2026 state Christmas tree arrives at SC House

South Carolina’s official Christmas tree arrived at the South Carolina State House in Columbia on Monday, Nov. 9, following a brief press conference on the North Lawn.

Charlene Slaughter, director of communications with Experience Columbia SC, thanked the many individuals and organizations that helped make this year’s tree possible. Experience Columbia SC is the presenting sponsor of the 60th annual Governor’s Carolighting.

This year’s tree is a 35-foot-tall Norway Spruce from Henderson Tree Farms in Morganton, North Carolina. This is the fifth year the tree has come from Morganton.

The Columbia Garden Club, with support from the Garden Club of South Carolina, procured the state’s Christmas tree. Dominion Energy will set the star on top of the tree and hang more than 13,000 lights before members of the Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina will begin decorating it.

“Members of the Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina will come together to unwrap, sort and prepare more than 900 ornaments for the tree,” said Melissa Prickett with the Columbia Garden Club. “The collection features a beautiful array of red, gold and silver ornaments, including traditional balls, teardrops and oversized, glittering stars that will help make the tree truly spectacular.

“It’s a big, fun undertaking, but one that comes together thanks to the many helping hands and the enthusiasm of everyone involved. We’re excited to be part of this special holiday tradition and help bring the tree to life.”

The Christmas tree’s journey to the State House is a special ritual for Bruce Vollnogle, owner of TimberTech in Greer. This is the 22nd  consecutive year that Vollnogle and his team donated their time and services to pick up the tree and bring it to Columbia.

The tree will stay dark until the 60th annual Governor’s Carolighting on Sunday, Nov. 22, on the South Carolina State House’s North Lawn.

Carolighting festivities, which are free and open to the public, begin at 6 p.m. with live music from South Carolina artists and a countdown to the tree lighting. Look out for Santa, who will pay a special visit.

Headlining this year’s performances is songwriter, performer, television host and S.C. Poet Laureate Patrick Davis. Davis is the writer and performer of “Carolina When I Die,” which is recognized as a South Carolina state song.

Other performers representing the entire state include Professor Jeffrey Lampkin and the award-winning Francis Marion University YGB Gospel Choir, Carolighting Children’s Choir and the Fort Jackson 282nd Army Band Quintet.  WLTX-TV News anchor J.R. Berry will emcee the program.

The live program will be televised on SCETV from 6-7 p.m.

The 60th annual Governor’s Carolighting is sponsored by Experience Columbia SC, the Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina. Experience Columbia SC is the region’s destination marketing organization. For more information, visit www.experiencecolumbiasc.com.