Lexington County Lights

Lights at Riverbanks

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) hosts its annual Christmas light event (known previously as Lights Before Christmas). The Zoo will be illuminated by nearly a million lights and more than 350 handcrafted images. You can also take a photo with Santa and roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire. The event continues through Dec. 30 on select dates (including Nov. 25-27, 1 and Dec. 1). Visit riverbanks.org for more information. 

Holiday Lights On The River

Enjoy an evening of holiday lights and activities at Saluda Shoals Park East (6071 St Andrews Rd. in Columbia). The park will have three miles of lights featuring colorful, animated light displays of all shapes and sizes. There will also be a tube slide, a hayride train, a laser light show on the Wetland Trail, and kids can write and color a letter to Santa in the Environmental Center. Santa will also be there for photos, and Santa’s Claus’et Gift Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase. The event recurs nightly through Dec. 31, and admission costs between $25 and $75 (available activities vary on some nights). Visit icrc.net for more information.

Friday — Nov. 25

Dance Night

Head over to the Skyline Club (100 Lee St. in West Columbia) for night one of their Dance Weekend. Dance the night away to some of country music’s greatest hits. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is $5. Visit facebook.com/skylineclub803 for more information. 

Saturday — Nov. 26

Country Music & Dancing

Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) hosts its regular Saturday night Country Music & Dancing event. Enjoy an evening of dancing to classic country music. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m., and the snack bar will be open. Admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information. 

Meeting Street Artisan Market

Head over to the Interactive Art Park (425 Meeting St. in West Columbia) for the Meeting Street Artisan Market. The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods and produce. Support local vendors, interact with the unique sculptures throughout the park, and then head to State and Meeting Streets, and Court Avenue to continue shopping and dining. The market is free to attend and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit facebook.com/MeetingStreetArtisanMarket for more information.

Small Business Saturday Farmers Market

The FARM 1780 hosts a free market with local vendors, food, music, kids’ activities and “the FARMcrafted bar” with festive holiday drinks. There will be a storytime with Santa at 1 p.m., and S’mores with Santa sessions (including a 12-minute visit with the big man in which you will roast marshmallows and take a photo with your family) for an additional $45 per family. Event goes from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and is free to attend.

Small Business Saturday (concert)

Scratch N’ Spin (513 12th St. in West Columbia) music and comics shop in West Columbia hosts its Small Business Saturday event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with performances from Columbia-rooted bands King Saul and the Heretics, and Brandy and the Butcher starting at 12:30 p.m. There will also be reduced prices throughout the store and rare and exclusive vinyl available for purchase. Find more info at facebook.com/scratchnspinofficial.

David Glymph (concert)

Join Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St. in West Columbia) and saxophonist David Glymph as they present “A Night of Sax & Soulful Grooves.” Expect to hear classics and hits by Grover Washington, Jr., Boney James, Marvin Gaye, Toni Braxton, Everette Harp, Tevin Campbell, Stevie Wonder and more. Showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets are $25. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information. 

Fat Rat da Czar (concert)

Veteran Columbia rapper Fat Rat da Czar makes his comeback performance at New Brookland Tavern (122 State St. in West Columbia). Fat Rat is joined by special guests Elle Nikcole, SaintPat, Rossianno and MIDIMarcum. Showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets are $15. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information. 

Sunday — Nov. 27

Jordan Lawson Duo (concert)

The Jordan Lawson Duo performs at Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce). Showtime is 1 p.m., and the Duo will play until 4 p.m. The show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information. 

Brandon Hooker (concert)

Singer/songwriter Brandon Hooker plays at Hazelwood Brewing (711 E. Main St.). Hooker will perform a mix of covers and originals starting at 3 p.m. and running until 6 p.m. The show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/hazelwoodbeer for more information. 

Thursday — Nov. 28

Christmas Craft Fair

The Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W. Main St.) and the Town of Lexington host a Christmas Craft Fair to open this year’s Snowball Festival. The Fair takes place at the Icehouse pavilion and features fresh produce, unique gifts, local vendors, food and much more. It runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit icehouseamphitheater.com for more information. 

Christmas In Cayce Drive-Thru

Sponsored by The Woman's Club of Cayce, the Christmas In Cayce Drive-Thru event kicks off the city’s week of holiday events and includes musical performances and a visit from Santa Claus. See thousands of lights and animated displays. The Woman’s Club of Cayce is also sponsoring the 19th annual Cayce Cares food drive to assist God’s Helping Hands and the Scooter Scott project and ask that you bring canned goods and non-perishable food items. The drive-through begins at 6 pm at Cayce City Hall (1800 12th St.) and is free to attend. Visit caycesc.gov for more information. 

Across the County Line

South Carolina Oyster Festival

Head over to the Historic Robert Mills House (1616 Blanding St. in Columbia) on Nov. 27 for the South Carolina Oyster Festival. Steamed oysters will be for sale by the bucket, and there will also be oyster shooters, fried oysters and oyster gumbo. There will also be cold beer for sale. Bring chairs, blankets and oyster knives. The festival begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit scoysterfest.com for more information.

“The Nutcracker” (ballet)

“The Nutcracker” begins its run at the Township Auditorium (1703 Taylor St. in Columbia) on Nov. 23. Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet teams with the Columbia Festival Orchestra for a production of the popular ballet that continues through Nov. 27. The first performance begins at 10 a.m., and all seats are $16.50. Visit thetownship.org for more information. 

Soda City Jazz Festival

If you’re a jazz music fan, you’ll want to check out the Soda City Jazz Festival at the Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St. in Columbia) on. Grammy-award-nominated saxophonist Boney James will perform, along with guitarist Norman Brown, and The Terence Young Experience. For those who buy the special VIP experience tickets, there will be an exclusive performance by guitarist Sam “Bassman” Jenkins and saxophonist Dante Lewis. Showtime is 7:30 p.m, and tickets cost between $79 and $89 for standard admission and $99 and $125 for VIP admission. Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for more information. 

Junior League Holiday Market

The State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr. in Columbia) and the Junior League of Columbia host a Holiday Market on Dec. 1. Shop  Christmas gifts from more than 170 different vendors. The market runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit jlcolumbia.org for more information.