Lexington County 

Thursday, Jan. 1

First Day Hike

Shake off the couch potato cobwebs from last year and get moving with a First Day hike to kick start those New Year's resolutions. South Carolina State Park Service will celebrate 2026 with First Day hikes to get state residents into the outdoors for exercise, fresh air and to connect with nature. And don't forget to share your expeditions on social media by using #SCStateParks and #FirstDayHikes on social media. Your photos could be featured later at southcarolinaparks.com. Visitors may receive a commemorative sticker and a car decal while supplies last. In Lexington County, at one of South Carolina’s newest state parks, Pine Island State Park, join a ranger on an approximately ¾-mile hike while learning more about the area and future plans for it. You may even see glimpses of local wildlife. The hike will start at 10 a.m., and hikers will meet at the entrance to Sunset Hall. “Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather! Feel free to bring binoculars in case we spot some exciting wildlife,” according to southcarolinaparks.com. 

Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 1-3

Tasting event at Hollow Creek Distillery

Hollow Creek Distillery in the Leesville area of Lexington County invites you to one of its weekly tasting events. Offered Thursdays through Saturdays, no reservations are needed for folks to come visit at 112 Rocky Ridge Rd. any time between 1 and 7 p.m. The last tour starts at 6 p.m., and the last tasting starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at hollowcreekdistillery.com or call 803-470-6010. 

Richland County 

Thursday, Jan. 1

Free First Thursday 

The Columbia Museum of Art, located at 1515 Main St. in Columbia, invites folks to ring in the new year with free admission and extended hours. Art Bridges Access for All Foundation and Lexington Health help make this event possible, according to the museum. Free First Thursday at CMA goes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the last gallery entry at 7:30 p.m. Learn more at columbiamuseum.org. 

Thursday, Jan. 1

First Day Hike

Shake off the couch potato cobwebs from last year and get moving with a First Day hike to kick start those New Year's resolutions. South Carolina State Park Service will celebrate 2026 with First Day hikes to get state residents into the outdoors for exercise, fresh air and to connect with nature. And don't forget to share your expeditions on social media by using #SCStateParks and #FirstDayHikes on social media. Your photos could be featured later at southcarolinaparks.com. Visitors may receive a commemorative sticker and a car decal while supplies last. In Richland County, at Sesquicentennial State Park, join a ranger on an approximately 2-mile hike, which will “focus on fitness while enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest in this unique sandhills ecosystem.” Adults must accompany children 15 and under. There will be two hikes, one from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and one from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Hikers will meet at the park office. “Dress appropriately for being outdoors and wear comfortable shoes,” according to southcarolinaparks.com. “Participants may also want to bring water, snacks, camera and binoculars.” The hike is free with park admission, which is $6 per adult, $3.50 per child ages six to 15 (five and under are free). There is a discount for S.C. residents who are 65 or older. For more information, email sjensen@scprt.com or call 803-788-2706.

Thursday, Jan. 1

First Thursday on Main 

Showcasing Columbia’s arts and culture scene since 2009, according to firstthursdayonmain.com, the 1200 to 1700 blocks of Main Street in Columbia feature merchants and businesses that keep their doors open late, offering a mix of art, music, food and drinks, starting at 6 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, Jan. 2, 3, 4 and 7

Wild Lights

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) invites you and the kids to enjoy Wild Lights. “Take a walk through the zoo and check out more than 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays inspired by nature,” according to riverbanks.org. Wild Lights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and admission is $20.99. 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, Jan. 2, 3, 4 and 7

Historic Holiday Tour

Historic Columbia invites you to take a Historic Holiday Tour. Step back in time and explore two of Columbia’s most iconic homes: The Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Each house is decorated for the holidays with an emphasis on 19th-century items and cultural touchstones. You’ll also hear stories about the local customs and unique ways that people of the Midlands celebrated Christmas back in the day. These 75-minute guided tours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission costs between $14 and $20. Visit historiccolumbia.org for more information.

Sunday, Jan. 4

$1 First Sunday

S.C. State Museum, located at 301 Gervais St. in Columbia, has $1 general admission from noon to 5 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month, which allows guests to explore four floors of S.C. art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology, including the Boeing Observatory and the Robert B. Arial Collection of Historical Astronomy located on the fourth floor. For an additional price, guests can see the Heroes & Villains blockbuster exhibition, a planetarium show and/or a 4D theater movie, according to scmuseum.org.