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. 22

NBT Christmas Party
New Brookland Tavern continues to mark its final days on West Columbia’s State Street before departing for Columbia’s Five Points, bringing in a host of local musicians familiar to club regulars for an NBT Christmas Party. Mel Washington, Joseph Hunter Duncan, David Adedokun, and Tanner Frick perform. The 7 p.m. concert costs $10 in advance. Find more info at newbrooklandtavern.com.

Ugly Sweater Party
Lake-adjacent bar and grill Schooners (6226 Bush River Rd. in Columbia) hosts its annual Ugly Sweater Party, with DJ Stingray on hand to get the party going. Event starts at 9 p.m. Call (803) 661-6138 for more info.

Ugly Sweater Party
Over in Chapin, The Tipsy Toad Tavern (103 Beaufort St.) hosts its own Ugly Sweater Party, with local band Nowel Lindler & the Bank Walkers on hand to provide the tunes. Event starts at 8 p.m. Find more at facebook.com/thetipsytoadtavern.

“The Santa Clause” (film)
The Town of Lexington closes out its rescheduled Snowball Festival events with a 6 p.m. screening of perennial Christmas comedy “The Santa Clause.” The free event at the Icehouse Amphitheater starts at 6 p.m .Find more info at icehouseamphitheater.com.

Christmas Horse Camp
Hidden Creek Stables (1122 Rawl Rd.) hosts a Christmas Horse Camp Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-2 pm. The event for kids features Christmas Crafts, horst rides, grooming, bounce hosueas and more. RSVP required. Find out more at hiddencreekstable.wixsite.com/hiddencreekstables.

Acoustic Jam
Head to Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) for the last Acoustic Jam night before Christmas. Bring your favorite unplugged instrument along and sit in or simply grab some food from the snack bar and enjoy the music. The Acoustic Jam begins at 9 p.m., and admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information.

Beth Inabinett (concert)
Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St. in West Columbia) and popular Columbia vocalist Beth Inabinett present “An Evening of Songs.” Inabinett and her band merge some classic Christmas tunes with the songs of Donny Hathaway, Eartha Kitt, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole and many more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m. and admission is $30. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

Saturday — Dec. 23

Christmas Music Bingo
Batesburg-Leesville’s resident craft beer bar Homeland (103 Main St.) hosts a Christmas Music Bingo event on Christmas Eve Eve: “Sing your heart out and enjoy the festive spirit as we play music bingo with your all-time favorite Christmas tunes.” A $30 gift card goes to the winner, and the bar will have mulled wine and cider available in addition to the bar’s usual beer and wine. Event starts at 7 p.m. Find more at facebook.com/homelandcraftbeer.

Sunday — Dec. 24

Second Spin (concert)
Wings and Ale (154 Ellis Ave.) rocks the night before Christmas with Greenville cover band Second Spin. Evet starts at 7 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/wingsandaleoflexington.

Wednesday — Dec. 27

Handmade: Fiber Friends
Head over to the Lexington Main Library (5440 Augusta Rd.) and get crafty with Handmade: Fiber Friends. Relax and work on your current project while chatting with fellow crafters. Bring your knitting, crochet or needlework to try out new techniques from one of the library’s many crafting books. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

Thursday — Dec. 28

Game On: Dice & Donuts
The Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library (1500 Augusta Rd. in West Columbia) hosts a fun session of Game On: Dice & Donuts. Play classic games like Clue, Yahtzee and Sorry while digging in to some delicious donuts and other treats. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

Riverstone (concert)
Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce) hosts a performance by Riverstone. This acoustic duo of Jeff and Natalie Lucero plays a mix of Americana covers and originals. This 5-9 p.m. show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information.

The Soul Jazz Experience (concert)
Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St. in West Columbia) gets you ready for the new year with a performance by The Soul Jazz Experience. The band will play hits and favorites by Anita Baker, Vanessa Williams, Jill Scott, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder, Prince, The Ohio Players, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and more. Doors open at 6 p.m., and showtime is 7 p.m. Dressy attire is required. Admission is free but reservations are required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

Across the County Line

Carolina Lights
The State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr. in Columbia) hosts the annual Carolina Lights drive-thru tour on through Dec. 24. 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 from 6-9 pm. Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday and 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 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.

“Christmas With the Celts” (concert)
The Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben St.) hosts “Christmas with The Celts” on Dec. 22: “Immerse yourself in a captivating celebration of the holiday season with this acclaimed Celtic ensemble. Experience the joyous fusion of traditional Irish and Scottish melodies, infectious rhythms, and heartwarming Christmas classics. Let the award-winning Celts ignite your holiday spirit with their enchanting performance and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.” Showtime is 3 p.m., and tickets cost between $45 and $65. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for more information.

Festival of Trees
The City of Aiken Visitors Center (406 Park Ave. SE) hosts the sixth annual Festival of Trees daily through Dec. 30. 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.