The day after Thanksgiving, folks all around the nation flip a swap, and immediately the darkish skies that come totally too early this time of 12 months are lit with good Christmas gentle shows. Columbia is called the younger capital of the Palmetto State, however throughout the Christmas season it’s also called a vacation spot for implausible Christmas gentle shows.
Here’s a breakdown of the place you’ll find the most effective Christmas lights in Columbia, SC.
No. 1
Lights Before Christmas
My favourite night time throughout Christmas in Columbia was spent on the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden for his or her annual, and not too long ago renamed, Lights at Riverbanks. During this occasion, the zoo transforms right into a spectacle with over a million lights, hearth pits for making s’mores, and photographs with Santa.
Buy your tickets upfront – admission is $15 for adults and $12 for youngsters – 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 Need to See the Lights at Riverbanks in Columbia, SC (Updated for 2022)
No. 02
Fireflies Holiday Lights
November 19 – December 31, 2022 (Except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Baseball season is lengthy since over, so it solely made sense to remodel Segra Park right into a Christmas lights spectacle aptly named Fireflies Holiday Lights. Take a stroll by means of the minor league baseball stadium and benefit from the sections of lights and animated shows. Stick round for native procuring, children crafts, and get your picture taken with Santa – or Mason, the group’s mascot.
Admission is $9-$14 per individual and the gates open at 6 p.m.
No. 02
Governor’s Carolighting
On November 20, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will gentle the official State Christmas Tree in entrance of the South Carolina State House. The Annual Governor’s Carolighting kicks off Christmas in Columbia with a fun-filled night time. Ironically, the 35-foot-tall tree doesn’t come from South Carolina – as an alternative, it’s delivered immediately from Henderson Tree Farm in Morganton, North Carolina.
The State Christmas Tree stays lit every night time all through the vacation season. The tree could be seen from Gervais Street. There is loads of parallel parking across the State House so you will get out and see it.
No. 03
Holiday Lights on the River
The annual Holiday Lights on the River is likely one of the most implausible household Christmas occasions as a result of you may get pleasure from most of it from the consolation of your automotive! The coronary heart of the occasion is a gigantic, animated Christmas lights show alongside a self-driving tour by means of Saluda Shoals Park.
At the Environmental Center close to the tip of the driving
route guests can roast marshmallows, seize some sizzling chocolate, be part of a vacation
craft workshop, and seize photographs with Santa.
Admission is $25 per automotive.
Inside Tip The gate opens at 6 p.m. each night time to permit automobiles into the park. Arrive two hours early to be one of many first automobiles in line. Once the gate opens, anticipate to sit down in line outdoors the gate 1-2 hours.
No. 05
Carolina Lights
December 3-26, 2022 (Except Christmas Day)
Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park isn’t the one drive-thru Christmas gentle expertise – there’s additionally Carolina Lights. Over 100 gentle shows will hold everybody within the automotive entertained throughout the gradual crawl by means of the South Carolina State Fair grounds.
Admission begins at 6 p.m. every night time — however I like to recommend arriving no less than an hour earlier to keep away from ready in line — and prices $20 per automotive.