Holiday Lights

Wild Lights at the Zoo

Grab the kids and head over to the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) for the annual Wild Lights event. Stroll through the Zoo and discover nearly 60 large-scale handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature. There are also interactive activities, photo ops, and seasonal favorites including nightly snowfall and visits with Santa. Begins at 5 p.m., and admission is $19.99 for children ages 2-12 and $24.99 for adults. Children under 2 are free. Event runs through Jan. 14. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

Friday — Jan. 12

Jeremy Arndt (concert)

Musician Jeremy Arndt performs at the Pink Lotus Yoga Center (711 E. Main St. J-1). Arndt plays ambitious, percussion-based styles of world and international music starting at 6:30 p.m. Show is free to attend. Visit pinklotusyogacenter.com for more information.

Game On – Canasta

The Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library (1500 Augusta Rd. in West Columbia) hosts a fun afternoon of gaming with their “Game On – Canasta” meetup. For those who might not know, Canasta is a card game in the rummy family. This group is for both beginners and experienced players and runs from 1:30 to 4 p.m. It is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information. 

Saturday — Jan. 13

The McKoy Brothers (concert)

Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) hosts a performance by The McKoy Brothers. This popular act, a regular at Bill’s Music Shop, plays country and gospel favorites starting at 8 and running until 9 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information. 

David Glymph (concert)

Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St. in West Columbia) and saxophonist David Glymph present “A Night of Sax and Soulful Grooves.” Enjoy hits and classics by Floetry, Musiq Soulchild, Stevie Wonder, Sade, Grover Washington, Jr., Boney James, The Gap Band, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Kirk Whalum and many more. Doors open at 6:30, and showtime is 8 p.m. Admission is $30. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information. 

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” (musical)

The Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College St. in Irmo) and the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission’s Children’s Theatre present “The Little Mermaid, Jr.,” a Disney musical: “Journey under the sea with Ariel and her aquatic friends. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’ is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.”There are shows at 3 and 7 p.m. (in addition to other showtimes Friday and Sunday) and tickets are $10 for each show. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information. 

Cars & Coffee

The AMC Harbison 14 (122 Afton Ct.) hosts its monthly Cars & Coffee event. Sip some steaming hot coffee while browsing through auto parts, accessories, cleaning supplies, detailing products and much more. Cars & Coffee runs from 7 to 10 a.m. and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/carsandcoffeecolumbia for more information. 

Sunday — Jan. 14

Billie Eilish Drag Brunch

If you’re a fan of drag performers and/or pop music sensation Billie Eilish, you won’t want to miss the Billie Eilish Drag Brunch at The Hideaway in WeCo (118 State St. in West Columbia). Enjoy a delicious brunch spread while the Columbia Kings N’ Things pay tribute to the music and fashion of Billie Eilish. There are performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and admission for each show is $10. Visit facebook.com/thehideoutinweco for more information.

Jennifer Alvarado (concert)

Singer-songwriter Jennier Alvarado performs at Savage Craft Ale Works (430 Center St. in West Columbia) for the first time from 4 to 7 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/savagecraftaleworks.

5th Birthday Bash

Chapin pet boutique Modern Companion (508-B Lexington Ave.) celebrates five years in business. Find more info on the festivities, which run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at facebook.com/themoderncompanion.

Tuesday — Jan. 16

Family Fun Night

O’Hara’s Public House (131 E. Main St.) hosts a weekly Family Fun Night. Bring the kids by for a free dessert and balloon animals. Family Fun Night runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Visit facebook.com/oharasph for more information.

Don Colton (concert)

The Chapin Branch Library (129 Columbia Ave.) hosts a performance by Don Colton, aka “The Sax Maniac.” Colton performs hits and classics by jazz stars like David Sanborn, Grover Washington Jr, Dave Koz, Euge Groove, Eric Marienthal and more. Showtime is 5 p.m., and the show runs until 6:30 p.m. The performance is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

Thursday — Jan. 18

Coffee on the Rooftop

Black Rooster (201 Meeting St. in West Columbia) hosts a “laid-back networking event for business professionals” with a view, as it hosts Coffee on the Rooftop overlooking the Columbia skyline and the Congaree River. The drop-in event goes from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Find more info at facebook.com/coffeeontherooftop.

Across the County Line

Cor De Lux (concert)

Come check out the new space that New Brookland Tavern (632 Harden St. in Columbia) departed West Columbia for with a performance by the N.C. dream pop/post-punk band Cor De Lux. The band is joined by former Glass frontman Aaron J. Burke and Bones Hamilton. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Jan. 12, and this is an all-ages show. Tickets are $10. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.

Columbia Home Building & Remodeling Expo

Looking to do a little fixer-upper work around the house, or maybe renovate your home? The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (1101 Lincoln St.) hosts the annual Columbia Home Building & Remodeling Expo Jan. 12-14. This comprehensive show brings together homeowners with many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts. Get tips on every aspect of the home, from the smallest design detail to the largest house addition. Admission is $3. Children under 18 get in free. Visit homeshowcenter.com for more information.

The Lettermen (concert)

The Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben St.) hosts a performance by the classic vocal harmony group The Lettermen on Jan. 12. Enjoy smooth renditions of songs like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “The Way You Look Tonight” at one of the group’s two shows Jan. 12, one at 3 and one at 8 p.m. Tickets cost between $40 and $50, and the prices are the same for both shows. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for more information. 

MLK Freedom Fest II (concert)

MLK Freedom Fest II comes to Colonial Life Arena (801 Lincoln St.) on Jan. 13. Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with performances by Ne-Yo, Faith Evans, Joe, Plies and 112, with opener Metal Roze kicking things off at 8 p.m. Tickets cost between $78 and $203. Visit coloniallifearena.com for more information. 

Aiken Augusta Bridal & Fashion Show

The Rustic Elegance Wedding Venue & Event Space (220 Frontage Rd. in Aiken) and Magnolia Lanes Polished Events present the 2024 Aiken Augusta Bridal Show on Jan. 14. If you’re planning a wedding or simply want to see the latest bridal trends, this show is the place to be. The Bridal Show includes live music, food, samples, a wedding fashion show and photo opportunities. Each ticket includes admission, a goodie bag and an entry for the Grand Prize valued at $7500. The Bridal Show runs from 1 to 5 p.m., and admission costs between $15 and $35. Visit visitaugusta.com for more information.