FRIDAY, DEC. 5

Town of Lexington Snowball Festival
Bring the family to the Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W. Main St.) for the Town of Lexington’s annual Snowball Festival. This celebration includes shopping, family-friendly activities, holiday movie screenings, visits from Santa and the highly anticipated Christmas parade. Friday’s activities include a craft fair, pictures with Santa, the tree lighting ceremony and a showing of “The Polar Express.” The festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexsc.gov for more information.

Josh Hilley (concert)
Skyline Club (100 Lee St.) is open again and going strong, and popular singer/songwriter Josh Hilley headlines the show tonight. Hilley and his all-star band play country hits and originals to get you dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. Visit facebook.com/skylineclub803 for more information.

Winter Wine
Saluda Shoals Park EAST (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) invites you to enjoy some Winter Wine. Guests at this 21-and-up event enjoy a curated tasting of seven different wines, each paired with light refreshments to complement the selections. Afterwards, guests are invited to take a stroll through the breathtaking Holiday Lights on the River display. Winter Wine runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and admission is $40. Visit icrc.net for more information.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (play)
The Columbia Children’s Theatre and the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Blvd.) host a wacky holiday treat called “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Enjoy the hilarious story of the Herdman kids, mischievous brats who take over the town’s annual pageant, causing chaos. It’s up to reluctant director Grace Bradley to step in to hold it together. Showtime is 2 p.m. and admission is $15. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

Rod Foster & Company w/ Jamie Wright (concert)
Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St.), the popular local band Rod Foster & Company and vocalist Jamie Wright invite you to a special presentation called “A Night of Soul Grooves.” Expect to hear smooth-jazz and soulful versions of hits and classics by Chaka Khan, The Whispers, Anita Baker and many more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are $47. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

Town of Irmo Christmas Parade
Bring the family to Crossroads Intermediate School (6949 St. Andrews Rd.) to get your upfront spot for the Town of Irmo Christmas Parade. This is the first edition of what could turn into an Irmo holiday tradition. It features colorful floats, marching bands, fun appearances by local organizations and, just maybe, a very special visit from Santa Claus. The parade begins at Crossroads Intermediate School at 9 a.m. and lasts until approximately 11 a.m. It is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/thetownofIrmo for more information.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

Car Show & Toy Drive
Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St.) hosts a car show for a cause. Rev those engines and bring your classic muscle car, sports car or other mean machine to Steel Hands from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Or just come by and take a look under the hoods. Either way, make sure to bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots with you. There’s a $300 prize for the coolest classic hot rod. There is also live music. This free event runs from noon to 4 p.m., though there is a $20 entry fee to be part of the car show. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information.

Swingin’ Holidays (concert)
The SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble takes over the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Blvd.) for a big-band program called “Swingin’ Holidays.” This lively concert blends holiday classics with the vibrant sounds of swing and jazz, creating an unforgettable seasonal celebration. This family-friendly performance mixes toe-tapping rhythms and holiday magic to create a fun evening for audiences of all ages. Showtime is 3:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $25 and $50. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

MONDAY, DEC. 8

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. Plus, there’s nightly snowfall, photo ops and visits with Santa. Wild Lights run from 5 to 9 p.m. and admission is $25.99. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

TUESDAY, DEC. 9

Holiday Lights on the River
Bring the family to Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) to enjoy Holiday Lights on the River. Take in millions of sparkling lights and colorful displays, enjoy some fun activities, concessions, a laser light show and a visit to Santa Claus' gift shop! Admission costs between $25-$30 per ca,r depending on the date, and $50-$75 per bus or van. Activities are included with admission. Visit icrc.net for more information.

THURSDAY, DEC. 11

A Seussified Christmas Carol (play)
The Chapin Theatre (830 Columbia Ave.) becomes a chaotic holiday free-for-all with “A Seussified Christmas Carol.” The Chapin Theatre Company presents a playful parody that recasts Dickens’ classic tale with the quirky charm and rhyming style reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. There are zany characters, wacky dialogue and a fast-paced foolishness galore, turning Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey of redemption into a laugh-filled holiday adventure. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $18 and $22. Visit chapintheatre.org for more information.

Across the county line

The Junior League of Columbia invites you to the Columbia Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 5, at the SC State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr.). The Columbia Holiday Market is the Junior League of Columbia’s biggest annual fundraiser, and it’s a shopping extravaganza. Browse through more than 160 vendors from around the country selling arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and much more. This is the first day of a four-day event, and it runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 5. Admission is $10. Visit jlcolumbia.org for more information.

Historic Columbia invites you to take a Historic Holiday Tour on Friday, Dec. 5. 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 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission costs between $14 and $20. Visit historiccolumbia.org for more information.

Seven Oaks Park (200 Leisure Lane) hosts Santa’s Market Craft Show on Saturday, Dec. 6. Browse through an incredible array of locally made goods, from hand-poured candles and seasonal home décor to artisan jewelry, clothing, baked goods and more. If you’re looking for unique gift ideas, this market offers one-of-a-kind treasures crafted by talented local vendors. The Santa’s Market Craft Show runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit icrc.net for more information.

The Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St.) and the Columbia Classical Ballet invite you to enjoy one of the holiday’s most beloved traditions, “The Nutcracker,” on Saturday, Dec. 6. This year’s production is a collaboration between the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, Columbia Ballet School and El Camino Ballet. Together, these talented performers deliver a breathtaking performance. From Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score to the stunning choreography and costumes, “The Nutcracker” is perfect for families, friends and ballet lovers alike. Showtime is 2 p.m. and admission costs between $20 and $42. Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for more information.

The Trustus Theatre (520 Lady St.) invites you to an enchanting evening on Sunday, Dec. 7, with their production of “Into the Woods.” This Tony Award-winning musical by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim mixes classic fairytale characters in a story that focuses on a young baker and his wife, who desperately wish for a child. “Into The Woods” begins at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, and admission costs between $37 and $43. Visit trustus.booktix.com for more information.