The day after Thanksgiving, individuals all around the nation flip a swap, and abruptly the darkish skies that come fully too early this time of yr are lit with sensible Christmas mild shows. Columbia is named the younger capital of the Palmetto State, however throughout the Christmas season it’s also referred to as a vacation spot for incredible Christmas mild shows.
Right here’s a breakdown of the place you’ll find the perfect Christmas lights in Columbia, SC.
No. 1
Lights Earlier than Christmas
My favourite evening throughout Christmas in Columbia was spent on the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard for his or her annual, and not too long ago renamed, Lights at Riverbanks. Throughout this occasion, the zoo transforms right into a spectacle with over a million lights, fireplace pits for making s’mores, and pictures with Santa.
Purchase your tickets prematurely – 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 Have to See the Lights at Riverbanks in Columbia, SC (Up to date for 2022)
No. 02
Fireflies Vacation Lights
November 19 – December 31, 2022 (Besides 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 Vacation Lights. Take a stroll by way 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 photograph taken with Santa – or Mason, the staff’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 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 evening. Satirically, the 35-foot-tall tree doesn’t come from South Carolina – as an alternative, it’s delivered straight from Henderson Tree Farm in Morganton, North Carolina.
The State Christmas Tree stays lit every evening all through the vacation season. The tree might be seen from Gervais Road. There’s loads of parallel parking across the State Home so you will get out and see it.
No. 03
Vacation Lights on the River
The annual Vacation Lights on the River is without doubt one of the most incredible household Christmas occasions as a result of you may take pleasure in 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 way of Saluda Shoals Park.
On the Environmental Heart close to the top 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 evening 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 outdoors the gate 1-2 hours.
No. 05
Carolina Lights
December 3-26, 2022 (Besides Christmas Day)
Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park isn’t the one drive-thru Christmas mild expertise – there’s additionally Carolina Lights. Over 100 mild shows will maintain everybody within the automobile entertained throughout the sluggish crawl by way of the South Carolina State Truthful grounds.
Admission begins at 6 p.m. every evening — however I like to recommend arriving no less than an hour earlier to keep away from ready in line — and prices $20 per automobile.