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.

Holiday Lights on the River
Saluda Shoals Park (5605 Bush River Rd. in Columbia) presents its popular annual drive-through display, promising millions of sparkling lights along two miles, including animated displays of various shapes and sizes. Event also includes activities such as a winter wonder tube slide, a hayride, a laser light show on the Wetland Trail, and Santa’s Claus’et Gift Shop. Concessions, beer and wine available for purchase. Runs nightly 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 31. Admission is $25 per car; $50 per 12-15 passenger van, truck, trailer or limo; and $75 per bus (up to 16 passengers). Find more info at icrc.net.

Friday — Dec. 15

“The Christmas Angel”
The Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Blvd. in Irmo) and the Nova Ballet present “The Christmas Angel.” This family-friendly ballet filled with holiday classics is in its 23rd year of production. There are shows at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and tickets are $18.50 for adults and $12.50 for seniors 65 and older, military members and children under 12. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

Candy Cane Hunt
Crooked Creek Park (1098 Old Lexington Hwy. in Chapin) presents a unique take on the holidays with a Candy Cane Hunt. Santa and his elves will be hiding candy canes at Crooked Creek Park for kids to find along with some prizes. This event is for children ages 1-12. Make sure to bring a basket or bag for candy canes and an unwrapped toy to donate. Check in is at 3:30 p.m., and the hunt begins at 4:15 p.m. Admission is $3 per child. Visit icrc.net for more information.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” (play)
The Chapin Theatre (830 Columbia Ave.) showcases an American holiday classic in a different light. The Theatre performs a “live radio play” edition of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Actors portray numerous characters, and sound effects are done through old-school tricks. And the family will enjoy the story of George Bailey and his guardian angel. Showtime tonight is 7:30 p.m. Production continues through Dec. 17. Tickets cost between $15 and $20. Visit chapintheatre.org for more information.

Michael Cera Palin (concert)
The Atlanta emo-punk band Michael Cera Palin plays at New Brookland Tavern (122 State St. in West Columbia). This will be one of the last shows at the current NBT location, and the band is joined by Dollar Signs, the Holy Ghost Tabernacle Choir, Kerosene Heights, and Squeamish. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.

Saturday — Dec. 16

Snowball Carnival
The Town of Lexington and Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W. Main St.) present the annual Snowball Carnival, rescheduled from earlier this month. The Carnival features small rides, face painting, balloon artists and food from local vendors. The Snowball Carnival runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and admission is free. Visit icehouseamphitheater.com for more information.

Jason McKoy and Family (concert)
Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) hosts a performance by Jason McKoy and Family. The group will perform classic and beloved gospel tunes starting at 8 p.m. and running until 9 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information.

Meeting Street Artisan Holiday Market
The City of West Columbia’s regular artisan market presents a special holiday edition: “Stroll through a winter wonderland of artisan booths showcasing everything from handcrafted jewelry and art pieces to delicious homemade treats.” Market goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the city’s market pavilion (425 Meeting St.) Find more info at facebook.com/meetingstreetartisanmarket.

Hot Chocolate Social
Spike your cozy holiday beverage at Hollow Creek Distillery (3427 US-378 in Batesburg-Leesville) with your choice of High cotton Bourbon, White Hot Cinnamon Whiskey, SEa Salted Caramel Moonshine or any one of the local distillery’s other spirits. The event includes much more than the “fun” cocoa, though — the Blood Connection will be on hand for a blood drive, Stoney Creek Cigar will be offering hand-rolled stogies, Riley’s Wood Creations will be selling potential gifts, and Muarice’s Piggie Park will have a food truck on site. The distillery will also release the next one-off spirit in its Family Reserve Limited Series, with the variety being kept a holiday secret. Event goes from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/hollowcreekdistillery.

Holiday Market
Brookland Baptist Church (1066 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia) presents its annual holiday market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: We will have great food, shopping, gift wrapping station, holiday music, silent auction and of course, Santa Claus.” The event promises 75 different craters/vendors/local vendors to shop from along with a food truck, kids activity station and a dessert station. Find more info at facebook.com/brooklandwest.

Sunday — Dec. 17

SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble (concert)
The Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Blvd. in Irmo) presents a performance by the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble called “Swingin’ Holidays.” Hear your favorite Christmas classics with a big band sound. Showtime is 3:30 p.m., and tickets cost between $25 and $50. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

Krystal Halvorson (concert)
Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce) welcomes singer/songwriter Krystal Halvorson. Halvorson will play a unique blend of gospel, blues and folk starting at 1 and running until 4 p.m. This show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information.

‘Tis the Season Holiday Market
Flora & Fauna Marketplace (4773 Sunset Blvd.) hosts its second annual ‘Tis the Season Holiday Market, extending it for a second week. A host of local artisans will be selling arts, crafts and holiday items, and it’s a chance to shop local and support small businesses. There will also be food trucks on site and live music. The outdoor Holiday Market runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/floraandfaunamarketplace for more information.

Thursday — Dec. 21

Holiday Party (concert)
Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St. in West Columbia) sends you into the heart of the Christmas season with their holiday party show. The Rod Foster Trio will add jazz and soul to your holiday favorites and play hits and classics by Donny Hathaway, Temptations, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and more. This event begins at 7 p.m. and is free to attend but reservations (and dressy attire) are required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

Across the County Line

Edwin McCain (concert)
Platinum-selling Charleston singer, songwriter and guitarist Edwin McCain performs at the Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben St.) on Dec. 15. Expect to hear hits like “I’ll Be,” “Solitude,” “I Could Not Ask For More,” and many more. Showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets cost between $90 and $100. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for more information.

Carolina Lights
The State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr. in Columbia) hosts the annual Carolina Lights drive-through display through . Bring the family and enjoy more than 100 different LED light displays along an expanded route in the Lexington Medical Center Fair Park. Carolina Lights runs Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday (6-9 p.m.) and Friday-Saturday (6-10 p.m.) through Dec. 24. Admission is $20 per car, $35 for mini buses, and $70 for vehicles with more than 25 passengers. Visit scstatefair.org/carolina-lights for more information.

“Elf Jr.: The Musical”
The BlueBird Theatre (1141 Russell St. in Orangeburg) presents a performance of “Elf Jr: The Musical” through Dec. 17: “Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.” Tickets are $12. Visit facebook.com/bluebirdtheatreorangeburgsc/ for more information.

“The Nutcracker” (ballet)
The South Carolina Ballet welcomes the holidays to the Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St.) with its annual production of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet “The Nutcracker,” continuing through Dec. 17. Showtimes vary between 3 and 7:30 p.m., and tickets cost between $30 and $60 for each show. Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for more information.

Festival of Trees
The City of Aiken Visitors Center (406 Park Ave. SE) hosts the sixth annual Festival of Trees on Dec. 16. Bring the family and walk through a display of dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The Festival of Trees runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit visitaikensc.com for more information.