A couple of week earlier than Thanksgiving, somebody flips a change, and Christmas lights sparkle all through Columbia. South Carolina’s capital metropolis transforms right into a winter wonderland with drive-through Christmas lights, adorned neighborhoods, and dazzling shows. And guests can take pleasure in a number of the lights from the consolation of a automotive.
Browse the listing of finest locations to see Christmas lights in Columbia, and mark your calendars to see these earlier than the New 12 months.
Christmas Lights in Columbia Map
Find out how to use this map: Click on the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend gadgets to show extra info. When you’ve got a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s title to avoid wasting this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Vista Lights
The Vista is certainly one of Columbia’s charming neighborhoods. The 48-block neighborhood round Gervais and Huger Streets is an official South Carolina Cultural District due to its cultural, architectural, and historic heritage.
Vista Lights is an annual celebration kicking off the Christmas vacation season within the capital metropolis. Celebrated for 38 years, the occasion is an open home introduction to greater than 60 native retail outlets, artwork galleries, and eating places. It’s a wonderful alternative to seek out Christmas items made by native artisans and uncover a brand new favourite restaurant.
The occasion begins at 6 p.m. with reside music and Santa Claus on Lincoln Avenue. A tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. retains the night going.
The occasion is free, however you’ll be tempted to spend cash on the retail outlets and eating places.
Fireflies Vacation Lights
For the second time, Segra Stadium – residence of the Columbia Fireflies Minor League Baseball staff – is reworked right into a spectacular Christmas gentle show in Columbia.
Fireflies Vacation Lights options a couple of million LED lights all through the stadium and baseball subject. Shows cowl the diamond, fill the seats, and wrap across the stadium.
Though guests aren’t allowed onto the baseball subject, it’s a uncommon alternative to stroll alongside the warning monitor surrounding the sphere. However one of the simplest ways to expertise the spectacular gentle present is to stroll the stadium’s perimeter across the outfield seats.
The occasion additionally contains the Richardson Tree Farm, visits with Santa Claus, and marshmallow roasting on firepits.
Fireflies Vacation Lights is held from Thursday, November 16 till Sunday, December 31 – aside from November 20, November 23, November 27, and December 25. The sunshine show is open from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m.
Tickets to the occasion begin at $10 per particular person in November and enhance to $12 in December. Parking is free on the Freed Avenue Parking Storage.
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard
Lengthy after the animals fall asleep, issues get wild on the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard. Wild Lights is an annual Christmas vacation gentle show that includes greater than 60 larger-than-life 3D shows, bonfires, and pictures with Santa.
READ MORE: Find out how to Expertise the Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard in Columbia, SC
The 3D shows tower over the company whereas meandering the concrete paths via the zoo. Go for a nighttime journey on the carousel, take a photograph with Santa, and roast marshmallows on the bonfires throughout this spectacular Columbia occasion.
Wild Lights is open from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. on choose dates from mid-November via mid-January. Tickets range in worth from $20-$25 for adults and $15-$20 for kids.
Governor’s Carolighting
South Carolina’s Christmas vacation season begins with the Governor’s Carolighting. Throughout the annual occasion, Governor Henry McMaster lights the State Christmas Tree on the north aspect of the State Home dealing with Essential Avenue. The free occasion begins at 6 p.m.
The tree stays lit each evening via the top of December.
Sleigh Bell Stroll
Certainly one of Columbia’s hallmarks and most fun household Christmas occasions is the Vacation Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park. The dazzling show of Christmas lights, from static shows to animated wonderlands, strains the paved street via the park so guests can admire the shows from the consolation of their automobiles.
The Sleigh Bell Stroll is an enchanting one-time alternative to see the spectacular lights with none automobiles. Contributors park on the east entrance close to St. Andrews Street and stroll the 2-mile route via Saluda Shoals Park.
You’ll have two hours to expertise the Christmas gentle show in peacefulness. Then, a bus brings everybody again to the car parking zone.
Registration is required by November 20 for this occasion. It prices $7 per grownup and $2 per little one.
Vacation Lights on the River
The Vacation Lights on the River is Columbia’s longest drive-thru Christmas gentle show. The two.5-mile route options dozens of sports-themed gentle shows, animated shows, and shows hanging from bushes.
On the Environmental Heart, guests can roast marshmallows on firepits, discover the Santa Claus’et Reward Store, and go for a hayride. Get knowledgeable picture with Santa after which decide up a Tin Can Kettle Corn bag. Go for a brief stroll on the Wetlands Path to expertise a surprising laser gentle present.
The Vacation Lights on the River is held nightly from November 23 till December 31, aside from Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission is $25 per automobile. It takes about an hour to drive via the sunshine show casually.
Carolina Lights
Expertise the Carolina Lights drive-through vacation gentle present from the consolation of your automotive. The drive-through expertise options over 100 LED gentle shows alongside a circuitous route via the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.
Concessions midway via the present promote chocolate chip cookies, milk, water, and soda. However one of the simplest ways to take pleasure in this occasion is to convey your snacks.
Carolina Lights is completely a drive-through expertise with no different occasions. The gates open at 6 p.m. each evening from December 8 via December 24, aside from Mondays. Price is $20 per automotive.
After exiting the sunshine present, guests can request a re-entry move to expertise the drive-through gentle present once more on the identical evening.
