course of the week main as much as Christmas. The Nutcracker Tea earlier than every of the matinees is a superb alternative to convey the youngsters alongside for cake, cookies, and refreshments earlier than the efficiency.
Right here is the entire schedule for 2021 The Nutcracker performances in Columbia:
- Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 3 p.m. and seven:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 3 p.m. and seven:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 3 p.m.
Admission ranges from $35-$60 per individual.
The place to Keep
Columbia is an enormous metropolis and has loads of choices for lodging (I’m fairly positive the town has certainly one of each kind of lodge chain). Though a lodge is a lodge, some lodges are higher and others are in higher places. Listed here are some choices in three particular areas I believe would make an excellent place to remain throughout Christmas in Columbia.
Funds
Microtel Inn & Suites The Microtel chain is barebones however all you want for a cushty sleep. They’ve a couple of connecting rooms, rooms with two beds, and a studio suite with a sleeper couch so you’ll be able to convey the household. The situation close to I-77 is on the outskirts of the town however nonetheless an excellent location for attending to all of the Christmas occasions.
La Quinta Inn This lodge is likely one of the most inexpensive within the metropolis (and at some point I’d inform you about how I stayed right here when my camper van broke down). They’ve connecting rooms and a Deluxe Suite with a sleeper couch for the households. The breakfast is typical of a lodge chain within the morning, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not a foul begin to the day.
Mid-Vary
Hyatt Place That is the prime really useful place to remain downtown throughout Christmas in Columbia. The lodge is a brilliant snug and handy location for exploring downtown, The Vista, and 5 Factors throughout all of the Christmas occasions. A full-service bar and restaurant within the foyer provide an opportunity to get a meal with out having to decorate up and exit.
Aloft s a comparatively new chain of recent lodge to comb the nation and so they’re fairly snug for a keep. Positioned throughout the road from Hyatt Place it’s inside strolling distance of Principal Road so that you received’t have to fret about discovering parking or driving again after eating at Bourbon.
Hampton Inn This lodge is in an excellent location beside the interstate to rapidly entry all of the Christmas occasions within the metropolis. They function a number of rooms with a sleeper couch so you’ll be able to convey your complete household. The breakfast unfold within the morning is fairly spectacular and can get your day began off proper.