Christmas in Columbia is like a compromise between the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who: it’s not too cold or crowded, but there are amazing Christmas lights and events everywhere. I spent a week in Columbia discovering what the holiday brought to the city with exciting events, light displays, local shopping, and dining. Here is a complete travel guide to Christmas in Columbia so you can discover it for yourself.
Christmas in Columbia Articles
Browse previous articles written about the events, light displays, and things to do during Christmas in Columbia.
Christmas Events in Columbia
This is far from a comprehensive list of all the Christmas events in Columbia, but these are some of the best and most exciting. Visit the Experience Columbia website for a complete, searchable list of all Christmas events.
Vista Lights
November 18, 2021
The Vista Lights event is an excellent opportunity to explore the shops and restaurants of The Vista, one of the distinctive neighborhoods of Columbia. Live entertainment fills the cool night air as visitors mingle throughout the nearly sixty locally owned shops. Admission to the event is free, but you’ll have to pay for your own food, wine, and gifts.
Historic Holiday Tours
Select Nights November 19 – December 31
Each year Historic Columbia offers Historic Holiday Tours, a series of guided tours of the gorgeous Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion. The Robert Mills House is decorated as homes would have been in the 1820s before indoor Christmas trees became popular. Across the street the Hampton-Preston Mansion depicts Christmas in the 1860s. Guided tours are offered a few times each day Tuesday – Sunday. Admission is $15 per adult and $10 per youth.
Lights Before Christmas
Select Nights Nov 20 – Dec 30, 2021
One of the biggest Christmas light displays in Columbia is found at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. The annual Lights Before Christmas includes thousands of lights and displays around the enclosures and sidewalks of the zoo. Fire pits for roasting s’mores, photos with Santa, and a craft workshop make this one of the best family events for Christmas in Columbia. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children.
Annual Governor’s Carolighting
November 21, 2021
The official start of South Carolina’s yuletide season begins with the lighting of the State Christmas Tree during the annual Governor’s Carolighting. Carolers and special performances ring through the air as kids have a chance to catch a photo with Santa and enjoy hot chocolate. The event, held at the State House in downtown, is free to attend.
This event has been reduced in scope because of COVID-19.
Holiday Lights on the River
December 6-31, 2021
The annual Holiday Lights on the River is one of the most fantastic family Christmas events because you can enjoy most of it from the comfort of your car! The heart of the event is an enormous, animated Christmas lights display along a self-driving tour through Saluda Shoals Park. At the activity center near the end of the driving route visitors can roast marshmallows, grab some hot chocolate, join a holiday craft workshop, and capture photos with Santa. Admission is $20 per car.
Holiday Market
December 2-5, 2021
Each year the Junior League of Columbia organizes the Holiday Market as their biggest fundraiser of the year. Almost two hundred vendors come out with baked goods, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, and all kinds of fantastic Christmas gift ideas for the four-day event. Special events include the Preview Party, Ladies Night out, and Sundaes with Santa. General admission to the market is $8 per person (covers all four days).
Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
December 4, 2021
The Christmas holiday is not complete without a parade! The Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade begins at 9:45 a.m. on Sumter Street and continues down Gervais to Senate Street, giving visitors plenty of room to snag a viewing spot. The parade includes hundreds of participants from high school and college marching bands to cloggers and performers.
Holly Jolly Hollywood
December 2021
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to watch It’s a Wonderful Life in a movie theater (I also own a DVD version to watch it at home a couple times each season). Fortunately, in Columbia there is The Nickelodeon. This locally owned art house pulls out the film reels a few times throughout December for their Holly Jolly Hollywood event with titles like White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Home Alone. Admission is $11 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
The Nutcracker
Select Dates December 11-19, 2021
Another annual event every Christmas needs is a performance of The Nutcracker. The Columbia City Ballet puts on six performances and four matinees during the week leading up to Christmas. The Nutcracker Tea before each of the matinees is a great opportunity to bring the kids along for cake, cookies, and refreshments before the performance. Admission is $30 per person.
Christmas Lights in Columbia
I feel like Columbia makes up for a total lack of snow on Christmas with spectacular lights. The light displays around the city and at special events will certainly give you something to admire. Here are some of the best Christmas light displays in Columbia.
Lights Before Christmas
Select Nights Nov 20 – Dec 30, 2021
One of the biggest Christmas light displays in Columbia is found at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. The annual Lights Before Christmas includes thousands of lights and displays around the enclosures and sidewalks of the zoo. Firepits for roasting s’mores, photos with Santa, and a craft workshop make this one of the best family events for Christmas in Columbia. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children.
Downtown Columbia
November 21 – December 31, 2021
The State Christmas Tree is located in front of the State House at the intersection of Main Street and Gervais Street. This is a great place to begin a leisurely walk along Main Street to see the Christmas décor put up by the city and various businesses.
Holiday Lights on the River
December 6-31, 2021
The annual Holiday Lights on the River is one of the most fantastic family Christmas events because you can enjoy most of it from the comfort of your car! The heart of the event is an enormous, animated Christmas lights display along a self-driving tour through Saluda Shoals Park. At the activity center near the end of the driving route visitors can roast marshmallows, grab some hot chocolate, join a holiday craft workshop, and capture photos with Santa. Admission is $20 per car.
Carolina Lights
December 3-26, 2021
One of the easiest ways to enjoy a spectacular display of Christmas lights is from the comfort of your own car. Carolina Lights is a drive-thru experience at the South Carolina State Fair grounds just minutes from downtown Columbia.
Admission begins at 6 p.m. each night — but I recommend arriving at least an hour earlier to avoid waiting in line — and costs $20 per car.
Where to Find Santa Claus in Columbia
One of the hallmarks of Christmas for children is getting that chance to sit on Santa’s lap, divulge your entire wish list, and capture a photo treasure. Here are some of the best, and most interesting, places to find Santa Claus during Christmas in Columbia.
Columbiana Centre
Thursday, November 18 – Friday, December 24, 2021
Belk Court in Columbiana Centre is the stereotypical Santa in a shopping mall location, but it’s also a pretty awesome location. “Santa” is on duty seven days a week throughout much of November and December leading up to Christmas. Photography packages range from $39.99 – $49.99.
Lights Before Christmas
Select Nights Nov 20 – Dec 30, 2021
Go to the Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden for the amazing display of Christmas lights, but also be sure to get a photo with Santa! Ole Saint Nick is set up in a covered pavilion near the middle of the zoo ready and waiting for children to hop into his lap for a photo. Admission to the Lights Before Christmas event is $12 for adults and $10 for children, but photos with Santa are free (because you have to bring your own camera).
Sundaes with Santa
December 5, 2021
Sundaes with Santa is a one-day event on the last day of the annual Holiday Market by the Junior League of Columbia. The Junior League encourages families to dress in their Sunday best for photos with Santa and then enjoy the ice cream sundae bar. Admission is $8 per person.
Holiday Lights on the River
December 6-31, 2021
While the Holiday Lights on the River includes the spectacular display of lights along a self-driving route through the park, from December 14-23 visitors will also find Santa waiting for them at the activity center. Visitors can roast marshmallows, grab a hot chocolate, and visit Santa’s Workshop while also capturing a photo with Santa. Admission is $20 per car with additional fees for photos with Santa.
Where to Find Local Shopping
You won’t have to look hard to find some great local shopping throughout Columbia. Several events are geared around local artisans but beyond that there are a few specific areas to find great retail shops. Here is a small breakdown of what you’ll find during Christmas in Columbia.
Soda City Market
Each Saturday
The Soda City Market is downtown Columbia’s farmers market. The market sets up camp along three blocks of Main Street in the middle of downtown each Saturday. Throughout December visitors will find artisans with handmade crafts, Christmas décor, hot chocolate, and baked goods.
Holiday Market
December 2-5, 2021
Each year the Junior League of Columbia organizes the Holiday Market as their biggest fundraiser of the year. Almost two hundred vendors come out with baked goods, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, and all kinds of fantastic Christmas gift ideas for the four-day event. Special events include the Preview Party, Ladies Night out, and Sundaes with Santa.
Downtown Columbia
Take a stroll along Main Street between Gervais and Blanding to find some pretty amazing local shopping opportunities. Start with Uptown Gifts where you can create custom gift baskets and pick out personalized items. The Shoppes on Main is a great place to find home décor items and small gift ideas. The Mast General Store is a must-visit for any outdoorsy Christmas shopping list with outdoors clothing, equipment, and small gift ideas in their massive two-story location.
Five Points
The Five Points neighborhood is one of the most popular shopping, dining, and entertainment districts in Columbia. The name comes from the five streets that intersect at the Five Points Fountain, making it easy to find and get around the area. 2G’s Clothing, Dakotas Boutique, and Gentleman’s Closet are a couple of places to find trendy men’s and women’s clothing. Papa Jazz Record Shoppe is more than just a place to find vintage records; they also have a huge collection of DVDs, Blurays, and just about anything else every recorded onto a round disc. Another interesting place to visit is Sunrise Artisan Bath and Body where you’ll find a large collection of locally made soap, bath bombs, and deodorant.
The Gourmet Shop is the most interesting place to shop at Five Points. The massive store is centered around the kitchen with countertop appliances and gadgets. They also have one of the largest assortments of wine from around the world I’ve ever seen in one place. Along with small gift ideas and unique cooking items this is a great place for the chef (a.k.a. mom) of the family.
The Vista
The Vista is another of Columbia’s distinctive neighborhoods right next to downtown. Take a stroll along Gervais or Lady Street between Assembly and Huger to find some neat places to shop. Carol Saunders Gallery is a nice local art shop to browse. City Art is a great place to find art supplies to support the artist in the family during Christmas.
One of the more interesting places to find great gift ideas is The Cotton Mill Exchange, the 4,000 square foot gift shop at the South Carolina State Museum. The gift shop has a bevy of clothing, books, and dinnerware with a South Carolina theme, along with educational books and toys for children.
Where to Eat & Drink
There are so, so many amazing locally owned places to eat and drink in Columbia. During my week for Christmas in Columbia I discovered quite a few. Here is a list of what I found to help you enjoy some great food and drinks during Christmas in Columbia.
Café Strudel
I’m not a morning person by any means but I would get up at sunrise every day of the week if I could have breakfast at Cafe Strudel. They have two locations with the same menu, but I recommend the West Columbia location. Everything on the menu is delicious but I recommend either the Hangover Hashbrowns (hashbrowns, onions, banana peppers, cheddar cheese, topped with 2 eggs) or the Sunrise Burrito (scrambled egg, cheddar cheese, house-made salsa, and black beans).
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
Remember when mom used to tell us to stop eating dessert and save room for dinner? At The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli on Divine Street you can eat both at the same time! Along with ginormous cinnamon rolls baked fresh every day they have a large menu of bagels, sandwiches, and soups.
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The Gourmet Shop Café
This little café in The Gourmet Shop offers brunch and lunch seven days a week. It can get a bit hectic with shoppers moving in and out but soon enough you’ll be focused on the delicious food. The Breakfast Panini (panini filled egg, Parrano cheese, red peppers, and turkey sausage) is a great start. You can also try their famous Chicken Salad or create your own sandwich.
Spotted Salamander
This is one of the coolest locally owned restaurants in the city. The owners at Spotted Salamander began with a catering business but when that business grew in leaps and bounds they set up a restaurant in a cute house. They serve lunch five days a week with daily specials, salads, and sandwiches.
Za’s on Devine
Officially called Za’s Brick Oven Pizza this is the best pizza you’ll find you Columbia. The modern and comfortable dining space is the perfect place to check out their long menu of specialty pizzas or build your own from scratch. Along with pastas, wood-fired appetizers, and a full-service bar, this is a great place to get lunch or dinner during a day of exploring the city.
Grill Marks
Sometimes all you want is a good burger and Grill Marks has one of the best in the city. In fact, their entire menu is based on burgers stacked so high you’ll need to unhinge your jaw (or I guess you could also just cut it up with the knife and fork they give you). As an added bonus you simply must try one of their Freakshakes. Oh and they’re not much for decorating for Christmas but they did have the leg lamp from A Christmas Movie sitting on the bar!
Bourbon
This locally owned restaurant is one of the hottest joints in the city right now. Seating at Bourbon is comfortable but limited, and they don’t take reservations. Grab a seat at the bourbon bar to enjoy fantastic mixed drinks or slide into a booth to try their Cajun-Creole inspired menu. Located on Main Street downtown it’s a great place for dinner at the end of an exciting day exploring and shopping.
Hunter Gatherer Brewery at Curtiss Wright Hangar
I have yet to visit Hunter-Gatherer’s first location on Main Street and I just might never go after my amazing evening at the Curtiss Wright Hangar location. The owners have converted the old airplane hangar into a brewery and restaurant. They typically have live music playing in the corner with plenty of booths and seats at the bar. The menu here is limited to “bar food” like pretzels, dips, and pizzas (but really good pretzels, dips, and pizzas) and they have their full line of craft beer on tap.
Where to Stay
Columbia is a big city and has plenty of options for lodging (I’m pretty sure the city has one of every type of hotel chain). Although a hotel is a hotel, some hotels are better and others are in better locations. Here are some options in three specific areas I think would make a great place to stay during Christmas in Columbia.
Budget
Microtel Inn & Suites The Microtel chain is barebones but all you need for a comfortable sleep. They have a few connecting rooms, rooms with two beds, and a studio suite with a sleeper sofa so you can bring the family. The location near I-77 is on the outskirts of the city but still a great location for getting to all the Christmas events.
La Quinta Inn This hotel is one of the most affordable in the city (and one day I might tell you about how I stayed here when my camper van broke down). They have connecting rooms and a Deluxe Suite with a sleeper sofa for the families. The breakfast is typical of a hotel chain in the morning, but it’s still not a bad start to the day.
Mid-Range
Hyatt Place This is the top recommended place to stay downtown during Christmas in Columbia. The hotel is a super comfortable and convenient location for exploring downtown, The Vista, and Five Points during all the Christmas events. A full-service bar and restaurant in the lobby offer a chance to get a meal without having to dress up and go out.
Aloft s a relatively new chain of modern hotel to sweep the country and they’re pretty comfortable for a stay. Located across the street from Hyatt Place it is within walking distance of Main Street so you won’t have to worry about finding parking or driving back after dining at Bourbon.
Hampton Inn This hotel is in a great location beside the interstate to quickly access all the Christmas events in the city. They feature several rooms with a sleeper sofa so you can bring the entire family. The breakfast spread in the morning is pretty impressive and will get your day started off right.
