Once recognized by the phrase jumble Lights Before Christmas – although they stayed lit previous the vacation – the newly christened Lights at Riverbanks is likely one of the most uncommon Christmas mild shows in South Carolina. And once I say uncommon, I imply that you want to head into the capital metropolis subsequent weekend and see these lights.
Lights at Riverbanks is a uncommon alternative to discover the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden at evening. But don’t go anticipating to see all kinds of wildlife swinging from bushes and growling atop fake rocks. The animals are asleep. And you’re there to see the a million lights, fireplace pits, and get an image taken with Santa.
Find out every thing you want to learn about attending the Lights at Riverbanks.
When Can I See the Lights at Riverbanks?
The Lights at Riverbanks is held on choose dates from 5-9 p.m. Be certain to test the schedule twice.
2020 Lights at Riverbanks Schedule
- 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
How Much Does Lights at Riverbanks Cost?
Admission to the Lights at Riverbanks is $15 for adults, $12 for youngsters age 2-12, and free for youngsters below 2.
Christmas Lights
I attempted counting the variety of Christmas lights on show
on the zoo however like all slacker I gave up after 100. There’s so much.
Probably about one million.
The Lights at Riverbanks was probably the most spectacular shows of Christmas lights I had ever seen. Strings of lights wrapped across the trunks of palm bushes and highlighted particular person branches of bushes. There have been so many lights they solid shadows of inexperienced, pink, and pink throughout the sidewalk and mirrored within the water of ponds.
Quirky mild shows sat on each nook and tucked into
each alcove. Twinkling lights dangled from the tree branches overhead. An complete
tunnel of lights awaited guests to Ndoki Village in a far nook of the zoo.
I walked by the zoo 5 instances the one evening I went. If I have been an area I’d have gone no less than two separate nights. But no less than I’ve loads of fairly photos to recollect it by though I’m sure I’d always remember that occasion.
READ MORE: 4 Places to Find Beautiful Christmas Lights in Columbia, SC (Updated for 2021)
Animated Story Tree
I didn’t get it at first. I stood again watching lights
dancing round a towering Christmas tree in the course of the zoo. Patterns.
Shapes.
Then I understood: it was a narrative tree! Animals traveled throughout the tree as tales unfolded. Families stopped in awe to observe the show. It was definitely one of many extra attention-grabbing sights on the zoo throughout Lights at Riverbanks.
Photos with Santa
What Christmas occasion is full with out Santa Claus? Each evening till December 23 Santa will be discovered on the Safari Camp lined shelter after 6 p.m. Photos with Santa are free since you carry your individual digital camera. The line moved fairly fast and I used to be stunned at how nicely it was managed contemplating there was no pesky photographer directing visitors (full disclosure: I’ve been that pesky photographer previously).
READ MORE: 9 Fantastic Christmas Events You Don’t Want to Miss in Columbia, SC (Updated for 2021)
Jingle Bell Bonfire
If I have been to choose a favourite second of my favourite evening throughout Christmas in Columbia, it will have been the half hour I spent making s’mores on the Jingle Bell Bonfire. An monumental propane fireplace pit between the ocean lions and aquarium lit up the evening.
A close-by vendor offered the elements wanted to make good s’mores. A pair minutes of roasting a marshmallow on the open flame and also you have been prepared for a scrumptious deal with in the course of the Lights Before Christmas.
Ride the Carousel
Have you ever ridden a carousel at evening? I don’t know if it’s actually any totally different than driving in the course of the day but it surely regarded like a neat factor to do in the course of the Lights at Riverbanks. A protracted line of households eagerly waited for the possibility to hop onboard and take a number of spins.
There have been a few fireplace pits within the giant pavilion beside the carousel. It was an opportunity for folks to heat their palms or simply have a superb chat beside an open fireplace. It was definitely a spot I loved taking a load off my ft for a couple of minutes (I circled the zoo 5 instances, bear in mind?).
Getting There & Parking
There is just one method to get to the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
however happily it’s a straightforward method. The Greystone Boulevard exit on Interstate
126 leads on to the zoo. Easy off, straightforward on once you’re prepared to depart.
Almost as quickly as you flip down Rivermont Drive you’ll see
the doorway to the zoo on the suitable. There was a gentleman standing on the market
once I arrived directing visitors to the parking tons.
There is loads of parking on the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.
The higher parking is to show left after coming into the zoo car parking zone, drive beneath
the footbridge, and park on the different finish. This is the closest you’ll get to
the principle entrance.
Just in case all this parking is full, that footbridge
crosses the railroad tracks to an unlimited car parking zone on the opposite aspect. That
car parking zone is accessed from Rivermont Drive earlier than turning into the zoo. There
is an elevator at both finish of the footbridge to help with accessibility.